Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-24


spark had well nigh gone out, and he soon be-
camc conscious of the events of the past hour.
+" How long have been here, Margery?' y he
uttered feebly, as his eye rested On the house
keeper.
" But short time, sir--a half hour, per-
haps.''
GA half hour! 1t seems as if months had
passed. / am very weak
" You are, sir. thought you dead at first.
What was the cause of this?"
Joel Palmer did not reply, but with wave
of the hand, he signifed to the domestic to leave
the room. As the door closed he pressed, his
hands upon his eyes, as IL he would shut out
some fearful vision.
"Oh," he exclaimed at last, 'why isit that
ever awoke from this unconscious state ? Why
is it that life did not wholly 60 out rather than
that should live to suffer thousand deaths.
Those features! All, she was beautiful then,
wanld that had never seen her, and this hour
would not find me in the circumstances | am
now in. And he too 1t seems as if his eyes
were looking into my very heart, MS gazed
upon that picture. And yet am glad that
woman did not die Yes, will seek her, and
from the lips of one have no basely wronged,
learn that the past is forgiven"
1t was the 7tb of August l777 The morn
ing sun shone brightly over the American camp,
but for once its rays brought with it naught Of
joy. In tent, closely guarded by file of SOL
diers, upon camp stool is seated man with
bowed head, and his appearance giving evidence
Of mind ill at ease IIc is not old, the mid
die period life has not yet been attained, and
still from his features one would judge that the
weight of threescore years had caused the hag-
gard look which dwet there An officer enters
the tent, and the man looks up suddenly while
an eager expression crosses his features.
"You come from Putnam?' - he said, as the
officer approached him.
"I do"
Is the last hope gone-can there be no re-
preive from the awful fate which awaits me? V
"None"
Z" Not even to die as soldier should--tc
meet death by the rifles of the men | have sc
often faced in action %
mo. You know, sir, how imperative anc
unchanging are the code of laws necessary to bt
observed in military affairs. The nature O.
your crime precludes the possibility of a mitga
ton of your sentence"
IL had hoped that Putnam would grant me
this request 1t can avail him, 1t can avail the
cans, you serve nothing, to accomplish my
death by the halter. Oh, sir, as you yaluo the
the feelings of one who is so near his end, per
NIT me to perish as it becomes soldier to die. ,
Were my feelings the only tribunal you have
to appeal to, this privilege should be granted
you, but am merely subordinate to my com
mandcrs authority. Is there any fAvors which
we can grant you, any message you would wish
to leave for your friends? "
How long have to live?'
''An hour"
g Bring me pen and paper, then. | have i
few words would have you convey to Marl
Lincoln"
Your wish shall be complied with. A mar
came into the camp this morning who wishes ar
interview Putnam has seen fit to grant it i
it is agreeable with your wishes
His NAME
" He gave it as Mathew Ward"
" Bid him come, then. You need not brlnj
the ma terials-the interview will suffice
The officer left tho tent, and in few mo
ments Mat Ward entered the presence of tn
man who had made his life one, in which tn
clouds of sorrow had well nigh shut out iron
him every ray of happiness
Leighton" said Palmer, as he arose from
his scat i" I know not for what purpose yo'
have sought this interview with me. but as tn
last boon shall ever ask of man, beg yo'
not to upbraid me now. My life is bite
enough in the sight Of Heaven, without havin,
your curses ringing in my ears, upon the eve 0
entering eternity
Lesare-for It's by this name first kne,
you-you impute unto me motives which ar
the farthest from my thoughts, if you think
would add in this hour to your sorrow. AN
yet methinks were in like position, yo
would have few words save those of exultatio
at the prospect of,soon Kidding yourself of Al
enemy"
Your judgment is just The nature ! pos
sess Is one in which there has been sown little
save the seeds of sin, and the harvest is bringln
unto my bosom abundantly of the fruits of
career spent in opposition to the laws of m
Maker Yet have not wholly to answer 70
the past. never knew what it was to be gui
ded by Mothers couusels, and the precepts G
a Father whose only law was his passions, hav
led my feet into a path whose end is 80 soon +
afford those who witness my death, but anothe
transgrcssor is hard The past cannot rcdce,
it is too full of iniquity, and yet ere leav
the scenes Of this lite, Iwould render reparatio
in slight degree, to those | have wronged
You know Mark Lincoln think? -
I" Yes
I" When came into the Province, saw an
loved being whom sought to make my wifi
But she saw too clearly the nature possessed
and refused the hand proilared her."
| W
g. do. Mark Lincoln saw her, and 81
gave to him the boon so iondly coveted. NJ
passions were arroused, and vowed reveng
She was taken from her home, and now woul
guide him to the place of her concealment. !"
" She is already restored to the home yo
thought forever to seperate her from.
i" 'Tis we'll. Now Leighton, would spea