The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-19

more dear. Another sat in large arm
chair fondling little prattler of two,
whose soft, dimpled arms were entwined
about his neck, and the ruby lips lisped
into his ear the prayer of childhood; he
laid the darling gently on his bed, i'm.
printed kiss on his full, white brow, and
turned to listen to the voice of pale, in
tellectual looking woman, whose face
showed the traces of exhausting care
which ever accompanies pioneer life. She
was reading from the book of Psalms, and
the words rang clear and sweet on the ear
Of the listener-"Blessed is the man that
walketh not in the counsel of the ungod-
ly, nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat Of the scornful."
Gould that man be worthy the awaiting
doom ? No! In his heart rested no
crime; but misspeut hours glided reprov-
ingly before him, and in his heart an oft
repeated resolution was renewed Of here
after "honoring God" The third victim
was wide awake, listening to every sound,
starting nervously and gazing fsarfully
around; his conscience told of plundsr
and guilt. His own shadow assumed the
form of pursuer.
The first was rudely torn from his slun-
bers-the second, from the quiet domestic
circls-the third, the jay-hawker, was
taken, surely. Nay he lined the pock-
cts of the Vigilant five with some of the
proceeds Of nightly rides, and was suffer-
ed, guilty, to depart. They bring in the
report, 'could not be found"
That "6Ve" who,
with tongues whose lies are venomous, beguile
The insensate mob, and. whilst one hand was
ked with murder, feign to stretch the other out
For brotherhood and peace"
their names were traced in flaming char
acters upon the burning record.
Close by the Avenging Angel 1 stood,
while in the midst of vile reproach and
blasphemy, the rope was fastened about
the neck of one-the one the baby-arm
had SO lately entwined-oh! how diff.
ferent was the eirclihg clasp-then thrown
over an extending limb of large tree, and
whilst thus suspended, was called upon to
confess his crimes and give up accomplices.
Prayers and cries were of no avail few
moments more would have closed the
scene. But the Angel Of Mercy dropped
her white wing SO low that it stirred in
one heart q gentle emotion. Rushing for
ward he leaped and caught the rope jus;
above the victims head, exclaiming
let's see the man" The rope was
loosed. In an excited tone he attempted
some explanations, when another voice
arose above all, rolling out horrid oaths
with the words, "what are you about
there Why don't you swing him up
1 say ?"
"It's mistake; he isn't the man." was
answered.
"D-n it, what do 1 care? Why in
hill don't you make him tell where hi
thieving brothers are prowling Pr
The one still holding the rope exclaimed
"This is fine business. This man has nc
relatives, except wife and children, with
in thousand miles"
Consciousness returned to the wretchet
victim of deprsved passions, but, alas
reason had flown.
The other victim of lawless violence
was hung three times, until apparentl,
lifeless, then revived to be threatened
with new violence if he did not confess
still he had but one answer-rve nothinl
to confess.
Not yet satisfied, and afraid to let hin
live, lest he should retaliate, he was con
veyed to the middle of the river,
heavy stone attached to the rope, thel
sunk. Horrid oaths were then admins
tered, whose penalty was death if eve
the doings of that night were revealed.
They did not see the Angel with tn
flaming sword blazoning the record Il
fadeless light. Indignant and aghast
stood. The horrors of the French Revolu
ton, even the terrors of the Romish In
QUESTION, with all its machinery of tor
ture, seemed but drop in the malstron
Of crime.
The Angel, turning to me, said, "Mor
tai is there not work here for me -? Loo
into the future with me. Behold thos
mangled remains dragged from their wa
terry grave, to meet the distracted gaze o
two brothers of the unfortunate man, VIII
were fastening to greet that brother wit
bright hopes of the future. All tina
hsart-rending meeting. The Avengin
Angel has his work.
"There, too, is that wretohed mar
once the joy Of the home circle, pale
emaciated, without one gleam of memor
save of the fearful tragedy; wandering i
woods and flying from all human kind 9
from beasts of prey. Better would
have been for him if they had eonsum
mated their murderous work. The hearth
stone desolated Children worse tha
orphaned! Have l not . mission here
They thought to hide their work Of mul
dsr-as well might they hide the sun
they themselves will reveal 1t. Ths
cannot help it. They will hear the whil
per of murdered" in every sighiu
breeze; every shsdowing cloud will max
them start-the waving of bough, tur
pale. And well they may. have y
to fulfill my mission. Mortal, adieu !'
With start awoke. Twilight hs
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