Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-03

my wife, have years so changed me that you
do not recognize the companion of your earlier
lfe?"
The Spy held out his arms, and then with
face like one dead, Mrs. Archer tottered forward
and was clasped in the embrace of one whom
she had for years looked upon as separated from
her until that day in which the sea shall give
up its dead. And as Mabel and the Maniac felt
the arms Of father around them, the past
with it's scenes of sorrow were for time forgot
ten, and they lived only in the blissful realities
of the present.
cit seems as if the scenes of the past hour
were but a dream" said Mrs. Archer. I" Al
though see before me the evidence that all is a
reality, yet can hardly realize that it will not
vanish away"
at is an hour which never expected to see
in this world, yet trusted that should meet
you all where separation Is unknown. Life's
midday sun has been hid behind the clouds of
adversity, but now in the evening of life it
shines over our path lighting it up with joy
which were unknown, had we not experienced
the sad effects which the shadow of misfortune
has thrown around us. And though to the
mind of mortals are hid the causes. which
bring upon us the reverses we have experienced
yet in this moment of joy, with a circle unbro-
ken, let us recognize in all that has befallen us,
the workings of Him who will one day reveal
unto us, how adversely has been blessing, and
sorrow but preparation for purer joys"
"'Tis but this which has kept me until the
present hour. Had | not looked unto One high
er than /, the sorrows of life would have borne
me down to the grave"
i" And the reunion would never have taken
place"
"Not here" replied Mrs. Archer.
Father said the Maniac, =. would know
the history of the past, as yet ] know nothing
of the circumstances which have caused this
strange separation of kindred"
Boyden-or rather Charles Archer as we
must now call him-breAy reviewed the scenes
Of his earlier life, until the period when he
penned the letter to Mrs Archer on, as he then
thought the eve of his execution.
"Thc events which transpirod after the de-
parture of Claude to convey the missve had
penned, have rather the appearance of an over.
wrought narrative, than unyarnished truth.
can but feebly describe the emotions which fill
ed my bosom, as the hoar drew near for my ex-
ecution 1t wasa beautiful day, and yet there
was il strange gloom pervaded the crew, and
even the officers, which nothing could dispel.
The last effort had been made, but the evidence
was so clear, that no reprieve could have been
granted without a perjury of the men who, it
is true against their own convictions, had found
me guilty of proving traitor to my country
| knew not why was about to suffer such q
fearful doom, and at times | was tempted tc
murmur against the fate was about to meet
Yet such feelings soon passed away, and went
on deck The usual discipline had been re-
laxed, and was once more permitted, Gro my
final hour should come, to gaze out upon tht
sea- Never had it looked 50 beautiful to me ~
now. Never had sunset, even on the shCre
of my native land, seemed SO gorgeous as i
then appeared. Could it be that one shor
hour was to sever all earthly ties? Oh, wha
feelings were mine as the officer, who conducte'
I the execution, laid his hand upon my shoulder
: and told me the moment had come for me t.
. die. One simple prayer, and then was ready
Death had no terrorsfor me, but when though
of the fearful stigma which would be attache
to my name in after years, of the reproac
which would cling around you, dear Mabel, an
our child should she grow up to womanhood,
Il feeling of sorrow settled over my spirit wa
permitted to speak a few words to the men VIII
had composed the court martial, and though e,
i onerating them from all blame in the result
o the trial yet told them how false was til
charge brought against me. could see the e
l. feet my words had upon them, and almost ii
stinctlvely every man moved towards me. Bl
ID | waved them back, telling them that wou
suffer death unjustly rather than that mutir
y should take place on board the ship. Glad
lis the rope around my neck, The surgeon sto
tn by my side. and just as the signal was about
be given, whispered in voice that reached
rd ear save mine:
"We'll try and save you-feign death if ii
of hall does not deprive you Of consciousness.
knew not the meaning of these words the
vi but thought that ! should not perish cross
my mind. AT the moment the signal was 6
en-, the startling cry of Sail, ho - from t
~ lookout burst upon the ears of the crew, a
every mans attention for time was turn,
"0 from the execution. < As swung off, | "
'e' caught ere the end of the rope WAS reacht
10 and the fall partially broken. Yet it was 8
:, fcicnt to deprive me of consciousness--th
was brief struggle, and then all was blar
~ When awoke from the stupor in which | h
+. " lam, the booming of cannon reached my e,
and | could hear the shot rattle like hail amc
~ the rigging | looked around me, and at o.
comprehnnded where was--lying upon
49, couch in the private room of my commander
- Could it be that he was party to the dec
ton which had been used to save my life? Y
mts it must be, else why was there? For no
- the strife between tho two ships ragged fierce
and then all was still, save that could h
CHI the groansoi the wounded and dying. Anh
passed, and then heard the door of the C
tain s state-room open, and come one com
towards the apartment in which was lying
lar, What if it were one Of the men2 The thou
md was agonizing, and yet knew not why t
Tell should enter the room unbidden. A mon
more. and my commander entered the room