Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-08-23

himself before her eyes
The day following, the rash lover started to
put his threat in execution. Arrived in the
neighbcrhood where his betrothed resided, he
sprang from the train but instead of calling q
carriage to take him Immediately On be turned
into wood which offered an inviting retreat
where he could rest awhile and calm his agita-
ton. The quiet wood, however, was the last
place into which Frederick Reese shohld have
turned his excited steps. He had scarcely
penetrated its shades when he saw what made
the blood leap in frenzy through his veins At
little distance, in a narrow path stood she
whom he was en- his way to VISIT in the act OF
parting from tall dark man, with whom she
had evidently been walking The farewell
words reached not the ear of him whose fiery
gaze was fixed upon the pgir, but be noted the
pressure Of the hand, hastehed over the inter
vening space 10 the railroad, which he had
barely time to reach ere the train started.
Julia fingered until the sounds Of the swift
and heavy wheels aSsured her he was gone,
then turned to retrace her steps, wher; sud-
denly from amongst the bushes, maniac face
appeared before her. while in low choking tone
an infuriuted voice exclaimed : Pefdious
woman you shall never be another's" As
the words were in utterance a bullet pierced
her breast and Julia fell to the earth, the
pistol report drowned in the loud neighing or
the fast Fetreating iron horse.
The murderer fed, he knew not WHITTIER
through woods, along lanes back roads, over
fields, and across stFeamlets he wandered,
stunning the sight and habtation of man, and
yaiuly endeavoring to escape from his own
racking thoughts Night overlook him, and,
amid darkness and despair, be sped on, till sud-
denly he reached a railway station, at which a
down train had just stopped. Weary and
worn he stepped aboard, and, sinking into q
seat, crouched down ike one asleep, while he
listened to the conversation that wen on around
He heard the subject of his dastardy deed
discussed, and the guilt fixed upon his suppos-
ed rival and fendsh JOY shot through his
breast with the knowledge that not only had
he escaped suspicion, but the man whom he
most hated been convicted in the public mind
by chain Of circumstances wherein not Ink
was wanting
Free from The brand Of murder, Frederick
Reese mingled again with the world yet, did
the non-discovery Of his crime secure him
peace Not so ! Long days and nights of
cool reflection, aided by outraged conscience,
made life scarcely endurable and the gay
scenes through which ne moved to him were
realms of torment As long rs he felt that in
taking the life of her be loved, he had punish
ed inidelity and avenged heavy wrong to
himself his depraYed heart endeaYCred to
soothe him with a show of Justice in the deed;
but soon he learned his fatal error and even
the unhOly comfort which vengeance gives vas
no longer his
He whom, in his jealous rage; he had sup
posed to be favored rival, was a schoolmate
Of his childhood aud of hers who entertained
INT kindly feelings towards all with whom she
come in contact Edward Strattan, as sur
geon to the United States army had lately
been stationed at a distant outpost where he
had met his quandom friend John Norman
Returning, the latter charged him with aiiec-
tionate messages 20 his sister and it was for
the faithful conveyance OF those that, when
Oh his way to B, where his own lady love
resided, he called on Miss Norman This was
DR.. Strattan'S defence on his trial aud Reese
whom spell had drawn to that country Court
House, felt, in the inmost soal, If every word
was true.
1t was heart,sickenng recital, that of the
bitter suferingS Of him whose guilt was known
only 20 his Maker his fierce struggles against
conscience, who urged upon him the duty Of
saving an innocent life by con feSSon and sur
render and his mortal agony when, after the
execution or the guItylesS. he felt his soul
crushed under the weight Of another and
double murder-that of the fame rs well Us the
life of the victim. From that day Reese was
a lost and ruined man. Pride, ambition, talent
hope, all were extinguiShed. Lower and yet
lower he sank in vice and wretchedncSS, an out
cast and reprobate, by friends and kindred dis
owned. He had no desire, no motiyeuo aim
in life ; and beyond the consciousness Of his
animal wants, all feeling was dead within him.
But oh, the stupendous power of saving grace
the immeasureable tenderness Of love divine
lie who was passed with Scorn by his fellow
worms was led by the hand of mercy to the
foot of the cross, his load OF misery and sin re-
moved, his polluted soul washed clean, and the
love Of justice, even to the rendering up Of his
cOuntry's laws, implanted within his heart.
The ease was peculiar one and it excited
tremendous interest. The judicial inquiry was
conducted with care and precision the sanity
of the selfaccused thoroughly tested, but every
doubt pas dispelled, and the accuracy of the
deposition fully proven. The long deferred
sentence OF Justice was passed, and Frederick
Reese eXpated his critic upon the same scaG
old where human judgement had sacrificed an
innocent man twelve years before
70 Mike, what kind of potatoes are
those you are planting ~ Raw ones to be
sure. Be the houly bonker an does yer hon
OF think | would be afther nlantin' billed ones 2p