Gazette and sentinel., 1860-01-28
The Robbers Grave.

The Robbers Grave.
In the year 1919, there was in the
neighborhood of Montgomery, i'll North
Wales, an ancient manOr-housc, called
Oakfeld, which, like many of those old
structures, losing its original Importance
from the increased size and convenience
of modern buildings, had been convert
ed into a farmhouse. The late occupant.
one James Morris, had been an incident
and somewhat dissipated man; the farm
consequently fell into neglect, and be-
caIle uHprofitable, and he died in debt,
leaving his wife and an only daughter in
possession of the place. Shortly after
his death, the widow took into her en-
plOyment a young man from Stafford
shire, of the name of John Newton, the
hero of this little story, who had been
strongly recommended to her by her
first brother; and we'll and faithfully
did he discharge his duties as bailiif,
fully justifying the praise and recon-
mendatiOnS she received with him. He
was an utter stranger i'll that part of
the country, seemed studiOusly To shun
al acquaintance with his neighbors, and
to devote himself exclusively TO the IL
tCrests of his employer. He never left
home but to visit the neighboring fairs
and markets and to attend the parish
church, where his presence was regular
and his conduct devout. In short,
though highly circumspcct in his beha-
vior Oh all occasions, he was a melan-
choly, reserved nan ; and even tine cler-
gyman of the parish, to whom he was
always most respectful in his d~emeanor,
entirely failed in his cndeavors to cult
waite an acquaintance with him. The
farm, under his management, had i'm
proved, and became profitable; and the
circumstances Of Mrs. Morris were, by
his asSiduity and skill, both prosperous
and Furnishing. In this manner more
than two years passed, and the widow
began to regard him more as a friend
and bcnefactor than a servant; and was
not sorry to observe her daughters
growing affection for him, which APP
peared to be reciprocal. One evening,
in November, 1912, being detained long
er than usual by business, at Welsh
pool, Newton set out, about six o'clock,
to walk home to 0akield. 1t was an
exceedingly dark night, and he never
reached home again. The family be-
came very anxious, and upon inquiring
early the following morning at Welsh
pool, they ascertained that he had been
brought back to that town, not long af-
ter his departure from it, by two men,
named Parker and Peace, who charged
him with highway robbery, accompanied
by violence, an offence then punishable
with death. At the trial at the next as
sizes he was pronounced guilty, on the
testimony OF these two persons, which
was clear, positive, and consistent
throughout, was sentenced to be hang.
ed, and left for execution. He employ
cd no counsel, and called no witness in
his defense; but upon being asked by
the Judge, III the usual form, IF he had
anything to say why sentence of death
should not be passed upon him (" he
made, IN substance, the following extra.
ordinary speech:
My lord, it is evident all / could say
IN opposition to such testimony would
be vain and hopeless, The witnesses
are men of responsibility, and their CIV
idence has appeared plain and conclu.
sive. and my most solemn protestations
OF innocence could avail nothing. |
have called no witness to character. and
upon such evidence the jury could pro
nounce no other verdict. blame them
not. From my soul, too, / forgive those
men, upon whose false teStimonv |
have been convicted, But, my lord. |
protest most soiennIy before this conrt
before your lordship, and above all. be.
fore God in whose presence | mnst
shortly appear. | am entirely guiltless
OF the crime for which | aIn about "a
suffer. l have produced no one to speak
IN IN y behalf. Two y sars have scarcely
pas sed since | came ii,o this country
an utter stranger. have made no ac.