Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-12-20
THE CONDEMNED.

much woe. There were TWO men '"e'e'
one the aged clergyman, Who twenty
FIVE wears ago baptized the man who
.tood beside him with manacled hmbs,
doomed TO be hung tomorrow at noon.
The prisoner was slender pleasant
s.c,d man; he was so young, too, win
mild blue ewes. aud thick clustering curiS,
almost faxen, lying about face as 'a'i
ms a girls. 1t was the last man IN Tue
world you would have taken 10 DC
murderer. And yet "twelve unpreJu-
diced men" had given in their solemn
conviction to his guilt The evidence
was circumstantial, but yet SO unmlS'aN'
able and convincing, as TO leave Du' i'''''
doubt as to the business OF their uec'''o''
The case, as it appeared on trial. hap
neoed in this wise james Luce--'na'
was the prisoners name, was journey
man in large publishing house III '"'
,;,v n which, with his widowed mother
h. had removed some two or three year
before, from a quiet country village !"
=. ..ra establishment with him was
another young man, somewhat o'aeF IMAM
lanes. and known to DO very d'ss'Pa'eu'
This man, William Gregory, had amer
many unsuccessful attempts at 'e"S'N
succeeded in getting young Luce 10 80
with him to one Of the many e"mo''"s
resorts that disgraced this, as they 90 an
o, cities At frat he went merely as
looker-on. But by and by it began 10
he tame standing to see others "in'--ahu
SO beginning with mere trife, gust 10
Give il interest,"" they said, he at length
became a regular habitue OF one oil 'he'e
"gilded bells"
His watchful mother, noting the ener
waiting effect Of his late hours, oemoahe'
in secret the poverty that compelled heI
bow to labor SO late into the night bu
IN. last and never to be forgotten nlSh
came at length, when she was 10 d
rudely undeceived. She had been s''
ting up for him until past one CLOCK
when he came in very suddenly ""'
sesmed greatly confused and annoyed II
find her awake. After he went to III
room she heard him pacing to ana lr
until daylight. just as the mist gre.
time of dawn crept in through the lsde
shutters. and rested TREMENDOUSLY on III
blackene Goals that were yet smoK''
and .moulderng on the low stone hear''
there came sound of suppressed voice.
and the tread Of cautious feet under ii
easement. Mrs. Luce sat upright IN n
bed and listened. There was nome
of silence followed by "a short, perem
tory rap. Mrs. Luce, going to the WI
dow. asked their business at that unse
sonable hour.
"Does James Luce live here 2" said
sharp, grutf voice
YES"
"And il he in, madam 7" said the sal
voice.
Yes again.
well" he answered CURLY, 80
business is with him. You may c
him. Stop minute, my good woma'
be called after her, "abou! what time
be get in Z"
IA little before two O'Clock
The man with gruf voice gave
meaning look to his companion and c.
tinued,
poor fellow it is too bad to wa
him. Comes in tired and nervous sot
times, suppose"
Eyes, often but last night he seen
unusually so. fear he has but just
len asleep; and if you could, slr--l
would be Just as well-leave the bu'ir
with me; 1 Woulu not uls'uIo "''''
"Sorry, madam, but couldn't do IT,
will 90 to his room with you, 1t
please" he said, taking hold of the d
which Mrs. Luce unbarred with tr
bling fingers, and vague, underlined
about her heart.
In silence they assembled the mar
stairs, and stood in the low attic. Us
had laid down with lis clothes on,
had fallen into a heavy slumber-so
in fact, that their footsteps failed to I
him. The stranger awoke him
tight grasp on his arm, and the wor'
you are my prisoner!
"You are mistaken sir, Ipresum
am James Luce, in the employ Of
20, yes, know who you are
well, and arrest you in the name
Commonwealth for the murder OF
boon compsnion-Willam Gresor.
We will no; dwell upon the seen
followed; but briefly state that III
was found, between two and three
that morning, stark and cold, wi
ugly wound in his side. A plain