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

IL do not dtstrust Oou why's "J 10y
said the old man, as he slowly arose 'fon'
The rude bench where lie had sat silently
weeping, "but, / say it meekly, ana III
reverence, cannot see through the rear
rul darkness of this dispensasion. Lei
US pray for faith in this hour OF trial
And they knelt there together the con-
demned and the gray haired pastor on
that rough stone hoor-aye, and Goa
heard their prayer
The morning dawned as smlInsIy As
if hearts were not breaking under Tue
snn The hour for execution had nearly
arrived. Tie streets were filled WIN
oeople anxious to get glimpse oil the
youthful murderer. The sheriff "slkec
on one side Of the prisoner, and the gray
haired minister on the other. AS they
stepped FROM the outer gate OF the prison
a wild. haggard looking man forced his
way through the crowd until he STOOD
directly before them. =.
"Stop this !" he called out. Fools J!
would you hang an innocent man =
Stand back p he shouted, as the crowd,
,waying to and fro, pressed closely on
the little group. ltell you' men, he Is
innocent. am the guilty man. / saw
Gregory win all of Luce's money was
: penniIess and desperate logged his
: steps | saw Luce give him his watch
and something else, | could not see what
= and then turn the street toward home.
waited until he was out OF sight, and then
II sprang upon my victim. | did not NEAR
/ to murder him l only wanted his mon
70 ev But he was a strong man, and strug
oled violently, and at last, in self defens
for he was strangling mel staooe
10 him in the side. l only waited to selz
H. the wallet containing the money, an
d then fled. did not think had kllie
M him-at least tried to hope not III
nd mediately left the country with the MOI
NJ ey, but it has been a curse to me- ever
ale dollar of it. One day | took up pap
ny and read that james Luce was to be hui
ISe At sucn time for the murder OF W lila
ed Gregory have not rested day II
night since. ! travelled on foot, IN car
'o' steamboats,, any and every way, SO that
on could get here. l could not Lave
u'- blood on my soul, too. And, thank 6'
ich | am not too late Do what you
) II with me, but release him"
cor Free him! free him" shouted t
o'' excited crowd.
lips Just then faded black bonnet, IN
10y. shadow of the jaiI-yard, went down ire
gu sight.
'ay. Back there" cried several voices,
gle woman has tainted y
int at is bis mother, it is young Luc
~. mother whispered some one.
The words ran from lip to lip, VI
ana the whole swaylng crowd caught up
lady sound, and shouted it wildly lack
pict- forth. Many God be thanked "
or,. up from that vast crowd, as with a Sll
der they thought how near they had co
TO hanging an innocent man,
mo lanes Luce was speedily releas
lber and the real murderer taken into Gu
nter DIV; but owing to many extenuatlnS
not cumstances, aided by the unlirlnS ez
NV lions of Luce and his friends, he
only sentenced to long term OF imp
u d. onment.
Jack, All this happened many years
rroy and James Luce now holds a position
o.,,. honor and influence.
o"'! The white-haired mother lived to
her him beloved and respected in the
aiken that once rang with his disgrace
ring. calmly laid down the burden OF year
~ the happy home of the son who was
"'""' dead. bot now lived. Watched over
away tend.ry cared for by the deep low
IS in James and Alice, her last days were
met. happi,st. Men who did not know
- am. dered in after years, what made ia
Luce so tender and lenent with thu
""i' rors of his fellow-men ; and more
A'ped one Young man asked Gods bless'o
his name, for saving them from rum