The Shasta courier., 1862-04-05

that awful sentence which can never be pro.
nounced without awakening the dormant
sensibilities of the most degraded-whicb
none. in fact, but the condemned ever hear
without food of tears.
Prisoner at the bar said the Judge
stand up" Brown rose. "What have
you to say why sentence of death should not
be pronounced against you ?'' said the iudoe.
continuing his remarks. A slight rnstline
noise was now heard at the bar, and female
in widows weeds leaned over to speak to the
prisoner.
Stand back, woman,' said a self.suffi
lent tip staff, who, like some of our consta.
bles, imagine the old adage necessity has
no law y to mean, law has 40 necessity y
The woman threw back her veil, and look
ing the judge full in the face, said, % Nav it
please your worship to permit me to aid nv
husband in his last extremity ?"
The Earl thought he knew the face and the
tone of voice, and therefore commanded the
officer TO place the wife beside her husband
Meg" said Brown, while the tears
streamed down his face, haggard with guilt.
'it is very kind of you to visit me thus. :
Can you forgive your guilty husband?''
john" said the meek eyed woman, as
she raised her countenance of angelic sweet
HcSS W llCsit nstS fOi SlNCn Nv Tue
Son of God-I can and do forgive you''
The wretched prisoner fell upon his wifes
neck and the minions of criminal law, vi "a
faces like tanned leather. and hearts likeaAe
paving stones before the Egyptian ton !,
stood pity struck, and waited for the end
this extraordinary scene.
Woman, ,; at length said the judge, Will .
tear rested in his eye, g it is my dreadf2
Lot to pass the sentence of the law upon tie
prisoner. You had better retire"
The wife started, and looking the Judge
full in the face said, :. John, Earl Of, DO
you recolect the parchment scroll you gave
me at Hopedale?' handing, at the same
time. piece of vellum to constable, who
passed it up to his Honor.
My noble hea: ted. long lost nurse, said
the judge, with look of joy, ''well do
recollect you and your last request, but in
this case, the law must take its course. i
will, however, recommend the prisoner to
mercy"
.Mercy?" said Brown, "who talks of
mercy here? There is blood upon my
hand"
. Slence.'' said hejudge; g remand the
prisoner
The court Adjourned prisoner, guard
ed hy throng of soldiers and tip-stafs
moved along to his CELL and the wife followed
the judge to his chambers. The next day a
pardon for John Brown passed the seals, and
the beginning Of the week saw the husband
and his noble spirited wife at Hopedae
with the judge for a welcome guest. Years
of peace and joyous plenty rolled on. Long
and ferycntly did the pardoned criminal pray
for forgiveness. and at last, in Gods own
time, the bloody stain upon his hand was
washed away by the blood of Him who died
on Calvary, that man might find, at last a
glorious rest in the realms of matchless beau
ty, and of never-dying love. The Farmer of
ilopedale, for many years, was considered
the exemplar of the country around. and at
last, when he died. which was shortly after
his wife had departed for another rest, he
WIS placed in the same grave with her, and
over their bones marble cenotaph was
raised, upon which was inscribed in deep and
lasting letters -