The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-01-22

grave that he had moi noticed before. just in
The rear of the gaIlows. His first impulse
was 10 leap out, Tor the depth OF the grave
did NOT exceed three feet, but second
thought altered his determination, and he
murnered-
g This is the best place for me. they GER
tainly will not think Of looking for living
man in the gFave!''-and he stretched him.
self at'full length in the narrow house that
he knew one day or another he should have
TO fill. They entered the burial ground and
proceeded directly 10 the gallbws, under
which they halted Forming circle, the
black fellow with The lantern, Cunningham
and the prisoner in the centre, preparations
were made 10 go through with the awful
ceremony-thal of deprising fellow being
OF life.
The black fellow looked up a, the gal
lows, from which The two bodies were
hanging, and then proceeded very deliber
aiely to cut them down, observing
81 Desc chaps hab hung long nnff
guess dey ant much better dan dead niS>
gers now.'
The prisoner looked on with a glance of
no common interest, for he felt that his
soul was hutterina on the confines of eter-
nifty. 1t is useless 10 talk of the bravery
when man in The full vigor OF health be-
holds preparations making 10 deprive him
OF existence. True, he may meet death
With manliness and forntude aud display
10 nc human eye any Of the physical shrink
ings by which we are apt 10 measure the
outward courage OF; bu: within there is
feeling that the grea, Creator alone per
-ceives. and He judges whether or no the
man is prepared 10 die.
The negro had passed rope through the
beam where but a few moments before
hung the inanlmaie clods that aow encum-
bered a. il were the ground behath the gal
lows. This done, he said
''Dar, Massa Curniagharn. is rope dat
will hold de prisoner long a'nnf: | reckon
Guinea Sambo 40 stop aboard man o'war
for muffin, I gness | larn TO reeve dat
knol wild a hi.ch dar de 6e5bIl couldn't
break.
AS he finished this classical speech he
very deliberately kicked The body of one OF
the dead soldiers aside, an q rolled The other
very cody into the grave where lay the
young man. and the dead rested npon The
living shadJer ran through The frame of
she youth as be felt pressing above him the
cold form of one who but ihe day before
had been as iuIl OF lille as be now was but
not sound escaped him, for he knew that
silence waA his only preservation.
g Well, rascal 5ou see what you are COM
ing 10 for deserving from his majesly's ser
vice. A haI.er. Isuppose, is more agreea-
bic than good treatment and soldiers
pay"
Thus spoke Cunningham to The prisoner.
" / entered into the refugee corps for my
own reasons. They have proved satisfac
tory !" The prisoner said looking al Gun
niugnam with a bold counsenance.
. Yes Internally satisfactory, you rebel
spawn of damnalion A spy, 'spose De
Lascey's reiugess would be pretty set il
they were all like you, rogue. No, no,
had my eye on ye when you 'Iisied,a mouth
ago, aud told Colonel De I.ancey what
beiiesed ye was Not royal refugee. but
a rebel scouudreI. Twas right rogue, Ell ?'
q Yes. you was right as 10 my eniissins
Asto beng rebel scoundrel, why there Is
an offset-you are a royal knave aud a
bioodlhrsty villain All the information |
wanted 10 send 10 the great Washington he
has got before this-so hang away! But
should like Ave minutes with my God FIRST,
If you have The manliness TO grant it,"
Aslonished as Cunningham was by the
holiness of the mans speech, he knew tnil
we'll that he himself was deies.ed by the
English so6iery for his tyranny, aud that a
refusal of such reqnesl 20 ns.u on the point OF
execution would only make him sill more
odious among Them. With an Ill grace he
said
q Pray rascal, pray don't wonder that
knase like you tears deaih. A man that
belrays his king, betrays his God and il is
full lime that you Try 10 make peace with
him. Three minntes, rascal--three min
utcS : Ab1t Oil tho tltiI IOu botC AiSAt'
me- Go on your knees al once then Sambo
have The halter ready. Three minutes
only
The negro had placed The Lantern on the
ground directly under the gallows. lis faint
light cleaned upward showing IN dim out
line the galIows frame, and partially light.
ing The faces and forms OF The soldiers
grouped, with their mnskets 10 an order, in
semicircle around The scene OF execution
The prisoner bent down. resting ms knees
upon the earth thrown up around The new
due grave He had no hope OF escape and
as he looked upwards towards the heavens
although all was black with nighb yet his
ere pierced through the gloom. aud be
saw IN the future redemption tor The pas,
TIE qnivsfing Of his lips showed his SIN
eerity. He was prepared 70 die. OF sud-
-