The mountain Democrat., 1863-02-07


tice, who lived about half mile from the
hotel. He sent down word to Us that he
would be up n 4 SS9psa Il, H1 IN. ...
But tell him, said my acquaintance, to
the servant, 4 want to see him on . mat
ter Of life and DEATH
'Da's no use o. dat grinned the slave,
'massa don't care bout life and death till
he get him sleep out
We left the house, but John ROlfe, IS
my companion called himself, made no
further allusion to the nature of his busi-
ness than to say, in answer to my inqui-
riesf>vdcU 'Ws see ths5AdC.: yoa7l know
ALL
We returned to breakfast, and l observ-
ed that Rolfe refused the morning dram
protered him by the landlord, and ate
sparingly. Something was evidently prey
ing on his mind, and anxiously awaited
the hour when should receive an expla
nation of the mystery.
The time came, and we were admitted
into the presence Of the dispenser ofjus-
tice, who was q gentleman Of wealth and
education, round in person, and apparent
ly on excellent terms with himself and the
world.
Well said the judge, what's the mat
ter?'
Why, you see,' replied Rolfe, three
days ago ] came down the river to Madi-
son to sell my furs and skins. made a
pretty good trade, but that very night |
lost my whole pile at poker was dead
broke, and hadn't a confounded cent left
Well, the next morning, early, | started
for this place, and, as wouldn't chisel, |
went without eating the whole day. l
slept in the woods, and yesterday morning
got up as hungry as q painter, and as
walked along, thinks I, what am to do?
| never see game so scarce warn't SO
much as a squirrel to be found. I am
above cheating any man out Of a dinner,
but felt that a dinner must have. Just
then fellow comes riding along the road.
| talked to him, and tried to borrow,
swearing to pay, at any place he might
name. in q week but the critter told me
he paid his way out of his own pocket,
and he'd too little to divide.
''How much have you got?' says !.
1.-TWO fifty says he.
Now thinks that is too little to
divide So while he was looking another
way shoots him through the head, ard
gin him as decent burial as could under
an old log, and took the two dellars and
half
But it won't do; my conscience mis-
gives me. I'm sorry for it, and wish the
feller had his money back if he could only
be alive. But, between you and I, as it's
too late for that, think | ought to be
hung
The judge called his black boy, ordered
three pipes and tobacco, and we smoked
in silence.
Then you really think you ought to be
hung?' he said, with some compassion, as
he whitfield cloud Of smoke towards the
ceiling.
Il do, in fact answered Rolfe, emitting
n similar cloud of vapor.
The judge smoked, and again consid.
cred.
well, we'll try to hang you,' he added.
There was gratitude in ROlfe's eye as he
replied:
oh, thank you; that'll ease my con.
science
The judge knocked the ashes from his
pipe and spoke:
well, come here in half an hour. I'll
try to get a ajury.'
Rolfe and myself laying our pipes upon
the table, we're about leaving, when the
judge politely asked US to take drink,
which haviH4 do0e, we Sade him good
morning.
At the expiration of the half hour We
returned, when we found twelve men smo-
king and drinking with the magistrate,
awaiting US. We were politely requested
to sit down.
Now, said Judge j., addressing him.
self to Rolfe, tell these gentlemen what
you have already told me-
Whereupon Rolfe repeated the state
ment he had before made.
Now, gentlemen continued the first
speaker, Il wish you to say if this gentle
man-Mr. Rolfc your name is, eh 2-well,
there's some fine old brandy, make your
self perfectly at home--whether, gentle.
men, you find John Rolfe guilty or not
guilty, of murder. In addition to what
he has said, will observe, for your infor-
nation, that l have sent out, and have
found the body just where he stated it to
be-
The jury smoked, rose up, took little
brandy and water, and then sat down
again, and smoked in silence for sometime.
At last one of them, wLo appeared to be
the foreman, said:
The case is tolerably clear, and we
rather think he's guilty.
There's more tobacco on the table, said
the Judge to Rolfe, the best you can find
anywhere-you've heard what these gen.
tlemen have said-welI,' he continued, q
little uneasily, Il don't like to tell you in
my own house; but
Let that be no hindrance,' replied
Rolfe, cheerfully, refilling and lighting his
pipe.
We'll, then,' said the judge, come here
at twelve o'clock tomorrow, and Ill have
you hung
Rolfe looked disconnected, and appeared
mortified at the idea of asking favor.
'You-you have been so kind to me,
said he, that hardly like to ask you for
anything more
Not at all, kindly replied the judge
out with it; your are welcome to it before
you ask
WELL said Rolfe, 4 wish-to.morrow
is my ague day, and the shake comes on
at eleven-yOu would be SO good as to
hang me at ten
With the greatest pleasure answered
the good-hearted judge, shaking Rolfe by
the hand, ten let it be-
Accordingly John Rolfe returned to the
unpaid up his bill-and the next morn.
ing was hung as the clock struck ten.
A FRIEND of ours said he would always
have remained single, but he couldn't af-