East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-11-30
lnless he bound them both over to the


Court.
To this, Gray strenously objected
IIo had appeared and accused Clyde
he said that tho real author of the
late catastrophe might bo justly pun.
ishod, and he thought that to bind
them both over, would have an effect
in deterring others from making any
accusations against malefactors from
their own knowledge, unless they had
positive proof Of their guilt. He de-
manded that Clyde should be held to
bail, and not himself
When ho finished, Clyde once moro
got up, and turning to tho Justice,
stated that as they both stood there
without witnesses, and consequently
it did not lay in his power to tell tho
guilty one, with his permission, and
the consent Of Mr.. Gray, he would
propose plan by which ho hoped tho
matter would be thoroughly settled.
1t was this:
"Thero is an infinite being, sir,
who rules in higher sphere than
ours, and to whom all things are
known, from whom nothing can be
concealed. l propose to Mr.. Gray,
that We both make an appeal to
Heaven, and let the God of tho uni
verse decide upon our guilt or inno-
oence. feel that /, sir, am not
maleiactor here, and challenge my
accuscr in the presence of this eyi-
donce, to accept my proposition"
Clyde ceased speaking, and amid
an utter stiffness, during which he be-
came the centre Of all eyes, Gray also
arose, and replied:
81 viii consent to do anything
which tho Squire says is right"
81 can SEQ no objection to Mr..
Clydo's offer, although 1 do not sup
pose the case will be materially alter
ed by it," said the Justice.
"Then let him go on, and l will
follow suit" brazenly answered Gray.
slowly DAVID clyde Icn upon bv...i-
ed knees, and raising his face aud
arms towards Heaven, uttered amid
the most death like silence, the follow
ing appeal:
External Being, thou who seoth
and knowest oil things, and who only |
can tell the guilt of us two, into Thy |
hands L commit my innocence, and
bcseech Thee, Almighty God, if am
guilty Of the crime of which L am ac-
cused, to strike mo dead in tho midst |
of this then most blasphcmous ap-
peal"
For full moment after he had fin
ished, Clyde remained upon his knees,
then rose to his feet, and with folded
arms, gazed slowly around him. The
countenance of Gray had paled during
tho prayer OF Clyde, but as every eye
was uposnn. him he nerysd himself to
with a loud and hurried voice, he re-
pcated the appeal, moved forward,
but whom he canio to the words, cal |
mighty God, if l am guilty of tho
crime Of which l am accused, to strike
me doad,' his face became more white
and he fell slowly forward.
The stiffness which reigned at that
awful moment was fearful. Not q
sound could DO heard in that room,
and it seemed as if every breath was
hushed so deadly silent did every per-
son appear At last the Justice who
bent forward with Mortified look TO
gaze upon Gray, motioned for con-
stable to approach, and turn over the
body. He did SO, and every eye
which looked that way, beheld the
icy face of corpse, and the livid hue
of death resting upon the eountonance
of the blasphemer.
The bore forth the corpse, and bur-
ried it, silent and alone, in the prai-
rie, and to this day the old farmers in
the neighborhood shuddor, as they re-
count to the passing traveller that
fatal answer of, "Ihe Appeal to
Heaven"