The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1865-01-18

the annoyance to which ne had been
subjected during The recent bickerings--
when, a: he wss one evening seated with
his family in his official residence at the
gate, a messenger informed him that q
gentleman at a anaboripg hotel wished to
speak with him. Dqwpie obeyed the
summons. and was ushured from one
room into another. till at length he found
himselfin large apartment hung with
black, and lighted by a solitary candle.
After waiting for some time in- this
strange place about fifty fgures' also
dressed in black, and with black masks
on their faces, presented themselves
They arranged themselves in the form
of court, and Downie, pale with terror
was given to understand that he was
about to be put on his trial. A judge
took his seat on the bench; a clerk and
public prosecutor sat betow; jury was
empanneled in front; aud Witnesses and
spectators stood around. Downe at frs I
set down the whole affair as q joke; but
the proceedings were conducted with
such persistant gravity, that, in spite Of
himself, be began to beleye in the gen,
uine mission of the aY(pl tyabunal. The
clerk read an indictments, charging him
with cohspring sgainst' the liberties OF
the students; witness } we're oxsmioec
in due folm; the public prosecutor ad
dressed the jury, and the judge summed
up, raar Is aa,r.E
"Gen,lemeu," said Downie. "the joke
has been carried lar enough, it is getting
late, and my w1fe and family will be get
ting anxious about me. III have been
too strict with you in time past, | an
sorry torit, aud assure you will take
care in,tuture,", Asa4l
sGentlemenof the jury said the jndse,
without paying the slightest attention
to this appeal, consider your verdict, and
and if you wish to retire Do So
The jury retired. During their alb
sesce, the most profound silence was OBJ
served, and except renewing the solitary
candle that burnt beside the Judge, here
was not the slightest movement. "
The jury returned, and recorded 2
verdict Of Guilty.
1.-THE Judge solemnly assumed large
black cap, and addressed the prisoner: ?
Richard Downie! The jury have un
aninously fourd you guilty Of conspir-
ing against The j9st liberty and immpni-7
ties Of the students Of Marischal College
You have wsntonly provoked and inspl-
ted those inof.epsYe heges for some
months, and yourpunishment will assur
edIy be Gondigh. You must prepare for.
death. In fifteen minutes the sentence
offthe5 CoVrt will be. carsied into effect,
The judge placed his watch on the
bepeh.aik block, an ak, and bag oi
sawdust we're brought into the centre Of
the room. A figure more terrible than
any t3f! that had yetIapPealled came forward
and prepared to &C! The part Of the doom
stated, ....,1sa
It was now past midnight, there was
no sound audible, save cmpous ticking
Of the judges watch. Downie becams
more and more alarmed.
.F'or heavens sake, sentlemen,' said
the terrified man, 'let me so home .eul
promise that you never again shall have
cause of complalnt.'o
Richard Downie, remarked the judge, |
you are vainly wasting the few moments
that are left you Oh earth. You are in
the hands Of those, who must have your
life. No human power can SAFE you.
Attempt to utter one cry, and you are
seized, and your doom completed belol1
you can utter another. Every one here
present has sworn SOLEMN cath never
to reveal the .proeeedings Of this pighrI
they are known to none bpt ourselves;
and when-tbe objection which we have
met is accomplished we shall disperse
unknown 10 any one. Prepare, then'
Tor death; aueIherfye minutes. will be
alleweds butlAo mora,h e4s7s.a ggf
The unfoftuqateI man in an agony Q
leadly terror, 6rayed and shrieked lor
nercys but. theiavsAgers paid dpo heed to
his cries. His sfsTered. trembling, Up
hen moved as il in silent payer; to!