The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-06-27
THE FROZEN HEART
BY HENRY CHESTER.


Just before the decision was given,
An Indian came forward and offered to
give in his testimony. He was permit
ted 10 do so: and he declared that Ho-
bart had tried to hire him, some days
before to engage in that work; but that
he had declined.
This was enough, The Indian was
drunken, worthless fellow; but his
words were beleved-mOre especially as
the accused had been recently seen IN
conversation with him. Hobart was
condemned to be hanged at midnight.
Two hours were to elapse before the
execution was to take place, during
this time preparations for 1t must be
made.
Barry had resolved that it should be
n grand affair. An example must be
made of Hobart for the benefit Of all
such as should be inclined to do wrong
in the future.
The preparations were complete at
baIf.past eleven. A gallows had been
erected upon an open field. Around
this ON every side, was beaped mp
quantities of bTuShwOOd, forming i CIR
Gle. These were to be lighted aud the
prisoner then marched to his doom.
There was no place where Hobart
coulG be imprisoned with safety, aud so
he was firmly bound with ropes and
placed PROSTATE, upon the ground. In
addition to this, heavy chains were
placed upon him, and forked limbs cut
from trees, the prOngs sharpened aud
driven down into the earth over his
limbs. In this painful position the poor
accused was kept for two hours unable
10 Move his face and his form Hat upon
the frosty earth.
The citizens surrounded him, heaping
their curses upon him, while some could
not even refrain from inhicting blows
upon, him, even though they felt sure
that he would soon pay the penalty of
his crimes with his life.
Everything in readiness, Hobart was
taken to the fatal spot. The chains
clanked fearfully at every step, and he
staggered under their weight, but his
bearing was that of man resolved to
suffer bravely, although in silence.
The fatal moose was placed around his
neck, and then the fires were lighted.
The flames shot up, thrswing their red
glare all around. Aud that scene was
sickly one.
The doomed man stood erect. His
eyes shone like stars as he gazed upon
the burning masses near him and the
crowd of angry citizens. His face was
very pale, and wore dearhly hue in
the light of the blazing logs; but there
were no marks of fear upon it.
"Have you anything to say before you
die asked Barry.
- "Only this" replied the doomed man,
firmly. "If You ever see Mary alive, tell
her loved her to the last, and that /
am innocent of this crime"
"Up with the wretch " cried Barry.
"Stay! Let the white man livep cx-
claimed commanding voice, and a
huge Indian chief leaped within the cir
Gle.
"What wants the Chof'" asked Bar
~, evincing some fear.
$50 speak with yOur people for mo-
ment."
Then turning to them he continued:
lyon are children. The guilty die
not like that man. IOu should know
this"
as he not guilty ;" asked u hundred
voices.
"No'
"Who is the guilty one -
"Listen, for the Chief speaks truly.
A dog of q palc-face came to my war
riors. He gave them tire-water and
made them Fad. Then he hribed them
10 do that deed of blood, and led them
on. He told them that they should kill
all in the wigwam but the pale maiden.
She had refused To become his squaw:
but he would take her to the mountains
and make hel his slave"
"Where is the pale face maid :!
cried several voices.
81 have brought her back. i cannot
give you back your murdered ones, but
| will give You the dead bodies of those
who murdered them, for have slain the
breakers of our treaty.
Mary now entered the circle, and was
received with the warmest greetings
But the men asked:
"Have you killed the white man with
the other murderers =
"There is the pale-faced dog"
The Chief pointed TO Barry, VIII" at
tempted to escape, but was secured, and
in ten minutes was hanging IN the
place he had prepared for Hobart.
The blow was a severe one for all
Poor Hobart suffered an age of agony
in the few short hours of that night, and
he eonld not readily recover from the
shock. His heart had been frozen;
but Mary, as his wife, warmed it into
life again.