Middletown transcript., 1869-06-26


which would require his attendance at a
public landsale on the following day.
Exacting promise that he would not
delay his visit longer than necessary, and
having given minute directions as to the
route, I continued my way homeward,
while he turned back.
I was about retiring to bed on the
night of my return, when summons from
without called me to the door. A stran-
ger asked shelter for himself and horse for
the night.
I invited him in. Though a stran-
ger, his face seemed not unfamiliar He
was probably one of the men I had seen
at the land Office, place, at that time,
very much frequented.
Offering him a seat, went to see his
horse. The poor animal, as well as
could see by the dim starlight, seemed to
have been hardly used His painting sides
bore witness of merciless riding, and a
tremulous shrinking, at the slightest touch
betokened recent fright.
On reentering the house, found the
stranger was not there. His absence ex-
cited no surprise; he would doubtless
soon return. 1t was little singular,
however, that he should have left his
watch lying on the table.
At the end of an hour, my guest not
returning, l went again to the stable,
thinking he might have found his way
thither to give his personal attention to
the wants of his horse.
Before going out, from mere force of
habit-for we were as yet uninfested by
either thieves or policemen--I took the
precaution of putting the strangers watch
in drawer in which I kept my own val
uables.
l found the horse as I had left him, and
gave him the food which he was now suffi-
GENTLY cooled to eat, but his master was
nowhere to be seen.
AS l approached the house crowd of
men on horseback dashed up, and l was
commanded, in no gentle tones, to
" stand !" In another moment | was in
the clutches of those who claimed me as
their prisoner"
I was too much stupifed at first to ask
what it all meant. did so at last, and
the explanation came, it was terrible!
My friend, with whom l had so lately
set out in company, had been found mur-
dered and robbed near the spot at which
l, but alone knew we had separated
| was the last person known to be with
him, and [ was now arrested on suspicion
of his murder.
A search of the promises was immedi-
ately instituted. The watch was found in
the draw in which 1 had placed it, and
was identified as the property of the MUIR
dered man. His horse, too, was found in
my stable, for the animal 1 had just put
there was none other. recognized him
myself when I saw him in the light.
What I said, 1 know not. My confu-
sion was taken as additional evidence.
And when, at length, | did command Ian
guage to give an Ineligible statement, it
was received with sneers of incredulity.
The mob spirit is inherent in man-at
least in crowds of men. 1t may not al
ways manifest itself in physical violence.
1t sometimes contents itself by lynching
a character. But whatever its form, it is
always relentless, pitiless, cruel.
AS the proofs of my guilt, one after an
other, came TO light, low mutterings grad
ually grew into iclamor for vengeance
and but for the irmness of one mon-4tha
officer who had me in CHARGE would
doubtless have paid the penalty of my
supposed offence on the spot.
1t was not sympathy for me that actu-
ated my protector. His heart was as hard
as his Office; but he represented the ma
iesty of the law, and took sort of grim
pride in the position.
AS much under the glance of his eye as
before the muzzle of his pistol, the cow
ardly clamorers drew back Perhaps |
they were not sufficiently numerous to
feel the full effect of that mysterious re-
lex influence which makes q crowd of |
men SO much worse and at times so much |
better, than any one of them sipgly.
At the end of some months my trial
,ame. 1t could have but one result Cir
,umstances too plainly declared my guilt.
alone knew they lied.
The absence of the jury was brief To
heir verdict paid but little heed. 1t
vas single hideous word but I had
ong anticipated it, and it made no i'm
preston.
As little impression was made by the
words of the judge which followed it and
lis solemn invocation that God might
laye that mercy upon me which man was
90 just to vouchsafe sounded like the hol-
owest of hollow mockeries.
''1t may be hard for the condemned
riminal to meet death /; it is still harder
or him who is innocent. The one. when
he first shock is over, acquiesces in his
oom, and gives himself to repentance; the
eart of the other, filled with rebellion
gainst mans injustice, can scarce bring
tself to ask pardon of God.
had gradually overcome this feeling,
n spite Of the good clergyman's irritating
forts, which were mainly directed to-
Yards extracting confession, without
5hich, he assured me, he had no hope to
fer.
On the morning Of the day fixed for
Nv execution. / felt measurablv resigned