Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-07-15


"on returning to tie house, found the
stranger was not there. His absence excited
no surprise he would doubtless soon return.
1t was little singular, however, that lie
should have left his watch lying on the table
"At the end of an hour, my guest not re-
turning, went again to the stable, thinking
he might have found his way tbithcr to give
his personal attention to the wants Of his
horse.
Before going out, from mere force of habit
for we were not as yet uninfcsted by either
thieves or pollcemen-I took the precaut'on oil
putting the strangers watch in q drawer IN
which kept my own valuab'es.
al found the horse as had left him, and
gave him the food which he was now sutii-
ciently cooled to eat, but his mast was no.
where to be seen.
"AsI approached the house crowd OF men
on horseback dashed up, and was command
ed, in no gentle tones, to stand" In another
moment was in the clutches OF those who
claimed me as their "prisoner"
al was too much stupiied at first toask what
it all meant. | did so at last, aud the expla-
nation came, it was terrible
"My friend, with whom had so lately set
ont in company, had been found murdered and
robbed near the spot at which ], but | alone,
knew we had separated. | was the last person
known to be with him, and was now arrested
on suspicion of his murder.
ga search Of the premises was Immediately
instituted. Thcwatch was found in the drawer
in which had placed it, and was Identified as
the property of the murdered man. Hlshorse,
too was found in my stable, for the animal l
had just put there was none other. | recog-
nized him myself when saw him in the light.
"What said, know not. My confusion
was taken as additional evidence. And when,
at length, did command language to give an
intelligblc statement, it was received with
sneers of incredulity.
"Thc mob spirit is Inherent in man-at least
in crowds of men. 1t may not always mani
fest itself in physical violence. 1t sometimes
contents itself with lynching character. But
whatever its form, it is always relentless, pitt
less, cruel.
"As the proofs of my guilt, ,one after another,
come to light, low muttcrnss gradually grew
into a clamor for vengeance; and but Tor the
firmness of one mau-the officer who had me
in charge-I would doubtless have paid the
penalty Of my supposed offence on the spot.
at was not sympathy for me that actuated
my protector His heart was as hard as his
office; but he represented the majesty of the
law, and took sort Of grim pride in the po-
sition.
"As much under the glance Of his eye as be-
fore the muzzlc of his pistol, the cowardly
clamorers drew back. Perhaps they were hot
sufficiently numerous TO feel the full effect OF
that mysterious reflex influence which makes
a crowd Of men so much worse, and at times
so much better than any one Of them singly.
g o Q
"At the end of some months my trial came.
II could have but one result. Circumstances
too plainly declared my guilt. | alone knew
they lied.
"The absence Of the jury was brief To
their verdict l paid but little heed. 1t was
single hideous word but had long anticipa-
ted it, and it made no impression.
"As little impression was made by the words
of the Judge which followed it and bis solemn
invocation that God might have mercy upon
me which mau was too just to vouchsafe sound
ed like the hollowest of hollow mockcries.
at may be hard for the condemned crimi-
nal to meet death it is still harder for him
whoisinnocent. The one, when the first shock
is over, acquiesccs in bis doom, and gives him
self to repentance the heart Of the other filled
with rebellion against mans injustice, can
scarce bring itself to ask pardon of God.
81 had gradually overcome this feeling, in
spite of the good clergyman'S irritating efforts
which were mainly directed towards extracting
A confession, without which, he assured me, be
had no hope to offer.
"On the morning Of the day fixed for my
execution, felt measurably resigned. ] had
so long stood face to face with death, had SO
accustomed myself to look upon it as a merely
momentary pang, that no longer felt solici-
tons save that my memory should one day be
vindicated.
"Sbe for whom / bad gone to prepare a
home had already found one in Heaven. The
tsdings of my calamity had broken her heart.
She alone of all the world believed me inno-
cent and she had died with a prayer upon
her lips, that the truth might yet &c brought
to light.
"All this had heard, aud it had soothed as
with sweet incense my troubled spirit. Death,
however unwclcome the shape, was now por-
tai beyond which could see one angel waiting
to receive me.
81 heard the sound of approaching footsteps
aud neryed myself to meet the expected sum-
mons. The door Of my cell opened, and the
sheriff and bis attendants entered. He had in
his hand a paper. Itwas doubtless my death
warrant. He began to read it. Ny thoughts
were busted elsewhere The words FULL AND
FREE PARDON" were the first to strike my pre-
occupied senses. They affected the bystanders
more than myself. Yet so it was: was