The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-05-14

Jaw nkSt fel. IL was on tne evening VI tne
l4th Of July, 17A6, James Dawson sat In
bis prison Fanny sat by bis side, with her
hand in his, and hm parents were ready
also, when The jailer entered, and ordered
him to prepare to bold himself in readiness
fur his trial, in the coarthOuse at St Mar
garet's, Southwark, ON the following day.
His father grosned-his mother exclaimed,
my son !"-but Fanny sat motionless.
No tear was in her eye-no muscle in her
countenance moved. Her fingers grasPed
his with 6rmer pressure-but she ev.nced
no other system Of having heard the man.
date that was delivered. They rose to ds-
part, and . Low deep sigh issued from her
bosom but she showed no sign of violent
grief; her feelings were already exhausted
her heart could bear no more.
On tbe following dsy, eighteen victims,
with the gallant Townly at their head,
we're brought forth for trial before grand
jury. Amongst them, aud ~ one Of, The
chief, was James Dawson. Fanny bad In
sisted on being present She beard the word
gsilty prcnouneed with yet deeper apathy
than she had evinced at the announcement
of his trial. She folded her hands upon
ber bosom, her lips moved as in prayer, but
she shed not single tear, ST ,reathed not
q single sigh. She arose, she peckoned to
her attendants, and accompanied them from
the courthouse. aH
Still his friends entertained the heps that
the Pardon Power might be moved-they
redoubled their exertions- they increased
their importunities--they were willing t0I
make any sacrifice 50 that his life might be
saved-and even then, at the eleventh hour,
they hoped against hope. But Fanny
yielded not to the vain thought Day after
day she sat BY her lovers side, and she, in
her turn, became his comforter. She no
longer spoke of her bsidal-but she spoke
Of eternity she spoke Of their meeting
where the ambition, the rivalry. and the
power Of princes should be able to cast no
cloud over the happiness Of the soul.
Fourteen days had passed, and during
that be betrayed no sign Of terror she
evinced none Of women's weakness She
seemed to have mastered her griefs, and her
soul was prepared TO meet them. Yet,
save only when she spoke to him, her soul
appeared entranced, and her body lifeless.
On the 29th Of July an order was brOught
for the execution Of the victims on the fol-
lowing day. James Dawson bowed bis
head to the officer who delivered the war
rant, and calmly answered, &c am pre-
pared J"
The cries Of his mother rang through the
prieon-house. She tore her hair-she sank
upon the ioor-she entreated Heaven to
spare her child. His father groaDed, be
held the hand Of bis son in his. and the
tears gushed down his furrOwed cheeks
Fanny alone was silent-she alone wastran-
gull. No throe Of agony swelled her
bosom, flushed in her countenance, or burn
ed in her. She was calm, speechless, re-
signed. He pressed her to his bosom, as
they took their last farewell.
"Adieu !-adieu my own I" be cried.
a NJ -RA..s-sses~sllt lt-eaz -alsr~aa frs'l
well !"
"Nay, nay" she replied !" say not eter-
nal-we shall meet again. IT'S short
farewell feel tt feel il. Adieu, love
-adieu! Die firmly. We shall meet
soon"
Next morning the prisoners were 70 be
dragged on sledges to Keusington Common.
which was the place appointed for their exc
cution. In the first sledge was the execu-
toner. sitting over his pinioned victims with
drawn sword in his hand. No prlest-no
minister Of religion attended them and
around the sledges followed thousands,
some few expressing sympathy, but the
majority following from curiosity, and others
venting their execrations against all traitors.
In the midst Of the multitude was hackney
coach, following the sledges, and in it was
the gentle Fanny Lester, accompanied by
relative and female friend. They had en-
deavored to persuade her from the fearful
trial; but she was calm, resolute, and not
to be moved, and they yielded to her wish.
The coach drew up within thirty yards of the
scafold; Fanny pulled down the window,
and lesning over il, she beheld the piles of
faggots lighted around the scaffold-she saw
the flames asceEd, and the soldiers form a
circle round them. She saw the victims
leave the sledgc sbe looked upon him
whom her heart loved as be mounted the
place of death, and his step was firm, his
countenance unmoved. She saw hn Join
in prayer with his companions, and her
eyes were fixed ON him as he flung papera
and his hat among the multitude. She
saw the fatal signal given, and the drop
fall-she heard the borrid shout, the yell
that burst from the multitude, but not
muscle of her frame moved. She gazed
calmly, as though it had been on bridal
ceremony. She beheld the executiOner be-
gin the barbsrities which the law awards to
Lreason-tbe clothes were torn from the
victims /; one by one they were cut down !;
and the 6nisher of the law, with the horrid
knife in bis band, proceeded to lay open
their bosoms, and taking ont their hearts,
flung them on the faggots that blazed around
the scaffold. TIE last spectacle Of barbarity
was James Dawson, and when the execu-
toner had plunged the knife in bis breast,
he raised bis heart in his hand, and holding
it a moment before the horrorstricken and
disguised multitude, he cast it into the
flames, exclaiming, rs be flung it from him,
"God save King George'' Fanny beheld
this-ber eyes became blind-she heard not
the shout Of The multitude-she drew back
her head into the coach-it dropped upon
the shoulder Of her companion. +" My
dear! follow thee IL follow thee - she
exclaimed, clasping her hands together.
Sweet Jesus receive 10th our souls to
gether!" They attempted to raise her
head, to support her in their arms, but she
sank back ifeless Her spirit had accom-
panied him it loved-sbe died Of sti6ed
agony and broken heart.
Ar o restaurant, the other day, the
antics Of green-looking customer, who