Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-04-08
CIRCUMsTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
A Narrow Escape from the GalIows

years since, a group of young people o
both sexes were gathered Standing il
their midst was an old woman bent dowr
with age, looking as if she stood on th,
brink of the grave, but her dark, restless
eye showed that there was vigorous lifi
in her mind, if not in her body.
| She had been telling fortunes foi
the young people gathered around her
and to all but one she had foretold I
bright and happy future. The exeep
ton of this rule Of blessedness through
life was handsome boy of nineteen
with a dark, passionate face, and an ex
preston which indicated perfect fear
lessness.
Five years before the opening of this
story an old gentleman and his nephew
had moved to Virginia from some North
ern State, and buying farm had made
it their home. Mr.. Mercer and his
nephew, Frank, were treated with kind
ness by the gentlemen of the neighbor
hood, and they received invitations Ia
visit the plantations near them. Frank
soon became acquainted with all in the
country, but his uncle never left his
farm, and seemed to shun society. For
this many reasons we're given, but the
true one was that he had lost all his
family, and Franks parents having left
him to Mr.. MERGERS charge, he deter
mined to devote himself to the boy, and
found sufficient enjoyment in his com
pany and in cultivating his farm.
Though reported very wealthy, and that
he always kept large sum of gold in
the house, Mr. Mercer and Frank lived
in quiet way and made no display.
Thus passed Franks early youth from
his fourteenth until his seventeenth year,
when our story opens. A man of superior
education, Mr.. Mercer had been his
nephew's teacher, and had impaired unto
him much knowledge of the world of
letters and of people, so that Frank at
nineteen was as well informed as if he
had possessed cultivated education.
There were those in the neighborhood
who reported that the boy was wild and
dissipated, and this found ready be-
levers in others; so that Frank had some
enemies and many friends.
Thus we find him; and the evening of
the commencement of our story he had
been invited to an entertainment given
by wealthy planter to his children.
Mr.. Dewes, the planter, had three
children, the youngest and loveliest of
whom was Mary, girl of twelve. Mary
and Frank were the best of friends, and
loved each other dearly. So when the
fortune-teller predicted dark and stormy
future for Frank, the tears arose to the
child's eyes, and she said; Don't listen
to her, Frank.
But the boy laughed, and, turning on
his heel, walked away.
Two days afterwards he left home for
week hunting in the mountains; but the
second night after his departure the
neighborhood was aroused by the start
ling news that old Mr.. Mercer had been
murdered by his nephew One of the
servants passing the house at night heard
a cry and seeing Franks window open
he sprang in and walked across the hall
to Mr.. MERGERS chamber, from whence
the cry came. Lying upon the floor was
the old man, dead, while near him stood
his nephew, with bloody knife in his
hand. In fright the negro rushed from
the house and gave the alarm. Persons
from the neighborhood were sent for, and
Frank was seized against every protesta-
ton that he did not kill his uncle, and
thrown into jail. ICtNH Hff.
The feeling against the youth was in
tense, for the negro told the story of how
he had found Frank, and a wayfaring
peddler, who had just ascended the steps
to ask to stay all night, eorroborated the
man s statement.
The trial came of, and the charges
were made known. Frank was accused
of starting upon hunting expedition as
a blind, and then returning from the
by night, had entered the
room, and attempting to remove large
bag of gold kept by his uncle, had
aroused him, and upon being discovered
had driven his hunting-knife into the
heart of Mr.. Mercer The gold was on
the floor, its weight having torn through |
the bag when it was raised. The knife |
with which Mr.. Mercer was killed was
one he had given to Frank some days
before, and was large dirk-knife en-
cased in a silver scabbard.
Pale as death, but showing no sign of
fear or guilt upon his handsome face,
the prisoner sat unmOved by his SEN
tence, which was to die on the gallows
When asked if he had aught to say,
Frank arose, and looking around the
in clear voice answered.
81 havel Circumstantial evidence has
me. ] admit it looks as if /
lid the deed, but | am guiltless Of mur-
Ter. Dropping my percussion-cap box
n a mountain stream, | returned home
or more; for without caps my gun was
useless. 1t was lovely night, and de-
ermined to enter the house by my room
window, get the caps, and return without
my ancle. | tied ny horse
% the fence, sprang into the window,
lnd then heard loud crash, a call out,
md a shrek in the direction of my un-
lies room. l rushed thither-a dark
orm dashed by me in the uncertain
light of the rOOm-and | fell over some
hing upon the floor. With fear in my
leart ] arose, lighted candle, and saw
ny uncles body covered with blood,
,old scattered upon the floor, and my ,
,wl knife, which had done the deed, j
ying near. ! picked up the knife, and
hus was found by the negro and seen
y the peddler. As God is my witness,
did not murder the good old man who ,
Ias protected me throughout life, and !
'hom loved as though he was my own
ather. am guiltless of the deed, but ]
ubmit 70 my fatel"
A silence fell upon all; there were,
owever, but few who believed the youths
tatement; among the latter was Mr.. :
)ewes and his family, who, through all, =
emained staunch friends.
Frank Mercer was to be hung-to die
n ignominious death on the gallows- :
nd hundreds Aocked to the little town