The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-02-10
DOOMED.
ny COL. LEnoN rArrrrE.

old ivy-grown mansion in the State OF
/ Virginia, one pleasant afternoon, not
many years ago, u group of young
people of both sexes were gathered.
Standing in their midst was an old
woman bent down with nge. looking
rs if she stood ON the brink of the
grayeJ but her da,k, restlesa eyes
showed that there was vigorous life in
her mind if not in her body.
She had been telling fortunes" for
tho young peoplegethered around her,
and to all but one she had foretold a
bright and happy future, The excep-
ton to this rule of blessedness through
life was handsome boy of nineteen
with n dark, passionate face, and nn
expression which indicated perfect
fearlessness.
Five years before the opening of
this story an old gentleman and his
nephew had moved to Virginia, from
some northern state, and buying fine
farm made it their home.
Mr.. Mercer and his nephew, Frank
were treated with kindness by the
neighborhood, and they received invi-
tations to visit the plantations near
them.
Frank soon became acquainted with
all the country: but his uncle never
left his farm, and seemed to sbun So
ciety.
For this, many reasons were given,
but the true one was that he mad lost
his whole family, and Franks parents
having left him to Mr.. Mercer's
charge, he determined to devote him
self to the boy, n1d found sufficient
enjoyment III his company, and in
cultivating his farm. Though report
ed very wealthy, and that he always
kept large sum in the house, Mr..
Mercer and Frank lived IN very
quiet way, aud made no display.
Thus passed Franks early youth
from. his fourteenth 10 his nineteenth
year, when our story opens. 4 maj
of superior education, Mr.. Mercer had
been his nephew's teacher, aud had
impaired to him much knowledge Of
the world of letters and people, so
that Frank, at the age of nineteen
was Us we'll informed as if he had
possessed II cultivated education.
There were those in the neighbor-
hood who reported that the boy was
wild and dissipated, aud this found
ready believers in others; so that
Frank bad some enemies as well rs
many friends.
Thus We find him; anl the evening
OF the making out OF our story he had
been invited TO an entertainment CIV
en- by wealthy planter to his chill
drer.
Mr. Dewess, the planter, had three
children, the youngest and loyeliest
Of whom was Mary, n girl Of twelve.
Mary and Frank were the best ol
friends, and loved each other dearly;
$50 when the fortune-tclier predicted Il
dark and stormy future for Frank, the
tears arose to the child's eyes, and
she said:
"Do not listen to her, Frank. -
But the boy laughed, and turning on
his heel walked away.
Two days afterwards he left home
for weeks hunting III the mountains
but the second night after his depart
ure the neighborhood was aroused by
the startling news that sIr. Mercer
had been murdered by his nephew.
One OF the servants, passing near
the house at night, heard cry, and
seeing Franks window open, he
sprapg in and walked across the hall
to Mr.. Mercer's chamber, from whence
the cry came.
Lying on the floor was the old man
while near him stood his nephew with
bloody knife in bis hand. In fright
the negro rushed from the house and
gave the alarm.
Planters from the country were
sent for, and Frank was seized against
every protestation that he did not kill
his uncle, and thrown into Jail.
The feeling against the youth was in.
tense, for the negro told the story oi
how be had found Frank, and way.
fairing peddler, who had just ascended
the front steps to ask to stay all night
corroborated his statement.
The trial came on, and the charges
were made known. Frank was ac
cused of starting upon a hunting ex
! petition as bind, and then return
ing from the mountains by night hat
ente-ed the room, and attempting tt
remove a large bag of gold kept b.
his uncle had aroused him, and upoI
being discovered had driven his hunt
| ing knife inGo the heart of Mr.. Mer
Ger. The GOLD was on the floor, it
weight having tofa through the bas
when it was raised. The knife will
which Mr.. Mercer was killed was on
he had given Frank few days before
and was large dirk knife eacased il
silver scabbard.
Pale as death, but showing no sigl
OF fear or guilt upon his handson
face, the prisoner sat unmoved by hi
sentence, which was to die on the gal
lows. ID.
When asked II he had aught to say
Frank arose, and looked around th
courtroom, and in clear voice, an
lswered: T
f"I have. Circumstantial evidenc
has condemned me. I admit it look
as if I did the deed, but am guiltles
, of murder. Dropping my cap-box i
} a mountain stream, I returned hom
for more; for without caps my gu
Twas useless. It was alonely night
and I determined to enter the hous
!. by my room window, get the caps
{ and return without awakening m
uncle. I tied my horse to the fence
sprang into the window, and the
Il Loa,.d !, loud crash q coll ont ouI