The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-11
DooMHD.
By COL. LEON LATTE.

pleasant afternoon, not many years ago I
group OF young people OF both sexes were
gathered
Standing in their midst was an old woman
bent down with age, looking as If she stood
on the brink OF the grave, but her dark rest
less eyes showed that there was vigorous life
In her mind IT not in her body.
She had been telling fortunes for the
young people gathered around her, aud &c
Gil but one she had foretold bright, happy
future. The exception TO this rule of bless
edness through life Was q handsome boy Of
nineteen, with . dark, passionate face, and
az expression which Indicated perfect fear
lessness.
Five years before the opening of this story
On old gentleman and his nephew had
moved to Virginia, from some northern state
and buying fine farm had made u their
home.
Mr.. Mercer and his nephew, Franz were
treated with kindness by the gentle men OF
the neig hborhood, and they received invita-
tons to visit the plantations near them.
Ftsnk soon became acquainted with all
10 the country; but hIs uncle never !eft ms
farm, and see med TO shun soc ETY..
For this. many reasons were given, but
the trus one was that he had lost his whole
family and Franks parents having left him
to Mr. MERGERS charge, he determined to
devote himself to the boy, aid found suth
Glen. enjoy meDt in his company, and IN cui,
tlvsting his farm. Though reported very
wealthy, and that he always kept a large
sum OF gold In the house. Mr.. Mercer and
Frank lived in very quiet way, and made
no display.
Thus passed Franks early youth from his
fourteenth to his niDsteenth year, when our
story opens. A man of superior education,
Mr.. Mercer had been his nephew's teacher,
and had i'm parted 70 him much knowledge
Of the world of letters, and people, so that
Frank, at the age OF nineteen, was as well
informed as If be had possessed cultivated
education.
There we're those in the neighborhoos
who re ported thai the boy was wild and dls>
sipated, and this found ready believers In
others: so that Frank had some enemies as
well as many friends.
Thus we End him; and the evening Of the
making out of our story he had been invited
TO an entertainment given By q wealthy
planter to his children.
Mr.. De wees, the planter, had three child
rem, the Youngest and loveliest of whom was
NJ .ry, girl of twelve. Mary and Frank
were the best of friends. and loved each
other dearly, so when the fortune teller pre-
dicted dsuk aud stormy future for Frank,
the tears arose IN the childs eyes, and she
SAID:
"Do not listen tc her Frank" But the
boy laughed, and turning on his heel walked
away.
Two DAYS afterwards he left home for g
weeks hunting in the mountains; but the
second night after his departure the neigh
borhood was aroused that the startling news
that Mr. Mercer had been murdered by hi
nephew
One Of the servants passing near the house
al night heard q cry, aud seeing Frar 81
window open, be sprspg In and walked
across the hall to Mr.. MERGERS cham Der
from whence the cry came.
Lying on the floor was the old man dead
while near him stood his nephew with 9
bloody knife in his hand. 10 fright the
negro rushed from the house and gave the
alarm
Planters from the county were sent tor
and Frank was seized against every protest
alton that be did not Xiii his uncle, anc
thrown into all.
The feeling against the youth was intense
for the negro told the Story OF how he has
found Frank, aud q waytarins peodier, VII,
had just as ended the trout steps TO ask x
stay al NIGH, corroborsted his statement.
The trial came on, and the charges wer,
made known. Frank was accused OF start
log upon hunting expedition as bIuC
aud then returning from the mouutsIus b.
night had entered the room and ATTEMPTED
TO remove g large bag of gold kept By hi
uncle bal aroused him, aud upon bsing d Is
covered had driven his hunting knife Int
the heart OF Mr. Mercer; the gold was OF
the Noor, Its weight having torn through IN,
bag when II was raised The knife will
which Mr.. Mercer was killed was one ne hs
given Frank few DAYS before, and was
large dirk knife encased IL silver sosb
bard.
Pale as death, but showing 10 sign c
fear or guilt upon his handsome face, To
prisoner sat unnoved by his sentence, whlc
WAS to die on the Rsliows.
When asked II he had aught to say, Fran
arose, and looking around the courtroom
and IN q clear voice, answered
Il have. Ci.cumstsntial evidence hs
condemned me. | admit it looks as If
did the deed, but l am guiltiess o. murder
Dropping my cap box N mouutsiu stream
| returned home for more; for with out cap
my gun was useless. 1t was a lonely nigh
and deter % ned to enter the house by n
room window, get the caps, and return will
out awakening nv uncle. tied my hors
to the fence, sprsng into the window, an
then heard a loud crash. call out, and
shrek in the direction of my uncles room
I rushed thither, dark form dashed by M
10 the uncertain light OF the room, and | fe
over something upon the floor. With fes
at M hear | arose, lighted a candle. an
saw my uncle's body covered with blood
god scattered upon the fl ,or, and NV ow
knit, which had done the deed, lying nes
Il picked up the knife, and thus Was
found BY the negro, and seen by the peddle
As God Is nv witness | did not murder tn
good old man who has protected me throug
life, ard whom | loved as though he was N
own father
81 AUD guiItless of the deed, but submit t
my fate"
A silence fell upon all, but there wer
but few who believed the youths statemen
among the latter was Mr.. Devices and b
family, who through all remained atenc
frI-uds.
Frank Mercer was to be hung, to die q
lguOnluiuus death on the gallo~s, and hui
dr-d, Tucked to the little town where th
execution was to take plare. to see him dI'
How were they disappointed to find that til
night before ne had escaped? How no on
knew, bun he mad lett note to the kin
Jaiior thanking him for the kindness show
hun while he WAS i'll his charge, and hl
regrets that his escape mlget cause hit
trouble, but saying he had had an oppol
tunlty of escaping aud took advantage of i
for he had no idea of dying an ignominiou
death for su act ne was not guilty of, mere
ly to crafty the curiosity of gaping crow
Freedom WAS offered hun and he accepted
and hoped he would ye. be able to prov
his lnuoceDce,
This was about the subject of the Iett.,
and when it Was published in the tow
papsr there we're some who were glad ths
the boy mad escaped the galiows.