Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-04-08

offered him and he accepted it, and hi
hoped he would yet be able to prove hi
innocence.
This was about the subject Of the let
ter, and when it was published in the 10
cal papers there wefe some who wers
glad that the boy had escaped the gal
lows. y N7A itt''7V
! Mr. Mercer's property was, in his will
all left to Frank, andyit was found to be
considerable. Trustees assumed charge
Of it, and before long the quiet commu
nifty had settled down to its nsual
routine, and the murder and escape
were in short time almost forgotten. a
! Ten years passed away and no word Of
the fugitive had been heard, and people
believed him dead. One exception was
Mary Dewes, now grown 10 womanhood.
She has never believed him dead; and
through her life had treasured Frank s
image in her inmost heart, the mystery
that hung around him but utadding strength
to her regard. Her sisters had married,
her mother was dead, aRd, together with
her father, they had Mxed at the old
homestead. e1
Business calling Mr. Dewes to Havana,
he took Mary with him, and they set
sail from Charleston in fine ship run
ming south, They had been some days
at sea, when, in the dead Of night, the
fearful cry of fire - was heard, which
aroused all from slumber. In vain were
efforts made to quench the flames. The
seamen in fright rushed into the only
available boat, and it sank with them,
and left them struggling in the ocean,
borne away by the wind and waves,
while Mr.. Dewes and Mary, the captain
Of the ship, and few others, were hud-
died away upon the stern, awaiting the
fearful doom that must, to all appear
ance, overtake them. "
Sail, hol .t.
The joyous cry came from the captain,
who had been straining bis eyes over the
ocean, in hopes of seeing some vessel
coming to save them. Swiftly flying to-
ward them came a low, rakish, three
masted schooner, which ever and anon
sent up a light to prove to those on board
the burning ship that succor was near.
Hark the deep boom of a gun is heard,
and as the captain listens he exclaims,
Miss Dewes, weare all right now; cheer
up, for there comes vessel-of-war to our
"Ship ahoyl" came in ringing tones
from the schooner, as she came near the
burning ship, which was being driven
rapidly along by the wind .H
"Ahoy" answered the captain.
Throw long line from your ship,
and | will send you boat, came in the
same clear tones.
The line was thrown, the boat at
tached, and, after a little difficulty, the
people from the ship we're transferred to
the schooner, and Mary was soon in the
comfortable cabin, rejoicing over their
escape from horrible death.
AT breakfast the next morning the
young captain of the war-schooner de-
scended to join his guests at the table,
and as he entered, Mary sprang toward
him.
Frank Mercerl Obi it is you--is it
not2' a'ss .r.
One glance at the beautiful girl, and,
though years had passed, Frank Mercer
for it was no other-recognized the
playmate whom he had loved so well,
and whom. he had never ceased to think
Of
Mr.. Dewes came forward, and what
joyful meeting was there; but seeing a
cloud, as if of bitter memories, come over
the young captains face, Mr.. Dewes
said: First, let me relieve your mind
of one thing. Your innocence in Vir-
ginia has been thoroughly established;
for negro runaway, hung the other day
for killing woman, confessed Just be-
fore his death that he had murdered your
uncle, and your arriving when you did
had prevented him from getting the gold,
but made him escape from the house.
He knew your uncle kept large amount
of money, and you being away as he
thought, he procured your knife, and |
with it committed the fatal deed Z"
Frank listened to Mr.. Dewes, almost
breathless, and then, when he had CON
cluded, he bowed his face in his hands
and wept like child.
But come in," said Mr.. Dewes at
length; 1--WE are hungry, and need
breakfast, and are dying TO know how
you became q captain in the Mexican
navy"
my story is easily told, my dear
friends; for, after escaping from prison
through your kindness, Hwent to Mex
co, entered the navy, and, having rem
lered some service, rose to my present
which has been the means of
saving your lives. y
Little more can be added
Frank resigned his commission and
home, when he was lionized by
he entire community. He came in pos
iession of his estates, which were greatly
increased in value; and six months ai-
in the very town where he was
o have had the hangman's halter placed
Iround his neck for death, he had the
loose of matrimony thrown around him
or life, and.the bride was Mary Dewes.
Thus his life had been both dark and
right in a remarkable degree.