Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-03-01

Lexington by two o'clock
The conductor looked at his watch,
smiled and went forward.
4 would sooner give five hundred dol
lars than miss the SPORT added hugh
to the passengers around him.
Soon all observed an increase OF speed
in the train.
we shall be in timep shouted Hugh,
thinking only of the scene of death up
on which he was soon to feast his eyes.
In his anxiety he went out upon the
platform. Trees, fences and houses
seemed whirling past with lightning
Suddenly came fearful lUreh. The
passengers were pitched from their
seats. The train had run into freight
car left with criminal negligence on the
track.
Are YOU hurt, Grace@ inquired her
brother, lifting her gently upon the seat
No. But, hark-'
A cry of agony ran through the car
No one had been injured within the
car-the cry had come from without
James Harding with others, rushed
forward. The platform had been wreck
EN-. Down in the ruins a man was seen
struggling and CRYING loudly for help.
IldIulllS
drag him out. Then he looked into the
face of the sufferer.
It was Hugh BTainard-his features
no longer glowing in fiendish triumph,
but cOnvulsed with pain. He was borne
to the nearest house and a surgeon, who
chanced to be on the train, called III.
what is the result?' inquired the
wounded m an, anXiOusly, after hasty
lnon hnn11 made
The surgeon shook bis head. -,
Tell me the worst, cried Hugh; Us II
life or death?'
TT is DEATH
How sOOn?'
Twill not deceive yOu,' said the sur,
geOn; you are injured internally and
have but few moments to live
so soon-O, God!-sO soon, and With
this great weight upon my soulv
Then his wild eyes stared eagerly
around the room, resting at length upon
James Harding.
Raising his hand, he feebly beckOnedi
and Harding came quickly. to his SIDE sc
4 must tell you'll cannot die s0--thls
great burden of guilt is a thousand times
worse than the pain
what is it-Of what are you guilty?
tOfmurderi Ny hands are red Will
blood! I have killed one man-perhaps
twop =,
rs it of him-Paul-yOu wOnlC
Eyes, ofPaul RushtOn, the man whom
[ have wronged. Hark you, James
Harding, and you who are in sound o
my voice. Paul is innocent of the crime
for which he has suffered
Il knew it-Oh, heaven, l knew IT!
cried Grace, who had entered the room
in time to hear the last words.
Come nearer, and you, Grace will
tell all. Let the others leave the room.
All went out, and Grace, her brother
and the surgeon were left alone Will
the dying man.
| In a wild, rapid utterance he began:
I was Jealous, madly jealous, and II
MY mad passion determined TO rld Gn'
world of my rival. But lacked tht
nerve to do the deed, until one night
/ heard he was to be marrled-ne anC
/ Grace. Then in fit of desperation,
resolved to kill him that very night;
! laid in wait for him near the old bridge
where knew Paul must pass shortl.
after dark. Soon I heard him coming
At the right moment I rushed out ant
felled him to the earth with a heav.
club. Then 1 stabbed him.
AS I bent over to pull out the knife
| caught a glimpse of his face and saw
to my utter CONSERVATION, it was no
Paul, but DIR. Clayton.
AT that moment heard footsteps ap
preaching, and hastily concealed my
self in the bushes. Soon Paul cam
whistling along the road. He stOppet
in horror when he saw the dead man b,
. In I 60, AfcNa roIu
tered my prain. I would accuse hi1
of the murder.
4 rushed to the village and told tn
people that Paul RushtOn had killed tn
doctor down by the old bridge SeYers
started to the spot, and on the way me
Paul, his hands covered with Blood
They charged him with the crime. II
became alarmed and fled. A few day
before I had found a knife which be
longed to Paul. That there might b
no doubt, l carved his name upon th
! handle, and then threw it into the ditc
near where the body was found.
You know on the witness stand
swOre that with my own eyes sa'
Paul strike down the doctor. 1t was
lie! l added perjury to murder, and Pau
is innocent. Had I q thousand voices
! hOulu DIOGldLul IL " bAlC WOA4N9 AOA4+
: but atone for my crime;
The conductor now appeared and al
: nounced q car ready for Lexington.
why did you not hurry? cried Hugh
"A single moment may save his life. @
James Harding took out his watch
The hour had pointed to the figure two
1t was the fatal hour,
How far is it to Lexington" he il
Twenty miles, replied the cOnduc
tor.
'.'5 TOO late, moaned Grace, sinking il
to chair.
TOO later exclaimed Hugh wildly.
The conductor looked from one to th
other.
TT is barely possible it may not be to
late,' he said. They move slow /
there things
Grace caught eagerly at the fair
hope.
'In the name of heaven, let US go sh
cried.
! James Harding caught the railroa
official by the arm:
Conductor, can you save that man
He is Innocent
I'VE will 20 rs fast as steam can carr
: u.s. he replied, running rapidly to I'll
! waiting train.
Grace and her brother followed; I'll
bell rung; the cars started; the hug
puffs of the engine came faster and fas
I er, until they mingled at length I'M
one prolonged roar. They were rusl
: ing at Il fearful rate Ofspeed toward Lei
ingtOn. ...-..
/ But to the frenzfed mind of Hardin
= they were creeping at snail's pace.
'Fasteru he shouted, as the cO1duott
uassed by; I'VE shall be too late.'
The conductor glanced at his tim
piece.
In five minutes we shall be In lie.
g ington,' he said.
Five minutes! 1t seemed an age
/ Grace. ..
4 In less than half that time the stee
Y les of the town came in view. Jam
S Harding rushed out upon the platform
n ready to lump the moment the ca
/ should slacllen speed.
e The conductor had promised to stC
near the iail-yard.
= Leaning forward, Harding saw n va
n crowd gathered around it. At that m
k ment the whistle sounded, the brakt
5, were put on. The conductor saw h
purpose and strove to pull him back, b
e i'm vain. James Harding leaped hea
long into the crowd.
# Several picked him up, but he brol
from them and forced his way thrOug
h the crowd to the gate of the jail yard.
/ It was fastened.
@ He pounded furiously upon it. 1t W
opened slightly, and he dashed throul
: despite the attempts of the officers
prevent him. Then he paused and loo
ed toward the gallOws. Paul RushtC
= was standing there. A rope was arOuI
his neck. Over his head was draw