Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1871-09-20

ms ~ H@N NNh0 liNhl NNil ~ tia.. IN ,
This slow tOilsome way this industrious,
Christian farmer, whose name We will call
Perry, succeeded in accumulating a hand
some property, so that IN his old age, he
was prepared TO enjoy the comforts aud
ease which pecuniary competence alone
can secure. He was a member of the
Methodist church, and was, by all who
knew him, highly esteemed as a citizen
aud as a Christian.
PART II.
Years had rolled away. had grown
to be a man, Freshman in college, like
many others dependent upon their own
resources. | was casting about III the
Fall of lS--, fer an opportunity to earn
little money during my winter vacation.
by teaching a country District-School.
Circumstances led me to Hinesburgh, the
home. it will be recolected, of the old
man who, years before, in the days of my
boyhood, used to draw wood so steadily
past our District School-house on Dorset
Street.
Nothing notable occurred in our quiet
neighborhood during the session of this
term of school. 1t is true babe was
born. But what of that? Are not babes
being continually born in every commune
ty without any special sensation being oc-
casioned thereby? The advent of one Of
these little strangers, to be sure, is an
event of amazing interest to one =
the mother-to one household, the home
iu the bosom of which it is born. But
not far beyond the limits of the one fami.
ly to which the newcomer belongs will
this deep and peculiar interest extend.
And so, although the mother of John Tur-
ner doubtless thought the birth of this,
her healthy and well favored baby an
event of no ordinary import, the rest of
us wot not that happened-that aught had
transpired destined to celebrate the annals
of this quiet ncighbornood.
PART III.
John Turner has reached the estate of
manhood but, alas his reputation is
none of the best. There are vague ru-
mors in circulation as to his dissolute ways
and abandoned conduct. Yet, as he is
handsome, he is pctted and hattered by
the young ladies'; while, because Of his
fast and rowdyish habits he is hardly
less a favorite with certain class Of
young men. But suddenly his mime is
on everybody's lips; linked with one of
the most atrocious and cod-booded mur-
ders ever committed in this country. The
victim was none other than our old friend
Mr., 2. 1t appears that late one night
some one was heard trying P.'s outside
door. The latter arose from his bed and
opened the door. A few words passed be-
tween Mr.. Perry and the unknown intru-
der when the poor, helpless old man re-
ceived blow that feled him in death tc
the floor. His aged companion, hearing
the words, the blow, the fall, the dying
groan of her husband, sprang from hen
bed, and escaping by a back door fled il
her night clothes to neighbours, and
sounded the alarm. Pursuit was instant
ly started, and in a few days in a distant
town, young man of suspicious appear
ance, and with blood on his garments
was arrested, charged with the crime
tried and found guilty, and sentenced tc
be hung, That young man gentle reader
was the very Identical John Turner thu
eighteen years before, first saw the ligh
} and gladdened the heart Of his mother thu
winter | taught school in Hinesburgh.
PART ".
Our last scene opens uuder the awfu
shadow of the gallows. On that fatal plat
form there stands handsome youth. HI
} looks pale and sad, but he is dressed witt
) scrupulous neatness, and his mooth face
dark eyes and tastefully combed locks
gives him very interesting and attrac
tive appearance. Can it be that thi
young man before us in such an atrociou
criminal, and that in few moments he i
to die a violent, a malefactor's death
How shocking; how APPALLING the thought
Have yon anything to say says tn
sheriff, before the sentence of death
finally executed upon you? i sufferJustly
said he, with tremulous lips and chokin
voice, Il am murderer. | killed MI
Perry for his mcney, but found none.
had been told that he had a large amour
: by him in Government bonds, and havin
been driven by my habits into grea
r straits, | was tempted to slay this lnnc
: cent man. But let my example be
warning to the young. The beginning
:, of all my woes was rum. Rum! rum
i rumt!! 1t was rum that did it ! an
h then after most agonizing prayer, broi
!. en- by sobs and unutterable groans an
:, sighs, John Turner was ushered into tn
: presence ofhis Judge. What now. is th'
> dead body of his, swinging there betwee
c the heavens and the earth, but mo-
/ terrific admonition against the damnin
n effects Of the intoxicating cup.