The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-05-04

tense, for the negro had told the story
OF how he had found Frank. and n way
faring pedlar who had just ascended tho
front steps, to ask TO stay all night, csre
robotated the ncgro's statement.
he case came off. and the charges
were made known Frank was accused
of starting on hunting expedition for
a blind, and then. returning from the
mountain by night, had entered the room,
and attempting to remove a large bag OF
gold kept by his uncle, had aroused him,
and upon being discutered, had driven
his hunting knife into the heart of Mr..
Mercer the gold was on the floor, IFS
weight having torn through the bag when
II was raised The knife with which Mr.
Mercer was killed was one he had given
to Frank some days before, and was a
large dirk knife encased III silver scab>
bard.
Pale as death, but showing no sign of
fear Or guilt upon his handsome face, the
prisoner sat onmoyed by his sentence,
which was to die on the gallows.
When asked if he had anything TO say
Frank arose, and looking around the court
room, in clear voice answered:
Il have! Circumstanrial evidence
has condemned me- admit it looks as
If | did the deed, but l am guiltless of
murder. Dropping my percussion cap
box In mountain stream, L returned
home for more for without caps my gun
was useless. 1t was a lovely night; and
l determined to enter The house by my
room window, get the caps. and return
without awakening my uncle. tied
my horse TO the fence, sprang into the
window, and then a loud crash, call
out, and shrek in the direction OF my
oncles room. | rushed thther-a dark
form rushed by me in the uncertain lieht
of the room-and | fell over something on
the floor. With fear in my heart arose,
lighted a candle, and saw my uncle's body
covered with blood, gold scattered upon the
floor, and my own knife. which had done
the deed, lying near. pickle up the knife,
aud thus was found by a negro, and seen
by the pedlar As God is my witness,
did not murder the good old man who has
protected me throughout life, and whom |
loved as though lie was my father. am
I euI4'iiSS Vi tHc iSHUlStia uttu3 ou1 ouoHii'
TO my fate J" ..-..
A silence fell upon all There were,
however, but few who would believe the
youths statement. Among the latter
was Mr.. Dewes and his family, who,
through all, remained staunch friends
Frank Mercer was to be hung, TO die
an ignominious death on the gallOws, and
hundreds focked to the little town where
! the execution was TO take place, TO see him
die. low they were disappointed TO find
! that the nigh, before he had escaped !
/ How, no one knew, but he had left a
note addressed to the jailor, thanking
/ him for the kindness shown him while he
was in his charge, and his regrets that
his escape might cause him trouble, but
saying he had had an opportunity OF es-
Gaping, and tork advantage of it, FOR he
had no idea of dying an irnominious death
/ for an act he was not guilty of, merely to
crafty the curiosity of gaping crowd.
Freedom was offered him, and be accepted
it, and he hoped he would yet be able to
| prove his Innocence. r-a
This was about the substance of the
letter, and when it was published IN the
J local paper, there were sUme who were
! glad the boy lad escaped the gallows.
! Mr.. Mercers property was in his will
lef; to Frank, and it WAS found to be con
! .ider"hle- Trustees assumed charge of 1t,
! and before long the quiet community nau
settled down to lis usual routine, and the
murder and escape were, in a short time,
almost forgotten.
Ten years had passed away, and no
word of the fugitive had been heard, and
people believed him dead. One exception
was Mary Dewes, now grown to woman
hood. She had never believed him dead,
and through her life had treasured Frank 8
/ image in her intnost heart-the mystery
! which hung around him but adding strength
to her regard. Her sisters had married,
her mother was dead. aud with her father
she had lived at the old homestead.
Business calling MIR Dewes to Havana,
| he took Mary with him, aud they set sail
from Char lesion in fine ship running
south. They had been some days at sea,
when in the dead of night a fearful cry OF
"Fire!" was heard, which aroused all
from slumber In vain were efforts made
/ to quench the flames. The seamen IN
/ flight rushed into the only available boat,
and it sank with them, leaving them
struggling in the ocean, borne away by
the wind and waves, while Mr. Dewes
and Mary, the captain of the ship and a
few others, were huddled away up in the
stern, awaiting The fearful doom which
must to all appearance oNertake them.
''Sail, no !" -
The joyous cry came from the captain,
who had been straining his eyes over the
ocean, in hopes of seeing some vessel com
ing to save them. Swiftly flying toward
them came a low, rakish, three masted
schooner. which ever and anon sent up a
l,lisht to those on board the burning ship
! that succor was near. rnFT taa1H