The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1873-06-26
cIRcuMsTANrLAL EVIDENCE.

stan,ial evidence, aud hung, About three
mouths after bis death, the judge who pre-
sided at the trial received a note fr'm a
prisoner under sentence of death, request
ing to see him without delay, as his SEN
rcnce was to he carried into effect the day
| following. On bis way thiher he over
took an old man walking slowly, who ac.
costed him, aUd recognized him to be Ca
leb Grayson, who had been a witness at
Blakes trial, aud had a similar note to his
own, but equally at loss to know the
meaning of the summons
They both entered the cell together -
The prisoner did not move, but raised his
head, when Grayson recognized having
seen him at a tavern the night before
BIake's execution, aud at the gaIIowS
"Well, Judge, said he, ~ sent Tor you
to see if you cant get me out Of this diff.
fcuIty. Must | surely hang tomorrow
THE Judge shook his head, It's idle
to hope; nothing can prevent your eSccu
ton"
IAN application might be made to the
authorities" said the prisoner "Pord'
ons bavo come sometimes on the sCaHoId y
None will come in your case, replied
the judge; "it is isuecdIcss foF me to dwell
on YOUR ounce now, for it was ore that
had no paIiptiou, ana you nv rest a'sur-
ed, that whatever may have vgcurre2 i"
other cases, no pardon will come iu you'Ss'
In fact, | understand that au application
has been made for one by your counsel,
and that it has been rcfuscd?"
The features Of the prisoner underwent
no change, nor did the expression of his
face alter in the least. But, after a mo
meors pause, he said, "ls this true, Judge
upon your .bonor?"
1T is, replied the judge
Then | know the worst" replied the
prisoner, coldly, "and will now tell what
| | have to communicate, which would not
have done while there was hope of es
.capo, Yorh2 lie said, turning tothe judge,
presided pt the trial Of young Harry
Blake, who was accused Of murder, aud
sentenced to death. "
II did"
"And you" said he, turning to Gray.
sou, were Que of the witnesses against
him. You swore that you saw him stab
Wickife. On your testimony principally
be- was hung"
Il was" replied the old man, Il sa"
him with my own eyes"
The prisoner uttered a low snecriDg
laugh, as he said, turning to the judge
you, sir, sentenced an innocent man
Aud you" said be, turaiOg to the other,
"sworc to a falsehood Harry Blake did
not kill Wicklife. lie was as innocent OF
the sin Of murder as you were more lnno'
cent than you are now F"
The old man staggered as il he had been
struck, aud leaned against the stable to
support himself, while the condemned fcI'
on stood opposite him, looking at him with
an Indifferent air.
"Ycs, old man, said he steruly, "you
have blood aud perjury on your soul; for |
l." said he, stepping forward, SO that the
the light Of the lamp fell strongly upon
his savage features, "I murdered WiIIiam
WckliTc! did it! Thank God, | did
il for had long score to settle With
him. But Blake had no baud in it. |
met Wicklilfe CD that afternoon alone, with
none to interfere between US. told him
of the injuries he had done me, aud | told
him that the time had come for redress -
lie cudeavored to escape, but followed
him up; | grappIcd with him aud stabbed
him. As | did SO, | heard the clatter Of
horses boots, aud leaped into clump Of
bushes which grew OF The roadside ~
that moment Blake came up, aud found
WickliITe lying dead in the road You
know the rest The tale he told was true
as the Gospel. He was Ouly attempting to
draw the knife from the mans breast when
you came up aud charged him with the
murder" ="
Good God! can this be possible?' ejac-
ulatcd the old man, 1T cannot Villain,
you are a liar"
"Pshaw" muttefed The prisoner.