Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-06-20

watch. The other members Of the camp,
unable to sleep, had kept wakeful vigil us
ing our little influence and knowledge of
the accused's inoffensive disposition to nit
igate, If possible, the prejudice which we
found greater than the real weight of evil
dence against him.
In an affray two men had been stabbed
one seriously, one fatally; and Lots
hand held bloody knife. Innocent men
have been hanged even after full judicial
trial, under circumstantial vidence far less
convincing than this.
AS the night wore away restlessly pac-
cd the camp. An occasional sound came
from the guarded cabin, but otherwise all
was still.
Once, about midnight, after prolonged
scratching at the door, II was opened 10 let
out the dog. A stream of light flashed OUT
but caught no glimpse of those within.
The dog, poor fellow, as though his canine
spirit seemed to comprehend the fatal dan
ger impending over those he loved, with
dropping head, pendent tail, skunk through
the open space.
"Good Lion Poor fellow Come here ~
1 called.
He lifted his head at the sound of my
voice, raised his muzze mournfully in the
air, then dropping it again, went on, soon
disappearing in the adjacent chaparral.
At the first faint streak of day the "vigi-
lantes' bestirred themselves, and in knots
discussed the grave business before them.
The excitement of the past night had worn
away, and in these calmer moments not
one of th' Sc most eager for duty then, but
wished himself relieved the painful respon-
s!bility devolving upon him.
There was yet no sign of life about the
cabin.
Never, 1 think, did the solemnity of the
occasion appeal more forcibly to the hearts
of the "vigilantes.' They were confident
terribly confident-that the prisoner
would be found guilty. With voices sub
dued, and quiet mien they awaited the ac-
ton of their leader, who humanely post
poned to the last possible moment his Off
cial summons.
Just as the suns disk appeared above
the horizon, three of the committee advanc-
ing knocked upon the door. With eyes
red and swollen with weeping, Lots wife
opened it wide.
With a sickening sensation 1 fail TO de-
scribe, awaited what was to follow. A
suggestive rope lay where it had been
thrown at the foot of neighboring tree.
| With shudder l recalled the many times
| Lot had sat under the shadow of its branch
es, his children playing about his knees.
CI,;a 1aI f,,ll al ba
| heels of the other party.
A resounding slap upon the shoulder
nearly sent me reeling 10 the earth.
"By the great Moses, that little woman's
q brickv
| "What is ii, Chris r. asked in aston
ishment for his lively tone was anything
but appropriate for the occasion.
"Come and see - and seizing me by the
arm, he commenced dragging me toward
Lots cabin.
A sudden revelation came TO me; Lot
had committed suicide! Well, better so
than the hangman's moose!
Entering the cabin prison, singular spec
acle presented itself. The committee
stood in dismayed group in the centre ol
the room while Los wife, stern and res
olute no longer, bent over the huge dis
ma ntled carcass of poor Lion. Gone was
the nerve, the passion and power, which
had, the night previous, supported and lift
ed her above her sex. Palmer, more mea
ger, if possible, than usual, there was ye
something touching in her weakness per
haps because it was so foreign TO her ma
ture.
Lifting her woe-begone countenance a!
l approached, she exclaimed brokcnly:
"Fd almost rather died than a done ii
but there wasn't no other way T.
Hardly had the news of the escape spreat
through the camp, when horseman, rid
ing at break meek speed came, in the mids
of cloud of dust, flying up the trail. Ii
his hand he bore white signal, which h
persistently waved as he had advanced
Dashing into camp, he threw himsel
breathlessly into the midst Of the "Vigi
lantes.'
"Where's the man you were going l.
hang?"
Escaped
"Thank God for he didn't do il Frisc
Bill has confessed the deed y
Then the cheers that rang out might al
most rent the heavens in twain, but Lot
wife, alone with her sleeping children
crouched in mournful silence over the iorr
of her poor, dumb sacritice-silent an
faithful even unto death. Month
| H.