The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-03-19

galloWs, and hundreds locked TO the
little town whero the execution was
to take place, to see him die. How
they were disappointed to find that
The night before he had eseaped!-
How, no one knew, but he hadle o
note addressed to the jailor, thank
ing him for the kindness shown him
while lie was in hislcharge, and his
regrets that his escape might cause
him trouble, but saying he had an
opportunity Of escaping, and took
advantage Of il, for he had no idea
of dying al ignominious death for
an act he was not guilty Of, merely
to crafty the curiosity Of Q gaping
crowd. Freedom wQs offered him,
and ho accepted it, and he hoped he
would yet be able to prove his inno-
cence.
This was about the subject Of the
letter, and whom ii was published in
the local paper, there were some
who we're glad that the boy had es-
capped the gallows.
MI. Mercer's property waa, IN his
viii, all left to Frank, and it was
found to be considerable. Trustees
assumed charge Of it, and before
long The quret community had settled
down to it's routine, and the mnrder
and escape were almost forgotten.
Zen years passed away, and no
word Of The fugitive had been heard,
and the people believed him deaet'--
One exception was Mary Dewes, now
grown to womanhood. She had
never believed him dead, and all
through her life had treasured
Franks image in her inmost heart,
the mystery that hung around him
but adding strength to her regard. -
Her sisters had married, her monther
was dead, and together with their
father they had lived ut the old home
stead.
Business calling Mr.. Dewes to
Havana, he took Mary with him, and
they set sail from Charleston in q
fine ship running South They had
been some days at sea, when in the
dead Of night the fearful cry Of fire
was heard, which aroused all from
slumbcr. In vain were the efforts
made to quench the flames, The
searnen in fright rushed into tho only
available boat, and it sank with them
and left them struggling in the
ocean. born away by the wind and
waves, while Mr.. Dowes and Mary
the captain Of the ship and q few
others wore huddled away upon thf
stern, awaiting the fearful doom thai
must, to all appearance, oyortak(
tho,n.
'sail, ho'
The joyous cry came from tlo gap
tain. who had been straining his eyes
over the ocean, in hopes Of seeins
some vessel to save them. Swiftly
aying towards them came q low
rakish, three-masted schooner, whicl
ever and anon sent UP light, tS
those on board the burning ship tina
succor was near.
Hark! tho deep boom Of a gun i
heard, and as tho captain listens hi
exclaims, gNliss Dewes, we are III
right now; cheer up, for there come
4 vessel of war to our aid.
"Ship ahoyP came in rn9lnt
tones from the schooner, as she CAM
near tho burning ship, which wa
being rapidly driven along by th'
wind,
nTnrow a long line from your shil
and / will send you boat, came Il
the same clear tone.
Tho line was thrown, the boat Of
tached, and, after, little difficulty
! the people from the ship were trans
felred to the schooner, and Mary
soon in the comfortable cabin, re
ioieinq over their escape from q hoi
rible death. n
At breakfast the next morning th
young captain OF the war schoone
descended to Join his guests at th
table, and, as he entered, dar
sprang towards him.
s'Trank Mereorl ON II is you
is it not?" ,.,.., -.
Fand, though yearghad passed, Fran
Wercer-for il was no othcr-rocot
nized fhe playmate whom he ha
loved ~ well. and whom he ha
never ceased to think Of.
Mr.. Dewes came forward, an
!. what a joyful meeting was there;-
, but seeing d cloud as Il bitter men
/, cries. came over the young captain
/. faee. ATr. Dewos said, "First let Il
relieve you If one thing. Your i
, nocence in Virgini& has been tho
/ onaaly esti.l5lishetl; az an ola re-
/ disr Was hung the other day for klI
! M d woman, confessed just beio
/ bis death that ho had murdered yo
II uncle, ana 4OuA atiAt no
4 did, had prevented him from gottll
the gold, but made his escape Iro
y I'M house. He knew your une
d lept d large amount q money al
\ Vol being away, AS ha Thought,
y procured yoGr knife, and with
I committed the fatal deedl
: Frank listened to Mr. Dewes,
( most breathless, and then, when
4 lad concluded, he bowed his tace
4 his hands and wepi like o child
\ "But come in,' said Dir. Dew
.y al length, s'wo arc hungry and ne
u breakfast, and are dying 70 5n
n how you became captain IN the A'
n lean navy" Il.
4. nv story Is easily told, my d'
NJ friends; for, after escaping if'
+ prison through yonr kindness, ! ~
70 Mexico, entered ihe nagg, hau
II rendered some service, rose 70
I. present command, which has %
q ...,..rs rar. s~fss4sa ffraer %