The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-02-03

money which he desired to invest in
land, on which it was his purpose to
settle. I expressed strong desire to
have him for a neighbor, and gave him
cordial invitation to accompany me
home, giving it as my belief that he
could nowhere make better selection
than in that vicinity. He readily con-
sented, and we set out together. We
had not ridden many miles, when George
suddenly recouected a commission he
had undertaken for friend, which
would require his attendance at q public
land sale on the following day. Exact
ing promise that he would not DELAY
his visit longer than necessary, and
giving minute directions as to the route,
l continued my way homeward, while
he turned back.
"I was about retiring to bed on the
night of my return, when O summons
from without called me to the door. A
stranger asked shelter for himself and
his horse for the night. I invited him
in. Though stranger, his face seemed
not unfamiliar. He was probably one of
the men had seen at the land -office-a
place, at that time, much frequented.
Offering him a seat, went to see his
horse. The poor animal, as well rs
could see by the dim starlight, seemed
to have been hardly used His PAINTING
sides bore witness of merciless riding;
and a tremulous shrinking, at the
slightest touch, betokened recent fright.
On re-entering the house, I found the
stranger was not there. His absence ex-
cited no surprise; hewould doubtless soon
return. It was little singular, however.
that he should have left his watch lying
on the table.
At the end of half an hour, nv guest
not returning, went again to the stable,
thinking he might have found his way
thther to give personal attention to the
wants of his horse. Before going out,
from mere force of habit-for we were as
yet uninfested by either thieves or
policemen took the precaution of put
ting the strangers watch in drawer in
which kept my own valuables. I found
the horse as I had left him, and gave
him the food which he was now suf-
ficiently cooled to be allowed to eat; but
his master was nowhere to be seen.
AS approached the house, a crowd of
men on horseback dashed up, and I was
commanded, in no gentle tones, to
stand J. In another moment I was in
the clutches of those who claimed me as
their prisoner
"I was too much stupefed at first to
ask what it all meant. I did 80 at last,
and the explanation came-it was terri
ble My friend, with whom I had 80
lately set out In company, had been
found murdered and robbed near the
spot at which /, but I alone, knew we
had separated. I was the last person
known to be with him, and I was now
arrested on suspicion of his murder. A
search of the premises was Immediately
instituted. The watch was found in the
drawer in which had placed it, and was
identified as the property of the MUIR
dered man. His horse, too, was found
In my stable, for the animal I had Just
put there was none other, recognized
him myself when saw him in the light.
What I said, know not. My confusion
was taken as additional evidence. And
when, at length, I did command Ian
guage to give an intelligent statement,
1t was received with sneers of in
credulity.
"The mob spirit is inherent in man
at least, in crowds of men. It may not
always manifest itself in physical vio-
lence. 1t sometimes contents itself
with lynching character. But what
ever its form, it is always relentless, pitt
less, cruel.
&C. AS the proofs of my guilt, one after
another, came to light, low mutterings
gradually grew into clamor for ven
geance; and but for the firmness of one
man-the officer who had me in charge
Il would doubtless have paid the pen
atty of my supposed offense on the spot.
1t was not sympathy for me that &C
tuated my protector. His heart was as
hard as his Office; but ne represented the
majesty of the law, and took q sort of
pride in the position. AS much under
the glance of his eye as before the muz-
zle OF his pistol, the cowardly clamorers
drew back. Perhaps they were not
sufficiently numerous to feel the full
effect of that mysterious reflex influence
which makes n crowd Of men 30 much
worse, and Mt times so much better, than
any one of them singly.
At the end of some months nv trial
came. 1t could have but one result.
Circumstances too plainly declared my
guilt. L alone knew they lied. The
absence of the jury was very brief. To
their verdict paid but little heed. 1t
was single hideous word; but I had
long anticipated it, and it made no i'm
preston. As little impression was made
by the words of the Judge which follow
ed it; and his solemn invocation that
God might have that mercy upon me
which man was too just to vouchsafe,
sounded like the hollowest of hollow