Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-09-21
3listcIlanp.
The Po,cer of COnScience.

Il was high noon IN the proud city of
Antwerp. The bright sun was bathing
tower ana sDire In a food OF golden right.
It's cav beams rested on The OH market
place. and on the high Scaa0.d that bad
been erected IN the centre. 4 vast con-
course ofpeorle hal assembled AMI sway
Ell tumu.;ou~,y h.th.- aul tai,her iAe the
rosties, waves OF the ~ry..mEgc-m. They
had gathered together ,o behold q noble
youth led forth 90 Jie .1c t1e tou, crime
of murler.-Io0u-, wealthy, amiab'e,
and universally beloved, ,ae city had been
thrown into violent agitation athis arrest
on the charge Of haya. uuiyr-, 81 young
italian count. The excitement Was iu-
tense and many for a long time refused TO
bc''ey, him guilty hl proofs were
brought against biw, which he could not
confutc. though he 6ua.y reiterated his
innocence.
The vast multitude gathered around
the spo, Of his fearful doom and thought
in silence aud sadness OF his aged and
widowed mother ami youn- and lovely
bride.
The bells pealcl ont the hour Of twelve
and as the last chime died away. the prison
gates were thrown open, and ail eve, were
fixed upon the persons who Issued forth.
Conspicuous among them was a tall and
commanding H. ne IN whom p his pccu-
liar garb and guards By whom he was
surrounded. all recognized the condemned
prisoner. His step was free and firm and
his cheek b.auchcd not. his proud eve
wavcrel not. Us he calmly assembled the
steps Of the ,cafod. \ PRAYER was
offered. AMI then he requested permission
10 speak few words % his Couuuymcn.
Il was granted and he came few steps
forward and calmly gazci for a moment
on the sea Of faces that lifted themselves
toward him.
\ murmur Of admiration involuntariy
rose from the multitude The rich sun
liCh, rested caressing,y ON the dark c'u,-
tering curl> thrust ncc.iccut'v back from
his high, pale brow. His noble bearing
the uu>tudied grace of his attitude, and
above all, the expression of truth stamped
on his features, excited the compassion
and sympathy OF all. There was pro-
found hush as his rich voice rang out in
clear tones
"Ny friends, once mose AMI for the
last time, let me assure ven Of ms innO-
eeuce Of the dreadful crime imputed 10
me. l know that the general voice pro-
bounced me guilty. / know that there
are weighty proofs against ne. and uu-
fortunately it has not been in my power
10 prove their talsity. I have not sought
10 excite your interest by skiIlful and
labored defense. nor have appealed 10
your pity and compassion | am conf
dent my innocence viii vet he proved and
conscious Of my oWu integrity. leave NV
cause in the hands Of my Maker. before
whom, ere yonder bell shall have pealed
again, my spirit vii take is stand
A breathless silence succeeded. as he
turned 10 the priest who stood BY his side
Ssddenly there sprang from the crowd :
tall. sgarthy man. who leaped on the plat
form, and exclaimed in a voice distinctly
heard BY the throng
"Your innocence triH vet be proved -
Friends and fellow citizens. set free this
noble youth My conscience Will no
suffer me 70 deceive YOU. The innocent
shall not suffer for the guilty tor /, and
alone. sm the murderer Of the count
D'Allos."
He paused a moment after this unex-
pected declaration, and then repeated the
circumstances Of the murder and the
chance which had enabled him to make an
innocent person guilty.
The overjoyed pOpulace could wait no
longer, but rushed unanimously upon the
platform and bore the young man home in
triumph The sun. whose rising he had
watched from the grated windows of his
dungeon. at its setting shedrts happy light
on the joyful reunion Of a mother to a son,
and wife 10 a husband.