The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-08-19

thanking him for the kindness shown
him while he was in his charge, and his
rerrcts that his escape might cause him
trouble, but saying he had had an oppor-
tunity, and took advantage OF it, ior ne
had no idea Of dying an ignomllllou5
death for an act he was not guilty of,
merely to crafty the curiosity OF gaping
crowd. Freedom was offered him, and
he accepted it, and hoped he would yet
be able to prove his innocence.
This was about the substance OF the
letter, and when it was published in the
local paper, there were some who were
glad that the boy had escaped the gal
lows. -.
Mr.. Merccr's property was, in his will,
all left to Frank, and it was found to be
considerable. Trustees assumed charge
of it, and before long the quiet commu-
nity had settled down to its usual routine,
and the murder and escape were almost
forgotten. ,.c
! Ten yeass passed away, and no word OF
the fugitive had been heard, and people
believed him dead. One exception was
Mary Dewes, now grown to womanhood;;
She had never believed him dead, and
through her life had treasured Franks
image in her inmost heart, the mystery
that hung around him but added strength
to her regard. Her sisters had married,
her mother was dead, and together with
her father, they had lived at the old
homestead.
Business called Mr.. Dewes to Havana,
he took Mary with him, and they set sail
from Charleston in fine ship running
South. They had been some days at sea,
when in the dead of night the fearful
CIV of "Fire!' aroused all from slumber.
The ship was on fire, and in vain were
efforts made to quench the flames. The
seamen in fright rushed into the only
available boat and it sank with them
and left them struggling in the ocean,
borne away by the wind and waves, while
Mr.. Dewes and Mary, the captain of the
ship and a few others, were huddled away
upon the stern, awaiting the doom that
must overtake them.
"Sail hop
The joyous cry came from the captain,
who had been straining his eyes over the
ocean, in hopes of seeing some vessel
coming to save them. Swiftly flying to-
wards them came low, rakish, three
mastered schooner, which ever and anon
sent up light, to prove to those on
board the burning ship that succor was
near. Hark! the deep boom of gun is
heard, and as the captain listens he ex-
claims: "Miss Dewes, we are all right
now; cheer up, for there comes a vessel
of-war to our aid"
"Ship ahoyW came in ringing tones
from the schooner, as she came near the
burning ship, which was being driven
rapidly along by the wind.
''Ahoyw answered the captain.
"Throw long line from your: ship,
and I will send you boat" came III the
same clear tones.
The line was thrown, the boat attached,
and, after little difficulty, the people
from the ship were transferred to the
schooner; and Mary was soon in the
comfortable cabin, rejoicing over their
escape from horrible death.
At breakfast the next morning, the
young captain of the war schooner de-
scended to join his guests at the table,
and, as he entered, Mary sprang toward
him.
"Frank Mercer! Oh! it is you, is it
not?"
One glance at the beautiful girl, and
though years had passed, Frank Mercer,
for it was no other, recognized the play
mate whom he had never ceased to think
of.
Mr.. Dewes came forward, and what a
joyful meeting was therel But seeing a
cloud. as if of bitter memories, come
over the young captains face, Mr.. Dewes
said, quickly, "First, let me relieve your
mind of one thing, Mercer. Your inno-
cence in Virginia is thoroughly estab-
lished for negro runaway, hung the
other day for killing woman, confessed
lust before his death that he had muir
dered your uncle and your arriving when
you did had prevented him from getting
the gold, and made him escape from the
house. He knew your uncle kept large
amount Of money, and you being away,
as he thought, he took your knife and
committed the fatal deed"
Frank listened to Mr.. Dewes, almost
breathless, and then, bowling his face in
his hands, he wept like a child:
"But come in" said MIR. Dewes, at
length; 1--WE are hungry and need break
fast; and are dying to know how you
became captain in the Mexican navy"
"Nly story is easily told, my dear
friends; for, after escaping from prison
through your kindness, went to Mexico,
entered the navy, and, having rendered
some service, rose to my present com
mand, which.h been the means of say
ing your lives"
Little more can be added.
Frank resigned his commission, and
returned home, where he was lionized by
the whole community. He came in pos
session of this estate, which was greatly
increased in value; and six months after
ward, in the very town where he was to
have had the hangman's halter placed
around his neck for death, he had the
moose of matrimony thrown around him
for life, and the bride was Mary Dcwes.
Thus his life had been both dark and
bright.