The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-06-05

let few of the villagers be called in as


ing upon her lover, and dreading it to
be the truth, she came Richard Devine
then said that he had met Joe Crawford
that morning, and that the latter had
uttered threats against him.
About an hour afterward he had been
suddenly attacked at quiet spot upon
the'road by his enemy. He had defen-
ded himself to the best of his power
with the but end of his broken riding
whip, and had succeeded in leaving
some bad bruises upon his assaiants
face. The latter, finding himself mo.
Tested, had drawn his knife and stabbed
him, leaving him for dead upon the road
There was sudden commotion at the
doorway! anu presently the accused
murderer, guarded by two men, was
brought into the room. His face was
discolored with blood, and severely cut.
He attempted to speak; but such a
storm of execralion broke upon his ears
that he folded his arms and was silent
Another witness now stepped forward
in Devine's behalf. 1t was man who
had long been suspected of being spy
in Devine's interest. He had overheard
the conversation that had passed be-
tween the parties in the morning. He
also testified that Crswford's last words
before leaving the girls side were, 4
need two thiugs-money and revenge,
Richard Dsvine glanced toward the
girl with looks of mslignant hatred II
| do die, as | think ! shall, my murderer
shall not escape said he, grimly.
Then he signed his name to the state.
ment which the doctor had drawn up al
his dictation.
will you solemply swear, in the pres
ence Of this company, that all you say
herein is true2' asked the doctor grave
ly. e.iaa aaa
Il do was the decisive reply.
'Aud that you accuse Joe Crawford
as being your murder 2
Yes ,aE
You are a perjurer and double
dyed villain! exclaimed a wrathfu
voice, and stranger strobe into thei
midst.
His clothing was stained with blood
and his face as pale as death,
Richard Devine's eyes opened Wild,
with terror
the dead have returnedp 7 he gasped
tAye, to revenge the living! was tn,
stern reply You would sacrifice /,
man TO the gallows, and perjure yoursel
on your death bed for revenge! Listen
men, to what have to say:
Years ago Richard Devine, as he call
himself, was my partner in business
BY lies ana trickery be gained my con
flence One bright morning l awok,
to find myself beggar. Every dolla
had been stolen from me by that scoun
drel, who suddenly disappeared.
so poor was / that was compelled
to send my wife and child to their dis
taat home on the coast OF Maine, unit
/ could obtain footing. The vesse
was wrecked with all on board. From
that hour l, Roger Sherwood, lived only
for revenge.
'For years 1 have been engaged il
my search for this villain. To-day
met him. He was then engaged in al
angry conversation with the man b,
charges as his murderer. At last b,
struck the young fellow savagelyin tn
face, and galloped off.
Il watched where he went, and sud
denly presented myself before him. HI
knew me in an instant, and OWNED my
purpose. 81
Before / could reach him, he drew
out pistol, and shot me. I retaliatet
with knife thrust, and then faintet
from pain. 30 I'd
when / recovered my senses, fount
myself lying among the rocks on th
sea-shore. Richard Devine had fanciet
me dead, and thus disposed of my body
managed to. stagger to the neares
hut, and there learned that my enemy
was dangerously wounded, and had de
nounced Joe Crawford as his murderer
Speak, Richard Devine, and tell me
do l not speak truly p I'D ka
The man covered in terror, and re
piled .abjeetly :: : .asa
You do. Joe Crawford is innocent
Give my fortune to Nancy Sheppard
it is only justice. She is
He died, leaving the sentence unfnish
ed
i have lived long enough to see jus
tice DONE said the stranger, sinking t
the floor.
They picked him up, and laid him uE
on the lounge Then the doctor hui
riedly examined his wound. s.
No use,' he said, shortly. He j
bleeding internally. HE cannot live
Nancy, filed with compassion, ha
forced her way to his side, and stoo
looking pityingly upon him.
Great Heavens exclaimed the woun
'ded man, in agony, lis it Nora Sherwoo
my wife, or am l dreaming? / fancie
she was lostin the Sea Wave Their
is mystery here. She had locket W
on her neck-I mean my child-wit
the initials of her name upon it. D
you know-'
1t was disjointed sentence, for th
mans mind was evidently wandering.
Nancy was shaking with emotion.
| SIS this it ? she asked, drawing it frol
her bosom, and handing it to him.
1T isP Great Heavens! l hay
found my daughter only to-
To lose her, he would have said, b,
Death finished the sentence for him.
In his pockets were papers that shoy
ed that he had spoken truly. Name
Sheppard was, indeed, his daughter.
They buried the avenger and his VII
tim in the quiet graveyard, and Name
assumed the fortune that was rightfull
hers.
Joe Crawford did not leave the plac
to seek his fortune afterward He ha
found it already in Nora Sherwood,
loving whom he had so narrowly misst
being hung as murderer.
A Philadelphia baker put arsenic