The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-12-26

Il did not return to that spot until
the night prior to the day set apart for
the execution. The town was becom-
ing filed with people, for the few ex-
ecutions that had taken place in the
county had been public, aud the p-ec-
edent was to be adhered to in Up
shots case. My programme had been
carefully studied, and wearied with
the matter, concluded to seek the
cool grove and find little rest. For
several days and nights the prisoner
had paced his cell with that terrible
tread which rings in my ears to day
and I wanted to get beyond earshot of
the awful sounds.
The night was lovely. A full moon
was in the sky, and her light fell di-
reetly upon the Jail. The white walls
had ghost like look from the grove,
and the winds that rustled tho requi-
EN- of the doomed man. l found re-
lief among the trees; but all at once
was wishing that had not left my
house.
"A face white and wan as death ap-
peared suddenly at one of the barred
windows. / knew that it was John
Upshot's. The apparition startled me,
and was on my feet in an instant,
staring at the window. He seemed
to be taking his look at the beautiful
earth unfolded to his gaze by moon,
and longing look it seemed to me.
I could see that the face was pressed
against the bars, and when recollec-
ted that the man must be standing on
the very tips of his toes In order to
maintain his position, felt his eager
ness. For many minutes l watched
that white face.and if 1 pitied its gull
ty owner in that moment of his pain,
1 am sure, gentlemen, that you will
pardon me.
L was thus gazing at John Upshot,
when the loud report of a gun caused
me to start and whirl quickly in my
tracks.
sThe weapon seemed to have been
discharged within few PAGES OF my
position but 1 could not see living
soul beside myself in the grove. My
first impression was that an attempt
had been made upon my own life; but
l had not felt the whistle of the ball,
and I was quite certain that it had not
penetrated my person. But in order
to be prepared for second shot, L
drew q weapon and started towards
the suspected position of the assassin.
My search proved fruitless; but as
the trees were throwing long shad-
ows, I knew that any person could
easily elude me. The shot worked
me to no little pitch of excitement,
and as I turned my head towards the
town, happened to glance at the Jail.
tJohn Upshot's face was no longer
at the windowl
Il returned home mystified by the
shot, but resolving to stand by its au-
thor. Ny wife met me at the door
with a white face, said she feared that
Upshot had taken his life, as she had
heard the fall of a heavy body in the
direction of his cell.
"A minute later ] flung wide the
cell door, and to my horror found
John Upshot lying on the floor with
the moonlight falling upon the blood
lest face that I ever beheld. OF course
my fisst thought was rne of suicide
but the rigid hand grasped no revolv.
er, though there was a ghastly bullet
wound between the eyes. lifted the
man, but he was dead, and I knew
would not hang him on the coming
day. OF course was not long in as
sociating the shot in the grove with
the criminals death, and an observa'
ton taken on the following night con
yinced me of the fact. The affair il
still involved in a mystery to the peo
pie of Ossge; but to me 1t has beer
made clear.
"A year after this thrilling event
was summoned to the deathbed o
Lillian Blake, the beautiful daughter
of Upshot's victim. She was near th'
grave, but she told me a strang story
and before 1 left the room, l knew
that the fair girl had avenged hel
fathers death by Staying his murder
er on the night before the day of lega
execution