The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-07-11
FORCE OF CONSCIENCE.
A Startling Confession !Indc In II French
Court,

4 icweIer, man of good character .
ana Of considerable wealth, in France. ,
having occasion in the way Of business .
10 travel Ia some distance from the plac9 |
Of his abode, took moug with him % srr'
want. in ordar to take care OF his port
manluau. lie had along with linn oome,
Of his best levels and large sun OF
money 10 which his servant was IKE
wise PRIV. The master having occasion
to dismouut on the road, the servant,
Watching his opportunity, took pistol
from his masters saddle and shot nm
dead on the spot then, riIimg him OF
his levels and money, and hanging
large stone to his neck, he threw INN
into the nearest canal.
With this booty he made of to dis
tant part of the country, where he had
reason 10 believe that neither he nor ms
master were known. There he began to
trade in q very low way ut first, that his
obscurtv might screen him from oISer-
walton. and in the course of a good many
years seemed TO rise, by the natural
progress Of business, into wealth and
consideration, so that his good fortune
unpcarrd ut once the effect and reward
Of his industry and virtue. OF these II,
countcricitcd the appearance SO wei
thnt he crew into great credit aud mar
ried into good family, and by LAYING
ont his hidden stores discrcctly us lat
saw occasion, aud joining to ali unlver
sal aliability, he was admitted to II share
Of the government OF the town, ana rose rose
from one post to another tall at Jengti
he was chosen chief magistrate.
In this Office he maintained ial.
character, aud continued to fill 1t VIII
applause. both rs governor ana
, Judge, till one day, rs he. sat on ih'
, bcnch with some OF his brethren, cnm
inal was brought before them who va
accused of having murdered his master
r The evidence came out full, the lut
brought in their verdict that the prs
, one, was guilty aud the whole asscmhl
, awaited the sentence Of the president
+ fine court-which he happened to q
o that day with great suspense,
V Meanwhile, he appeared to he III a
:. unusual disorder and agitation OF mind
y lis color changed often; at iien@',n
Of arose from his seat and COMING ""N
at from the bench, placed himself just !
,ha unfortunate man at the bar, 10 u
~ ro small establishment of all present
u oYou see before you,' said he, Il
y dressing himself to those who had sal
~. the bench with him, ga striking ina'al
if q ,hc Just awards Of heaven, when |
III. day, after thirty years concral,mG,
in presents to You greater criminal u
60 the man lust found guilty.
.oJ Then he made an ample confession
III his Guilt, aud of all his aggrayauo
fri n,rticularly the ingratitudc OF 1t L
rsn iouster who had raised him from the V
,,d dust. and reposed n peculiar conlldc
ION IN him; and told them III what n,''ll
,ir. he had hitherto screened hlmseh II
ia nnblic Justice, and how he had esca
'nT the observation of mankind by
mo n,ecious mask he had worn.
liz. "But now" added he, ''no sooner
hlv the unhappy prisoner appear before
.,,i charged with the same crime L was
" scious of myself, than the cruel circ
ma stances Of my guilt besot me IN i'il
ms. horrors, the arrows Oh liio hi''l
mi stuck fast within me, and my own G,
and appeared so atrocious, that ! coulo
Int consent to pass sentence against my
NOT low.criminal until | had hrst EN-
and neled and accused myself. Nor c
and now feel any relief from the agom
;lIe an awakened conscience, but by rec
she she ing that justice may be forthwith
upon me in the most public ana SO
,ho manner for so aggravated deed t
,; aHo fore, in the presence OF the all-S'
I .Snt God, the great witness and Judge o
, .""' crime, and before this assembly,
UNI have been the witnesses OF my h.
y OBJ rsy, / plead guilty, and require
sentence may be passed against me
and most notorious malofuctor.
rust; We may easily suppose the Al
many ,ncnt of all the assembly, and espe
illow Of his tw-judges however, the!
over ceedsd, upon his confession, to pas
the fence upon him, and he died with
and symptoms Of penitent mind