Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-08-21
A BRIGHT FACE.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPIER l.
My name is Henry Debson. l am not
ashamed of the name, even though it
was disgraced. My parents came to Ar.
kansaW while | was very young. Ny
father hating the idea of ever living in a
town, settled in the wilderness, where.
after several years of toll, he succeeded
IN opening up one of the best farms in
the State. Being educated and refined,
my parents were the leaders of our neigh
borhood society, and so familiar did our
name become that we were known far
and wide. Just about the time at
tanned my nineteenth year, my parents
were taken i'll of disease which was at
that tine spreading over the country, and
In spite of the best medical attention
that could be procured they died, both
on the same day. AS l was the only
child, the property, of course, came into
my possession. Well, it is unnecessary
to dwell upon this part of my eventful
history, so l will--ignoring several years
proceed to relate a painful experience.
One day our neighborhood was shocked
by the discovery that Mr.. John Maple
son, one of the most prominent men in
the community, had been murdered. l
was particularly shocked during the
evening before the murder, for Mr.. Ma
pleson and I had strolled together
through the woods; and, startling to
contemplate, he was found near certain
old house where we had separated. The
next day after the body was found was
arrested, charged with the crime, and.
after an examination before a Justice of
the peace, l was remanded to Jail to
await the action of the grand Jury. 1t
would be vain to attempt description
OF my mbarrassment-of my indigna-
tion. Not until l saw myself surrounded
by iron bars did Irealize my awful situa-
ton. What stung me most was that a
man named Evans-a MN whom well
knew and who bore the reputation of
being gentleman-swore that he saw me
strike MIR. Mapleson near the old house
but supposing that we were playing with
each other, he paid no attention TO the
affair, but that in horror he soon after
ward discovered that Mapleson had been
stabbed. He did not stop at this-he
produced a knife-which he and several
other men had seen lying near the muir
dered mana knife bearing the initials
Of my name.
The grand jury found an indictment
against me, and | was arranged before
the circuit court. l sold my farm and
employed able counsel, experienced
lawyers, who did everything they could
for me, but after tedious trial l was
sentenced to be hanged A more miser-
able, utterly disconsolate man never sat
IN cell, waiting to be choked to death.
Preachers came and prayed for me, but
my mind was so distraught that could
not fix it upon death. One preacher, a
venerable old man, particularly impressed
me.
ooh, Mr.. Debson," said he, task the
Giver of all good to forgive your sins.
Only few more days now and you will
stand at the judgment bar of God Let
me beseech you not to throw your time
away. You have friends in heaven, pray
for the glorious privilege of meeting
them. Do not think OF the tortures of
death, but think of the sublime life be-
yond the grave"
oLh hoO SullbyJ MI. Nldy.
"Oh, young man, do not hold out in
such obstinacy. Do not, beg of you,
l implore you, do not perish with a
falsehood on your lips"
81 tell no falsehood when swear that
am innocent"
"Mr Debson, you need not hope for
executive clemency. You are very
young, but the governor has refused to
do anything in your behalf"
"What do you want me to do, Mr.
Gray?"
Acknowledge your crime and pray
God for pardon"
II have committed no crime"
"Think Of your perishing soul"
81 am innocent"
81 see, Mr.. Debson, that it is useless
to talk to you"
eyes; on that subject"
Remember that day after to morrow
you must die.'
"All right"
Goodbye. hope that the Lord may
change your mind"
When the good man had gone Unused
during long time over what he had
said, yet there occurred to me no thought
of regret that had so plainly spoken to
him. There is a strange resignation that
comes to man who is condemned to
die. Weary nights of contemplation
dull his dread, take off the keen edge of
fear. 1t is not a philosophy it is "don t
care" which settles upon him. was not
afraid to meet the king of the universe,
and knowing that not shadow of hope
remained, surrendered myself to an un-
Just fate.
was not hanged. The governor, on
account of my youthfulness, COMMITTED
my sentence to Imprisonment for life.
Even this was indescribably awful, still,
after thinking it over, concluded that
it was better than being hanged.
Ishall never forget how | felt when l
first n1t on nv suit of strines The