The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-01-06
ANGEL WINGS.

ANGEL WINGS.
Many years ago, the community of
certain hamlet in tho south of France
was startled by crime rare indeed in
their quiet, agricultural district. A
wealthy farmer was found dead at
early morning within hundred wards
of his own house. Ho had been killed.
by blows administered by heavy
stake, which lay near tho body covered
with tho blood; and his pockets had
been riilcd Of their contents, including
n considerable sum Of money which ho
was known TO have received the pro-
vious evening for some sheep sold by
him in tho neighboring market town.
When tho awe and excitement crea-
ted by this event had subsided little.
every cNortion wasmade by tho author
itics 10 ferret out tho perpctrator of
tho crime. reward was offered for
fho discovery OF the murderer, procla-
nation OF which bounty was made for
several successive Sundays at the
church door. At last some disclosures
were made. duplicating young man
named Larochc--a STRIPPING eighteen
years OF age.
The person who brought the charge
against young Laroche was man of
tho name of Laudry-a stranger in the
district. but who had lately been ap-
pointed by tho lord of tho manor us
ono of the Keepers OF game preserves.
Landry testified that he had seen La
roche cutting q stake from tho hodge
on the afternoon previous to tho muir
der, and that he had rcproved him for
it. and, taking the stake from him, had
stuck it on The bank of tho hedge at
particular spot. The stake was the
same ono that was found lying rear
tho body of the farmer Landry could
swear TO it, because after taking it
from Larochc, no had ncked it in a
peculiar way with his pen-knifc.
Now, it so happened that tho MUIR
dered farmer had many and influential
friends, while Laroche had but few.
Therefore Larochc was convicted of
the murder, and sentenced to bu hung
on Il certain day, and at certain
place, until which time he was placed
for safe keeping in the Jail of tho dis
trict-thc third floor Of large stone
building, the lower part OF which was
q mill.
The prison consisted Of single
apartment. lighted by n small window,
ut tho height Of about siNlee feet from
tnc hOOT. 1uC SNc Vi INC Dulluln2
from which tho window looked. ran
sheer down TO the water OF n dark, doep
river, which crceps lazily by the mill,
down, until it gradually became q
rushing torrent, leaping wildly on to
its fall over n perpendicular ledge of
rocks. Bodies carried over tho fall
were said to mover havo been recoV-
cred; and it was q fixod notion among
tho country people that thore was
suctional forco below by which every
thing falling into 1t was carried down
into tho unexplorod abysses Of the
earth.
1t was the day before that fixed for
tho execution of young Laroche, and
the priest Of the parish, Father Allard
by name, had boon left alono with the
prisoner, in order to prepare him. by
the consolation OF religion. fer his APP
proaching doom. To his words Of COM
fort Laroche listened with humility
and silence, until tho good Father be-
gan to dilatc upon his chances OF for
giveness in the next world for the great
crime committed by him. Then tho
prisoner electrified him by declaring
his perfect innocence Of that crime-a
he said, with his latest breath.
TO be brief, the youth Of the prison
or. his earnest asseverations of inno-
cencc, and waycring doubt of his
guilt, which had all along troubled
Father Allard's mind so wrought upon
that worthy man that he at last con-
sented to commit himself to plan for
giving the prisoner chance of escape,
II not from death, at least from tho
ignoniny Of dying by tho hand of tho
accursed hangman.
.'If die by the gallows, most reve-
rend Father" said tho young man, "a
great sorrow will some day fall upon
all concerned in my death. The real
murderer Is sure to be discovered,
sooner or later;and tho just retribution
of Heaven will pursue my murderers.
. Aid me to escape rather than risk o
great stain upon your conscience.
Stand upon this chair, which i placo
upon the table, thus; and then, by
amounting upon your shoulders, 1 can
ueRoh the window and drop from Ii. v
"But the river below"
IL can swim like ON otter, and, at
any rate. 1t is better TO be drowned
than hanged"
Convinced Of the young mans inno-
cenco, Father Allard consented to aid
him in his escape A moment sufficed
to carry the plan into execution. The
prisoner gained the window and diSap-
sSar5u.
Parading In stragglin9 way outside
the building went one of tho minor Of
ficors of iustice-a solid peasant who
had been placed there by way OF sem
try. and who at this moment happened
to be looking towards tho river wall Of