Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-30

garrison, for the murder Of Robert Barn
we'll at an inn on the Essex coast above
circumstances have developed
which point clearly to ths guilt Of the
accused. The Attorney General has
closely investigated the case, snd has
declared that. In his opinion, the crime
was not only eommikAd, but that it was
The course of justice in
this case Is swift enough. The murder
was done on the night Of Sept. 3; the
accused was arrested on the next day,
and lodged in Chelmsford jail; he has
been indicted, and viii be tried at the
Essex Assizes on the first of November"
Mr.. Bright resumed his narrative.
Il dropped the newspaper and stared
at the Captain. For the murder Of
Robert Barnwellr I repeated. AT the
Red Lion Inn-on the Essex coast-on
the night of September third The Lord
be merciful to us, Captain Atwell-but
what craziness Is thisY
Its an awful mistakep groaned the
Captain. There isn't q bigger-hearted
officer afioat than our Captain Atwell, of
the Hero, may tell you-though he does
bear the name of matinet, and o tartar
innocent of any crime, and an officer in
very likely to be hung for my acts
And mine, too, sir, l ventured.
mo; the responsibility is with me.
You acted under orders; you did what
you were commanded to do, and when
you had explained everything to me, I
approved. Now, Mr.. Bright, there's
work cut out here for usl That officer
shall not die if can save him-and
can. Pm going straight to the Admiral
with the whole story. The supply ship
goes back in three days. am going to
have you ordered to London to produce q
true account of this wretched affair,
drawn up and signed by me, and in
dorsed by the Admiral. If they want any
thing more, you can give all the testi-
mony needed. What do you sayP'
. III obey orders, of course. And in
this case I'll strain every nerve
"'To be sure you will, Mr.. Bright.
You'll be too late for the trial; but if
they convict the poor fellow, you'll be in
time to save him.
Captain Atwel ordered out his launch
and visited the A4gship that afternoon.
He was back in the evening with big
envelope from the Admiral, directed to
the Home Secretary, ard an order foI
Absalom Bright. boatswain Of the Hero,
to proceed on duty to London.
@The Captain got me three months ad-
vance pay, told me I should have duty
pay besides, and gave me some final in.
structions:
@'Get to London as soon as you can
go to the Home Secretarys Office, in
Downing street; make them admit you
day or night! Don't be turned away ol
put off for moment; get in there, snG
give the Admiral's letter to the Secreta.
~, in person. Will you do this, Mr
Brightp"
TTll be d-d if don't, sirr said
And Captain Atwell laughed, and wal
satisfied.
The supply ship sailed, and I will
her. A tedious time we had getting tt
Portsmouth.
First, we were chased by French pri
vateer, and had to take the wind and &,
out on the broad Atlantic to escape her
When we had thrown her off we were 8,
far from our course that it took days an,
nights to get back. Then came all kind
of head-winds and battling winds. 7,
of November when we entered Portsmouth
harbor.
Il got ashore and found o newspaper
I read that Captain Courtenay was to b
executed at Chelmsford ON the second O
December.
Il was off that night in post-chais
| for London. made few stops. ate a
I travelled, and reached Downing stree
| yesterday morning.
at was about ten o'clock. I demande
| to see the Secretary.
He can't see you, said the officer i
waiting. He's busy
Is hep says I. rs that where he is
back of that doorP'
Eyes
II stalked right in without knocking
and the officer on duty looked as if b
| thought the world was coming to an enc
His lordship was at long table, SUI
rounded with big-wigs, and took no motto
of me.
Il walked up and slapped the envelop
down before him.
Pardon, your lordship,' says, 'bu
there's dispatches from the Biscay feet.
"The Biscay feet2 he says. why
they must belong at the Admiralty
Pardon, my lord-they don't. They'r
for you. It's q matter of life and deatt
I was told by Captain Atwell, of th
| Hero frigate, never to let you alone til
| YOU had read this letter from Admire
Harvey
| He tore topen and ran his eye over il
".Bless my soulP he cried, jumping NJ
Captain Courtenay has been tried an
convicted, and is to be hung tomorrow
| at Chelmsford. His poor wife was her
pleading for him two weeks ago. Thi
has got to be righted. must see th
Prince Regent at once. Gentlemen--ez
| cuse me!-this concerns the saving {
| life. You, sir!-what is your namep'
'Absalom Bright, boatswain Of th
| Hero
@sBe here at three o'clock. Don't fai
| will have the pardon here then
II returned at the hour named. toun
messenger from the Secretary waitin
| for us. The Secretary was waiting {
and would stay till he had an audienc,
was told on no account to leave tt
| Office till he came.
pretty we'll satisfied with the shar
things were in, lay down on loung
Tired with the fatigue and excitement {
the last few days, I fell asleep. 1t wa
nine o'clock at night before I awok'
The lights were burning, the attendant
we're there, but the Secretary had not re
turned.
Il waited patiently. It was after mid
night before he came in, looking car
worn and exhausted.
@shere Is the pardon he said. 8.
has taken time and labor to get it, an
now it must not fail Of reaching Che1m
ford by ten o'clock tomorrow morning