Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-04-09

COW. and that be would not tell whs nee
she money came. Now, pressed upon
the point, he declared that he had
sold silver watch for it, but did net
like TO say 90. because il was an beir.
loom in the family, having been given
to his father by q rich man. whose
servant he had been. But he had
sold it to travelling peddlsr. so that
the proof could not be given, and in
the end his guilt seemed quite estab.
lished, and he was doomed to "be
hanged BY the neck until he was dead"
upon the old gallows of Gwelt-towD,
it being believed by all that at the
last moment he would make confess
sion.
Miss Blackthwsite was much dis.
tressed. but she believed that when
once the key had turned all doubt of
Peters guilt had vanished and that
her sympathy was thrown away.
As for the Major he would not have
interfered with the laws of his coun.
try had it been possible, and John-ap-
John and his fellow-servants thought
no fate too bad for one who had cast
so much suspicion upon them-and
the day drew near on which he was
to die, and only his poor old mother
came to the prison gates to weep. or
went frantically about to gain speech
with those who had power in their
hands and tell them that she was sure
of her Peter, and that he was the best
son who ever lived, and to beg them
on her Bonded knees to believe as she
did.
Peter Morgan was to be hung. and
clergymsn were with him hourly and
confession was advised as a means of
atonemsnt, and he was warned against
obstancy. but all in vain. No con.
fessiou fell from his lips. Instead be
said something which seemed bias
phemy to those who heard it.
81 know the key turned in my
hand. But it wasn't Gods doing.
Satan had hand in it, for it told a
lie. l never saw the dim ands."
And in this mood the dreadful day
found him.
Peters old mother came to him in
prison that day, and their parting
was dreadful thing to see, but still
he said: ~ am innocentl' and she
was taken away, and he marched,
with guards about him and his hands
bound, toward the awful spot where
he was to meet his fate, and the
clergyman whispered,
"Confess the truth, my son, and go
to Heaven washed from falsehood."
He answered:
81 have spoke the truth. I can say
nothing more"
And SO they brought him to the
gallows-ths old gallows of Gwelt-
town, brown with time, and not too
staunch or stout, where many thief
and murderer had hung before. And
all the country were there to see
for then it was considered a whole
some sight for the populace-and
reserved seats were not sold to a few
curious for spicy horrors as they are
to-day even in our good city of New
York.
Men and women, and even children,
stood up at the gallows and gazed at
the figure mounting it.
Peter Morgan saw them and grew
hot with shame. To die such death.
before SO many, was worse than mere.
ly leaving the world, which had been
bright to him in his youth and
strength, and where his old mother
would starve, deserted by him.
Tears came into his eyes-for the
fret time he trembled. and the cler.
gyman, seeing it, exhor.ed him once
more to tell where the diamonds were
and confess his guilt.
But Peter Morgan turned from him
and toward the faces lifted up ex-
pectaEt of his death struggles. From
time memorial a last dying speech
has been permitted to these doomed
to execution.
And knowing this, he spoke:
Friends: I stand here a dying man
and die innocent. God hears me
and his Son. Let it be warning to
all. The test of the Bible and key ia
a cheat. It was tried and found me
guilty. I never touched the dia.
monde. I know no more Of them
than the Youngest baby here, I die
murdered"
Then he gave himself up to the
executioner and the clergyman-and
the black cap was drawn over his
eyes and prayer was said, the signal
given and the drop fell