The National tribune., 1901-02-21

| Let us nnSten over these unpleasant ana
disastrous events. Finding that the worst
ment was of no avail. Lewis, too, opened
his mouth. He was again visited by the
| rebel authorities, and at last he, too, add
ed his voice to that of Scully. and made a
| revelation of his true character, and of the
nature of his mission to Richmond. The
next day they were respited. They had
escaped an ignominious death, but, per
haps, in their lonely cells they suffered a
death in life, beside which an actual de-
mise might have seemed blessing. Leay-
ing them to their reflections, we turn again
to Timothy Webster.
| ARREST OF TIMOTHY WEBSTER.
The tidings of the impending fate of
Lewis and Scully filed the cup of Web
ster's misery to overfiowing and when Mrs.
Lawton communicated to him the full de-
| tails he sank upon a chair and wept like
n child. Refusing to be comforted, al
| though Mrs. LawtOn eXerted herself to
the utmost, Webster paced the room, half
frantic with grief, at the horrible fate
/ which had oyertaken his friends.
| Slowly the day passed, and when the
shadows of evening were falling Webster
was at last induced to lie down and at
| tempt to snatch Il few hours sleep. He
was soon slumbering quietly, although ever
and anon he would start nervousfy and
utter an inarticulate moan, as though his
mind was still troubled with the sad events
| of the day. While he lay thus, attended
by Mrs. LawtOn, Mr.. Campbell suddenly
entered the room with look of fear upon
his face, which filled Mrs. Lawton with
alarm.
What is the matter?" she hurriedly
calculated
One of Winder's men is below, and
fear his presence indicates misfortune for
Webster" was the reply.
who is it?''
"Cashmeyer," answered Mr.. Campbell.
He inquired for Webster, and says he
must see him at once"
Webster, disturbed by this conversa-
ton, was awake in an instant and in
quircd what was wanted.
"Cashmeyer has called and wishes to
see yOu," said Mr.. Campbell.
Let him come up at once" replied
Webster. in the hope that he might bring
some tidings of Lewis and Scully.
MIR. Campbell departed. and in few
moments returned with the Confederate
officer. CaShmeycr's salutation was cold
and formal. and without any preliminary
he addressed Webster
Il have painful duty to perform. Mr.
Webster. / am directed by Gen. Winder
to arrest you and convey you at once to
Castle Goodwin
As he spoke two soldiers appeared at
the doorway.
You cannot wish to take him away in
this condition. and mt this hour of the
night" said Mrs. Lawton. .:Such an ac-
ton would be his death, and would be the
worst of inhumanity."
Webster stood silent and unmoved. He
did rot utter word. but eazed fxedly at
the officer, whose visits heretofore had
been those of sympathy and coincidence.
Il cannot help it, said Cashmeyer. my
orders are to take him dead or alive, and
those orders | must obey
Then said Mrs. Lawton. Il will 90
too. He needs care and attention. with
out it he will die and no one can nurse
him so well as I''
Cashmeyer gazed at the brave little
woman for a moment, and shade of pity |
came over his face
Il am sorry to inform you that my or
ders are to arrest you also, and to search |
your trunks
This is Infamous exclaimed Webster:
what can Winder mean by arresting this |
woman, and what am | charged with that |
renders your orders necessarily
Webster, answered Cashmeyer "as |
God Is my witness. | do not know: | only !
know what my orders are, and that | must |
obey them
Without further parIey Webster and |
Mrs. Lawton prepared to accompany their
guards, and CGshmeyer, demanding their
keys. commenced a search of their trunks. |
which resulted in his finding nothing that |
would criminate his prisoners.
earring" was procured, and Webster
was assisted into it. while Mrs. Lawton,
under the escort of Cashmeyer. was COM
PEELED TO walk. 1t was quite late when
they arrived mt the prison, and as Price
Lewis was ascending to his cell. Webster
and his faithful female companion entered
the gloomy portals of the jail.
Gen. Winder was present when they ar
rived. and after hurried examination
Webster was remanded to a room in which
a number of Union prisoners We're already |
confined. and the atmosphere of which was
reeking with filth and disease.
As he entered the room. pale and
emaciated. and scarcely able to walk, the
prisoners gathered around. in silent pity
Tor his forlorn condition.
MY Godr' exclaimed one of their num-
Der. they will send the dead here next"
Mrs. LawtOn was conducted before the
General, but she stoutly declined TO an
'wer Il single question that was proDoundcd |
TO her. This so enraged the valiant of
1cer that he ordered her to be taken away
lt once. She was then conducted to a
-ooin IN which another lady was confined.
md left for the night.
As midnight tolled its solemn hour over
-he city. and the tramp of armed men re-
sounded through the streets. the noises
within the prison died away. An awful
and impressive silence brooded over the
bfdtt. i he ulHl liSnt III the corridor ShOnp
faintly upon four miserable human beings.
who tossed resilessly upon sleepless
rouches through the long, weary watches
IF the night
Who can tell the thoughts that thronged
through their brains, as the slow moving
hours advanced toward the dawn? The
brave woman, who had been cruelty de-
nrived Of her privilege to administer to the
needs of her suffering friend; the heroic
Webster, wasted by disease. weakened By
his long and painfuI illness. but still brave
md defiant; Price Lewis and John Scnlly.
tortured with the thoughts of their i'm
pending fate. and harassed with refiec-
ions of more agOnizing nature, which we
nay not analyse.
TRIAL OF TIMOTHY WEBSTER.
The trial of Webster was ordered for an
Early day. With haste that was inhu-
nan, the Provost Marshal made his prep
lratiOns for the farce of an investigation
It seemed as though he was fearful that
lis victim would die ere he could wreak his
;engeance upon him. The court was CON
fened, and, owing to Websters weakened
their sessions were held in the
ail. For three long, weary weeks did the
Investigation drag its slow length along, |
although it was apparent that those who
-ried him had already decided upon his
ate. Numerous witnesses were examined, |
md testimony was admitted which would
lave been excluded by any righteous trib-
mai whose ideas of justice We're not OBJ
'cured by an insane desire for revenge.
49, n 4 II