- - TBI t have sworn upon the Altar of God, e tenia! hostility to every form of Tyranny over the Mind of Man." Thomas Jtflerson MINTED AND PUBLISHED BY II. WEBB. Volume "YB. JTOLOOMSBUKft, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY U, 1843. ' Number 4' OFFICE OF THE DEMOCRAT Opposite St. Paul's Church, Main-st The COLUMBIA DEMOCRAT mil hi published every Saturday morning, at TWO DOLLARS per annum payable half yearly in advance, .or Two Dollars Fifty Cents, if not paid within the year. No subscription will betaken for a short tf period than six months; norany discon' tinuance permitted, until all arrearages are discharged. ADVERTISEMENTS no exceeding a square will be conspicuously" inserted at One Dollar for the first three insertions, and Twenty-Jive cents for every subsc. quent nserlion. VCjpA liberal discount made to those who advertise by the year. LETTERS addressed on business, must be posttpftidi, . ' '' From' tliorDcmocr'alic Review. ' X HARRY'BLAKE. X t , i. stonr "or cihcvhstXkti al evidence, ronKDED ' " ok ricT. ' , ' BY THE jAUTHOH OF "LUCV CRAWFORD.' ' i CHAPTER VI. By daybreak the country around" was as tfr; men singly, and squads of three" and four women and children old and young, liale, (he sick, the decrepit, were all in inoiiun, and drifting, tike a sluggish cur rent, towards tlio scene of execution. It Mras a large field, in a retired, out of tlio way" spot, hemmed in by trees; a place whose silence and solitude were rarely' ilistuibed; yet now it hummed with life. Fences, rocks, and .every little eminence of ground, were packed with people. The were ciowded with .masses of human lm liiinn- llkR nrn from llicir -...-, p . ranches, and near the foot ol the gallows, he eatth was black with them, crammed lid wedged together, hot a foot not an nch to spare. There tvas a great sea of aces, junieu.up ai one time io me ian ratne-worK aoove inem; ai anoiuer, iu- ards whcie the far' distant road wound" mongthe hillsl Occasionally theie was a sufife,, antl the, jnass rocked Id and fro.like forest waving, before, the wind and then ame curves and. execrations from the wri- imr multiJude: but by degrees, the tu- uli subsided, ariif they were qiliet again. linn tfiov lrtntrd nt tha" sun. and wonder- 11 ,... -..I.I . .1.... ere wearyjwith wailing. Somo spoke of in, as'.of an old friend. He was a fine fel w they had known him from childhood. las he conefssed yet!' inquired one, 0, nol.'he, not he,' was the reply, 'He'll give up till the last; it's thought he'll it then. 1 heard some one say; that od aleb Uravson was all last nieht in tits , trying- to pump it out of him; but he s irnmn i.nlnh rnulil ufil nnlhimr lrom D W 11.' 'Come, I like that,' said the other, ibing bis hands together. 'That's so e Harm I'll bet ten to one, he II not w the white feather at tlio last. Ha '. id's thl!' s he spoke, he pointed to a tall swar man, who was seer, forcing his way ungh the ciowd; jostling them hitlier and Her, heeding not" tlio grumblings and sings wnicti loiioweu nun, as ue uraggeu 1 sen on: once or iwicc. as some leuow re suiniv i nan me rest wii nstoou nun. turned and glanced at him, with a look ucli savage and bitter again, that the 11 was pi ad io lei turn nass. J nus on went, until ho reached 'the foot of the a , ows; and there he fixed himself, taking of no one, and regardless that' even ml dense crowd a small circle was led around him. as if there were con nation in hi touch. Above him, from ross-pleee of the gallows, the cord - w nj to and fro in the wind; and at times, raised his aye to it, a amle crossed ice, giving to it a strangely wild ex- sion, ihat was long remembered'bv 1 who saw him there, here'll boon be something to tigVten stood nearest to him, with his good ed eyo runninir from the speaker to f the cord, as if it struck bim, that the weight 1 it..:..- t .1 . nisi lining lur uiai purpose were nearer ihan he imagined. 'Yrs, there will, more's the pity,' said ih'e man, in reply to the remark, afict pau sing for some lime, sis if in doubt whether it merited one, 'I for one am sorry for it.' 'Would you have the murderer escape!' demanded the stranger. 'Let him hang when he is found, say I,' rrp'ied the man, 'but Harry Blake denies that he did it, and I believe him.' Again that strange smile passed across the stranger face, as he said, 'Twelve sworn men, all of whom knew and liked Blake, heard the testimony, and said that he did it.- What mote would you want!-' 'I want Harry Blake's" own confession, and we would have it if he was guilty. That's whal I want. I wish to Heaven. I had found him with tho murdered man, 1 'would have soon known, the truth. I went lio ti-c. spot tho next day, .but' it was too late. - , . . 'What do.you know!' inquiicd the stran ger with some inteicst. The man moved a little nsidc.antl show ed the head of a large dog, who was seated near him, .with his nose thrust forward, al most touching the stranger. 'I went wi'ih thai dog to the spot, and-1 put his noso to the track. Ho went round and round, and over tho ground for moro than a quarter ol a milo. In tho woods ho futind an old hat, which ho lore to rags. I believe ii belong ed to the true murderer, (ho was smelling that hat this very morning, for I took it with me,) bul he lost tho seen- carried him to Hatty Blake; but he would not touch him.' 'A strange dog.' 'Damme sir!' said the man earnestly, Do you know that he's been snuffing about you for the lust ten minutes. Curse me if 1 havn'i my suspicions of you; d d if I havn'i.' 'The sjranger's eyes fairly g'owed as he returned his look; and then he burst into a loud Inugh.and turned, to those around: Hear himl He says I murdered Wick liffe; because bis dog smells at my knee. Ha! ha!" ha! Why don't you arrest me! .demanded he tutnjng to the, msn. The, man evidently abashed at this ab- tupt question, shook his head, muttered something between his icolh, and remained silent; and the stranger, after eyeing him for several moments. seeing that ho was not disposed for further conversation, and ap parently not caring to be the object of at tention to all eyes, as he evidently then was, moved off, among the cowd ,and sta tioned himself on the opposite side of the gallows. The time lagged heavily. 1 he crowd . , . , 1" . . . i grew restless anu uneasy; ana uere ana there, one or two, irritated beyond their pa tience commenced a quairel, which came to blows. 1 his created a temporary ex citement, but it was soon over, ami by de grees they grew wearied again. They stamped their feet on the ground, to keep them war n. The farmeis talked of their harvest and of their stock. Some of them, gaped and yawned, and fell sound asleep as they stood there. Young girls flirted with and ogled their sweet-hearts, and there was many a pretty face in that crowd, whoso owner had been induced to come only for the sake of him who was to escort her there and who was thinking uioio of the young fellow who stood at her side in his best ap parel, than of Harry Blake. These, and the'tioops of liberated schoolboys, to whom a holiday was a great lining, even though bought al the life of a fellow-being, were the only persons unwearied. But tho time came at last, and a loud cry arnes in ilie distance and swept along ihtouglr that multitude, becoming louder and louder, Qntil it reached the gallows; and the whole mass swayed backwatd and forward, and rushed and crowded together, as in tho distance tho prisoner was seen ap nroschinir. With a slow steady paco, the qoldieia which escorted him came, forcing open the throne, and keeping an open it - - space around the can which conveyed him Harry Blake was exceedingly pale, but lib inauuur was compospa, and Ins eyo calm and blight a in his best days, and many a hp as he passed, muttered a God Uess him. Hespokn to no one; although his face oi.ee or twice faintly lighted with a look o( iccogniiion as he saw a familiar face When he reached the foot of the scaiTolil his eye fur a moment rf.sleil nn Caleb Gray- son looking imploringly toward him. The old man caught his glance and exclaimed as hi ascended tho steps' 'Now Harry d) confess; do Hirry for God's sake !' Blake shook his head. 'No Caleb, 1 cannot, for I am innoeeut.' Thpse were his last words; for in a few minutes tho drop fel.l, and noor'"BIake's earthly career was ended. ilia.! lia !', exclaimed the same swar'hy man who had stood during tho whole 'time at the foot of, the gallows', anifwhom Gray sou recognized as the person that he had. mel'at thq lnn the night previous. 'Tha business is over. Thai's law!1 And with nut noticing tho startled looks of those about him, with the same recklessness which he lud displayed in coming he for ced his way through the crowd and disap pcated. CHATTim VIlV About three months 'after tho execution l - ; f of Blake, thejudge who presided al. the tri al received a note from a prisonersj."'? . . , . . -..woiig io see til ii ( S0nlr -f- . n .. without delay, as his sentence was to be carried into effect on the day following. On his way thither 'ho ov,ertopk jm old man walking slowly along the road on ac costing whom he recognized Caleb Gray son who had been a witness at Blake's trial The old man had received a note similar Io his own;' and was going lo the sumo place, though lie-was equally al a loss to know the Weaning of the summons. They both 'en tered, tlie cell together. The prisoner was, seated at.a wooden ta ble, with & small lamp in front of him, his forehead leaning on' his hand 'which slia ded his eyes from llie.jight. lie. was a full gaunt man, with dark sunken eyesand un shorn beard and -yellow cheeks. He look ed like one worn down by suffering' and disease; yet one whom neither disease iiqr suffering could conquer, and to whom re, morse was .unknown. He did not move when his visiters entered"olherwisc than raise, his head. As he did so Grayson re' cognized at a gjanco the stranger whom he had seen at the tavern the night bofurc Blake's execution;. and at the gallows. 'Well judge' said he, as soon as he saw who they were, 'I sont for you to see if you can'i get me out of Jhjsj scjape. , Must I hang to morrow!' " , Thojiidgo shook" his'head. 'It's idle' to hope, said lie: 'nothing can prevent your execution.' 'An application might be made to the higher authorities,' said the'prisoner. 'Par dons haVc come, you know 'even' on the scaffold.' 'Nona will come in your case',' replied the magistrate.. 'It is needless for me to dwell on your offence now; but it was one that had no palliation, and yon may rest as sttrou thai wnatever may nave occurred m other cases, no pardon will come in yours. In fast, I understand that an application has been made for one, by your counsel, and has been refused.' The features of the prisoners underwent the change; nor did tho expression of ,his face alter, in ths least. But after a mo mcnt'a pause, he said; 'In this hue j'udge upon your hbnor!' 'If is, replied the judge. . 'Then I know ihc worst,' .replied the criminal coldly, 'and will now tell, what I nave to communicate, which I would not havo done, whilo there was a hope of es capo. Yout' said he, turning to the judge 'presided at the trial of young Henry Blake, who was accused of murder, and sentsnoed him to death.' I dil.' ' And you,' said ho turning lo Grayson, 'were one of tho witnessess against him. ' You swore that you saw him stab Wick' liffe. On your testimony, principally, he was hung.' 'I was,' replied the old man; 'I saw him whit my own eyes.' The prisoner uttered low snecrine laugh, as he said, turning to thejudge: 'inu, sir, sentenced an innocent man.' 'And you,' .said he, turning to the olhet, swore to a falsehood. Harry Blake, did not kill Wickliffe. He was, as innooent of iho sin of murder as vou" were more inno' cent than Vou arc now. The old mnn, staggered as if ho had been ttuck.and learned against the table to sup port himself; whilst the condemned Won 'tood opposite hiln.Iookinjr at him with a cold indifferent air. Yes, ojd man,' said ho sternly, 'you! have biood ahd.perjury on your soul, for l( aid he, stepping forward, so that tho Hirhl if the lainp fell stronlcy upon his savnnp leatures, 'I murdered William Wickliffe! I did it! Thank God, I did it, fori had a long score to settle with him. Bui Blake "d'ho hand in it. I met Wiekliffe on that afternoon, alono with none to interfere between us. I told him of the injuries he. had done mo, and I told him that tho time was crime for redress. He endeavored io escape; bul I followed him up; I grappled with him, and slabbed him. As 1 did so I brant..!.-, -' - . -".ui.TTIUlJ ) ttaped into a . clump of bushes hiVJ, ,,., at the road side. At that moment Blake came up, and found Wickliffe. lying dead in the road. You-know the .rest. Tho tale he told was as true as the Gospel. He was only attempting to draw the knife from the man s breast' when vou camp nrt and harmed . him with the .crime, of murdcrl' 'Good, God.l Qap. litis be, posriblef ejaO' ulated iho old fiia'n. 'It cannot! Villain. voii'arc a liar!' i'shaw!' muttered tho man- 'What coujd I gain by a lie! To-inorrow I die. I don't believe it! I don't believe It!' exclaimed Grayson, pacing th'ojcelJ, 'and that itmay jajsc;! thathis ,'drea'dful sin pi ay ppt be,upuu4pjcA' . . . . The prisoner sat down, anil lookell at the-jmlgd- and'lho' witness wilh a calmness whlf'h' Imil'lnmoflmirt .ImA.t ComH'M. ijMt wlierj, contrasted with the extreme agitation of th'o. one, and the metal agony of the other." ' At last the old man stopped in front of him; and with a calmness so suddenly a"s sumed in the midst of his paroxsyms of re morse; that even overawed the criminal. taid; 'You are one whose life has been a tissue of falsehood and" crime. You must prove what you have said, or I'll not licheve il.' . Be it Bo;"repIicd the 'prisoner. I was the whole, tiansaction, and heard ail' your testimony at tho trial; for I was thcro too I'll now icll yoti what occurred a 'the spot oi me murdor, which you did not mention, but which-1 saw. When you rodo up, the man wilh you jumped off his' hnise and seized Blake by the. collar: your hat fell off on tho ponmcl of your saddle, but vou caught it before il reached the ground. You than sprang off your horsc.and whilst alton held Blako, you examined the bo dy. You attempted to pull the knife from his breast, but it was covered with blood. and slipped from your fingers. You rub bed your hand on Ihe ground, and going lo & bush on the road-side, broke off somo leaves and wiped your hands upon them, and alterwarus the handle of the knifo. You then drew it out, and washed it in, a small puddle of water at iho foot of a su mach bush. As you did so, you looked round at Blake, who was standing wilh his f.i t..i -j i arms toiueu, ana woo uatd, 'Don't bo un- eisy abou me Caleb; 1 didn't kill Wick tine anu uon i intend to escape.' At one time you were within six feet of whore I was. ltnlucky'you did not find mo, for I was ready at that moment (o send yo to keep company with Wickliffe; but I saw all,, oven when you, stumbled and, dropped your gloves as you mounted.your horse.' 'God havo mercy on mo!' ejaculated Grayson. 'This is all true! But oho word more. I heard Wickliffe.as'we rodo' up, shriek oirt, 'Mercy; mcrcyHarry!' k no was begging for his lifoMv first' namy is Harryl ' t I f The old man clasped his hand across his face, and fell senseless on tho floor. It is needleos to go jpio. tho details of th'o" - piisoner's confession, which was so full nnd;r!car, that il left no doubt on tho raind? of the judge jha he wbs guilty "of, Wicki- hffe s murder, and that Harrv Blako was another of those vho had gone .to swell the list ot victims to Circumstantial Evidence. Fashion for Fedruaru.'Ezr A tans' 9r much' Worn by ihe ladies, and drons ar tha' nose by small children. Cardinals are more in fashion than the cardinal virtues. Dresses H'o how made fuller behind than' we ever' saw them befor, and it is quite a pleasanV morning's cxcur.ibn lo circumnavigaro' Ii full dressed belie. Sacks aro the' 'walking1 costume of the gentlemen whether' given' lo them by the ladies or not.wo 'canaot sayi Gentlemen's boot ere now made too small for tho feet so much so, that in eomej cases the toes peep throueh Ihem. Feathere1 and jewels are' much in vogue and 'much"' credit is given to tho IniliM for thefr taste J in ihn r-rViculars. Thin' shoes for walv iog ara an article of genera con'surDritirTn"-3' ' . ' ,:iH Motto . Extra. 'A' paper dowpteast hV this motto over 'head ' of its ""editorial 'cdl lums: - ul ' ' ' 't We'll gaily chase' dull care a"way.vflwwt' And banish every sorrow, Subscribers pjy your debts to day; 't And wo'll pay ours to-moirow. ' r',w An Irishman having hired a saddle horse,' mounted the animal with, his .face towards thetaijr Te hostlc'r told him he ws on wiong end foremost. 'Och! and sure, said, Pat, and how-do ,you knp.w which .way. Ji rm going., So get up. awkward critter. -.'., ,,, . - i- - t ' - ; i' "When a gentleman is hanged for spnao,. crime, it is impolite to throw it up in, a course way, to bis relations; but.vou may, go i Iy touch your, neck, under the ihe left o i r nt, If, hah , tinirn, onrl airirli nvmn ...n WH. II III , wu u.lV.a HIIU 0I4MWIT 1'IUIIUIIIIICO tho word 'herein. n Girls want nothinir but husbands, 'an'd when they have got them, they 'want.eve'rv thing; - ' - -J- Preltu Fair. All a moetin? on j recent U O ' " occasion, in a town in New Hampshire, th'a1 nroacher addressed his coii'rccation in the fnllnuiiiiT fltvla lf' ' 'I 'My hearers, some of our brethern' tell us that the Lord is coming in power and glory on the 23d of April next, "when" lima' will end anu the elements melt With fervent heat. They say they shall want nothinir after the date and are consequently neglect' ing their fields and suffering their property to'wiste! 'Now my friends, I tliink'tnisTa ry unwise even supposing thefr belief to b"3 correct. I shall act on a different principle! The Lord should be treated aa becomesMiis greatness and majesty. My house want paint, and I shall paint it; and my fences need repair, aad I shall icpa'ir them;" so that if ho does appear "at the time appointed'-ho may be decently received.' If vou meet a man who is your debtor don't abuse him don't dun himbut taito him kindly by the hand, evince an interest for him. narl with him eood humoredlv if he is not a scoundrel ho will reinlve'to'pay you the earliest possible moment, When flit ft II ID ft H tni l!hlnniB ftfei'-ft ' evii tiiut siuuiivou vibt ao, complishei more than anger. Justice fs a duly generosity a-viriue. Yot tha world is too vpt to - regard the first as a farour and the leilo; as ' ofliy., . :
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