The Land Claim — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

EFFECT OF ALLEN’S ADDRESS. 43 and, if possible, find out whether he did not, accidentally or otherwise, commit the murder. “As for Newcome’s threats, a great many men threaten who never do any thing worse; and that is the very charac- ter his daughter gave him. You pretend to be very sorry for her, and very indignant at her father’s treatment of her. But you propose to break her heart entirely by putting it out of his power ever to be reconciled to her; while it is plain she loves him as a daughter should love her father. If you have any regard for law, order, justice or mercy, you will conduct the prisoner in safety back to the sheriff's house, and there leave him under the proper legal restraint until he is con- victed. Guard him as carefully as you choose—make sure that he does not escape; but wait for his trial before you hang him. In the mean time, Providence may show you that you have yourselves this day narrowly escaped becoming murderers.” At the ‘close of this address, so earnestly delivered, not a man offered to raise his hand against the prisoher, who stood with burning eyes steadfastly fixed upon the speaker. After & moment’s irresolution, the crowd showed signs of a dispo- sition to escape unseen, individually; and, finally, a chosen guard conducted the prisoner once more to the house of the sheriff. Allen did not escape without some comments upon his address—some friendly, and a few otherwise. Among the most interested of the listeners was the stranger from the hotel, who not only gave profound attention to every word, but seemed to study attentively the countenance and bearing of the speaker. “You met with most flattering success in your maiden speech, Squire,” remarked Ed, with a peculiar searching look. “It will be better than I hope, if they continue to take my advice,” returned Allen, meeting his eye unflinch- a eo seemed anxious to shift Newcome’s crime to other shoulders.” “TI shall always be anxious to have justice done, I think, commiclbooks.corn