Page:Account of the imprisonment and execution of Poor Dennis.pdf/8

 The career of a robber is short: a few weeks after this event, Dennis and one of his companions were taken in the act of robbery, tried and convicted. Mr. S received a message from his unfortunate man, begging some money to assist in burying him. This is one of the strongest appeals that can be made to charity, and a man who refused this assistance, would be considered a barbarian. Mr. S was not the man to refuse is; he resolved even to go himself, and administer consolation to the poor condemned. It was the night before the execution. As he approached the gaol, he endeavoured to summon up resolution to meet the scene of woe he expected. It was a scene of noise and confusion. A crowd was assembled before the grated door of the cell. Dennis was mounted on his coffin, from which, as from a pulpit, he addressed them, begging money to bury him, and pray his soul out of purgatory. He rated those who were tardy in drawing out their purses, scolded others who had already given, for not standing back to make room for