Page:Pathetic history of George Barnwell the London apprentice.pdf/24

 The ill-fated Barnwell, in a few days was put to the bar, to take his trial. The evidence brought against him was conclusive, and, after a most affecting and impressive address from the judge, the jury returned a verdict of 'Wilful Murder!' The sentence pronounced, the prisoner shed tears, and the whole court sympathised, in his fate. Barnwell's attention was abstracted from earthly things. His old employer came to see him, who displayed a father's feelings, wishing that he had known his situation before the fatal murder. Ah! the moment of separation, was such as to render force necessary to divide them. The feelings of Maria, who accompanied her father, may better be imagined than described. When she beheld the unhappy youth, with his arms folded, conversing with the clergyman, she screamed aloud, and fell senseless on the floor. From this time she pined away, and died of a broken heart.

The evening now closed in, the waning hours denoted the rapid approach of that awful moment, when he must resign, his earthly being, the whole of which time he passed in devotion, reposing about two hours, he arose, and prepared to go through the awful ceremony. Mounting the cart which waited to receive him, he was conveyed to the place of execution.