Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 15.pdf/572

 A Story of a Rural Shire. the court was considerate enough to hold its sessions in the Congregational Church, a good-sized edifice, with a gallery on three sides. Boards were laid across the backs of the front pews to make a platform for the judges, jurors and attorneys, and the rest ci the house was given over to the spectators. The respondent was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and was sentenced to be hung Friday, February 26, 1836, between ю a. m. and 3 p. m.

523

think the Legislature would commute her punishment to imprisonment for a term of years or for life. Perhaps it is of no great consequence which. She is now far ad vanced in life, and in all human probability, if her punishment is commuted, in a few years she will go down to her grave. . . . If the Governor and council meet here, I intend, if I am able, to appear before them in 'behalf of the petitioner, and I hope you will also appear in support of the petition. I

COURT HOUSE. THE TOWN OK CHELSEA, VERMONT.

The efforts of the respondent's counsel in her behalf did not end with the verdict. On Jan. 2i, 1836, Mr. Upham wrote Mr. Hebard as follows: "Will you let me know whether or not any' petition has been got up to the Governor requesting him to call the council together for the purpose of granting to the wretch, Mrs. Peake, a reprieve until the next s?ssion of the Legislature. You have discharged your duty as counsel for the State, and T hope you will now interest yourself in b^alf of the prisoner so far as to save her life. I

cannot endure the idea of a public execu tion. It is barbarous in the extreme. It is offensive in the sight of God. 'From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loosen those that are appointed to death.' T should con sider a whole life well spent that resulted in rescuing one human being from the gallows. If the prisoner is guilty, let the walls of a prison secure her from any further communi cation with society. Give her time in the solitude of her cell to repent of her sins and prepare for the retributions of eternity. /