And in their verdict they did bring That cause of death was found in him; The Judge his sentence did declare, And thus declared him guilty there: "Your time is set, O do remember, The twenty-eighth of December, Between the hours of twelve and three, Be launched into eternity. "Your time is short on earth to stay; Prepare for death without delay; Though you no pity showed at all, May God have mercy on your soul." Part Second. December on the twenty-eighth Did Levi Kelley meet his fate; This awful scene I now relate Caused thousands there to fear and quake. Though wet and rainy was the day, The people thronged from every way; With anxious thought each came to see The unhappy fate of poor Kelley. The day was come, the time drew near, When the poor prisoner must appear; The officers they did prepare, And round him formed a hollow square, That they with safety might convey Him to the place of destiny; The music made a solemn sound While they marched slowly to the ground. A scaffold was erected there, And hundreds on it did repair, That all thereon might plainly see The unhappy fate of poor Kelley. Before they bid this scene adieu, An awful sight appeared in view. See, hundreds with the scaffold fall! And some to rise no more at all Till the great day when all shall rise, To their great joy or sad surprise, And hear their sentence "Doomed to Hell," Or, "With the saints in glory dwell." The wounded here in numbers lie, And loud for help now some do cry While others are too faint to speak, And some in death's cold arms asleep. The cry was heard once and again That "Hundreds now we fear are slain!" But God in this distressing hour Revives again each withering flower. Poor Kelley, in this trying time, Was executed for his crime. He hung an awful sight to see; May this a solemn warning be. A word to such, before we close, That love the way poor Kelley chose; Their vicious ways if you attend Will bring you to some awful end. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 93: _Otsego Herald_, July 19, 1805.] CHAPTER XII SOLID SURVIVALS