Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-10-06
I'll PRISO N.
4 f r 4 G II E N r,
FOUNDED ON FACT.

FOUNDED ON FACT.
Henry had been merchant,
AMI married the beautiful Maria in the
midst Of anuences but losses at sea, caused
his credit 10 decline, and in order TO quiet
his creditors, he entered in dishonorable
transaction, Tor which he was tried and con-
demncd to an ignominions death.
Maria possessed Roman vir-
:. tues. She would not quit his side; and,
with her infant son, she preferred alleviate
ingthe misery of her husbands dungeon,
TO her fathers mansion, which was stilfopen
to receive her. Henry's case was attend
el with extraordinary circumstances. which
from day to day battered the unfortunate
couple with the hopes of pardon, while the
nasV OF the law were celebrating on his
f.ste.S
- Sleep, the balEny relief to the.
woes OF man, had but yet taken them into
his embrace, when the dreadful warrant ar
rived. The woe-worn Maria and the child,
inde6ance Acf the tolling of the fatal bell,
q still remained under its influence. Henry
4 evoke on the first dismal stroke, and too
wei knew It's import. With caution this
miserable husband and parent began topre-
rr,.sse ssssh his fate, and meant to meet Is ere
they awoka. Tho; ;ailor hal now approach-
ed unseen by Henry, as he. bent to take
leave OF his family Father of nercies, y
be fsrvently elaculated, lend dime ear TO
a penitent! Give attention to my dying re-
guest! Grant me forgiveness--endue me
with fortitude TO appear before thee, and o
God. extend thy mercies to this injured
woman, this best of thy servants, on whom
have entailed endless misery /! Chase not
sleep from her Till am dead--protect my
child, but never let him know his fathers
fate.o
----- The jailor interrupted his de-
votioa by warning him of his fate If
there be mercy IN you," replied Henry,
s. make nonoise; for would not have my
4 wife awoke till | have rendered expiation
for nyssins.o
-----He wept at this piteous sight
even he, who was enured to the sight OF
misery! He who, with apathy, for years
had looked on misery, sent the big tear
over his furrowed cheek-nature conquer
ed evenina jailcr -!
------ The child cried. 0 Heav-
ensn' said Henry, g am too great sim
ner to have my prayers heard" He took
the infant to his breast, and fortunately
hushed it again to rest; while the TAILOR
stoodIke. one COMPOUNDED by the first at
tack Of new censation-'twas pity; that
Godlike attribute, without which We should
be brutes indeed.
cannot bear this--it is too much );
more than / ever beheld within these walls
SO good, so virtuous, and so loving
You shall not be parted while have life to
Ahelpyou Come with me, and In silence"
The ja;lor was conducting his prisoner out
~ot the dungeon when a footstep was heard,
though no one, whose horrid employments
called them to witness the death of a fellow
man, had been summoned for few hours
veto come.
Iron and lint-hcarted are some men cal
led but DENY thas outward form: stern
manners or the voice OF harshness can shut
out nature; she pleads SO strong, when ar
guedin the cause ofvirtue, that no man can
resist the force of pity, she annotpiead in
vain.
The iailor expectedhis SUPERB
or. He whispered Henry that they were
both undone. His heart feared prema-
ture approach of the sheriff, but in a more
pleasing form the step advanced. A d.
vine, with placid looks, approached, ard in
the fulspess of his heart abruptly spclaim-
ed the asfival Of a pardon Henry, who
had not got many feet from the door offsA
cell, reformed and found Maria wserrg in
all the horrors of distraction. she faucied
she saw. the partner other heart already ar
rived at the fatal tree; then would she ac-
r,ice here al