Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-11-25
Distressing Case.

The following distressing accom-, y,
pears in late Caiedonian Merpv.
One morning last week. an unfor,o,,,,
man in Edinburgh put an end TO Ii, h.
A widow, and three helpless children
one of whom is only s years Of ace ,rJ
another not two months, are the n,5,u.
py sufferers BY this event THE decs,ss.
/, ed was confidential clerk, in are,ne,.
liable house in that city DISTINGUISHED
for intelligence ssperisr to bis station IA
Isociety, and his conduct through If,
marked by the strictesti integrity and 50.
ibriety. About SIX weeks ago he fell into
IA state OF melancholy, and in spite ofe.
very effort to divert or soethe him, tie
malady gradually increased. While IN
this state, he swallowed a qusnftd
!laudanum but by the inreat:es Of BIZ
afflicted wife, he was prevailed upon 10
take an intidote. From this period, how.
! ever, bis language and conduct bespoke
! fixed determination to effect bis purpose
by means more speedy AMI certain and
ibis wife, aware that any interference OF
the part of others would enly have sc
CELEBRATED his design, concealed her d.
tress, still induIgibg the hope that sh
might be able to divert him from his pDr
pose. His eldest son, an interesting
youth about thirteen. never failed, under
some pretence or other. to accOmpan' BIN
to the place of his employment, and to
be in the way to return with him. The
situation of the wife and SIN during this
interval may be better conceived taan
described On Tuesday morning l@'
lat halt past S o'clock, be stole from Ms
bed, and though discovered by BIS 500;
and afterwards by his wife. With a pslOl
in his hand, he contriyed IN ie" aiau'Ss
to elude the vigilance Of his tamIy' aD
finally committed the desperate %
which laid him, who had hisherto xn
their faithful aad affactionate pEo'e'S'
|life'ess a: their feet, On the night pr. ",
ceding this catastrophe, he REID 70 o.
wife the following lines, which appear
have beer partly written in the co'rTIL
the day. They were found IN BIS P.n Dr
e, next morning, and describeiO ava, !,
striking manner the horror oil n''"
which he fell a victim.
Firm, fixed as fate, misf rune 'aN'"
stand, -,
Nor will aba.e one ounce. ibe Guy
full. ,,.,t n
The bitter draught is mixed, anu u'''"
to the dregs. II ha
1t must. Well, be il so. But W" :"
drink suffice; :, il.
Will that ensure oblivion, can'''
iuries, .AsIup.
And PREPARATION make to the-la''D'''
fortunate, ,otin.
Worthy a better fate. And ye' p0"i
H0ceDts 81 al q
This lucid moment e me il wiz - y" ,cc. 3
Alas /! it tells me more'-N"
ton 3
AIT thou here again? ,..o,if
tvaunt thou imp Of datkncss--GDs s't in.
Dost thou again assail me l---ou'
piety!
And dare harhor thee tn a
Oh God, thou knvw'st the texture
frame, ,l,.r tlsa
)fhuman passion. Ift3ou woa'o >"
ceuid'st, nj lcH
But then the will OF man were Nv
free, .e;,e 81
What then we're man PA pa''''
gent. !. 4 not
Where does this lead ? ReVerts
gainst me? JtIes'
Veil, | will chase dist acton y 8
chsce, ;,,i f.
lat who is proof again t l'san'''
once I'll try, p.,baus II, ii
'hus far l keep conference. By
conquer. r. morroS
his night is nine so far. 10 MO-
Whatsys, is is right ms
clear. g