The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-04-16

oil love growing more spiritual and de-
voted under despair: they were embra-
ces hallowed and made sublime by famine.
All thiswas more than the poor man could
bear. The failing voices of his uncon--
scious children were like madness bring
ing sounds in his ears; and one night, los
ing in the tumult Of his thoughts all dis
tinctions between right and wrong, he
rushed forth and committed robbery.
shall never forget, as long as live,
the hour when he was apprehended BY
the officers of justice.
A knock was heard at the outer gate.
and on Mrs. Wilson's going to open it, two
men rushed by her into the house and
seized her pale and trembling husband,
who, although he expected and dreaded
such an event, was so staggered by it
as to lose for a few moments his con-
sciousness Of all about him. The first
thing he saw, on coming 10 himself, was
his wife stretched at his feet in fearful
swoon; and, as he was hurried off, he,
turned his eye towards herwith heart
broken expression, calling out in tone
half raying and half imploring, 6 Look
there, look there ~
1t would be vain to attempt a descrip-
ton of the wretched hours passed by
him and his wife in the interval which
elapsed between this period and the
time of his trial. The madness of his
utter despair, perhaps, was less intoler-
able than the sickenipg agitation pro-
duced in her mind by the air-built hopes
she dared to entertain in weary success
sion, and which were only born to be
soon stricken back into nothing. This
is indeed CHASTITY and whitening conflict.
The poor woman, after enduring it for
three weeks, could not be easily recog-
nized by her old acquaintance. There
was no trace left of the happy busting
wife. She moved silently among her
children-her face was emaciated and
hectick, and her eyes were red with the
constant swell OF tears. 1t was a mighty
Change.
The day of trial at length came on.
Wilson was found guilty, and sentence
of death was passed on him. The laws
in their justice condemned him to be
hanged; and the laws in their Justice
had enforced the taxation, the hard
| pressure of which had so mainly assist
ed to drive him into the crime. But
the world is inexplcable.
His wife did not survive this news
many hours. She died in the night,
without struggle. Ii was no use TO let
the condemned man know this. knew
ne would never ask 10 see her again
for their meetings in the prison had al
ready been tormenting beyond endur-
ance.
visited him in his cell two DAYS be-
fore the time appointed for his exccu-
ton. He was silent for many minutes
after entered, and did not attempt TO
rouse him. At length, with voice
qulvering under an effort TO be compos-
ed, he SAID" Although, Mr.. SayiIle, |
do not request was going to say did
not 1,ish, but God knows how false tina!
would be) to behold my wife again in
this bitter, bitter world, because such
dreary meeting would drive her mad :;
yet | think it would do me good, if
could see my child, my eldest girl, roy
| little Betsey. know not why it is, but
have an idea that her soft pratte, ig-
norant as she is of my fate, would take
something away from the dismal suffer-
ing am to undergo on Wednesday,
Therefore bring her, viii you, this az
ternoon, and frame some postponing
excuse for my poor wife. These, dear
sir, are melancholy troubles; but know
you are very good"
In the afternoon, accordingly, | took
the child, who asked me several times
on the road why her father did not come
home. As we walked along the gloomy
| passage TO his cell, she chung close to
me, and did not say word. 1t was
very different, poor thing, TO the open
and gay garden about which she was
used to RIM.
The door of her fathers miserable
dungeon was soon opened, and the child
rushed into his arms. 81 do not like
you TO live in this dark place. father,n
she cried T; " come home with me and
ldr. Sayille. and see mother who is in
bed.n
81 cannot come Just now, my chiId,n
he answered; "you must stay little
with me, and throw yourarms round my
neck, and lean your face on nine"
The child did as she was hidden. and
the poor man, straining her to him, sob
bed bitterly and convuIsiveIy. Afiera
few minutes, he looked with yearning
eyes In her face GAZING g EnInn nv