Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-01-01

calm countenance.-Whea the bustla
this incident occasioned had s7bs;ded the
Judge, repeating has question, asked the
prisoner whathe could urge ia his de-
fence.
Mock me not" re returned sternlv.
with this idle form; YOU have the
proof of my guilt, aud my full admit
lance off it. Ny name | have refused
to disclose; though it was never
proud, it was once an untarnished one;
it shall be buried with mc.''
After the usual forms had been
observed, sentence ofdeath was solemn.
ly pronounced. The robber heard IL
withccmposure; and when he was CON-
ducted to prison, he earEe tly requested
to see Mr. B, who, being inform
ed oft, FASTENED TO the gaol. What
service he could rcnder him
Il ask nothing from you" he an
swered with half smile. .nid not
tell you that our t,estinies were blend
ed Listen TO my story IL was a
youth OF ambitious hopes and ardent
passions. Near The residence of my
parents lived a fair female of my, own
rank, whom | loved with fervid tender
ness, and who would have been won bv
myconstancy, had not neighi,oring
wealth dame, attracted by the maiden's
loveiiness, and feeling aie want of a
daughters attentions, taken her to her
house. The heir of this wealthy family
soon became my rivai;h he was a for
tunate one. The parents, when they dis
covered the attachment of the Youthful
pair, instantly separated them The son
was sent to Europe; he went with will
lngness which lulled their suspicious,
but their violence had only served to
prccipitate the evil they dreaded. / heir
son had privately united himself to the
object OF his affections. My dearest
hopes crushed, and my hest feelings
wifhered by early disappointment, |
had given nysel up to the maddest dis
sipatlon. My parents died, and broke
the last tie that bound me 10 the world.
Debauchery led to poverty, and want
was followed by crime. became
robber In one ofmy wandering, met
the woman had SO fatally loved. She
was a houseless fugitive. Her situation
mad discovered the secret of her mar
riage; but her naughty patren would
give no credit. to her story, and turned
her, with bitter repfoaches, from their
house. One faithful servant, the favor
tie slave of his young master, deserted
from the plantation, and Joined the poor
wanderer. found Ter in her distress.
became the protector Of her infant, and
endeavored to soo:he her wounded feel
ings. After an absence of four years,
the husband returned, but he was mar
ried to another. Mary waved her own
rights, sought by stratagem to gam her
child an entrance in her father's house.
You know tha rest. The pour Girl, who
was not ashamed 10 acknowledge her
supposed parent, disgfaced as he was,
tis,o r daughter.''
During this narrative, Mr.. b
had sat mo:ionless, scarce breathing,
least he might interrupt the tale. When
the relator paused, he caught bis arm
Fell me-does she live but no, it can
not be they wrote me she was dead
1T was false as their own. hearts, said
he outlaw; she lives, but sorrow has
bowed her head to the verge OF the grave.
Polydoie wiltjead youto her obscure re-
treat, 20 ydorel' exclaimed Mr.. B,
my faithful slavei' The same aud
the kind protector ofyour wife, This,
This is the hour continued the prisoner,
chat he was to visit me- The negro
soon after was admitted 10 TIE apart
ment. AS he was approaching the pri-
soner, he perceived Mr.. b, and
paused, as he said coldly, my MASTER
My friend, Mr. B exclaimed; but
take me to her, The negro shook his
head mournf4lly, and said, 1T will lill
herr Polydore,' said his master, "if
ever you loved me, I .entreat you TO
conduct me to Mary" The slave could
not resist Mr. b. 3 earnestness, and
telling the prisoner he would see him
again, he left the gaol witt his mas
ter.
Mounting their horses, they Quilted the
town, and after an hours swift riding,
they turned from the road into a mar
row path, whose intricate windings at
lergth terminated where a gloomy
swamp extended Its cherries aspect
Here they alighted, and securing the
horses, they forced their way through
the thick wood which bordered tie
marsh, I'll thsy reached cottage, tie
outlaws lonely hiding place. Before
r. NJ