The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-11-04
Fom the Blank Book ofa SmaN CoAege'.
ALIFE OF TRIALS


year. 1t may fairly be supposed, that vani-
ty has nothingto do with one who is faultcr-
ing on the brink of the grave: and that she
can have little in view, save the instruction
of others, in OBTAINING two OF the trials OF
strange and checquered existence. The
first may teach the younger part of my sex,
in this age of over refinement, that if cour
age be indispensable TO bold enterprlsing man,
self possession is no less necessary to timid.
shrinking woman; and my second that il am
atomical exposure be the nurse--and | be-
lieve it--of medical science, caution should
be used in the selection of objects, and dis
elimination in the choice of those who are to
participate in its disclosures. And thus,
when my feeble voices shall be heard i'll this
world no longer, | may instruct from my
grave. / was a girl of eighteen, when my
father was governor OF York Castle. \
murder attended with circumstances Of the
most inhuman barbarity, had been perpc-
trated in our neighbourhood, and an old man,
with his two sons charged with the commits
sion of the crime, were delivered intohiscus-
tody. By accident | witnessed their being
brought into the castle. Years have passed
away, and other events have succeeded Joy,
sorrow, atfluence and poverty like storm and
sunshine, have chased each other; foreign
faces have interviewed but see them before
me now, in the deep gloom of midnight in
which | am writing--as clear, aye, Us II
they were standing i'll life before me The
hardened, ruthless look of the elder murder
er--his venerable hoary hair, frightfully
contrasted by the expression Of his connte-
nance--his cold gray eye, which glanced in
cessantly around with the most fearful and
restless anxiety--his parched lips and hag-
gard look, sadly at variance with his bent
form and tottering gait--all combined to
form picture, which once seen, could nc
yer be forgotten. The two sons stood be-
hind their father. The eldest appeared
stern and sulien-nuttered an incohertnt
answer when asked what injury he had re-
ceived from his victim, while an expression
Of vindictive triumph glared in his eye. The
youngest seemed bowed down with the con-
sciousness of his eyes fixed sadly on the
ground. Once only he raised them. They
encountered the old mans penetrating glance,
and sunk beneath it.
Deposition after deposition was drawn out,
and such mass of circumstantial evidence
accumulated, that it was hardly possible 10
doubt their guilt. The trial was to come on
in the course Of ten days; but in the interim,
committee of the House of Commons re-
quired my fathers presence i'll town, and
was left iii charge of the castle. 1t was
responsibility which had incurred before,
and it did not appear formidable, | was SUR
rounded by trusty and tried survants and
having always been taught to rely onmy own
courage and resolution, i'll cxigencies, | cil-
tered upon my duties without fear. The
keys of the different wards were brought me
every night, and remsined under my pillow
till morning; and that my fathers room
might be perfectly aired, removed to it III
the evening after his departure. Things
went on smoothly for some days, till, one
morning, was told that the eldest Wells
ford was not to be found, and was supposed
to have made his escape. Pacards were post
cd over York, without delay--large rewards
were offered for his apprehenson--otcers
and constables despatched i'll all directions
but without success. Eight and forty hours
elapsed and no tdings were procured of him.
How he had escaped, and to what retreat he
had fed, was as much of a secret as ever. In
this annoying posture of affairs went to ny
own room, in the evening Of the second day,
TOR some papers, I wished to consult. had
opened my desk and was busily prosecuting
my search, when happening to glance my
eye around, distinctly saw the face OF a man,
cautiously peeping over the furniture ofmy
bed; 1elt it was Welsford's! my first i'm
impulse was to scream, but recollecting that
Twas alone, i'll distant part of the housc--
that all assistance was beyond my reach
that the faintest shrek would seal my doom,
] hastily smothered my emotion, and contin-
ued my seach as before l confess trcm-
bled, and thinking my death-blow might be
dealt from behind l determined on having
what little notice l could; and facing my foe,
drew my chair fronting the bed, and read
little--my voice, | know faultercd--aloud.
then sung for few moments--yery faint
ly I believe--till, gradually, getting nearer
and nearer the door, made a grasp at the
lock, and rushed out. thrust felt as CRATE
full as / aught, towards mcrciful providence
when locked the door upon the felon The
turnkeys were then summoned, the fugitive
was taken, secured, and few hours after
wards was condemned. On the night pre-
ceding his execution, he made d full confess
sion. After admitting the justice Of his SEN
tence, he continued-that having discovered
by accident, his cell joined my apartment,
and knowing the keys were given me night
ly, he had climed up one chimney, and let
himself down by another, into my room
that his design was to have murdered me,
possessed himself of the keys, and escaped
that during the two whole days he was mis-
sing, he had lain concealed in my room, en-
during, Gas he himself expressed IT'D be-
tween hunger and disappointment, the tor
ments Of the damned" He added, she
thought himself in heaven when he saw me
enter: and though | had not the keys witt.
me Uould then have deSpatchod ne Ln+