Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-24

might know something the characters, dis
covered at the frs; glance perfect conhrma-
ton of all my fears. The handwriting was
that of Mrs Brockman, and the billet itself ran
thus-"One who is anxious to save an infatp-
ated youth from ruin, begs to inform the Com
missioners, that about midnight on the 18th OF
this month, boat will land below Folkstone,
loaded with silks and lace. 1t lis surmised that
the boats crew consists Of four persons, and
that the goods will be conveyed across the bill
to the house of John Petley.''
My very breath iorsook me when had finish
ed the perusal of this note, and looked at
Brockman with even more Of deep commisse-
ration than l had previously experienced. His
guilt dared not excuse; but he seemed at the
moment like Hercules in the Trachinie of SO
pnoclcS, about 10 perish by the well-tlmed stra-
tagem of her who loved him above all created
beings. Whether he entertained any suspicion
of the fact, know not, for he paid no regard
whatever 10 passing events. Not even when,
like The rest, he was called upon to deny or con-
Tess his crime, did he utter one word; for while
they were protesting their innocence, he stood
speechless. A clear case was accordingly ad-
JUDGED 10 be made out against him, and case
little less clear against his companions, for
whose commttal warrant was made out, and
they were delivered over 10 the cons,ables to be
removed to prison.
The magistrate he'd just signed the deed,
when the door burst open, and the unfortunate
mother Of Brockman rushed into the parlour.
Her scream was so shril and so appalling, that
one who stood at the far end of the glen might
have heard ito what have DONE" cried
she, "and what have you done, my unfortunate
boy? Why stand you here, my son, and what
good is that upon your face?-Hc is innocent
Sir continued she wildly, turning TO The ma
sistratc, quite innocent He commit murder.
he whom reared so gently, and who was ever
50 gentle TO me, ever, ever tiII---O, but we
will not refer TO that. 1t is done now--it is all
oyer-the connection is broken off, and he will
go back to be again the comfort Of his widow
ed mother. VIII YOU not, William, will you
not return with me, my boy? Come, come"
cried she, running up TO him, and Selling him
by the hand.
Brockman groaneG audiblv 1t was the first
sound which he had uttered since he was bro't
into the house, and it came from the very bot.
tom of his heart. 81 cannot go with you now,
my mother" said he; 81 must so elsewhere
TO deathi' shrieked she; "to prison, say you, to
prison, and to death too!-you? No, no, it can
not be- 1t was not for that did it; it was not
against you that | informed; ii was against
them--these oloody, heart!ess, goddess Non
sters-these, who have betrayed YOU. o may
mothers curse blight and wither them!'-
"Hush, hush, my mother" replied the criminal;
"curse no one, or if vow curse at all, curse me.
Now | am ready added he, turning 10 the
constable.
Both The Magistrate and myself were too
much affected by this scene 10 be able 10 inter-
rupt it. nor was il without evident emotion that
the very constable proceeded 10 put on the
handouts. In eftecting this, il was seen, for
the FIRST time, that Brockman's right hand was
severely wounded. A deep cash. or stab, was
upon It's palm, from which blood still continued
to flow. Chow came that wound there" asked
|, full of hope that the young mans answer
might give favorable turn to his case. But
he answered not. He held up his wristc for
the manacles, as if no such question had been
put, and seemed to surrender himself wholly to
despair 1t was not So with his companions.
They protested vehemently that no case had
been made oui against them, and that they were
sacrificed to the pre- JUDGES Of their neigtbors;
but the magistrate continuing of different
persuasion, they too were compelled 10 submit,
"You shall not remove him." cried the un-
happy mother, wildly rushing between the par
tv and the door, "Friends, neighbors, o help,
help! they will murder my boy, and his blood
will be upon my head Mr.. Williams, will you
not save him? He is nnocen,--innocent as the
child unborn.-O God, am forsaken, thou hast
forsaken the widow III her afilctions!-O save
bin, save him!" Though exceedingly reluc-
tant to use violence towards one whom all sim
cercly pitied, the officers were at length obg-
ed to remove her forcbly from her position -
In vain she struggled and shrleked to be set
free. The procession moved on, and the un-
happy parent, overcome by the violence Of her
emotions, ceased for time to be conscious Of
her misery.
ITO be Continued
CHOLERA MORBUS