Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-19

The facility with which the marriage cove
nant is dissolved in this state, has long been a
matter Of deep reproach, and it has been
sneeringly said of US, "Rhode Island is the
Gretna Green Of America, and il is also the
dssolving cruciable Of the Union.'
The facts which we shall presently relate,
have a melancholy foundation-there is no
fiction blended with them, and the beroines
Of our story, lived to lament over their own
degradation, and to curse the nauspicious day,
when they cast aside, jewel more valuable
than all their race, and voluntarily reduced
themselves TO a level with the most loathsome
and offensive outcasts Of society.
1t was during tho sitting Of the Supreme
Court Of the state of Rhode Island, in the fall
Of the year ls--, that a gentleman who had
seated hims elf on the steps of the Court House,
to contemplate the objects that surrounded
him, was aroused from his contemplative
mood, by the lively conversation of two
young females, who were descending the stair
case, apparently much elated, full Of gay
spirits, and happy. Each of them led by the
hand cherub boy, scarce escaped from swad-
playful eyes, too well told, that they we're not
sensible Of the infamy they were doomed to
inherit, from their lascivious parents, and
dreamt not Of the miseries that were cnta.d
on them, by those who introduced them TO
this breathing world, and who re eckless of con-
sequences, were about TO commence a vicious
course of life. The stranger, gazed upon the
females, with intense interest, and as they
passed him, he hoard them congratulate each
other, on their escape from contracts the most
solemn and, which were recorded in the ar
chives Of High Heaven.
Actuated by motives Of honorable curiosity,
as soon as they had got beyond the limits Of
the court yard, the stranger determined to
follow them, and TO learn if possible their names
and abiding places.
Unobssrvcd by the females, he followed
close in their wake, and listened TO the lam
guogo they uttered; when, to his utter asmish-
mcnt and grief, he learned from their convor-
sation, that taking advantage of the absence
Of their husbands, and the looseness of the
laws, they had obtained a decree Of divorce
for the purpose of leading life OF pleasure and
OF crime Having ascertained their abidinc
P'ace'' the stranger, made enquiries, relative
~ their private histories, when nc was inform
ed, that they were sisters, were married on
the same evening to brothers, and both, about
thc same time, gave birth to the infant bows
who had particularly excited his commissera-
efon and deep solcitude: that their respective
husbands were mariners, worthy and indusri-
Gus men, but that the females, having imbibed
notions Of extravaganza, which their condition
of life would not support, had determined on
pursuing a course Of conduct, which would en-
able them to crafty their oxtravagant propen-
sites and, with this view, had obtained a de-
cree Of divorce, and abandoned themselves to
the criminali,y of the age.
1t is not necessary to 60 through with dis
gustng recital Of the extravagancies and de-
baucheries which these females INDUCED in for
series of years their painful story can be
soon recited ;--their career has been frightfuy
brief and abhorent, and may be told in
moment.
A little period, had scarcely elapsed when, the
ctr xvh,, haI . ha &C
their vicious course of life, happened TO be at
tracted to an obscure dwelling, by the cries Of
distress, and. on entering the frtid domicil, he
found the two females, stretched on pale, Of
straw, with clothing scarce sufficient to pro-
tect them from the incemences Of the season,
and indulging in the most ho'rd and offensive
mprecations. Their children, were quite lads,
and presented most loathsome appearance
they were the very emblems Of misery and
whilst they shivered before tho chilling blast
that crept through the half covered dwelling,
they reeled with intoxication, and cursed the pa
rents that gave them existence. Commissioning
the situation Of the group, the stranger en-
qured Of the women, the name Of the town
from which they originated, and was told that
they came from a village in Massa chusetts,
where they had relations and friends who would
probably protect them, if they were conveyed
to their place of residence. The stranger did
not require any persuasion, but immediately
made preparations, 10 convey the wrctched
sufferers to their homes. At his own expense,
he commenced tho journeying hut the fe-
males, ALREADY more than half exhausted. were
unable to perform the journey, and ere they
had proceeded twenty miles, exhausted nature
gave way, and they surrendered their souls TO