The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-04-15

Winlow was described, as in a picture;
and my attempt to restrain them was point.
ed out by the Judge, in his charge to the
Jury, as beautiful example Of loving old
companionship. Winlaw had been found
near the body, and the presumptions of
guilt were 30 strong and manifold, that the
jury, without retiring, found him guilty.
lie was executed on the Common, and his
body hung in chains. Then it was, that
first felt that was indeed murderer, then
it was that the molten sulpher of remorse
was poured into my bosom, rushing, spread
ing, burning and deyouring; but it chang
| ed not the bronze with which hardship had
marked my cheek, nor the steel to which
danger had tempered my nerves.
obeyed the Colonel'G orders as unmov-
ed as if nothing had happened. l did my
duty with habitual precision, hand
was steady, my limbs were firm; but my
tongue was incapable of uttering word.
My comrades as they came towards me,
suddenly halted, and turned aside,-stran.
gers looked at me, as if ! bore the impress
of some fearful thing. was removed, as
it were, out of myself was in another
state of being--I was in hell.
Next morning we had skrmish, in
which received this wound in the knee;
and soon afterwards, with other invaids,
was ordered home. We were landed at
Portsmouth, and proceeded to my native
village. But in this had no will nor
choice: chain was around me, which
could not resist, drawing me on. Often
did pause and turn, wishing to change
my route; bat Fate held me fast, and was
enchanted by the spell Of many an old and
dear recollection, to revisit those things
which had lost all their innocence and ho-
| liness to me.
The day had been sultry, the sun set
with drowsy eye, and the evening air was
moist, warm and oppressive. 1t weighed
heavily alike on mind and body. was
crippled by my wound-the journey was
longer than my strength could sustain
much further-still resolved to persevere,
for ! longed to be again in my fathers
house; and | fancied were | once there,
that the burning in my bosom would a.
bate.
During my absence in India, the new
road across the Common had been opened.
by the time reached it the night was clos.
ed in--a dull starless, breezeless, dumb,
sluggish, and unwholesome night; and
those things which still retained in their
shapes some blackness, deeper than the
darkness, seemed, as slowly passed by,
to be endowed with a mysterious intell-
gence, with which my spirit would have
held communion but for dread.
While | was frozen with the influence
Of this dreadful phantasy, saw pale,
gimmerlng Intellectual light, rising before
me. II was neither lamp, fire nor candle;
and though like, it was yet not dame.
took it at first for the lustre Of reflection
from some unseen light, and walked to.
wards it, in the hope Of finding a cottage
or an ale house, e,where might obtain some
refreshment and little rest. advanced
Its form enlarged, but its beams became
no brighter: and the horror, which had for
a moment left me when il was first dscov
cred, returned with overwhelming power.
rushed forward but soon halted, for saw
that it hung in the air; and as approached,
that IT began TO take ghastly and spectral
form! | discerned the lineaments of the
head, and the hideous outlines Of shape.
less anatomy. | stood rivetted TO the
spot; for thought that | saw behind it,
dark and vast thing, in whose hand it wns
held forth. In that moment: a voice said,
--"It is Winlaw the murderer; his bones.
often in the moist summer nights, shines
out in this way; it is thought to be an &C
Acknowledgement Of his guilt, FOR he died
protesting his innocence. THE person
who addressed me wss your Honor's game.
keeper, and the story | have told, is the
cause Of my having desired him TO bring
me here.