The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-04-15
THE CONFESSION.
By JOHN GAIT, ESQ.


My furlough had nearly expired; and, as
was to leave the village the next morn.
to Join my regiment, then on the point of
being shipped or at Portsmouth, for India,
several of my old companions spent the c.
venlng with me, in the Marquis of CRANKY.
They were joyous, hearty lads; but mirth
bred thirst, and drinking begot contention.
waz myself the soberest of the squad,
and did what could to appease their
quarcels. The liquor, however, had more
power than my persuasion, and at last it
so axosperated some foolish difference a.
bout song, between Dick Wlnlaw and
Jem Bradley, that they fell TO fighting, and
30 the party broke up.
Bradley was handsome, bold, fine fell
low, and had more than once urged him
10 list IN our corps.--Soon after quitting
the house, he joined me in my way home,
and spoke to him again about enlisting,
but his blood was still hot-he would abide
no reason--he could only swear of the re.
venge he would inhict upon Winlaw. This
led TO some rcmonstrance on my part, for
Bradley was to blame in the dispute, till,
from less to more, we both grew fierce,
and he struck me such blow in the face,
that nay bayouet leapt i0to his heart.
My passion was in the same moment
queached. | saw him dead at my foet-I
heard footsteps approaching-I fed to-
wards my fathers house-the door was left
unboited for mo- crept softly, but in n
awtter, TO bed-but 1 could not sleep. |
was stunned-a fearful consternation was
upon me-a hurry was in my brain--my
miud was on FIRE. could not believe that
had killed Bradley. Thought it was the
nightmare that had so poisoned my sleep.
My tongue became as parched as charcoal;
had been choaking with ashes, my throat
could not have been filed with more hor.
rible thirst. Ibreathed as if were suffo.
eating with the dry dust into which the
dead are changed.
After a time, that ft of burning agony
went off, tears came in nay eyes; my ntture
was softened. | thought of Bradley when
we were boys, and ofthe summer days we
had spent together. never owed him a
grudge-his blow was occasioned by the
liquor-a freezer heart than his, mercy nev.
er opened; and wept like a maiden.
The day at last began to dawn. had
thrown myself on the bed without undress
ing,and started up involuntarily,an NOV.
hastily should rather say instinctively
towards the door. My father heard the
stir, and inquired wherefore was depart.
ing so early? | begged him not to be dis
turbed; my voice was troubled, and he spoke
to me kindly and encourag!ugiy, exhorting
to mo to eschew riotous companions.
could make no reply-indeed heard no
more-there was blank between his bles
sing and the time when | found my
self crossing the Common, near the place
ofexecution.
But through all that horror aud frenzy,
felt not that had committed a crime
the deed was the doing of fash. was
conscious that could never in cold blood
have harmed hair Of BraGley's head. /
considered myself unfortunate, but not
guilty; and this fond persuasion so pacifed
my alarms, that, by the time reached
Portsmouth, | almost thought as lightly of
what had done, as Of the fate of the gal
liant French dragoon, whom l sabrsd at
Salamanca.
But ever and anon, during the course Of
our long voyage 10 India, sadder AFTER
thoughts often came upon me. In those
traces, saw, as it were, our pleasant vii
lage green, llsparkling again with school.
boys at their pastimes; then fancied them
gathering into groups, and telling the sto-
~ Of the murder; again moving away to-
wards the church yard, to look at the grave
of poor Bradley. Still, however, was
10th to believe myself criminal; and so,
from day to day, the time passed on, with
out any outward change revealing what
was passing within, to the observance or
suspicious Of my comrades. When the
regiment was sent against the Burmese,
the bravery Of the war, and the hardships
of the adventures, so won me from reflect
ion, that began almost to forget the acci-
dent OF that fatal night
One day, however, while was waiting
in an outer room Of the Colonel's quarters,
Iehsnced to take up London paper, and
the first thing in it which caught my eye
was an account Of the trial and execution
OF Dick Winlaw, for the murder of Bradley
The dreadful story scorched my eyes;
read it as if every word had been fire.
il was q wild and wonderful account of all
The farewell party at the Cranky was de.
scribed by the witnesses ] was spoken
of BY them with kindness and commenda.
ton; the quarrel between Bradley and