Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-01

supernatural vigilance. She was as something
wild and fierce, ready to leap upon its prey, and
watching for the moment :. But had not much
time to notice her, for the sound Of rumpets pro-.
claimed the approach Of the magistrate, attended
by his officers, aud soon after a movement il the
multitude also announced the cunning Of the
judge
'sWhen he had taken his seat on the judicial
bench, and the lawyers had placed themselves at
the table, the trumpet sounded solemn peal three
times, and the magistrate, with roll in his hand,
advanced. At the same instant the widow rush
ed, with shrek like the oracular Pythia in her
ecstacy, and placed herself at the side of the ma.
gistrate, as he presented the roll to the Judge
The multitude was SILENT and felt as if the func
tions ofmy breathings were suspended
"The judge rose, and standing up. unroIled
the paper, which with an audible voice and re-
ligious thanktulness, he declared was clear.
"tNO, no. cried the imprisoned and vehe
ment widow, lit is not so, it has not my husbands
DEATH
".True, exclaimed the magistrate, I had for
gotten it, the deed was done SO long ago. nineteen
years ago--how was it p, ssible could forget the
unguarded hour?'
"The words were repeated by every voice, |
believe, in the multitude in succession, and the
sound was fearful. The unsuarded hourl' said
the judge to himself. looking towards the magis-
trate calmly. as If the question had scarcely more
meaning than when uttered in echo by the crowd.
eyes, cried the widow aloud his guardian
angel was then away;' and she concluded, by &C
cusing the magistrate, her own benefactor, and
the gracious maste. Of the deceased husband, as
the murderer.
"'She has been long, almost ever since the ia
tai event. in state Of insanity said the lnagis-
tate to the judge; and turning to his officers,
babe them take the helpless creature away.
"'l will not go-I will have JUSTICE She ex-
claimed. wrestling with the officers, as they at
tempted to remove her. The crowd remained as
il frozen into silence.
"'Good woman said the judge compassion.
ately, you know not what you say
''I do, do; let me be heard was the wild
reply; and the multitude in the same instant cried
out, let her be heard, let her be heard!'
s. This is a vexatious business, said the Judge
to the magistrate, 'ior the charter by which the
assize is held at this place oblges me to receive
the charge. and cannot depart from its ordinan.
ces, nor is her evident insanity a valid reason to
reject the accusation. Good woman why do you
persist in this extravagance-there is no evidence
to sustain the charger
"'There is, ifyou will listen, she impatiently
again cried, and with earnest gestures and sur.
prsing eloquence endeavored, by innumerable
condolences, that she had remarked in the con-
duct OF the magistrate, TO show the grounds Of her
sudden suspicion.
"During the whole time that she continued
speaking the spectators listened with the greedi-
est ears, and before she had finished her impas.
stoned appeal, it was manifest that they were all
convinced that the magistrate was indeed the
mi Iha md l,Sfop En- oha A
with intense attention. but the accused maintain.
cd his wonted equanimity. was astonished
that he could do for some of her reasons though
far from probability, were of the most touching
and pathetic kind; doubtless all she said was void
OF evidence; still, however, it vas fearfully i'm
pressive, and could not myself withstand it's
energy. When she had rather exhausted her
strength than finished what she had to say, the
judge replied solemnly-
e" Protect US, Heaven, from having aught to
conceal from such visllance-this is thy work,
and comes not within the possibilities of human
law!-There is reason, according to the chatter,
that regular trial should be proceeded with, and
therefore let the indictment be prepared"
The feelings Of the multitude were excited
to the utmost, and took utterance in loud shout,
not OF joy or OF gladness, but deep, solemn and
awful sound, whose might aud majesty were por-
tent0usIy increased by the distant low, hOlo"
echo Of the hills. The accused stood a statue
Of CONSERVATION for a moment. looked at him
with indescribable emotion, but the paleness
which Overspread his complexion vanished, and
he appeared as serene md self-collected as be.
fore.
"While the papers were being written. I OBJ
served the judge speaking to the poor woman.
and heard him sympathiziugIy inquire respect
ing the age of her husband, his general appear
ance and the manner in which he was dressed:
to which she gave brief but distinct answers, as
if the living presence of the murdered man had
been seen actually before her. She was however,
inpatient at the judges questions, and answer
ed him peevishly, forgetting the respect due to
his dignity; indeed the questions at the time,
seemed to me frivolous; could not discern their
Propriety, nor why 50 grave an officer, the re-
preventative Of the emperor and the king. should
so far lose all consciousness of the place and the
occasion. as to speak to her in the manner he
was doing. He asked, for example, the color
Of her husbands hair. and she answered black,
and that he wore us cap CALAMITY dotted; then
after some other inquiries as insignificant, he
spoke of his coat and the color of it, but she lost
"a