Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-03

and the post.mistress thought in her heart that
| she had better let Mr.. Williams poison his WIFE
| at his leisure. Mrs Mary Smith, t"o, repruba
ted any violent measures; the truth is, she did
not wish to be mixed up in the matter; gentle.
woman with an annuity and a front and back
pariour was rather ashamed OF being detected IN
such close intimacy with the pOst-mistress and
che landIady. 1t seemed likely that poor Mrs
Williams would be left to her miserable fate.
&" Murder will OUT" said the landlord, the
following morning. as he mounted the piebad
pony, which. like Tom Tough, had seen little
service; and hurried Oft in seach Of Mr.. Cramp.
ton. the nearest magistrate.
Their perceptions assisted b. brandy aud wa
ter, he and his wife had sat up long past s" the
witching hour of night" deliherating on what
line of conduct would be most efhcacious in pre-
serving the life Of the unfortunate Mrs. Will
liams; and the result of their deliberatiun was to
fetch the Justice, and have the delinquent taken
into custody at the very dinner table which was
intended to BE- the scene Of his crime. e. He
has ordered soup to-day for the first time; he
thinks he could so easily slip poison into the
liquid. There he goes; he looks like man who
has got something on his conscience" pointing
to Mr.. Williams, Who was walking up and down
at his usual slow pace. Two o'clock arrived.
and with it, hack rhase: out OF II slept, sure
enough. a lady and gentleman.
The andiady's pity redoubled-such pretty
Young creature, not above nineteen!-"l see
how il is' thought she. =" the old wretch IL jea-
ous." All Efforts to catch her eye we're IN vain,
the dinner was ready. AVID down they sat. The
hostess of the White Hart looked alternately out
ST the window. like sister Ann, to see u any one
was Gaming, and at the table to see that nothing
MA. doing. TO her dismay she observed the
youn. lady lifting spoonful Of Tie broth to her
mouth! Sac cauld restrain herself no longer;
but, catchiug her hand, exclaimed, "Poor dear
innocent, tie soup IS Poisoned" All starteu
trum the table in confusion, which was yet to be
incrGn ,ed: ia hustle was heard in the passage,
in rushed IA whole party. two Of whom, each
catching an arm of Mr. Williams. pinioned him
down to his seat. ~ am happy, Madam" said
the hide, busting magistrate, $50 have been.
unGei Heaven, the humble InsiEC.nsnt OF pre-
serving your life from the nearlous designs OF
that disgrace to humanity" Mr. Champion
paused in consequence of three wants-want OF
words, breath, and ideas.
"My life" calculated the astonished lady.
eyes, madam, the ways OF Providence are
nscrutable-ihe vain curiosity OF three idle wo-
men has been turned TO good account" And
the eloquent magistrate proceeded to detail the
process of inspection 10 which the fatal letter
had been subjected; but when he came TO the
terrible words" W. will settle the matter to-
morrow at dinner; but | am sorry you persist
in poisoning YOUR wife"-he was interrupted by
bursts of laug htcr from the gentleman. from the
injured wife. and even from the prisoner himself
Onr fit Of merrinent was followed by another,
till it became contagious, andthe very consta.
bes began TO laugh roo.
IL can explain all" at last interrupted the
vsiter "Mr Williams came here for that
quiet so necessary for the labours of genius; he
is writing melodrana called m, Wife; he sub.
mi;ted the last act to me, and rather object to
the poising of the heroine This young lady
is nv daughter, and we are on our way to the
sea.coas,. Mr.. Williams i. only welded to the
MUSES. ="
The disco nceried magistrate shook his head
ard mu,tered something about theatres being very
immoral
Quite mistaken, sir, said VI: Williams. "Our
SOUP il cold but our WORTHY ian'l!ady roasts fowls
, t. a turn-we will have teen and the veal cut.
lets up--yuu will stay md disc with us-and.
afterwards, I shall be proud to resd My Wife
aloud. in the hope Of your approval, at least OF
your indulgence From The Keepsake.