Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-11-21


was naturally impetuous, and whose Indignation
overcome his patience for the moment, ''the ight|
of the old log hui in the pine woods, when you
saw it in flames Pho, my DEAR replied Mrs.
Thompson, mildly, "the light that shone upon you
~hen you were sick and in prison--the light of
Joy, the gift of Gods goodness, that shone around
you, when he sent that angel of pity, MIR. Jack.
son to release you, and to minister to your wants"
Mr.. Thompson was instantly struck with
sense of the improperly of his ill-timed wit, II
wit it could be called, and became tranquil and
pensive. Sophia, too, listened to her mother with
composure, and began to reflect, that things were
not so bad as they might be. She had found out
her enemies, and knew the force of their weapons.
Her character might yet be cleared up, and in
all probability Mr. jackson was vet alive. She
again thought of her little song which she had
just copied, and half persuaded herself to enter
tain the hope, that there might be something pro-
phetc of future good in her finding painted in 1t
the figure of dove. Still yearwas a long--long
time, and Mr. jackson might find some other fair
one. There was the rub, she, however, bore her
pangs of uneasiness with silent fortitude, as well
as the sensibiliy of her nature would permit, and
the injuries which she had received with as much
patience could be expected. There is moth
ing, however, which wounds the feeling heart so
soul conscious of innocence, it brings an an
gush the most intolerable of all Affections. The
pains of the body as naught in comparison
with those of the mind, and no pains of the mind
are more insupportable than those OF innocence1
accused of guilt. The only resort in such cases
is, when it cannot be Immediately remeded, to-
trust in the goodness of God to send relief, with
patience and resignation But Sophia had the
consolation of knowing who her traducers were;
satisfaction which every one cannot always
enjoy. As for Mr.. Thompson, he was fierce
for starting off forthwith to the village, and
bringing her enemies to the bar of justice immedi-
ateiy. His lady, however, pursuaded him not to
be too precipitate, but to take some legal advice
in the first place, where he was. Mr.. Thomp-
son, therefore went to the office of an eminent at
toraey, an old friend, who was well acquainted
with the whole family, and with Col. Jackson
likewise, to whom he made known the whole af-
fair with all the feelings of father. 81 have in
my Office, said Mr.. B., the Counsellor, young
gentleman reading law, from the village you
mention; perhaps he can be of some service to
rs BOTH" and he called him instantly; when be-
hold it proved to be the very young man who had
delivered the papers to Col jackson. He was
going to introduce Mr. Thompson to him, but
perceived they were acquainted. The attorney
the infamous libel which appeared in their hands,
and he finally confessed that his srters had sent
the papers to him, and that he delivered them to
Mr.. jackson, believing them to be true. "a
more nefarious libel, said Mr.. Is. twas never ut
tered. Sophia Thompson was taught in the same
school with two of my daughters have known
her from an infant, and have every reason to be-,
lleve that she is spoess as a cherub. Those
revIlers OF her character must retract what they
have said-must atone for their outrageous pros
ceedings against an innocent young lady, or the
law must be put in force against them all. 'Not
one of them, says Mr.. Thompson, "knows any
hing against my daughter, and l will have salts
faction for such hellish SANDER, if should have,
to sacrifice my life to obtain it, ''Be COOL"
said the attorney, "your case is clear" Mr.. IL.
and the young gentleman agreed to write immed-
ately to the persons who signed the certificate,
urging and threatning them tc make instanta-
neous reparation, or abide the Consequences
Here let the matter rest for few weeks. In the
mean time let attend to other particulars of the
story which deserve minute relation.
Mr.. Thompson came home and told his family
what measures were in operation to prove his
daughters innocence, and they al! agreed to wait
the issue with patience. But
The sun just breaking through the gloom,
Begun to smile shining day,
When threatning still darker doom.
And ere the storm all passed away.
Another angry cloud appeared
Fast rising with portending dread-7
On black and ragged wings it steered,
And hung its terrors DER our head
The reader will recollect It's having been
previously said, that Sophia was only about
twelve years old when her father moved INTO the
country. She however, had been sent two years
to a female boarding school at Bethlehem, In
Pennsylvania, and her education was completed
at about fifteen. She had made remarkable pro-
ticiency in all her studies, and was highly accom-
plished in all those arts Of refinement, which en-
bellish the female character. Still she was as
as an infant--beautiful as an angel,
and in the full freshness of their charms, an OBJ
ject SO attracting, whenever seen, that she could
fail to ensnare the heart.
Although she excluded herself as much as pos.
sble, yet young gentleman ofgreat pretensions,
---.sFell dreadfully in love, poor soul,
Signing and hooting from his lonely hoIe.''
where he was imployed in quilI-driving, as a
clerk to the city recorder, and seemed determlned
to work her ruin, out of the pure love which he
protessed; so Sophia rejected all his overtures
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