The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-04-24

at was cruel punishment" said my
uncle to the squire, as l entered the
room.
"What punishment I" enquired.
"Why, branding man with hot iron
-siamping it into his fiesh--literally
frying it.
"Bus was it ever really practiced,
sir 7"
Certainly" replied my uncle "il
has been done in Connecticut"
~ have seen it done," added the
squire >"it wns but moments work /;
bat when the red instrument touches the
criminals forehead or hand, he starts as
| if the iron had entered his soul But
the pain is not the essence Of the pun
ishInent (; If the stamp be on the forehead,
it is a frontlet Of shame--a. perpetual
badge of fearful crime before the whole
world"
was, ofcourse, interested, and made
all the inquiries which the curiosity of a
young man could suggest. 1t was just
after sunset when the conversation took
place, and strolled out with my mind
intent on the fearfulness Of murderer's
crime and Of his punishment. The
moon rose, round and unclouded, as
rambled along the green bank of con-
siderable river in the neighborhood, aud
as the evening was unusually warm, even
for midsummer, looked on the cool wa
ter with a feeling Of delight aud deter
mined to enjoy it. / was yet too warm,
and nfter throwing off my coat, / lay
down upon the grass for few minutes.
1t was not long before observed a
man moving along the bank towards me,
with step alternately hurried and fall
tering, and seemingly absorbed in his
own strange thoughts. As he approach
cd could hear him mutter something, to
me unconnscted and unintelligible, but
| said nothing until he started on sud-
denly discovering me. He would then
have turned away, but accostet him
with kindly salutntion, and he came to
my side, yet with a porplexed and doubt
ing look. Seeing at once that he was
not townsman, asked him s'where he
was from 7" "what be the matter - and
other similar questions. He did not an
swer directly, but pointing to house at
nc great distance, inquired, "What is
the namo ofthe lady who lives there 2"
l informed him. They arc worthy peo-
pie, she and her family" he continued,
"are they not 7"
"very," l replied.
Thought so," said he, II thought so
yet ! was driven away--the lady frown-
ed me away"
Frowned you away, sir For what1'
II will tell you," said he, taking a
seat beside me. He was we'll dressed
man, although he seemed to have buffet
ted too much with fatigue and the dust:
Aside from this, however, his pale face
and large blue eyes gave him some in
terest with me, and particularly his
thick black hair that hung down SO as
to conceal his forehead and shade the
upper portion of his face.
(" have walked" said he, mournfully,
mot far from twenty miles this day and
was weary when reached this village.
Stopping moment atthe door mt that
house yonder, I was treated civiIly -
kindly; and sitting awhile with the lady
herself, fell into an interesting conver-
sation. Refreshments were offered me.
Rising from tile sent which had oc-
cupiei, / incautiously came into fresh
er current Of air the wind blew aside
the hair from my forehead. The lady
was looking at me at that moment and
suddenly drawing back her chair, she
gazcd upon mo with silent horror,
What could l do with q stern for
mality l bade her good day. and left
the house. 1t was not haitian hour since;
the candles were already lighted"
My curiosity was excited. Looking
earnestly at him, ! asked the cause or
the probable cause of such treatment.
81 know the magic secret-it is here
look J" said he, removing his hat and un-
covering his high and broad forehead.
! shuddered as 1 saw deeply branded
there the letter an" Was I talking
with murderer? ls there blood, thought
j, on this mans skirts 7"
81 know it all I" he exclaimed. /" You
are man, and, man that you are, you
must shudder when you think ofbIosd.
Here, on my forehead, is the mark Of
the beast. The brand has gone deeper,
too--it is on my soul il will not out!
There was no pride nor soorn upou
his face at that moment. There was ng.
ony--the writhing Of the spirit, bruised,
crushed, as it had been, vet strong; and
this might well win my compassionate
respect. / asked him, with the earnest
simplicity Of a young man, TO tell me his
story. Wiping the perspiration from
his pale face, he began and proceeded
with the following narratives.
IL is no matter who ! am, nor where