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

struggled msnfulIy and threw into the
defence 80 much Of that SAVIOR Of all ell
oquence, heartiness, that The prosecutor
in his closing speech could hardly effsce
the impression he made. The charge
was given, and the jury retired.
"The spectators seemed to find them
selves little relieved by this temporary
suspension of these absorbing proceed
ings He will be convicted murmured
one to his neghbor, in smothered tone
Il hope he win be cleared said another
who very probably would have felt 50 :
cret vexation lurking in the 'old Adam
within, had his hope been gratifsd.-
Guilty or not wish he was out Of
their clutches. said third who needed
his own strong sympathy rather than
public justice. As foi the criminal, he
stood the mark for all eyes yet indiffer-
ent to all. Why should he have needed
them when he had SO much. within his
own bosom to cheer him with its conso-
la.ions, or goad him will, its reproacl-
es
"The jury returned. The foreman
was called on for the verdict. All bent
forward with engrossing interest. and at
that moment tho prisoner would himself
have postponed the giving Of the verdict
and yet would wish it already pronoun-
ced, but he looked at the juryman as
one alone can look. The foreman an
swsred, Guilty Of Manslaughter.'
s'A murmur Dissatisfaction ran through
the house, and every one drew in his
breath, as if a load had been taken from
his breast.
81 was that criminal. l was not to
die-I had net been adjudged guilty of
murder-it was only manslaughter.--
/ need not tell you that tear rolled
down my pale cheek. when. looking a.
round upon the audience for the first
time during my trial. saw early and
dear friends whose love, though born
and nurtured in tho sunshine Of my in-
nocent youth, had clung to me in this
clouded day ofmy misfortune-my guilt
loved them all, but she whom I most
loved and for whom would have been
ready to pour out my soul unto--she
had not trusted herself to look upon the
casting Of the fearful Gle.
"According to the punishment pre-
ecribed fer the offence Of which / had
been adjudged guilty, I was branded as
you see--here underwent too, ted
ious imprisonment. At the close OF my
confinement, was overjoyed in locking
fully on the beams of the blessed sun
and in feeling on my face the fresh
breezes which had famed my childhood
and, stirring with the life of unfettered
action.
But the glory that was on the face
of all things, passed away like the hues
Fof the sunset sky. Wherever went
men shuddered, for the mark was upon
me. SHs had died while was yet in
my prison. loft the place Of my birth,
to which I had firss returned after my
imprisonment, and have wandered
from village to village, and from state to.
state. But in all my wanderings have
found no heart that could love me in de-
spite Of the terrible ignominy which is
written in my flesh. Men look at me
and pass by on the other side.' They
who are the tenderer, are also the pur-
er part Of creation, ard they too shun
me. The brand is deep; for no tears
can wash it out. 1t is lasting; for 1t
will endure with the feverish impulses
that throb beneath il; it will endure un.
til the flesh shall utterly perish about it.
The worms, who revel in likening beau
ty TO deformity. shall alone see me
stript Of my shame !"
Here he stopped. overcome with the
affliction which pressed upon him the
more previously whenever his mind re-
Cured to it. He had told his painful
story, but wished 20 suggest to him
means of consolation. "Can you no,
conceal it, my friend 7" said 1.
"But for moment" he replied.
1.-THE only mode which will itself escape
suspicion, is the slight one which ! a.
dopted yesterday; and you know how
puff of wind deprived me of that resort.
Once and again have found myself, as
then did, in fellowship with my kind.
Once and again, as ! looked on the land
of promise, have been, as suddenly ms
then, swept away from its green banks
upon the tide of bitter reflections and
solitary yearnings of soul. But my
friend-I will call you friend--conld l
conceal this outward symbol Of guilt, /
could not wash away that guilt"
"Is it so 7" | Inquired "you did no,
design his DEATH"
~ cannot lay that flattering JUNCTION
to my SOUL Whatever might have in
tended a moment before, tye, when
struck that blow, my blood boiled and
the death of the victim only could allay
it. This is the sting which has given
me sleepIess agony. was-though but