Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-08-25

OUT " 10 much more dreau'nl 10 me, even
than the spirits that tempted me many
years ago. 1t comes fresh from the grave,
and is death like.
"For nearly a year saw that face grow
paler; for nearly n gear ] saw the tears
steal down The mournful cheeks. and'never
knew the cause. ! found it out at last,
though. They could not keep it from me
long. She had never liked me; had
never thought she did she despised nv
wealth. and hated the splendor IN which
she lived; had not expected that. She
loved another! THIS hid never thought
Of Strange feelings came over me. aud
thoughts forced uoon me bv some secret
power, whirled rnuad aud round nv brain.
| did not hate her, though hated The bov
she still wepi for. pi,ed-. yes. pi'icd
the wretched life to winch her cold and
selfish relations had doomed her. | knew
that she could not live long, but | resolved
to kill Ter.
"Fol many weeks I thought Of poison,
and then Of drowning. aud then OF fire.
A fine sight. the grand house in flames, and
the msdman's wife smoulderlng away to
cinders Think Of the jest Of large re
ward, loo, and Of some sane man swinging
in the wind for deed he never Odd aud
all Though a madman's cunning! |
though often Of this. ont gave i, up Al
last. Oh, the pleasure of stropnlng the
razor, day after day. feeling the sharp
edge. ind thinking of the cash. one s,roke
CT its Thin, bright point would MAKE!
AT last. The Old spirits who had been
with me so often before, whispered in my
ear that the time was come, aud thrust The
open nzrr into my hand. ] grasped II
firmly, rose softly from tn" bed, and leaned
over my sleeping wife! Her face was bn.
ried in her hands. ! withdrew them softly
and they fell lsleSsly on her bosom. She
tears we're still wet upon her cheek. Her
face was calm and p'ac'd: and even a
looked upon it. u tranquil smile lighted ~
her pale features. | laid my hand >olll,
! on her shoulder. She s'arted--it was only
a passing dream. ! leaned forward again
She sc'eamed and woke.
"One motion OF my hand, md she woult
never again have uttered cry or sound. -
| But | vas startled. and drew back Hrl
eyes we're fixed on mine. know not h"w
il was, but they cowed and frightened me-
and ] Quailed beneath tlrm. she ross
from tie bed, still gazng fix"dlv aud stead
lily upon me. Iremb"d; the razpr wa
in my lard, but I could M, move. Sin
| made toward the door. As she n"ared "
she turned, and withdrew her eyes ir"u
my lace. The spell was broken. bound
ed forward, and cIn'ched her by the arm
lU'terhg shrek upon shrek, she sunk upoI
the gpund.
INV I could have killed her without
struggle, but the house was alarmed.
heard the tread of footsteps on the Stairs
replaced the razor IN its usual drawer
nr fastened the door, and called loudly 10
assistance.
"TIey came, aud raised her, and place
her m the bed. She lay berrft {
anima ion for hours: and when HE. look
and sIeech returned. her senses had deser
led her. and che raved wildly and furious
". Doctors were allied in great mcr
who plled up to INV donr IN easy carriage
with tine horses aud gaudy servants
They were al her bedside for weeks. The
had great meeting aud consulted Iogelhe
IN low and solemn VOICES IN another room
One. The cleverest aud most celebrate
among them, took me aside. and blddn
me prDare for the worst. told me me, tn
madnnn ! that my wife was mad. II
stood close beside me a, an open window
his eyes looking in my face. and hls han
, upon nv arm. With one eff,rt. could hav
hurled him into the street beneath.
would have been rare sport to have don
IT.; bu, my secret was at stake and | le
him 90. A few days alter, they told mo
must place her under some restraint
must provide a keeper for her--l WEI
into the open fields. where none cou
, hear ne and laughed TIL the air resound
ed with my shouts.
"She died next day. The white hcade
old man followed her to the grave, and tn
/ proud brothers dropped tear over The II
, sensible corpse Of her whose suffering
they had regarded in her ll'erln" VII
muscles Of iron. All this was fond tor m
secret mlrth,and laughed beh,nd,he whit
! handkerchief which held up to my fac
r as we rode home, ill the tears came iu'
, my eyes.
! but though | had carried my object az
! killed her, was restless aud dlslurbe
and felt that before long, my secret mn,
] he known. | could not hide the w,Id m,rl
and Joy which boiled within me, and ma,
v me when | was alone. at home, jCmp al
y ,eat my hands together, and dance rouO
d md round, and roar aloud. When | wei
] cut, and saw the busy crowds hurym
d tbout the streets, or To the theatre. al
n teard the sound of music, and beh-ld tt
d people dancing, fell such glee. that
! could have rushed among them and tor
h l,em to pieces, limb from limb. aud howlf
g i, transport. Bo, ground my teeth, al
struck my feet upon the floor, and dr",
o NY sharp nails into my hands. ] KEEP.
d d,wn; and no one knew was a madma