Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1838-02-27

Is usual M such cases, CYcry ono was
ready with advice, and there was as many
remedies as there were persons 10 describe
but Miriam had learned from experience,
that her own treatment was the best and re-
fused all herbs, nosirumsand charms
Among the most earnest was an old In
dian squaw. who had long been the docircss
OF the village, who cnlrcated Marian, TO
make use ofa woodchuck dqbcd dirc, and
then reduce il 10 powder, aiken in small do
scs every day. The cruel prescription was
rejected with horror, and the poor girl went
quietly on in her own way.
Soon after the accusat.ans for witchcraft
beg~l. cilI~r i,citco by 3,hosc who envied
the beauty aud talent of Miriam. or urged
by anger al the rejection of her advice ,,hl,
old Indian accused the poor girl Of first
throwing her brother into fits, and then
bringing him out Of them by the assistance
of the Devil 1t is well known how readily
the people, and even the magistrates, lent
an car 20 such accusations. All who woJld
not acknowledge a compact with the Evil
One. felt that they were lost as soon as they
were accused.
Poor Miriam knew instantly that her fate
was sealed ; when one morning III August
the officer entered her little room where
she was sitting by her brother, and told her
that he had come to take her to prison She
turned pale as death. but with that trust in
God, which was habitual to hcr,shc ontrcat-
cd permission 20 retire, to commend herself
and hei brother to heaven. When she re-
turned she was calm, and asked with much
inmncss who were her accusers, aud deman-
ded TO be confronted by them. When they
lore her from her weeping brother her for
titudc forsook her, and she cntrcatcd with
tears in her eyes that he might be permitted
to go with her to prison. Her prayer was
not granted, and the poor idiot knew not
the calamity he was suffering
In cases like these, the cruelty of their
proceedings was only exceeded by their ra-
pidity. The next day Miriam was taken
from the prison and carried to Salem for cX-
animation. These examinations took place
in the church and were conducted with the
mockcry Of religious solcmalty. The
meelingwas opened with prayer by the cler-
gyman, the accused was then brought in and
placed between two men. who each held
out an outstrctched arm, so that she could
touch nothing in her vicinity. No relative
or friend was permitted to perform this of
fee, not even hu bands when their own
wives are accused
Miriam on this awful occasion, had not
wholly neglected her dress but her bcauti-
/ ful-long hair hung loosely about her neck
and shoulders. She was deadly pale, cold
drops Of agony stood upon her forehead
/ but there was light in her dark eye thai
said, Whatever might be her fate she would
be true TO her principles and that neither
the longing for life, nor the ie1r OF Il crue
death, should wiring from her one false
word.
The Indian was now placed before her
She was old, bent, wilhered, snd there wa'
an indignant expression IN her snake like
eve, which cOntrastcd with the calm inHo-
cencc Of Nriam's, like that Of ficnd wit
an angel of light. She testified that she Aal
repeatedly seen the accused throw her bro
Their INTO fits and then with look or
touch instantly restore INN again - tran
guilty. She gave clear and C,rcumstantia
evidence ofmany instances which she hac
witnessed and called upon others TO confirm
her testimony.
Miriam felt that there was scarcely raJ
Of hope, but she lifted her heart 20 God tht
protector OF the orphan, and chtcqted TO b,
heard in her own defence. She gave a clca
and lucid relation OF her brothers illness
which had afflicted him from his birth. Sh'
told them that her mother on her death be,
had bequcmhcd hm TO her care, and si'
gave a touching account of an her lon
watches. her ANXIOUS days and nights, no,
,ariou, remedies she had used, from time e
timc.ulla al last she had found out the sootn
ing moral influence by which she could "a
lone mitigate has suii,rngs.
Her youth, her beauty, her humility, ,h'
tone of her voice, moved the crowd 10 pity
Mercy seemed lowering over the heart, @
her Judges when II "as ,ugg"sicd b. on0
of them 10 have the boy brought and pIac
ca before hCr, that thcy might lhcmsehc
witness her power. Her safety now depend
ed on an accident. II he should chance Il
bear the experiment TRANQUILITY, and 10 con
yul.iou cusue, the evidence OF the ludla
ould scarcely have been deemed suihc,on
10 condemn her.
when they went for the boy, they ioua
!. q.