Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-05-24
MIRIAM POWER.

We extract the following beautiful
and affecting tale from little work just
published by James Monre s. Co. enti-
tied Sketches of New England Vii
lage in the last century.
In her native village there were two
orphans who on the death Of their pa
rents, depended on the bounty of some
distant relatives. The eldest girl, was
several years older than her brother, a
poor sickly boy, who relied solely on
his sister for those necessary attentions
which seemed often to preserve his life.
They had eaten, for many years, the
bitter bread Of dependence, when the
prosecuting spirit in the form of witch
craft awokc in the land. This young
girl, now about eighteen, was dstin-
guished by remarkable maturity of
character, and also by perfection of
form and feature as rare as it was beau
tiful. 1t is well known that the victims
of this dclusion were selected among
those who were distinguished by rare
gifts Of mind or person, and even the
persons most eminent for piety and ex-
cellcnce of character were most likely
to be accused Of interference with the
Author Of Evil.
Tradition, said our grandmother, re-
presented Miriam Power as queenly in
her person, of most winning sweetness
in her manner and countenance, al
though mingled with sadness and re-
serve. This sadness was attributed to
the early loss of her parents, and to the
anxiety and care which had fallen upon
her at the early age in the protection
Of her unfortunate brother. He was
afflicted with fearful malady, epilepsy.
1t is well known although physica al dis
case it will yield to mild remedies, and
moral treatment. She had in this way, =,
or by the natural ascendency which a
strong mind exercises over a weak one,
attained a complete control over her idi-
ot brother. She had watched him so
long, and became so accustomed to the
care, that although she could not fore
see and prevent the paroxysms Of the
malady, yet as soon as consciousness
began to return, by fixing her eye
mildly upon his, and taking him into
her arms, she could Immediately soothe
him to quiet and sleep.
As usual in such cases, every one was
ready with advice, and there was as
many remedies as there were persons
TO describe but Miriam had learned
from experience that her own treatment
was the best, and refused all herbs,
nostrums and charms.
Among the most earnest was an old
Indian squaw, who had long been the
doctress of the village who entreated
Miriam, to make use of woodchuck
baked alive, and then reduce it to pow
der, taking small doses every day
The cruel prescription was rejected
with horror, and the girl went quietly
on in her own way.
Soon after the accusations Of witch
craft began, either melted by those who
envied the beauty and talent Of Miriam,
or urged by anger at the rejection of
her advice, this old Indian accused her
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 ear to such ac-
cusations. All who would not acknowl-
edge 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 in
August the officer entered her little
room where she was sitting by her
brother, and told her he had come to
take her to prison. She turned pale as
death, but with trust i'm God, which was
habitual to her, she cntreated permis-
sion TO retire, to commend herself and
brother to heaven. When she return
cd she was clam, and asked with much
hrmness who were her accusers, and
demanded to be confronted by them
when they tore her from her weeping
brother her fortitudc forsook her, and
shc cntreated with tears in her eyes that
he might be permitted to 90 to prison
with her. Her prayer was not grant
ed. and the poor idiot knew not the ca
lamity he was suffering.
In cases like these, the cruelty ofthe;r
proceedings was only exceeded by their
rapidity. These examinations took
place ia the church and were conduct
ed with the mockcry Of religious So
lemnity. The meeting was opened with
prayer,by the clergyman, the accused
was there brought in and placed be-