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

flee, not even husbands when their own
wives were accused.
Miriam on this awful occasion, had
not wholly neglected her dress, but he'
beautiful long hair hung loosely about
her neck and shoulders. She was dead
ly pale, cold drops Of agony stood upon
her forehead but there was a light in
her dark eye that said, whatever might
be her fate, she would be true to hel
principles, and that neither the longing
for life, nor the fear of cruel death
should wiring from her one false word.
The Indian was now placed before
her-she was old, bent, withercd, and
there was an indignant expression in
her snake like eye, which contrastcd
with the calm innocence Of Miriam's
like that of fend with an angel Of
light. She testified that she had re-
peatedly seen the accused throw he,
brother into fits, and then with a look
or a touch instantly restore him again
to tranquility. She gave clear and
Icircumstantal evidence of many instan-
ces which she had witnessed, and cal
led upon others to confirm her testimony
Miriam felt that there was scarcely
a ray of hope, but she lifted her heart
to God the protector Of the orphan, and
entreated to be heard in her own de-
fence. She gave clear and lucid re-
lation Of her brothers illness, which
had afflicted him from his birth. She
told them that her mother on her death
bed had bequeathed him to her care,
and she gave touching account of all
nights, the various remedies she had
used, from time to time, till at last she
had found ont the soothing moral influ-
ence, by which she could alone miti-
gate his sullerings.
Her youth, her beauty, her humility,
the tone Of her voice moved the crowd
to pity. Mercy seemed lowering over
the hearts of her judges when it wa.
suggested by one of them to have the
boy brought and placed before her, that
they might themselves witness her pow
er. Her safety now depended on acci-
dent. If he should chance to bear the
experiment TRANQUILITY, and no convul-
sion ensue, the evidence Of the Indian
would scarcely have been deemed sui-
ficient to condemn her.
When they went for the boy, they
found he had been weeping ever since
his sister was taken away, but he had
not intelligence enough to comprehend
the nature Of the case, or to know how
much depended on his tranquility
When informed he was to be taken to
his sister, he expressed the utmost Joy
and eagerness to proceed. Miriam
heard him coming, and trembled so ex-
cessively, that one of the men was
obliged to support her with his arm from
falling to the ground.
The poor boy expected to sec his
sister as he had always seen her, calm,
firm and gently smiling on him. When
he was brought into the crowded meet
ing house, and saw the stern and solemn
faces of the magistrates, his beloved
guardian pale as death, prisoner be-
tween two savage men, he was seized
with the most intense terror, uttered 9
piercing shrek, and fell down at hcr
feet in strong convulsions.
\ Although her life depended on it, Mi
riam could resist no longer. She strug-
| gled violently, and drew her arms from
the men who held her, with powerful
effort, and threw herself by the side of
her agonized brother. She raised him
in her arms, wiped the froth from his
mouth, and pressed him closely to her
bosom. He opened his eyes, saw the
mild, the beloved, the well known coun-
tenance fxedtenderly upon him, instant
ly become calm, settled like an infant
on her breast, and soon fell asleep.
/ The iron hearted Judges, unmoved by
a scene which brought tears to many
eyes, cried out, we need no Other
proof that the agency Of the Evil One i,
among us. The most winning forms arc
often chosen as his agents. Unless she
will acknowledge has aid, take her to
| prison, and give her over to his power
| Miriam fell upon her knees, and il
the presence Of the crowd abjured al
aid, compact, or intercourse with any
evil spirit. She acknowledged but one
the Father Of all spirits, and to him she
committed the cause of the orphan and
the innocent. Her brother clung to her,
and she refused again to be separated
from him. They were left together in
the prison. The poor boy, whose life
she had often saved, was unconscious
that he had now been the means of con-
dcmning his guardian to death.
i Are you interested enough in my he
roine to wish to know her fate She
had prepared herself by faith and pray
er for the cruel fate that awaited her
H But there were in the crowd at her trial
hearts made Of softer materials than
those Of her memorable judges. When
they found that no cntreates could pre-
vail on her to save her life by false
hood, they determined by some other
means to work out her deliverance.
/ One morning her prison was found
empty. No inquiries werc instituted
and no pursuit was made. II was after.
wards found that she had fled to Boston
where with her own industry, she sup
/ ported herself and her unfortunate bro.
H ther
/ have often wished I could have
known her further destiny in life. Her
remarkable beauty and heroic conduct