Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1839-12-14
AHEART.TOUCHING STORY.

A HEART-T0UCHlNG STORY.
A genteel anG intelligent young man about
thirty years of age, named George Mortimer
Wardwell was recently taken up at St. Louis, on
a charge of being drunk in the streets, aud dis
turbing the peace. He pleaded guilty TO the
charge, and evidently labored under great emo
ton. When requested to give some account of
himself, I'VE copy from the St. Louis Bulleiin,)
he replied:
.Sir--I have now arrived at that extremity Of
degradation which, long ago, became satisfied
would one day or other become my portion. Sir,
do not believe was born 10 this. In my youth,
when first started in this world, my prospects
and hopes were as bright as the sky which bent
over me. | married a beautiful wife, when was
twenty-eght years old, and had acquired con-
siderable competence. Sir, need not tell you
how loved her ! see by your countenanee,
that you know something of human nature and
are already satisfied that am not common loa-
ler-and that | have been driven TO the present
extremity by some extraordinary circumstances.
But will proceed with my stoly. Two years
alter was married to,my wle-Who was young
English lady of handsome expecta,ons--and
had beautiful boy to bless me with his endear
ments, We received letters from England, an
nouncing the death of my wiles father, and So
netting me to come to England Immediately, for
the purpose Of settling the affairs Of the deceas-
ed, aud receive my wlfc's portion Of tho estate.
| Immediately made preparations for my depar-
| tare, and leaving my wife under the protection
of an intimate friend, whose name was Henry
Arson WiIloughby, | set sail for England.
My business detained me longer than had
anticipated, and began to feel the most intense
anxiety in regard to my family The letters
which received from my vito grew brief and
unirequent sometimes starting me with their alb
rupness. just before the final steps in regard TO
my wile's portion were about to be completed,
received letter from America, warniag me to
hasten home, II would preserve my future hap
piness and the honor Of my wife Imagine my
dIsmay! hurried home, leaving my business
still unsettled, and arrived in time to find my
wife eloped with my friend Willspghby, and my
| boy my darling boy-in the Orphan Asylum
an object of public charity
"Wioughby Ind represented himself as rich
planter from Alabama, and that he was sojourn-
ing at the north for the purpose Of regainug his
health.
Placing my child under proper protecos, |
flew in pursuit of the destroyer Of my peace, with
my heart bursting with revenge. AT Montgome-
~ (Alabama) | learned that WlIborough had
been there in company with a lady, whom he call.
ed his wre-that he had been for years noo
rious blackeg and swindler, and had gone to Mo
bile, leaving his wife (my wife, behind in crcum
stances of estItutlon.-A(ler waiting for some
time, and hearing nothing from her base para
mour; she borrowed money Of some Of the cti
zens and followed him.
mad with rage and disappointment, pur
sued.--At Mobile lost all traces of the vlIalr
and his wretched victim proceeded to New
Orleans; and on making inquiries Of the differ
ent boats, was told by the Captain Of one o
them engaged in running to ST Louis, that wo
man answering the description had gave, ha,
gone up the river on his boat some time since.
Immediately embarked for this place, sir and
my money being nearly exhausted, was com
PEELED to take passage on deck.
- arrived here in complete state Of destitu
ton and being unable to learn any thing Of m
wife, OF the william Wllloughby, | became dis
couraged and dsheartened--the bottle was m
resort. mingled with the vilest Of the vile
and, last night was persuaded by several other.
to visit house of ill-fame. | entered--and III
first object that met my gaze, was my rifs, si
, ting upon the lap of disgusting ruffian, and res
ing her tender cheek, which | had not suiIere
> even the winds Of Heaven TO visit too roughly
to his disgusting caresses. Sir, sir! | becam
mad can ell no more, but that ! rushed lroI
the house, invoking the most impous maedI'
tons upon him who had been the cause Of sue
/ misery and anguish; and found myself this mon
ing in the situation you now behold me. 81
nothing which you can nflict will be punish
, ment to ne and you can bestow no greater fave
than TO take my life. have lived too lons--l al
: ready to dc"
He was discharged