Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-05-03
From the Natchez Free Trader.

ted 10 murder sleeping woman Dy
pouring hots lead into her ear, and that
so shocking a circumstance was nerer
heard ofbeiorc." This is a mistake.
A more remarkable instance occurred
some years ago, in Virginia. We
personally knew all the parties init
mately. Col. F"'", a gentleman of
high responsibility and frequently a
representative from his county, died,
leaving a wife some sons, and very
beautiful daughter, about Is years OF
age. The widow, finding herself des-
titute, opened boarding house al the
county seat, and among her bOarders
was MIR. w. a wealthy merchant, in the
meridian Of life, and very fine look
ing man. This gentleman was the
prop and stay Of the family, gave EN-
ployment TO the sons, furnished means
TO educate the daughter in the most
fashionable manner, aud conceived for
her violent passion. On her return
from school, be addressed her, but
she resisted alike bis appeals and the
opportunities other mother and friends.
She had indeed, formed an attachment
for very "nice young man" in the
same town, but he was not TO be put
in competition with the rich merchant,
in the estimation Of the family. The
young lady perhaps, thought otherwise.
Finally, however, after two years Of as
siduity and delicate gsllantry on the
part Of Mr.. w. and the combined
tears, entreaties, threats and persecu-
ton Of the family, the fair girl stood
before the altar and became his wife.
The next evening large party was
given them, and in the midst OF the
dance Mr.. w. being suddenly attacked
with vertigo and sick head ache, was
compelled 10 Withdraw. His young
wife hung over him in the silent watch
es Of the night, apparently in deep
distress, and insisted on giving him a
potion. She poured out wine glass
full Of laudanum, and he swallowed it
without knowing its nature. From
some cause, immediately acted as an
emeIic; but left him stupid and wan
dering. His senses reeled. One mo-
ment he would lay mOtionless and CO.
mitose as II on the borders Of the spirit
world, aud then he would shrek and
leap up convulsiyely, like a strong man
in his agony. Mrs. w. denied all adj
mission into the chamber. AT length
he fell into q gentle slumber. She then
stopped for moment over the smOul-
dering embers-approached the bed,
gazed at her sleeping husband, and
holding a heated ladle in her hand,
calmly prepared TO pour stream of
melted lead into his ear. A that in
slant he moved, and the Kissing liquid
intended to,penetrate to,and scald out,
his brain,fel only upon his cheek.
He shouted in excruciating pain, and
the jewellers, mother, brothers and
friends, rushed in. There writhcd the
still stupid husband, the lead riyeted
deep into his cheek, and there stood
the fend wife, her bridal fllets yet up
on her brow, the instrument Of death in
her hand aud an empty phial labelled
"Laudanum" laying on the floor.
The fearful reality Of the case flashed
on every one, and in the confusion of
the moment she disappeared, and was
hurried forthwith out Of the common
wealth to a distant State; on searching
the room an old French magazine
was found containing the death-bed
confession OF woman, who had muir
dered nine husbands by pouring lead
into their ears. The laudanum and
the lead, il was ascertained, she had
procured from the store Of Mr.. w. a
few days before their marriage, and the
ladle used was part of bridal present.
The Grand Jury next morning found
a bill against the fugitive, and the leg
islature being in session, Immediately
decreed 4 final and absolute divorce.
What renders this case the more sin
gular is, that Miss Il. was pEoYerbial
for the blaudness Of her manner, and
the uniform soflness Of her temper.
She was a blonde. The rose leaf tin
ted her lilly cheek as a sun beam CLOVIS
on snow. Her blue eyes were indie
scribably sweet, and her golden hair
hoated like drapery Of gOssamer around
a form more perfect and voluptuous,
than ever Raphael dreamed Of or Pc
trarch sung. Often have we gazed, as
she stood the exposure Of every circle,
and wondered if angles could be so
fair.
But the sequel Of this romance is
more singular still. Years rolled by
MIR. w. continued a wretched and sol
itary man. But the spell Of the en-
chanIess was still upon his soul. He
closed his stores-sold out his estates
collected his ample means and fol-
lowed her to her distant abode, to make
new offer Of his hand! She had Just
married. man Of high standing, aware
of all circumstances, but incapable oil
resisting her charms. Poor w! Then
indeed, did the iron enter his soul.
"The deadly arrow quivered in his
side" His early love his huctua.