The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-02-10

through the crack. II opened wider; and tall,
gaunt figure stole cautiously in, turning the key
AZ it. 1t then slowly and with a ca,-like step
crep, towards the Attorney, until it came in tho
full light of the candles.
With feeling partly of horror and partly of re-
lief, Bolton sprang to his feet, as the light revealed
to him the CHASTITY features of Wilkins.
'Wilkinsn exclaimed he.
That's me! said the other, looking vacantly
about him. That's me! wonde, where Lucy
isl
Lucy'-your wife," exclaimed the Attorney,
staring at him. why you should know. She's
dead, long ago.
'They told me so,' said he, shaking his head
sadly; but didn't believe it. sne wonldnt 1t
wasn't like her.
poor rellowr muttered Bolton. Its too true.
She's dead
'Dead!' Then who murdered herr shouted
the maniac, comforting the attorney; 'who murder
ed her, say! he fairly screamed, and a, the same
time advancing; 'who murdered herr III tell you
who did it.! 1t was Rheuben Bolton. lie did ii!
She told me so, in the grave yard, ! laid my head
upon her grave, and she spoke to Inc and told me,
and swore would have revengc And now I'm
looking fbi him"
Good God George!' exclaimed the attorney,
shrinking from the excited mailman. Il never
harmed your wife, indeed did not"
who arc your demanded Wilkins, clutching
him by the coat, and dragging him forward with il
strength that his appearance scarcely Indicated
fla have found your
God! George Inever harmed your wife, cx-
claimed Bolton, absolutely paralysed with fear {;
never on my SOUL
You le-you lilo. Where is she them de-
manded Wilkins now reused to a perfect frenzy
of madness. Il swore I'D revenge her. I've
caught him-now for his blood IIuzza, huzza
shouted he, suddenly dashing his hand IN his bo-
som, and dra wing on, large knife.
Sod of heaven protect me- exchanged the at
,orncy, struggling to get loose. Help, help, help
Now, however Wilkins was ungovernable. lie
sprans upon the Attorney, and bore him 10
The earth; but Bolton was muscular man, and
driven to desperation, his struggles were fearful
lie threw Wilkins from HIM, snd although woun-
ded conrived to get to his feet and grasp the iron
poker, This however offered but slight resistance
to the maniac Regardless of blows, he dashed in
upon the Attorney, and drove the knife up to
the hah in his stomach, and drew il ou
with long downward cut; and as The wrechet
man fell, he sprang upon him, ard hacked ant
.ashcd him until his loud screams were stopped b,
the blood that gushcd up from his throat, and hi
groans aud cries sank into silence.
In the morning when the clerk came to open the
office The key was not in its usual place lie knock
ed, thinking tina, business had called the a,lorne,
there earlier than usual; but all was quiet III
went TO Bottoms lodgings; but he had not beer
there. Hour ofer hour passed, still Bolton di'
no, come. At last a small group collected abou
the house, and finally assembled to The office doc
and knocked No answer One Of them then plac
ed his shoulder to it and burs,it open.
On the floor in front Of them, slone.dead, wa
the lawyer; and crouchng at bis side, like n vii,
beast, with his long lalons still clenchcd in the fold
Of the crayat Of his victim, sat an oh cct thu
scarcely seemed human; his large eyes gaiing ik
fire tom the deep caverns in which ihey were sun
! ken, his beard black and unshorn, his teeth pro
,ruding like rnnga, his face dabhled with dirt an,
blood, his clothes in rags, and his hair hanging
ike ropes on his shoulders. Such was Wilkins.
They rushed in aud dragged him from his prey
lie made no resistance but laughed until he mad
the building ring; and then with shou, he sud
denly broke from them, and daricd out Of tn
house with n speed that baillcd all pursuit.
There was one tic Of relationship ha, vet linkct
Wilkins to the carlh and tina, was mother, whom
he had not seen for years; and toward her home
with that strong instinct that sometimes fingers il
a blasted mind when all else is wrecked foI ever
directed his course; sometimes pausing, sometime
s,ayng far of in another direction, but in the enc
always making that his destination. And so h
wandered on until night; and then, gaun,. haggard
like one IN the last stage Of mortal disease, h,
stood before his mother. Thirty miles had tn,
miserable man come that day on foot. Ills fee
were bleeding, and left their red tracks on IN,
floor as he stood there. clock the door, mother,
said he, gazing wildly about him; they're ate
mel
why don't YOU lock the door,! said he. ookin:
reslessly around as he spoke. They re after me
lhcmr And the wreichcd oncast threw his ann,
abou, her, and buried his face in her bosom, as il
he were again child, and sough, the shelter
err which she once could give.
Ills mother gradually Withdrew herself from hi.
hold, and going to the door, shut and bolied it,
There, George, you are safe now said she; now
tell me all about it. VIVA. ais you' And Lucy
where il shc'
But wilkins mind was wandering, and he
seemed restless. lie got up aud went 10 the door
then returned. and then went TO II again. and tried
the bolts and bars, and having done, this, he set
down and took her hand, and ooked'up in her face
with childish vacancy That made her fear the
worst; and then he laid his hand quietly on her
knees, and was soon asleep
lie slcp, for more than an hour;n periur5ed and
broken snnbcr, sometimes muiterirg TO himself,
sometimes laughing in low merry tonc and nj
] L. l.. a, l., l.