The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-06-24

dence- thinking it possible that his APP
prehensions might be without Foundation.
Blu, the following morning brought to
light most hideous spectacle! In that
house lay the mangled and liteless form
of woinan-the wife of Robert Thorn
ton! The children, half Illustrated, weep
ing for the loss of their mother; but the
father was not to be fou.sd2 Neither OF
the children could give any account OF
him-.hey had not seen him the evening
previous, when they retired 70 rest in a
remote part of the house-nor until they
arose in the morning, had they the least
knowledge of the dreadful tragedy by
which they had thus SO suddenly become
orphans.
Immediate search was made for Thorn
ton, resulting successfully. He had not
left the neghborhood; but, On being char
ged with the murder, not only peremP-
torily denied all knowledge of lt-as he
affirmed, being absent from home during
the whole night-but manifested the deep
est sorrow and grief for the loss OF ms
companion. But Notwithstanding his
prolestations of innocence, he was exam
ined on the charge of murder and cons
mtted for trial. On examination, ms
clothes we're found to be stained with
blood. which fact, together with the cir
cumstances of being unable to showwhere
he was OH the night in question, was
deemed violent presumptiye evidence OF
has guilt
! The day Of trial arrived. The court
room was filled to oVerfowing-all anx-
iously awaited the appearance of the pris-
oner, who, attended by the proper Off
icers, soon entered and took his seat by
the bar. His countenance exhibited the
appearance of one laboring under severe
mdisposition-pale and haggard. Being
apprized, in a formal manner, usual OIL
such occasions, of the charge Oh which
he was arraigned, and required to an
swer to it, he plead Not Gnilty.-The
trial continued nearly two days, during
the progress of which; much testimony
was introduced by his counsel, intended
to satisfy the court and jury OF his for.
mcr respectable standing in society, and
of his uniformly good reputation up to
the time when the deed for which ne
stood charged was committed. On the
part of few of his friends, the utmost eff
| forts were made to procure his acqnittal.
Indeed, by his care-worn and death like
lappearance, considerable degree of
svmpathy was excited in his favor among
| the spectators generally. But the evil
Idepce Of his guilt was Of too substantial
nature TO allow of his going free. The
testimony, even of his own children, was
against him showing, as it did, not only
that he was at home on the evening OF the
night in which the supposed murder was
pcrpetrated, but that he had, in TACT, not
unfreouently, under the influence OF pas
sion, inflicted several blows upon the per-
son of his wife. In short, the jury, al
ter mature deliberation, unanimously
concurred in returning verdict of Gully,
and he wa, sentenced 10 be executed.
! The day for his execution being fixed
a month distant from the time OF his trial,
no one, who observed the debility of the
prisoner, believed he would survive for
the sentence TO be carried into effect; and !,
indeed, but few days elapsed before the
news of his death was announced-intel-
ligence welcome to all, save those desir
of indulging the savage curiosity OF wit
Messing the agonizing struggles OF TEL
low being upon the gallows.
The children, James and Mary Thorn
ton, on the death of their mother, were
taken into the family Of an uncle, where
they were carefully provided for and kind
" treated. After remaining two or three
years with his guardian, James chose the
profession of sailor, and embarked on
board merchant vessel for the East In
dies. Healthy and robust, he was full OF
spirit and activity, seeming to have near
ly forgotten the loss he had suffered. Not
so with Mary. The more sensible she
became of the inestimable importance of a
mothers unceasing kindness and care,
the more she mourned her loss. Indeed,
shortly after the departure of her brother,
she began to decline, and continued to
decline, and to grow more and more
i'll, until finally, at the age of about
sixteen, she was relieved from her SUI
ferings by the hand of death. Two plain
marble slabs, denoting the place where
her remains were deposited, may at this
Gay be seen in the churchyard, near the
sea-shore, in the town Of her nativity:
bright, glorious flowers, above it spring,
| Beside it leaps svery wave,
Tho wld-bird drops changecss wing,
And chaunts sad music ocr that grave"
But for the loss CT her mother, long
might she have liysd in the enjoyment of
health and happiness-,he delight of her
friends and an ornament to society.
Alas. many but too lightly appreciate
mothers love and watch(ul care, while in
the enjoyment of so great blessing.
| James continued to follow the sea;