Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1844-11-02

again !; but this time, the theft was less
securely effected /; and suspicion turn
cd upon the paralyzed villain, its cold
though full of fiery light, which was
ever shaded. However, he recov-
cred to repel the accusing spirit Of
that glance, by bold but quiet look
he hid deep the burning sense for ven
geance, the thirst for safety waited
the dark hour, which bis fate told him
was sure to come, and planned the
which, at the appointed mo-
ment, his very poverty, $50 fate willed
it to turn out prevented him from exc
cutting. A post chaise would have car
ried him as far as man could 60 on the
great highway of crime (; all, he had
at that nick of time no money he was
too poor, $50 fate willed it) to pay for
powder and shot. How he cursed his
ill luck how he execrated with Bit
terness, increased a thousand fold, his
sin-thwarting poverty he was without
shilling to buy poison.
But the act committed and the act
intended, were both known to Lyddie.
Oh the agony of that knowledge
Yet, yet it should be endured, sup
pressed, nay stihed ; orrather, the very
knowledge should be cast forth from
her mind, and its burning sparks be
trodden into darkness and blank obliv-
ion. Penitence should come at once,
and peace after long search be found.
Alas of what avail this calm in the
distant future The crimes were known
also to the man whose life was to have
paid the price of his suspicion of injury.
And yet here-here in the darkest
abyss-alight shot up and kindled hope
and hope, wild hope and joy, in the
heart of the malefactor. He had a
sister who could buy him out of the
bondage too dreadful to bear. Tie
lesser prohigate would pardon the
greater. and cheat justice. The price
was Lyddie Erie.
Lyddic lived to hear the proposal
then dropped. untaintcd the dust that
fell, seemed to have risen to heaven
but she again awoke, after long days
to consciousness, and heard the propo-
sition, painfully, eagerly madly reitera-
ted. She did not drop now, but she
summoned her reason, and armed her
affections for fierce trials. She dem
onstrated the insanity of the prayer,
and pleaded for pity and pardon for
her brother. Too soon was she DOOM
ed to plead for these of him for the
cnraged accuser, foilcd in his scheme
of sweeter vengeance, had his hand
npon that forfeit life. The end then
seemed approaching. Yet something
remained for thought and energy to do.
She sold for almost nothing, what draw
ings she could make in the night time ;
she collected what trifcs might be Sc
cnred, by giving lessons to the young,
during the night-like day-happy NOR
al lessons, and merry melodious tasks in
music and with the funds thus drawn
together by patient, thoughtful, rcso-
lutte toll, gave the accused himself the
meens Of defence. This was holy
and loving desire, that kept Lyddi
Erie alive. He would have the ablest
counsel, he would not be deserted and
undone in the desolate time.
What a pang had been thine, fair
soul, could thy inocent and truth-sPeak.
ing soul have guessed the gold would
have been used to buy witnesses also !!
witnesses.
God of purity amidst the false,
they sought toinclude the true. With
the suborned, they would also have
ensnared her into their purpose, who
had but one tongue, which was lieless.
But Lyddie Erie, they said, could save
her brother yet; she had only to step
into the witness box, to give her evil
dence without wavering or wandering
to prove that no one else could es-
tablish her brothers. innocence, his in
nocence,-to rescue him from agony,
from ignominy, perhaps from death.
Her brothers. innocence, and she
knew! To be proved, established tri-
umphantly by her who knew She to
be called to give evidence, who if COM
PEELED to speak a word the thought
brought a wild wish for instantaneous
and universal darkness she knew not
where to hide herself, lest she should
be dragged into the presence, where
Truth dare not be dumb.
1t was in vain that she told them it
was impossiblc-in vain that she utter
ed the same words over and over again