American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-03
From the Columbian Magazine.l
TALES OF IRISH SUPERSTITION
BIZ john BrOuphdm.
T HE TEST OF MOO
"Thou shalt do 10 murder"
CoSCLCpEn.l

"Ihou shalt do 10 murder"
lcoSCLCDEn.
That has got to be proved" cried one of
the crowd who happened to be friend of
Marks. awe can't take your bare word for it.
Let him be secured''
But Luke needed no securing. Listlessly he
suffered them to pnion his arms and in the
same room with the precious casket which
once contained his hearts treasure, he abided
the remainder of the night, in a state of men
tai torture utterly incapable of being rendered
into words
The morning after this awful occurrence, 4
coronef's jury was summoned, and the identity
Of the knife having been proved added to his
own admission and the fact Of his having had
quarrel with her the day before being testi-
fed to, every circumstance tended to fix the
guilt upon him; verdict was delivered ac-
cordingly, and Luke Bryan stood charged with
the murder of one for whom he would wiling
ly have shed his last drop Of blood.
With degree of effrontery consonant with
his general character, Black Mark made his ap-
pearance amongst the spectators who attended
the inquiry, and was loudest in denunciation
against the supposed criminal. 1t only remain
ed now for the accused, who had been removed
during the inquest TO be brought into the
chamber of DEATH previously to the warrant
being drawn out for his final committal. to be
tried at the ensuing quarter sessions. He was
conducted into the room; with listless, apa-
thetc gaze he looked around him mechanical
ly, for he cared not now what fate might do to
him. when suddenly his eyes rested on Mark
Dermott. The consciousness of every thing
that had taken place, seemed all to flash
through his brain at once.
"Murderer" he cried, 'Can it be that Hea-
ven's lightning sumbers, Frends!-behold
that fiend; who, not content with the lifes blood
OF one victim, now comes to triumph in double
murdeI2''
"What means the fool?n contemptuousv ex-
claimed Mark. "Does he suppose that reason
ing men will credit his rawlings, or help him to
shift his load of crime upon another's shout
ders?"
GAS am living man-as there is lust
God who knows the secrets of all hearts, there
stands the murderer Mark Dermot!" solemnly
replied Luke. cit is not for myself care, for
Heaven knows that | would rather die than
bear about this load of misery; but that he
should brave the angels with shameless brow,
he whose hands are crmsoned with her pre-
cious blood-it is too much!-too much"
"Then Luke Bryant" said the coroner, "you
deny having committed this crime''
"On my knees-before the throne of mercy
i do?''
81 trust then that you may cause jury of
your countrymen to believe so; but for me,
have only one duty to perform, and circum-
stances clearly bear me out in my assumption.
| must send you to trial!'
At this juncture, one of the iurymen who
thought he could perceive meaning in Mark S
peculiar, ill-conceived glance of savage delight,
begged to be heard: keeping his eye steadily
hXed on Marks face, he said with solemnity:-
"When the judgment of man is in perplexity
as to the author of crimes like these, the aid of
Heaven may well be solicited that it might be
mercltuly pleased to give some indication by
which the innocent might be prevented from
suffering for the guilty. We have an old ira
dition here, that if a murderer LAYS his right
hand upon the breast of his victim, swearing
upon the Holy Gospel that he had no act or
part in the deed, speaking truly, no results will
follow; but if he swears falsely, the dead itself
will testify against him; for the closed wounds
will reopen their bloody mouths, and to the
confusion OF the guilty one the stream of life
Will flow once more for a short space, 1t
seems to me, that this is a case in which The
Test Of Blood might be applied not vainly"
"Willingy .-most willingly will abide tho
test" exclaimed Luke.
"And you'" said the juror, with penetrat-
ing glance at Mark.
"l!'' said the latter, with an attempt at reck-
lessness. "What is it TO me?-why should | be
subject to such mummery-who accuses me?n
II dol" Numbered Luke, "and now insist
upon his going through the trial-myself will
point out the way" So saving, he approach
ed the lifeless body, and sinking on his knees
laid his right hand reverently on the heart. saw
ing
my blessed angel! if thy spirit fingers near
thou knowest that this hand would rather let
my hfe-blood forth, than offer thee the shadow
of an injury!'
They waited an instant--all was quiet; mean
time, Mark, persuading himself that it was but
form, and yet trembled to the very core. adj
vanced All eyes were upon him; he paused
cast glance around, and grinding his teeth sa-
vagely, cried out:
"Why do you all fix your gaze on me? Pm
not afraid to do this piece of folly.n He adj
vanced another step-again he hesitated; heart
observation-disclosures he was, the spell of a
mig hty dread was in his soul. His face grew
livid; the blood started from his lips: large
round drops burst from his foref cad and rolled |
down his ashy checks. At last, with a tre-
mendous effort, he knelt, and attempted to
stretch forth his hand-it seemed pued TO
his side. Starting to his feet again, he cried
fercely:--
81 will not do it-why should II"
"You cannot!--you dare mott" solemnlv Ella
culated Luke. "Ifyou are guiltless, who should
you feai?n