The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-10-11
A THRILLING SKETCH.
TIL Z PEDLAR'S WIFE.

II nave any Recon lOD,c meIo hght
trial which took place son years sine
I IN Ireland. The story looks like f,
ion; bul ! have reason 10 believe il quit
IUue. A woman travelling along roa
TO join her husband, who was soldie
and qulrtered at Alhlone, was ioine
by pedler who was going the sam
way. They entered into conversalio,
during walk Of some hours; but as ,h
lay began to wane, they ag,eed tha
hey should stop for The night at a hous
H If entertainment, and pursue their pc
Iestrain journey The next day. They
cesched humble inn, situated in lone
| y spot by the road side; and faigued al
er long days walk they were glad It
find themselves under the Shelter of 4
oof. Having refreshed themselves
~ithihe substantial supper set before
hem, they expressed wish 10 .elire
They were shown into The traveller,
room, and went TO rest in their respec
i've beds. The pedlar, before re,rog
mad called the landlord aside, and giyer
into his keeping the pack, which he had
lunalrsp ped from his back, tllllte morn
Iing, telling him that ii contained q
considerable sum OF money aud much
valuable property. They were mol
long in bed before the sedler fell inlo a
sound sleep. bu, The poor woman, per.
haps froui over fatigue, or fro.n thoughts
of meeting her husband next day lay
awske. A couple Of hours might have
passed, when she saw the door slowly
open, and person enter holding light
which he screened with his hand. Sic
instantly recognized in him one OF the
young men she had seen he'ow--son TO
he landlord. He advanced vIlhsteahh
lily step to the bedside Of the peller, sad
watched him for few seconds. He
hen went oul cnd entered again with
MS brother and his father, who he'd il
his hand a large pewter basin. They
went on liptoe 10 the bedside, where
The pedler Icy in a deep sleep. One oil
The Young men drew out knife, and
while the father held The basin so as IL
receive The blood, he cut the poor vic
rim's lhroa, from ear TO ear. Il Sigh
hall-sudibIe groan, and all was still, say
he cautious Movements Of tho party ell.
gagged in The fatal deed. They hae
brought in with them large sack, int
which they quickly thrust The uOresis>
lng body. The poor woman lay silent.
y in her bed, fearing her turn woulo
come next. She heard low mutteiing'
among The men, from which she soor
gathered that they we're debatins wheth.
er they should murder her too, as they
feared she nigh, have il in her powe,
10 beray them. One Of them said h,
was surs that she was fast asleep, ano
that there was no occasion to troubl,
themselves more but 10 mako sure Of hi,
being The case, one came 10 her bedside
with the candle in his hand, and the
other with the knife. She kept her
eyes closed as II in sleep, and had Suct
complete command over herself, as no
o berOy in her counlenanCe any :igu
that she was conscious OF what was 20
log on. The candle was passed close IL
her eyes; the knife was drawn close tc
her throat; she never WINGED, or show.
ed by any movement Of feature or oil
limb that she apprehended danger So
he men whispered that ahe was so
soundIy asleep that nothing was 10 b.
feared from her and they went ou, of
the room, removing the Jack which con
taned the body Of The murdered man.
How long must that night Of horror
seemed 10 tbs poor lone woman how
righllul was It's stiffness and ils dark
ness! The presence Of mind which ha
% aslonishingIy enabled har to &C, i
part 10 which she owed her life, sustain
ed her all through the trying scene.
which she had yet TO pac3. Ghe did not
hurry from her room at an uuseasosabI,
'arly hour, but waited until sic hsar,"
Ill The family sstr for soao Hmo sny
'l'hsn woot down, and said 5ho believed
she had oy erslopi hs.5oIf 10 Consequence
Of being grsaiiy tired. She asked
where the pc dIar wns, and was told TIA,
he was ia too great hurry 10 wait for
her, but that he had left sixponcc 10 pay
lar her breakfast. She sa down CO N.
pooedly TO that meal, and forced hersoll
10 parIaks with apparent appetite the
food set before her. She appeared un.
conscious ofths eyes, which with deer
scrutiny were fixed upon her. When
he meal was over, she look leave Of The