American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-03-31
From the Ladies' National Magaz;ne.l
THE MURDER.
BY CHARLES J. PETERSON

was sitting one morning, at an early hour,
in my Office, and had just opened the yet damp
newspaper IN search of the latest news from the
Chesapeake, where Admiral Cochran was at
that time plundering and burning the houses of
the inoifensive inhabitants, when my eyes fell
on the following paragraph, placed conspicuous
~ near the head of the first column:
DREADFUL MURDER.-We learn that an at
tToclous murder was perpetrated at C,
Md, on Friday last. The victim is James Will
son, Esq, one of the most worthy and infuen-
tial citizens of the state. He left home, it APP
pears, in company with a young man named
Henry Duval, who had lately married ward
Of Mr. w. The union, we understand, was in
opposition to her guardians wishes, and it is
supposed that an angry alteration arose con-
corning it, between Mr.. Wilson and the young
man. High words were heard between them,
and they were seen entering wood, in which,
on Sunday evening, the mangled body of MIR.
Wilson was found, horribly mutilated, and so
disfgured as scarcely to be recognized. The
whole country Is in a tumult. Such an ex-
element has not reigned in our district since
IT'S first settlement. The murderer has fled,
pUt the proper officers are already out in pur-
suit of him.
little below was another paragraph, stating
that the accused had been arrested the preced-
ing evening in our city, and consigned to pri-
son, denying, however, all knowledge of the
murder, and expressing the utmost sorrow for
the deceased's untmely death. But there was
no doubt, added the editor, Of the guilt of the
prisoner.
had scarcely finished the paragraph, and a
host of indistinct memories were crowding on
my brain, as if at some time or other, had met
with the names of the parties, when faint tap
was heard at my door, and desiring the person
to enter, closely yelled female stole timidly
INTO the room, and asked with tremulous
voice if was Mr.. -. Wondering what her
mission, at so early an hour could be with me,
] answered in the affirmative, and desiring her
20 take chair, waited for her to speak.
A more exquisitely moulded form had rare
iy seen. 1t was slight, almost girlish, and had
shat peculiar delcacy which we call arstocra-
tic. Her countenance-for on taking her seat
she had put aside her veil-was emnently
handsome. With fair compilations; classic
outline of feature; deep, blue eye, and an ex-
preston full of spirituality and feeling, remind
ing me of one of Raphael's faces, she would, at
any time, have won admiration for her beauty,
but now there was something SO touchlngly sad
in her looks, that felt interested i'll her history
at once. | knew that sorrow visits even the
Young and innocent, and might not she be one
Of these? Her dress, though studiously neat,
was coarse, and contrasted with her manners,
which were singularly refined. | felt with a
sigh, that perhaps she was another of the vic
Tins of misfortune, living in poverty the life
that began in wealth.
"WiIl you please to read this note, sir?" said
a low, tremulous, yet silvery voice. Starting
for | had been lost in thought, | bowed, and
taking from her hand piece Of soiled and
crumpled paper, apparently torn from some
book, and folded into the shape of note, |
proceeded to open and read it. Its FIRST SEN
fence struck me dumb. | give it word for
word;