Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-07-04
VOL. ~.
Romantic Story.

by pouring hot lead into her ear, and
that so shocking a circumstance was
neper heard of before. This mis-
take. A more remarkable instance
occurred some years ogo in Virginia.
We personally knew all the parties in
timately. Col. r, a gentleman
of high respectfully, and frequently
representative from his county, died,
leaving wife, some sons, and beau
tiful daughter, about fifteen years OF
age. The widow, finding herself des-
titute, opened boarding house atthe
county seat. and among her boarders
was Mr.. W., wealthy merchant, IN
the meridian Of life, and a very hne
man. This gentleman was the prop
and stay of the family, gave employ
ment to the sons, furnished means to
educate the daughter in the most fash
ionable manner, and conceived for her
a violent passion. On her return from
school he addressed her, but she resist
ed alike the appeals and the importunl-
ties of her mother and friends. she
had, indeed, formed an attachment
with ga nice young man" in the same
town, but he was not to be put In
competition with the rich merchant, IN
the estimation of the family. The
young lady, perhaps, thought other
wise. Finally, however, after two
years of assiduity and delicate gallan-
try on the part Of Mr.. w. and the
combined tears, entreaties, threats and
persecution of the family, the fair girl
stood before the altar and became his
wife. The next evening large party
was given them, and in the midst of the
dance Mr.. w. being suddenly attack
ed with vertigo and sick headache, was
compelled to withdraw. His young
wife hung over him in the silent
watches Of the night, apparently in
deep distress, and insisted on giving
him a potion. She poured out wine
glass full of laudanum, and he swal-
lowed it without knowing its nature.
From some cause, it Immediately acted
as an emetic; but left him stupid and
wandering. His senses reeled. One
moment he would lay motionless and
comatose as if on the borders of a
spirit world, and then he would shrek
and leap convulsively. like strong
man in his agony. Mrs. w. denied
all admissions into the chamber. Al
length he fell into gentle slumber.-
She then stopped for moment over
the smouldering cmbers-approached
the bed, gazed at her sleeping husband
and holding heated ladle in her hand
calmly prepared to pour stream O
melted lead into his ear. AT this In.
slant he moved, and the Kissing liquid
intended to penetrate to, and scald ou
his brain, and thus cause death without
a trace, fell upon his cheek. He
shouted in excruciating pain, and the
jewellers, mother, brothers, and friend:
rushed in. There writhed the still
stupid husband, the lead riveted deep
into his cheek, and there stood the
fiend wife, her bridal fillets yet upon heI
brow, the instrument of death in heI
hand, and an empty phial labelled
laudanum" lying upon the floor
The fearful realities Of the case flash
ed on every one, and in the confusion
of the moment she disappeared, and
was hurried forthwith out of the com
monwealth to distant State; on search
ing the room, an old French magazine
was found containing the death bee
repentance of woman who had muir
dered nine husbands by pouring Lead
into their ears. The laudanum ant
the lead, it was ascertained, she pro
cured from the store of Mr.. w. few
days before their marriage, and the la
die used was part of bridal pres
ent.
The Grand Jury next morning
found bill against the fugitive. ant
the Legislature being in session, imme
diately decreed final and absolute di
vorce. What renders the case NOR
singular, is, that the lady was proven
bal for her blandness of manner, ant
the uniform softness Of her temper
She was a blonde. The rose leaf tint
ed her lilly cheek as the sunbeam glow
on snow. Her blue eyes were indie
scribably sweet, and her golden han
floated like a drspery of gossamer
around form more perfect and volup
tuoas than Raphael dreamed of, o
petarch sung. Often have we gazed o
the cynosure Of every circle, and wor
dered if angels could be SO fair.
But the sequel Of this romance
more singular still. Years rolled 3