The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-02-05

of blood trickling from his wounded head. | pass
over his tears OF conirtion, his vows of amend
ment. For three days, little Algernon, was
stretched upon his bed, suffering from an infam-
nation OF the brain. but at length he sank to rest
was present in that hour. Twas beautiful
day-the heavens were not darkened by cloud,
and the soft summer wind gently brealhed upon
the flowers. which seemed to yield sweeter per-
fuhe than usual: all nature was arrayed in smiles.
as though to tempt the departing spirit of The in
nocent to remain on earth. But the fiat had gone
forth. God IN mercy called him to brighter
world: II was evening when he died, and the
sun In his declinaiion seemed to linger on the
horizons edge, and his rays as they darted through
the window OF the room in which lay the diving
boy, played among his glossy locks and kissed
his pallid brow. looked with feelings ndescri-
6ahle. The hour had come, and Nature made her
last struggle. Algernon ssddenly raised himself
In bed, and his eyes glared wildly around for a
moment, and then were lighted up with reason,
Father. Mother y lie exclaimed - feel stranue
Oh how strange, and just now, methought |
heard soft music, and saw bright forms. that
smiled upon me-ah know nO,u what is the
matter-l am dying--but don't terry my Mother
we shall meet again, and-Father-her kiss ma
my Father-and oh my Fa,her-drink no
more. lie stretched his arms towards his Mo.
Their, and smiled, then slowly sank back, his Inns
Ni"'NN WI iuulHtut, anu all was Stll, his spirit
had lied to God, who gave it-he was at rest
From that day Henry was changed man. he no
longer visited his former haunts, he became moody.
and distracted, twas plain that remorse was busy
lwlnlng her talon fingers about his heart strings.
and unsettlng his very senses, for was he not the
murderer, (though unntentiOnally) of his only
enid, bone OF his bone, and flesh of his flesh %
saw him often, and until to-day do not believe
drop OF intoxicating drinks has passed his lips.
This afternoon saw and urged him to attend our
meeting might and sign the pledge He con-
se0ted TO attend, but would not promise to sign,
during our conversation discovered by his breath
that he had again tasted of the g LIQUID fires of
Hell" and taxed him with it: he said. -. B6t
little, l assure you Mr. r. and then did not know
IL, tor overcome by excitement of mind, and lana
tasting, have been too unwell to eat TODAY. I
ia'h'eo In me street, some person, know not who
poured Inc brandy IN my mouth, and | knew il
not, but MIR. X. L must confess the taste remains
and has revived consuming thirst within me that
ieei with horror" We separated and the re-
suit OF the meeting you already know.
lett my friend and returned home, musing on
the mlseres of drunkard's life The mockinp
winds, and flying clouds foretold a storm, and but
increased the goominess of mind the narrative I
had heard, created. slept, but The thoughts of
my waking hours, did not leave me, even when
slumber closed my senses TO all around Once.
methought heard rush of feet upon the nave
menI, and then the cry of MURDER, seemed to
pierce the storm without. | started nm in he'd
and listened, but all was SILENT save the whist
ling wind, and the dash of rain drops as thew
were hurled against the windows thinking NV
Imagination had deceived me, | composed myself.
and slept again, nor awakened until the breakfast
bell aroused me to another day
The morning was thick, dark and oloomy
lneTe should have Depn a hnt
ma by an intervening cloud of misty foo, that
hung like pail above the earth. On nv way
10 The post Office, discovered unusual connection
In the streets, and noticed numbers of people.
some standing in groups, others were walking
rapidly to certain point, all wearing an air of
excitement; as passed corner, one asked - is il
known who did itP' No." was the reply.
" AS yet the whole is shrouded in mystery''
My curiosity was excited, and falling in ith The
"dikihg current, was carried along, not knowing
whittier went. II man had been murdered
Our course lay towards the rivers side, then sud
denly changed its direction, presently we turned
again, anu passing through a gate. | found myself
In large lumber yard here the crowd was
denSey packed, and with much difficulty forced
my way to spot between two high piles of
pianks, where understood the body lay. -. Poor
fellow, poor fellow, he has met IN awful end %
and like expressions of administration met nv
ears on every side. " Who is it P' | endured
OF gentleman, who like myself was yany en-
deavoflng to catch a glimpse of the murdered
man, Sc do not know" he said but few
minutes since, heard a murder had been COM
mllled, and fastened here" Fall back, gen
tlemen, make way for the coroner; !" was loudly
uttered by an authoritative voice There was
swaying TO and fro, of the mighty mass, as in
obedience to the officers command thew cleared
the space, and then saw the dead man the ma
Jesty OF the human form all dim and manoed
stretched upon the ground, imbedded in the soft
mud, and lying on his face, his clothes soaked
and soIled with the rain of the preceding night.
The jury answered to their names, and the body
was lifted from the ground and laid upon plank
and as Its lace was upturned, my arm was con-
Vulslvely seized, and on looking around discoy-
cred The gentleman VIII had addressed me but a
moment before, wildly gazing on the naminated
corpse. " II is--yes, Gracious Providenceit is
Henry NJ" he exclaimed. gave but one look
more, the skull was fractured just above the left
eye' his hair cloted in black gore, and from his
ghasty, shattered forehead the brains were slow
ly oozlng out, with horrible, sckenino sensation
turned away, and left the yard The inquest
was held, but no clue to the murderer was found
All that was ELECTED by the examination. was
that at late hour, on the night before, he had
been seen intoxicated and much excited. All
" no can describe the feelings of yyO of utfer dos