The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-06-25

VIII tell you Incredible iDlngs; Dut you
must not doubt them. What did you see
this morning? What lies now in the loom
, underneath? Fear nothing from me. To-
J morrow will surrender myself Will that
satisfy you? Now leave me. You shall
know ALL repeat it-before die!''
Having poured forth these words with ra-
pidIty of utteraace, though with apparent
self-possession, the prisoner buried his face
in his hands, and stopped his head 10 the
table. Mr.. Parr began to speak soolhingly,
and expressed wish that he would not look
upon him as an enemy, but friend, who,
f whatever may have been his guilt, would be
glad TO serve him. Morton answered with
u convulsive laugh, aud waved his hand i'm
patiently, but did rot raise his head. The
benevolent old man at length was convinced
his further stay was useless, and left the
apartment foil of sympathy for the misery he
knew not how TO alleviate.
The next day Mr.. Parr was too much in
disposed 10 be present even as a. spectator
at the inquest; but his nephew brought him
information that Morton had confessed him
self the murderer of the person found in his
chamber. He refused, however, to reveal
who his victim was, or the motive of his
crime. The medical men who had examin-
ed the body, gave it as their opinion that
death had been caused by powerful poison,
The nature of which none of them were able
to determine. AS nothing further could be
ascertaiued TO throw light on the Transaction,
the business was closed, and Morton COM
miltcd to the county prison, 10 await his trial
| for the murder ola person unknown.
Before the accused was consigned TO pris-
on, he gave orders that the corpse of The
murdered man should be buried with thedt-
most pomp Of funeral ceremony The ex-
penses were defrayed out of his property
This strange scene assembled such multi
tuJes of spectators in the burial ground of
H--as had never before been seen.-I
The public curiosity was extreme TO discov-
or who the dead was, and what were the cir
cumstances of the murder. Meanwhile, as
the time allotted for James's term Of absence
had expired without his appearance, search
was made for him throughout the country,
and he was advertised in all the journals. Not
wihsanding the testimony Of Sarah Hodge.
that the deceased in no respect resembled
her fellow-servant, not few were cfopinion
that James was the murdered person. ItI
was difficult, however, to explain why the as
slssin had taken such pains TO aler the ap-
pearance ofhis victim. OILERS insisted thai
James had been an accomplice in the deed, !
and had afterwards made his escape.
AT length the assizes came on. The day
of Moror's trial was fixed; and it was gen.
orally believed that he would make full
confession. His department in prison show
ed the deepest melancholy. He would see
no one but the physician and the chaplain -
The former continually stated that his pa
tient was wearing fast TO the grave, and that
he would no, long survive, even if spared by
the law; the chaplain had as little reason TO
congratulate himself Upon the success of his
efforts. The prisoner was courteous but re-
served towards both, and avoided all conver-
sation on the subject of the crime.
Old Mr.. Parr, who had as yet mentioned
10 none what he knew, came TO the town
where the assizes were held, in order TO be
at hand should Morton desire his presence.
He had written to him, but received no an
swer. At last the day oftlial came. Those
who went at seven in the morning to bring
forth the prisoner, found him-dead in his
bed Never was the public curiosity SO
completely disappointed. Just as all were
on tho tp-toe of expectation, to learn that
Morton had carried his secret 10 the grave
But il was not altogether SO. About noon
of the same day, as Mr.. Parr was preparing
to return 10 IL, he received visit
from the chaplain of the prison, who placed
in his hands sealed package. Morton had
not forgotten his promise. The package
was addressed, "Richard Merville, now cal
led Morton, to Charles Parr, formerly mer-
chant in Liverpool"
1t is necessary only TO lay the connected
part of the letter, divested of many incohe-
rent passages, before the reader. There was
wild aposirophe 10 Night, and parallel be-
tween its gloom and that which enwrapped
his own spirit; feverish fereboding OF the
dreariness of ,he narrow cell he was so soon
TO share with darkness and the worm; and
vague and shadowy vision of the world to
come. Amid these dreamlike and desultory
wanderlngs, however, he had kept steadily
in view the wish expressed by his cid friend
81 know not" thus the manuscript con-
tinued, "why feel a sort of satisfaction in
this disclosure of my frightful crime and its
strange punishment, unless from the same
sense of duty that lmpelled me 10 make you
the promise when we last met-met after a
long course of years-when my course was
run-and tho vengeance of Heaven about to
be made manifest My hours are now num-
berod, my pulse throbs feebly, and the torch
of life glimmers family as it is ready to ex-
prc. Let me, then, reveal the dreadful ul-
cer of nv soul. Ineed not tell YOU, sir, who