Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-07-07
INTERESTING MISCELLANY.
THE SOLDIERS WIFE, A Thrill
LING SKETCH.

One of the most striking cases of pres
ence of mind and selfpossession ever re-
corded, came to light in a trial which took
place some years since in Ireland. A wo-
man travelling along a road to Join her hus-
band, who was joined by pedlar who was
going the same way. They entered into
conversation during walk of some hours;
but as the day began to wane, they agreed
that they should stop for the night at some
house OF entertainment, and pursue their pc
destrlan journey the next day. They
reached an humble inn, situated in a lonely
spot by the road side: and fatigued after a
long days walk, they were glad to find
themselves under the shelter of roof.
Having refreshed themselves with the
substantial supper before them, they ex-
pressed wish silently to retire. They
were shown into the travellers room, and
went to rest in their respective beds: The
pedlar, before retiring, had called the land
lord aside, and given into his keeping the
pack, which he had unstrapped from his
back, till morning, telling him that it con-
tanned a considerable amount of money,and
much valuable property. They were not
long in bed before the pedlar fell into a
sound sleep; bat the poor woman, perhaps
from over-iatigue, or from thoughts of see
ing her husband the next day, lay awake.
A couple of hours might have passed,
when she saw the door gently opened, and
person slowly enter, holding a light, which
h screened with his hand. She instantly
recognised in him one of the young men
she had seen bcOw-sOn to the landlord.
lie advanced with stealthy step to the bed
side of the pedar, and watched him for a
few seconds. He then went out, and en-
tered with his brother and father, wlo held
in his hand a. large pewter basin. They
went on tip-toe to thu bedside, where the
pedlar lay ina deep sleep.
One of the young men drew out knife,
and while the father held the bason so as
to receive the blood, he cut the poor VIC
TINS throat from ear to ear. A slight, half
audible groan, and all was still, save the
cautious movements of the party engaged
iii the fatal deed. They had brought in
with them large sacn, into which they
thrust the unreslsting body. The poor wo-
man lay silently in her bed, fearing her turn
would come next. She heard low mutter-
ings among the men, from whom she soon
gathered that they were debating whether
they should murder her too, as they feared
that she might have it in her power TO be-
tray them.
Ont of them said that he was sure she
was fast asleep, ana there was no occasion
to trouble themselves more; but, to make
sure Of this being the ease, one came to her
bedside, with the candle in bis hand, and
a.. H., -. |,
perfect command over herself as not to be-
tray in her countcnance any sign that she
WAS conscious of what was going on. The
candle was passed close To her eyes;the knife
was drawn across close to her tnoa,;she new
cr WINGED, or showed, by any movement OF
feature or of limb, that she apprehended
danger, So the men whispered that she
was soundIy asleep, that nothing was to be
feared from her. and went out of the room,
removing the sack which contained the bo-
DIV Of the murdered man.
I~llOw long must the night of horror have
seemed to that poor lone woman! How
frightlul was It's stiffness and dar ness. The
presence of mind which had so enabled her
10 act a part to which she owed her life,
sustained her all through the trying scenes
which she had Yet to pass. She did not
hurry from her room at an unusually early
hour, but wal ed till she had heard all the
family as,Ir for some time. She then went
down, and sand she believed she had over
slept herself, in consequence ofbeng greatly
tired. She asked where the pedar was,
an was told that he was in too great hurry
To wait for her, but that he had left a SIX
Dcncc To nav for her breakfast
She sat down composedly to that meal,
and forced herself to partake with apparent
appetite of the food set before her. She APP
peared unconscious of the eyes which,with
dep scrutiny, were fixed upon her
When the meal was over, she took leave of
the family, and went ON her way, without
the least appearance of disoomPosure or
mistrust. She had proceeded but short
way when she was joined by two strapping
looking women; one look was sufficient
To convince her that they were the young
men; and one thought, to assure her that
she was yet in their power, and on the very
verge of destruction.
They walked bv her side, entered into
conversation, asked her where she was 60
ing, and told her that their road lay the same
way; they questioned her as to where she
had lodged the night before, and made most
minute inquiries about the family inhabiting
the house of entertainment. Her answers
were quite unembarrassed; she said the
people of the house appeared to be decent
and civil, and had treated her very well.
For two hours the young men continued
by her side, conversing with her, and
watching with the most scrutnlzlng glances
any change in her countenance, and asking
questions which, had she not been fully
self possessed, might have put her off her
guard. TWAS not until her dreadful com
panions had left her, and till she saw her
husband coming along the road TO meet her,
that she had lost her sell-command, which
she had so successfully exercised, and throw
ing herself into his arms tainted away.