The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-13

the command OF God. no longer in
tsrposed my influence to prevent her
trial, She was carried before the judg-
es, 'tried,' and on the testimony Of her
foresworn accuser, sentenced to an ig-
nominious death. Alas how supersti-
ton steels the heart against compas
sion! The sighs, the tears, the lowell
ness of my deserted wife, seemed to me
only the powerful charms Of the sor-
cerer. Ipressed the Bible to my heart,
and suffered her to be borne away to
prison. There, in the midst of grief
and agony, you. my beloved son, were
born, How bitter was the agony, let
the symbol on your bosom witness! =
And from those dreary walls your
mother never went, till from the fatal
hill her pure spirit rose to Heavenp
"When the truly penitent man thus
concluded his sorrowful history, his son,
sternly regarding him with eyes which
seemed about TO start from their sock
cts, in low, impressive voice slowly
pronounced these words:
"'Thou art murderer!'
"Then heaving deep sigh, he fell
backward, and death.like paleness
overspread his face.
"His eyes were closed, and for many
minutes we strove to dispsl the faint
ness. At last the expression Of his
features changed; the frown relaxed,
and smile seemed to hover about his
mouth. His lips moved, and we heard
him softly whisper:
"I hear thee, sweet mother! Oh!
leave me not. will obey"
"Then he rose from the bed, like one
whose strength is miraculously renew
ed. He gently took the old mans
hand, and said:
"'l too have tale 10 tell, my father.
did believe you dead; that alone re-
mained Of our unhappy family; that
kind uncle who protected my infancy
told me the story OF our mlsfortunes,
and while he deplored your error, said
you only yielded to the spirit Of the age.
This l knew; and through sympathy
with my mothers fate, strengthened
with my strength, | thought you also
had suffered and we're dead. did not
wrong your memory with abhorrence
then; | strove to forget you; yet how
lonely was | IN the world. My origin.
was known; perceived that | was pit
led. | did not like to mingle with
mankind because lacked the energy
which hope inspires. | looked upon
myself as inferior to my fellows. My
frame, always delicate, could not en-
dure their vigorous sports, and fled to
books for solace. enjoyed abstruse
inquiries, especially regarding the ma
ture of the soil and intellect. One night,
when, after such employment, had
retired, and was rejecting, before re-
signing myself 10 sleep, upon the sub.
ject of my evenings reading, beheld
beautiful female approaching my bed.
She was dressed like my mother. At
the dreadful trial it is strange that did
not experience terror. No; all The love
which years of sad reflection had
wrought up even to devotion, now raj
lied at my heart. sprang from the
couch; but gently waving her hand
she retreated, and avoided my proffer-
ed embrace. Often since that night
has she appeared to me, and once, in
pity of my tears, she spoke and told
me she was happy. 1 never revealed
my secret; it would not be believed;
yet look for those interviews as the
only enjoyment of my existence
Gradually the lingering compassion for
your SORROWS, my father, took flight;
and in its place felt scorn and indig-
nation; and when tonight for the first
time beheld your face knew at once
that the slayer of my mother was be-
lore me-
"His voice trembled and his features
quivered with excitement, as the sur
face Of lovely lake is ruffled by sud-
den winds.
"'You were alive, and had come to
vex my troubled spirit. thought you
were fiend! Theh,in the trance which
followed, | saw again that angelic be-
ing; oh! beautiful and radiant, in gar
ments of dazzling purity. She bent
over me, and the rustling of her robes
was like the waving of the silver trees
of Paradise. She kissed me with cold
lips, and babe me, as | loved her men,
ory, forget that she had suffered, and
tell you that your cruelty was forgiven.
| had sworn never, except in death, to
forgive you; but now l feel that the
sands Of life are ebbing. Behold how
sweetly she smiles upon US! Come!
let US look together upon that halo wed
form. Oh! my father! how couldst
thou destroy a being SO innocent, so
perfect?-thou, her only, her natural
defender! She was the beloved Of thy