Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-08-13
THE M RID Err.
BY C. ). PETERSON.

my office, and had just opened the yet damp news
paper in search Of the latest news from the Ches-
apeake, where Admiral Cochrane was at that
time plunderiDg and burning the houses Of inof.
tensive inhabitants, when my eye fell on the fol-
lowing paragraph, placed conspicuously at the
head of the first column.
DREADFUL MURDER.-We learn that an attro-
cious murder was perpelrated al C, Mary
land, on Friday last. The victim is James Will
son, ESQ.,, one of the most worthy and influential
citizens Of the State. He left home, it appears,
in company with young man named Henry Du-
val, who had lately married ward Of Mr.. W.
The union, we understand, was in opposition to
her guardians wishes, and it is supposed that an
angry alteration arose concerning ii, between
Mr.. Wilson and The young man. High words
were heard between them, and they were seen
entering wood, in which, on Sunday evening,
the manged body of Mr.. Wilson was found, hor-
rbIy muGated, and so dsfgurcd as scarcely to
be recognized. The whole country is in a tu-
mutt. Such an excitement has not reigned in
our district since its first settlement. The muir
derer has fled, but the proper officers are already
cut in pursuit of him."
little below was another paragraph, stating
that the accused had been arrested the preceding
evening in our city, and consigned to prison, de-
nying, however, all knowledge of the murder,
aud expressing the utmost sorrow for the deceas
eds death. But there was no doubt, added the
editor, of the guilt Of the prisoner.
had scarcely finished the paragraph, and a
host OF indlsnct memories were crowdiug on my
brain, as if at some tine or other, had met with
the names of the parties, when faint tap was
heard at my door, and desiring the person to en-
ter, closely veiled female stole timidly into the
room, and asked, ,remuously,i y,ifl Twas Mr.. .--.
Wondering what her mission, at so early an hour,
could be with me, answered in the affirmative,
and desiring her to take chair, waited for her
10 speak.
A more exquisitely moulded form had rarely
seen. 1t was slight, almost grlish, and had that
peculiar delicacy which we call arstocratic. Her
countenance, for on taking her seat she had put
aside her veil, was eminently handsome. With
a fair compilations; a classic outline OF feature; a
deep blue eye, and an expression full Of spirltu-
ality and feeling, reminding me OF one OF Ra-
phael's faces, she would, at any time, have won
admiration for her beauty, but now there was
something so touchingly sad in her looks, that
felt interested in her history at once. | knew
that sorrow visits even the young and innocent,
and might not she be one of these! Her dress,
though studiously neat, was coarse, and contrast
ed with her manners, which were singuIarIy re-
fined. felt with sigh, that perhaps she was
another of the victims Of misfortune, living in
poverty the life that began in wealth.
"WI you please to read this note, sirl" said
a low, tremulous, yet silvery voice. Starting,
for had been lost in thought, | bowed, and ta-
king from her hand piece of soiled and crum-
pied paper, apparently torn from some book, and
folded into the shape Of a note, proceeded to
open and read it. Its first sentence struck me
dumb. give ii word for word.
e. SREET PRIsoN.
DEAR --: know not how TO write to you.
NV brain is on fire. feel as in fever. The
last two hours have nearly drove me mad; but
why delayl am arrested, and good God!-on
charge Of murder, and that too of the murder
of my brides guardian, Mr.. Wilson. Perhaps
you will have seen an account OF II in the papers
before you get this, and, like all the rest, may be-
lieve the tale; but OIL as you remember our
school-boy days, as you value truth and honor,
and justice, as you would not break my young
wifes heart, do not give credit TO the falsehood.
Come to me. know not what TO do. am
in prison, and ironed. Who can trusl Even
this have procured withdifficulty, and my sweet
wife is the only person | can rely on. have
no right, know, to claim your aid except the
memory of former friendship and of happy days
spent together, but in the name Of that do not
desert mel H. DUvAL."
The manuscript was hurredly and incoherent-
ly scrawled, but at the first glance | recognized
the handwriting of my old school.mate, and in
stanlly the truth flashed upon me. His was the
name known 10 me in the catastrophe Of which
had Just been reading. And could he be guilty!
| would not believe it. | had known him init.
matqly for years; and never had there been no.
bier heart. True we had not met for wears, and
all correspondence for season had died away,
but felt such confidence in his rectitude thai
could not but think him the victim Of either
perjury or mistake. All this flashed through my
mind like lightning, and utterng hasty eiacula.
ton as finished the note, looked up, and be.
came sensible that his wife, for that sweet crea-
ture was indeed she, had been, as ! read each
word, anxiousIy perusing my countenance, with
that intensity, which consciousness that life and
death depended perhaps on my determination
only can produce.
"Can anything be done!" she eagerly asked
losing all difidence in her engrossing anxiety fol
her husband. "Oh, Mr.. -, YOU will mo-
desert us. You know that he is incapable of the
deed, that he is 100 noble, too good for it; bu,
vet what can be donel am but poor weak
woman," she continued while the tears, despite
her efforts streamed down her face, "and can dc
nothing. They will perhapsimprison hlm-hey
cannot do more. Oh! can heyl But no time
is TO be lost" she sad rising, "or they are to re,
examine him this morning, and was so afraid
should miss you, that have been walking up and
down the street this hour, waiting for you TO open