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

20 retreat.
sour way lay over fragments of pumice
stone and dry ashes. The intense heat had
psrched my mouth and throat asked the
puide for drink. and he reached me his
ilask. | held il 10 my mouth. Merciiul
Heayen!-a cold hand took hold Of Tiny
hroiher stood before me--ihe flask was al
bis lips! uttered wild shriek-the guide
turned hasiily--iho vision was gone! The
vine was spilled in the dust; the man mur-
rnnrcd curse upon my carelessness. We
lad more than mile TO 60. When Ireturn-
ed to the hamlet, heard that the corpse Of a
stranger had been found upon my bed. Yet
escaped The suspicion ormurder; for there
vas superstition among the villagers thats
demon corpse, already often buried, some
lines made its appearance. They looked
upon il as an evil omen, however, that the
visitation should have fallen upon me.
"To quie, their murmurs, bestowed a
large sum for religious procession; and at
ibs advice OF the priest, the unnatural body
was burnt, and the ashes sprinkled with holy
waier and cast into the sea.
"Now shall al length have rest! ex.
clslmed. The form scattered to the waves
Of ocean, can haunt me no more! Vain
hopel through every city Of the continent
be torinonting spectre pursued me. / have
been imprisoned on suspicion of murder
with difficulty escaping condemnation.
have been condemned, and purchased my
lie with gold. have seen others involved
in my curse, preserved only b, wonderful
Providence, that spared even me.
"Sull my heart was hardened. One fatal
day was encountered on the sea. In the ST.
ience of my cabin awaited my fearful visit
or lifted the cup TO my lips; the same
cold hand grasped ii; the same apparation
stood before me. questioned it in my mad
nsss;I entreated to know IFS will. 1t gave
Me no answer, but vanished in silence, while
the col !, stiff, naked corpse remained upon
my bsd Threw i, secretly into the darn
waters, while the exultng thought, 81 an
free for one year again." fred my BRAIN
Alas! was without friend ON the face o.
earth! On whom could rest the bu,den O
go horrible secret! My strange and wld
demeanor drove men from me. .a
~ know not how it came, but repentance
at last touched my heart. met the day o
isto with an humbed spirit. prayed
implsrsd that the judgment nigh, pass from
me. But no answer was vouchsafed. Iva!
frantic enough to hope the apparition hat
departed forever. 1t came again and again
My reason gave way under the hdeous pun
ishment. Stunned society; and weary o
scenes that had witnessed my misery. quit
ted Europe. 57@
81 travelled through remote countless.
AT one time was in Arabia. The last
ofthe setting sun we're quenched in sea o
sand. The caravan which Lad joined halt
cd for the night near spring. would hav'
given treasures Of gold for a cup Of water
but dared not drink while so many eye
we're upon me. The Mussulmen smoked
sheir long pipes, and one after another sani
back in sleep. Even the guard slumbered
seated on the ground, their long spears grasp
ed in their hand. Still dared not drink.
Il was midnight watched the motions o
each sleeper with agoniscd attention. A
last the burning thirst became intolerublc.-
approached the spring, dipped out water
and drank. The cup was taken f.om m
hand; and in my tent dug grave in th
sand, in which buried the restless wines
ofmy crime.
"My health was now broken, my frame
feeble, as you have seen; and the desire
TO die in my native country, impelled mt
lack to. England. Wandering from place IL
place, I-came to H., and hired tht
house in which saw the spectre for tho las
.ime. 1t vas in a lonely situation, and wei
suited for me. had lived there tx month";
when the day of fate returned. was i'll
but though died with thirst, determined
not 10 dring. In the delirium Of fever
must have done so; for as consciousness re
turned, the cup was taken from me, and
saw the apparation. The rest you know.
II have written this narrative at diferen
.mcs. 1t may be incoherent, but held it no
ior the delusion of insanity. y y
Tomorrow is fixed for my trial. But
feel that have ne more TO endure the Gu
rious gaze Of men. have unveiled m
crime, and its punishment. FAREWELL"
Thus ended The confession, in which tn
wild fantasies of madman were strangel
mingled with the haunting remembrance @
crime. That a brothers. murder Of poison
had plunged the wretchcd criminal, pursued
by an avengiDg conscience, into all the hor
rois Of insanity, there can be no doubt. Blu
there was no other witness than himself o
his life afterwards. Old Mr.. Parr 10 the da,
Of his death believed 10 the supernatural par
Of the story; but among these he admitted
TO his confidence, there were sensible per
sons, who had strong doubts on the subject
The servant James never re-nppeared; an,
il was thought probable that Morton---who
WE have seen rnakaa no rnantinn Of hin