The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-04-22

and when the roar Of the artillery had
died away, and the smoke had rolled off,
the ground was spread with bleeding
bodies, and "groan on groan salute our
willing ears" Still they returned to
the charge and when the sun set.
unwilling TO give up the contest, we
encamped on The ground, within sight
Of each other, to renew the battle on
the morrow. Guards were placed,
camp fires lighted, and soon all was
quiet. .tilfFEd j, S''h 'm 70 G'.
It was about twelve O'clock I had
tossed on my bed for hours, but could
not sleep. Whenever my eyes would
close in a gentle slumber, the form of
Lieutenant Sandford would stare at me,
with that bitter lip curling in his face.
l rose and walked out in the open air.
I said it was midnight. The night was
one Of great splendor. The moon was
at her height, and she sat, unclouded,
amid constellation Of stars, throwing
a food Of light on the battlefield, Civ
ing iii an unearthly brightness. As far
as the eye could take in the view, the
ground was unbroken by single hill,
while at the extremities of the line Of
vision we're spread the snow.white
tents of the belIigerents. The space
between was covered with the bodies
Of the dead and dying; and ever and
anon the death-groan of some poor
wretch would come family on the ear.
All else, save the heavy breathing of
the multitude Of sleepers, and the meas
ured tread OF the sentinels on their
weary rounds, was still as death. !"
| became so intent upon my own
that l saw not where my.
path was leading me. Striking my foot
against substance which nearly threw
me down, | looked and started back. -.
1t vas the body Of a pious young off.
Ger, who had belonged 20 my compa.
ny. He lay upon his back, with the
moon shining full upon his bIanched
features, while the blood oozed from a
wound in his breast. His eyes were
wide open, staring upwards to the sky,
the sightless balls protruding from their
sockets. 1t seemed as though they
were trying TO pierce the vast chaos Of
space, and trace the passage OF his
spirit in it as it took its flight above. /
shuddered-and turning into the thick
wood that flanked the ground, strolled
leisurely along a bridle-path that led
through it. z 7.""' s'" "''io'4' 80
know not how far, or how long ]
had walked, when I heard the sound of
hoofs coming in the opposite direction.
Stepping into the shadow Of large
tree, | waited in silence. AS the horse
man drew near, he raised his head, and
saw that it was Sandford-no doubt
on his return from a visit to Julia Vim.
cent. ''.
"Now," thought |, "thy evil genius
has served me good, turn at last"
He came up swiftly, but ere he had
passed, one hand grasped his bride,
md another his throat. With curse,
wrenched him from the saddle, and
lung him 10 the earth. He seized me,
ind struggled manfully TO regain his
eet-but possessed the advantage,
md in a moment pinned him to the
ground. Placing my knee upon him,
drew his sword (being without my |
,wn) from the sheath. He begged me
lot to murder him in cold blood--to
1--WE him a chance at least, for his life,
IN equal terms. But such was not my |
purpose. | scowed at him, and smil-
ng coldly, passed the weapon into his
,ody. He shrieked and struggled, but
withdrew il, and stabbed him again |
ind again. Then rising, stood over
lin, with my arms folded, and watched
lis expiring efforts, until his Jaw drop
bed, and his limbs stifened. And then
left him-a prey to the elements and
he carrionibird. ortr.r.,rI ,,ldn,lI
Although considerable excitement
was caused, by the murder Of fSandford,
n the camp, suspicion never glanced at
ne; and ! thought the deed buried in
oblivion. But, ah! it stood out in my |
learb bright and glaring, and like the
;anker-worm has been gnawing my vi |
.als ever since. ~ p = i'1'' w
! thought, now, that no obstacle ex-
sted between myself aud my cousin,
md hoped ere long to regain my former |
influence. But the horrid death Of her |
over had turned back her life. blood in |
Is channels, and already the color had |
eft her countenance, her form had lost
IS elasticity and buoyancy, and
"Consumption, like worm 7 the bud, lo'i
Y Fed on her damask cheek."' hG5h edP
shehregarded mel ever after with "a |
aundiced eye, as though a uperceptible
dor ofthes black deed hung around me.
The very measures which l. took to
ain my end defeated it, and rendered
ne miserable.nd saw,herdroop, day by
ay, like a blasted flower--one whom