Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-05-30

bosom, "yos know not VIVA: crime is, and YOU at
least VIII go to Heaven. They tell us, children
must gro there; then surely there is no sin in your
perlsh'ng with your mother. Is it not better kill
you now 70 drown you in the cold, cold waters
here, IMAM To watch you growing up to become what
your father has become?" At the word father, the
poor creature seemed TO recall by.gone DAYS, for
seating herself on the damp stones close to the wa
ter's edge, she wept long and bitterly. "He has
gone, gone forever" at length she exclaimed 81
who was snce happy to be now so hepessly wretch
ed! Oh II he had only continued TO love me u
little as ne dd once, could have borne the torture
OF hunger without repining, but he loves me not.
| Oh, my God he loves me no longer" AGAIN her
head sank over her child; who wrapt up far more
warmly than It's mother, sep, gently on. "God DO
my witness !" she vehemenily exclaimed, al do not
seek death because | am poor and hungry; | could
oa'ile with such miseries forever. could work,
work as a save--oh and be happy too over my la
Dor, did ne bat give enc SMILE one look Of af-
iectlon, when he returns 10 his home, where have
been thinking of him the live long day but, no
more does he care for me, and drink has rendered
| him no longer mine" A momentary silence fol-
| lowed these words then, with force which show
ed the terrible despair of her soul she exclaimed
did he not tell me this very day he hated me O.
Did he not threaten the life of his child? Did he
not snatch the morsel of bread from my lips, ours
ing me because lived through starvation so well
No, he loves Inc not he will never more call me
ms beloved, as once he called me, and die %
with almost frantic gesture she uttered this, and
standing close To the water, which beat with mo-
noonous sound against the stones as if hooking the
anguish of her heart, she lifted her eyes towards
Heaven, and in thrilling tones of can despair. A.
gain broke forth, "Bear witness, God, die because
love aud am not loved. One gentle word from
him and had lived on in misery and want NV
heart is quite broken, and die" Convu!siyely
ciasplng the unconscious child TO her heart, she
| sprang INTO the water, close to the dark arch
where the tide was gurgling against the piers. No
sound save deep splash some yards of, bore wit
ness TO tho last desperate act of despair no crv
Issued from the drear stream TO tell how many
wreiched beings had in that very place sought death
before. No light quivered on the spot TO mark the
little waves and bubbles which arose as the BODY of
a mother and her child sank into the water-a re-
fuge from misery and crime! All for an Instant
was as still as death should be, when friends are
watchers around. The calmness for that instant
was terrific, but second plunge from the shore.
and the dark figure of man wading into the river.
changed the aspect Of the scene. "The tide is run
ming sTong," cried the man left on Shore who was
IN vain trying TO trace his companion 'and the foo
Is SO thick she'll drift under the arch if YOU'RE
NOT quick. God what has become of you ?''-
Saying this. the speaker quickly advanced into the
stream, stretching forth his hands in every dIrec-
| ton. Good Lord !" he exclaimed, "they're all
lost" while the force of the tide carried him off his
feet and the water rushed gurgling into his mouth,
tor he was now out of his depth. Castinp himself
on his back, however. he speedily reached the
ground again and springng. on shore rushed up the
steps for assistance. Thef6g concealed every OBJ
ject. In vain The poor fellow halooed out his com
panlons name. few solitary cabs were rumblins
slowly by, but at length the phantom like form o
policeman answered his vocerous Explanations
Lights were then procured, drags used till morn
ing, out all to no purpose, and the following day
the newspapers contained paragraphs thus written:
=" Melancholy Suicide-Last night about 9 o.
clock, a female with her child in her arms threw
herself into The water from the parapet of Waterloo
bridge. Destiution and drink are supposed to have
led to the rash act poor fellow, in attempting te
save the woman, was himself drowned, almost with
in sight of his companion"