Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-03-10

feasible conclusion. One only mode oi
procedure seemed to offer, and that but
dimly, hope Of success. 1t was, how
lever, the best 1 could hit upon and di-
rected my steps toward Fsarnham prison.
Sarah Purdy had not yet, remembered,
been removed to the county Jail at Gull
ford.
Is Sarah Purdy,' asked the turnkey,
more reconciled to her position than she
was 2 oi
'She's just the same-bitter as gall,
and venomous as viper
This woman, should state, was a per-
son of fierce will and strong passions, and
in early life had been respectfully situated.
Just step into her CELL continued,
upon some excuse or other, aud careless
drop hint that if she could prevail upon
Jackson to get her brought by 1Gbeas be-
fore Judge in London, there could be
no doubt of her being bailed.'
The man started, but after few words
of pretended explanation, went off to do
as requested. He was not long gone.
She's all in a twitteration at the thought
fofit,' he said and must have pen, ink
and paper, without moments delay,
bless her consequence
These were supplied; and was soon
in possession of her letter, couched cau-
tiously, but more peremptorily than the
former one. need hardly say it did not
reach its destination. She passed the
next day in a state of feverish impatience !;
and no answer returning, she wrote again,
her words this time conveying an evident
though indistinct threat. / refrained
from visiting her till two days had thus
passed, and found her, as / expected,
eaten up with fury. She glared at me
as l entered the cell like chained tt
gress.
You appear vexed,' said, mo doubt
because Jackson declines to get you bail
ed. He ought not to refuse you such
trihing service, considering all things
'All what things 2 replied the woman,
eyeing me iercely.
That you know best, though have
shrewd guess
What do you guess? and what are you
driving at .
i will deal frankly with you, Sarah
Purday. In the first place you must
plainly perceive that your friend jackson
has cast you off--abandoned you to your
fate and that fate will, there can be no
doubt, be transportation
well, she impatiently snarled, sup
pose so; what then p =.
'This-that you can help yourself in
this difficulty by helping me-
AS how 2
In the first place give me the means
of convicting Jackson of having received
the stolen property
'Ha! How do you know that p
'Oh, 1 know it very well--as we'll al
most as you do. But this is not my chief
object; there is another, far more impor.
tant one,' and l ran over the incidents
relative to the attempts at poisoning
Now resumed, tell me if you will,
your opinion on this matter
That it was Jackson administered the
poison, and certainly not the young wo-
man. she replied with vengeful prompt
ness.
MY own conviction I! This, then, is
my proposition; you are sharp-witted,
and know this fellows ways, habits, and
propensities thoroughly, too, have
heard something of them-and it strikes
me that you could suggest some plan,
some device grounded ON that knowledge
whereby the truth might come to light.
The woman looked ixedly at me for
some time, without speaking. AS Imeant
fairly and honestly by her, 1 could not
bear her gaze without shrinking.
Supposing l could assist you, she at
last said, how would that help me?'
1t would help you greatly. You
would no doubt be still convicted of the
burglary, for the evidence is irresistible ;
but if, in the meantime, you should have
been instrumental in saving the life of an
innocent person, and of bringing great
criminal to justice, there cannot be a
question that the Queens mercy would
be extended to you, and the punishment
be merely a nominal one
If l were sure of that ! she murmur-
ed with burning scrutiny in her eyes,
which were still fixed on my countenance
-'if were sure of that But you are
misleading me-
Believe me, am not. speak in
perfect sincerity. Take time to consider.
the matter. will look in again in about
an hour /; and pray do not forget that it
is your sole and last chance
left her and did not return till more
than three hours had passed away
Sarah Purday was pacing the cell in =
frenzy of inquietude.
L thought you had forgotten me-
Now she continued, with rapid vehe-
mence, tell me, on your word and honor
as man, do you truly believe that if l can
effectually assist you, it will avail me with
her Majesty?'
lam as positive it viii as I am of my
own hfe' r.t9
Well, then, luiH assist you First,
then, jackson was a confederate with
DaWkins and myself, and received the
plate and jeWelry, for which he paid US
less than One-third of the value -7