The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-03-25
EDMUND OsGOOD;
THE FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES

IL was chill evening In DecemDer;
misty rain was descending, which congealed /
and encased in crystal every thing exposed
TO the outdoor atmosphere, and rendered
precarious footing upon the sidewalks for
The pedestrian. Upon this evening, an indi-
tyidual was silently and cautiously vending
lis way through one of the Aourishng VIII
lagos of Connecticut. His appearance was
tall and muscular; bat he was so closely
lmuffled in his cloak as to effectually con-
ceal. his features, for, which the inclemency \
of the weather afforded ample apology. He |
crossed the public square, and threaded
street leading southw ardIy from the village
church, until he arrived at a neat cottage,
I situated near the margin of the river. Here
he paused, and casting around an inquiring
glapce, he approached the door, and taking
station beneath a window, he tapped
theron; it was Immediately opered, end .
sweet and musical voice inquired, ''Who is
therer'
"Osgood," he replied.
ais it you, indeed, Edmund! Why have you
ventured here! Know you not that they have
set a pri. c upon your head!"
al now it well dearest Maria; but could
not leave my native land forever until heard
from. those sweet lips that you believed me
innocent Of the heavy crime which they allege
against ne.'s
40, Edmund, could you doubt that believe
you innocent! But you have incurred a fear
full risk in coming here" ,
"Speak not OF it, dearest; life were not
worth preserving, with the heart-rending pre-
sumption that my own Maria, too, believed
me guilty. But, alas! must leave you, my
own, my beautiful! must resign to another
the treasure for which alone | priced exis-
tence!'
edmund, o Edmund, you know. not the
pain your words infiict! Can you doubt my
fidelity! l have promised to be thine alone,
aud that promise will not recall, though all
;. the world despise me for my fidelity to the
outlaw"
i scan il be! IL there yet hope for the
outcast from society! 60, dearest; fleave
my native land without regret and
when find home where we may dwell in
security, wilt thou hasted to my embraced"
"Doubt me not, Edmund; promise. Now
depart, for tremble for your safety. But
bark! hear voices:" -ss-s -
On the instant, five or six men sprang into
the enclosure, with loud cries Of 'Here is
the assassin "Seize the murderer" and the
maiden sank back upon the floor with an
agonixing cry,-"Aias! he is betrayed. his
fidelity to me has wrought his ruin!''
Edmund Osgood was young man of
promising talent, and an only child of veal
) thy and respectable parents. He had just
completed course of collegiate stucies,
and entered upon a professional course with
an eminent physician in n. Not
blight had ever been discernibls upon his
r character, nor a cloud had yet obscured the
horizon of his hopes. He had formed an
acquaintance with lovely and accomplished
IL. ~ H. H.. ,t,,-
5 ing his profession. and to her he was engaged
when an unfortunate occurrence da.hed the
cup of bliss Unexpectedly and hopelessly
from his lips, He had sauntered forth, on
lovely afternoon, to spend few hours in
I self communion away from the hurry and
I hustle Of business, and the dull routine of
studies. In passing through unfrequent-
ed path, in an extensive piece of woodland,
he came suddenly upon man PROSTATE
and in the agonies of death; pistol, recently
discharged, lay by his side, the ball from
which had in all probability pierced his
heart. A pocke.-book aso lay near it; he
took il up to ascertain it it contained any
papers, whereby he might discover the name
of the deceased; he mad just opened it, and
: found it we'll filed with bank notes and other
:. papers, when party of sportsmen, who had
: been out for the purpose of shooting Wild
game, emerged from the thick wood and
:. cane suddenly upon him. Being thus sur
prised, with the pocket-book of the murdered
man in his hand, and pistol recently dis
charged by his side, he was accused Of the
. murder; and notwithstanding his protesta-
= tons Of innocence, he was hurried before
!. a magistrate, and of course committed. The
. night succeeding his examination, however,
!, ,by some secret agency he was released from
confinement and fed. Rewards were offered
for his apprehension, and the emissaries OF
q the law were dispatched in pursuit. The
: fugitive eluded their grasp, however, until
impelled by an irresistible desire to converse
once more with the object of his affections,
!. he bent his steps thit herward; and this, as
: we have seen, led 10 his detection.
Witt well-directed blow he laid the FORE
: most of his pursuers at length upon the
e ground, and made good his retreat. A cry
). was raised, which called out the villagers in
f such numbers that the fugitive found it i'm
f possible to escape, and he resigned himself
!. into their hands, and was again placed in
!. confinement. rs .at 80
? The day of trial arrived-a day of ago.
nizing interest to the maiden, who fully be-
\ lieved every statement of her lover in regard
: to the dreadful occurrence; but Giro umstances
d were SO decidedly against him, that there
. could not be the remotest hope of his &C
quital. The evidence for the State was
!. given clearly and concisely, and the prisoner
had nothing to offer in defence but the
simple statement which he had from the
e first steadfastly adhered to. The judge was
o about to deliver his charge to the jury, when
o message was presented in court, request
ing IN adjournment, as some developments
!. were being made which might put different
n feature upon the affair.
In the alms-housc lay q miserable being,
. about 30 depart to that home fr m whence
\ no traveller returns. Finding himself upon
, the threhod of the eternal world he had sent