Litchfield enquirer., 1855-09-20

u CHtteIDs CONN.,, | f
 EXTRACT FROM \ NEW BOOK.
 The following we'll written passage we clip from the lately published work, entitled l" My Confession :''
 One dreary day. not many months after this. as sat alone in my prison, awaiting trial. l gradually became conscious, from something awful in the atmosphere, of the approach Of that awful scouTge to southern lands, the earthquake. Aprofound stiffness reigned in the air over the town. It was like the repose of . tiger before he springs upon his Prey. Even within the jail walls l knew tiiatsshe inhabitants of the city were profiting by the solemn and well known warming. l could hear the echoing tramp of feet in the streets. and cries of anguish from men, women and children, as they de serted their homes to avoid the impending danger. Despairingly l listened till the last sound died away. In vain ] watched for the coming of some one to liberate me from the certain death that must reach all who remained in the prison. In the gene- raj panic of hurried departure. it's inmates were orgoiten--osrj jaiiors had fed l! As the first life-destreying boom of eruption shook the walls, fell upon my knees, and harden ed sinner that was, attempted 10 pray. l had not prayed before during many years. know not what asked-what miracle l delirioasly demanded of heaven for my pre- servaiion. Alternately strove franiically to break the fastenings of the door by throw ing my person violebtly against it, and shrieked out maledictions on those who, bu- sled with their own safety, had left me to perish. My ears were filled with the sav- age shouts, the maniac rawlings of my fellow prisoners; their curses and their prayers rent the air already freigh,ed with death a destruction. Like myself they were pow erless; they knew the town was being for- saken. As night fell, the deadened rumble of earth, ploughed as is were by whiri- wind, grew louder and stronger We heard the fall of buildings, the crash of breaking walls. ss Morning dawned! nev- CT knew before what blessed thing the daylight is. Like the smile of God, day shons over the ruined town. The prison. was aa yet, unharmed. On sudden. l heard, below, cry-a murmur of grateful joy. Stfaining to listen, plainly perceived the sound of the withdrawal of bolt, the turning of key, and again undis,inguisha- ble words of surprise and thankiulness.--- Some one, thank GQd, had come to set us free! One by one heard the fastenings of the cells undone, and, with fsverish eager ness, awaited my own Alterations. The steps grew nearer--they ascended the stairs to the story in which was confined! There was a rattle of keys, and the door of the cell nearest the landing swung on it's hinges amid hysterical cries of joy. its occupant
 aed quickly from the place. But another door, and l, too, should have lihertys My pulses throbbed-my very heart ached with expectation. Nearer, nearer they came ,and at last, the feet Of the emancipator paused at NY cell. Joy struck mo dumb. could not sneak. My lips were sealed tcgetheF- the steps passed on to the TRxt door. | tried to cry out, hut by no eff,rt of the will could accomplish my purpose. The mi- sery of suspense heref, me of strength-i sank heavily apou the door. The iar of the tall must have attracted the attention had so vninly sought to win. There was nasty resnrn--a key was fitted to the iock--the door was opened slowly, and l--was free Scarcely staying to look on my pseserver. in one bound stood withoat the cell. The grey light of the dawn hardly revealed the iniricacies Of the Jail as l passed through is. and reached, at last. it's Poftals. For mo- ment paused upon the threshold, cnntem- plating, in awe, and fear. the spectacle of sublime ruin which the town had become. Scarcely uace ofits former appearance fe- mained. It's homes were desolated. snd mouads of still convuised earth usurped the places of many stately building. while here and there huge cavern disteuded its hungry jaws.