Smyrna times., 1856-09-03
!. seett Mlistellanpy,
A SOLDIERS WIFE.
A THRILLING SKETCH.

snintand self-possession of which we have any
secoilection. came to light on trial which
took place some years since in Ireland. The
story looks like fiction, but we have reason to
believe it true. woman travelled along road
10 Join her husband, who was a soldier, and
,quartered at Atblone, was joined by pedlar |
who was going the same way. They entered
into conversation during walk of some hours,
but as the day began to wane they agreed that
they should stop for the night at house of en-
tertanment, and pursue their pedestrian journey
the next day. They reached an humble inn,
situated in lonely spot by the roadside; and
fatigued after long days walk, they were
glad to find themselves under the shade of
roof Having refreshed themselves with the
substantial supper set before them, they express
ed wish to retire. They were shown into the
trayeller's room and went to rest in the respec-
tive beds. The pedlar, before retiring, had call
ed the landlord aside and given into MS keep
inc the pack which he had unstrapped from his
back, till the morning, telling him that it con-
tanned a considerable amount of money and
much valuable property. They were not long
in bed before the pedlar fell into sound sleep;
but the poor woman perhaps from over fatigue,
or from thoughts of meeting her husband next
day. lay awake. A couple of hours might have
passed, when she saw the door slowly opened,
and person entered holding light, which he
screened with his hand. She instantly recog-
hized in him one of the young men she had seen
tot q In nd 10 aIv cd uyif
stealthy step to the bedside of the pedlar, and
watched him for few seconds. He then went
cut, and entered again with his brother and fa-
ther, who held in his hand large pewter basin.
They went on tiptoe to the bedside where the
pedlar lay in deep sleep. One of the young
men drew out knife, and while the father held
the basin so as to catch the blood, he cut the
poor victims throat from ear to ear. A slight
half audible groan, and all was still, save the
cautious movements of the party engaged in
the fatal deed. They had brought in with then
large sock, into which they quickly thrust the
unresisting body. The poor woman lay silent
ly in her bed, fearing that her turn would come
next She heard low mutterings among tht
men, from which she soon gathered that the.
were debating whether they should murder he
too, as they feared she might have it in he
power to betray them. .....
One of them said he was sure she was fas
asleep, gnd there was no occasion to troubl
themselves more but to make sure of this be
ing the case, one came to the bedside with tn
candle in one hand and knife in the other.-
She kept her eyes closed as if in sleep, and ha
such complete command over herself, as not
betray in her countenance any sign that 81
was conscious of what was going on. The ca
die was placed close to her eyes the kni
drawn across her throat she never WINGED,
showed by any movement of feature or of lin
that she apprehended danger. So the m;
whispered that she was sound asleep-th
nothing was to be feared from her, and thu
went out of the room, removing the sack wh
contained the body of the murdered man. He
long must that night of horror have seemed
the poor lone woman-how frightfut was
stiffness and darkness! The presence of mi
which had SO astonishingly enabled her to ac
part to which she owed her life, sustained
through all the trying scenes which she had J
topass. She did not hurry from her room at
unreasonable hour, bat waited until she hea
all the family astir for some time; she tn
went down and said she believed she had ov
slept herself in consequence of being grea
fatigued She asked where the pedlar W
and was told that he was in too great hu
to wait for her, but that he had left sixpe
TO pay for her breakfast. She sat down c.
posedly to that meal, and forced herself to
take with apparent appetite of the food set
fore her. She appeared unconsciouso the
which with deep scrutiny were fixed upon
when, the meal was over she took lie
of the family, and went on her way W
1 out the least appearance Of discomposure
mistrust She had proceeded but short
when she was joined by two swapping lool
w6men. One look was sufficient TO cony
\ her that they were the two young men, and
tlought was sufficient to assure her that
n was yet in their power, and on the very "
{ of destruction. They walked by her side
red into conversation, asked her where
was going, and told her that their road lay
\ same way; they questioned her as to "
I she had lodged the night before, and made
\ intimate inquiries about the family lDhaO
the house of .entertainment.~ Her ans
4 were quite unembarrassed, and she said
\ people of the house had appeared 10 be d.
4 and civil, and had treated her very well.
two hours the young men continued bl
4 side, conversing with her, and watching
4 the most scrutinizing glances any change
counlenance, and asking questions which
seInot beenofhliy1 1seIflpossessed, might
i pot Aert IF her guard II was not 'une