Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-10-23
THE SOLDIERS WIFE.

any recollection; came to light on a trial
which took place some years since in Ireland.
The story looks like fiction, but we have
reason to believe it true. A woman travel
ing along road to join her husband, who
was soldier, quartered at Athlone, was
joined by pedlar, who was going the same
way. They entered into a conversation du-
ring walk of some hours but as the day
began to wane, they agreed that they should
stop for the night at house of entertain
ment, and pursue their journey the next
day. They reached lonely inn, situated
in lonely spot by the roadside; and IA
tigued after long days walk, they were
glad to find themselves under the shelter of
a roof Having refreshed themselves with
the substantial supper set before them, they
expressed a wish to retire. They were
shown into tho travellers room, and went to
rest in their respective beds. The pedlar,
before retiring had called the landlord aside
and given into his keeping the pack, which
he had uustrapped from his back till the
morning, telling him that it contained con-
siderable sum of money and much valuable
property. They were not long in bed, be-
fore 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. \ couple of hours
might have passed, WI zen she saw the door
slowly opened, aud person entered holding
a light, which he screened with his hand
She instantly recognized in him one of the
young men she aad seen below-son to the
landlord.
He advanced with stealthy steps to the
bedside of the pedlar, and watched him for
few seconds. He went out and entered
again with his brother aud father, who held
in his hand large pewter basin. They
went on tiptoe to the bedside where the ped
lar 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 them large sack, into
which they quickly thrust the unresistirg
body. The poor woman lay silently in her
bed, fearing that her turn would come next
She heard low muttcriug among the men,
from whom she gathered that they we're de-
batting whether they should murder her too,
as they feared she might have it in their
power to betray them.
One of them said he was sure that she was
fast asleep, and that there was no occasion
to trouble themselves more but to make
sure of this being the case, one came to the
bedside with the candle in his hand, and
the other with knife. She kept her eyes
closed as in SLEEP, and had such complete
command over herself as not to betray in
her countenance any sign that she was con-
scious of what was going on, The candle
was placed close to her eyes, the knife was
drawn across close to her throat she never
WINGED or showed by any movement of fea-
ture or of limb, that she apprehended dam
ger. So the men whispered that she was
sound asleep-that nothing was to be feared
from her, and they went out of the room,
removing the sack which contained the body
of the murdered man. How long must
that night of horror have seemed to the poor
lone woman-how frightful was its Stiffness
and darkness. The presence of mind which
had so astonishingly enabled her to act a
part to which she owed her life, sustained
her through all the trying scenes which she
had yet to pass.
She did not hurry from her room at an uu-
seasonable hour, but waited until she heard
all the family astir for some time she then
went down and said she believed she had
oversight herself in consequence of being
greatly tired. She asked where the pedlar
was, and was told that he was in too great a
hurry to wait for her, but that he had left
sixpence to pay for her breakfast She
sat down composed to that meal, and forced
herself to partake with apparent appetite of
the food set before her. She appeared un-
conscious of the eyes which with deep scru-
tiny were fixed upon her. When the meal
was over, she took leave of the family, and
went on her way without the least appear
ance of discomposure or mistrust. She had
proceeded but a short way when she was
joined by two strapping looking women
One look was sufficient to convince her that
they were the two young men, and one
thought to assure her that she was yet in
their power. They walked by her side, en-
tered into conversation, asked her where
she was going, and told her that their road
lay the same way they questioned her as to
where she had been lodged the night before,
and made most minute inquiries about the
family inhabitng the house of entertainment.
Her answers were quite unembarrassed, and
she said the people of the house had appear
ed to be decent and civil, and treated her
very we'll. For two hours the young men
continued by her side, conversiug with her,
aud watching with the most scrutinizing gaze
any change in her counteuance, and asking
questions, which, had she not been fully
self-possessed, might, have put her off her
guard.