The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-07-29

WnOle energies 10 uccothPnSn my 0mOltlOll.
| Arranging to write frequently to one who
divided my heart with my business duties,
and to receive frequent epistles in return,
set out for Philadelphia, expecting to be
absent at most not more than two weeks
Tho laws delay, however, detained me
month beyond my most sanguine expecta-
tions, and established myself in a position
before the highest court of my native State.
My triumphs were dashed that in all the
time thus engaged had not received line
from Lancaster, instead of which the at
mosphere was filled with rumors that tho
person upon whom had set my affections
had been seduced into the ambitious designs
of her thOughtless parent, and that had
been discarded-a thing l could not believe,
and yet the dreadful silence seemed to in
dorse it.
AT last, released from my engagement,
took the usual, and, in those days, the only
conveyance to Lancaster-the stage. Tho
idleness consequent upon travelling gave
time for consuming thoughts, and my sus-
pense became painful to the last degree, and,
unable to bear the slow space of my con-
veyance, l determined to anticipate the
usual time of my journey, by making tho
last miles on horseback. In carrying out
this determination, mounted feet steed;
but just as | reached the suburbs of my na-
tive place, the animal, from some unaccoun-
table cause, sprang from the road, threw
me with force, breaking my arm and other
wise injuring my person. Picked up by
my friends, | was conveyed helpless and
full of physical and mental agony, to my
home. Scarcely had the surgeons perform
ed the necessary duties, than one, whom
esteemed friend, announced to mo the
gossip of the village, and, among other
things, detailed the particulars of the court
ship and engagement of the young lady in
whom l was so interested with well known
person of a neighboring city--a person
whose claims to regard no one could dis
pute. These things, stated with such ap-
parent good faith, connected with that fear
full silence of six long weeks, had no other
effect than to increase my anxiety to un-
ravel the mystery; and on the following
morning, concealed my wounded limb under
cloak, probably pale and hageard, pre-
sented myself at the mansion of my mis-
tress. / was received in the presence Of
the mother. She confirmed my suspicious.
The young lady stood by, the picture of
despair, yet silent as the grave. Desper-
ate at what seemed this bad faith, return
a1 fn bnncn 70 H.
manding my correspondence, and return
ing at the same time every once cherished
token of affection. received all / sent
for, save, perhaps some forgotten flower.
That night the young lady, accompanied
by female servant, left for Philadelphia.
Arriving at her uncle's house, she CON-
planned of being fatigued with her journey,
and retired to her room. Complaining of
some serious pain, only soothed by nnrco-
tics she sent her faithful but unsuspecting
servant and friend to a neighboring drug
store for laudanum, received it, expressed
the wish to be alone, and seemingly retired
to sleep. The following morning, not max
ing her appearance, the family became a.
larmed, broke open the door, and found
the young lady dead-in her hand the little
keepsake retained from my correspondence.
The uncle, as if comprehending the parti-
culars which led to this dreadful tragedy,
had the body cncofined, and with it return
ed to Lancaster. Placing all that remained
of this once lovely being in the parlor, no
brought the mother forward, and displayed,
what he was pleased to term, tho result of
her work.
/ was sent for, and arrived to witness the
eloquent agony of that mothers heart
Over the cold remains of her daughter, sho
revealed the particulars that led to tho aw-
full result My letters and hers, by untir-
ing industry, the command of large resour-
ccs, and paid agents, had been all inter-
cepted. The reason of my prolonged alb
sence in Philadelphia had been explained
as the result of the fascinating charms of
city bellies; even an engagement had been
pronounced. All this while the victim had
been full of hope. She had heard of my
arrival in Lancaster, but not of my acci-
dent; for long weary hours she sat in the
parlor waiting my presence, but doomed to
Here was seeming indif-
ference, confirmation of all she had heard.
On the other side, was made the dupe of
the mothers arts, and the ficnd who had
poisoned my ear was merely the agent 70
carry forward the great wrong. The last
have described, which resulted
in the return of correspondence, was en-
shrouded in the consequences of all these
plans. The result was death to one party,
and the burial of the heart of the other, in
the same graue that closed over one who
could not survive the wreck of her affec-
TONS
Many years have passed away since the
detailed in the above sketch hnvo
transPired; many years since they were
revived by the accidental conversation in
"a family circla of Wa s,,o;at.,. kr1