Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-04-21
An Criminal Stprg,
WRITTEN FOR THE ADVERTISER.
IDA L a r II 8 @P;
SUICIDE AT A BOARDING SCHOOL
coNcL q D z D.
BY R RUTH.

1t is now seventeen years, (long to look for
ward to, but short in the retrospect) since the
events am about to relate occurred, and cannot
look back upon that time, even now, without
shuddering.
1t was on Friday the Goth Of June, at three
o'clock in the afternoon, as school was about 70
close, that Mrs Staunton informed us that there
was to be a prayer meeting in the Methodist
Church and as she intended going all OF her
scholars who chose might accompany her. we
were all delighted at tho idea Of going. Ida
was not present when Mrs. Staunton made the
proposal to US, and as soon as we were dismiss
ed went to tell her about it, and ask her to
90 with US. found her room door little aJar
and pushing it open without ceremony what
was nv CONSERVATION to find Ida on her knees,
over her writing desk, weeping bitterly. She
looked I'D as entered, and l shall never to my
diving day forget that look, so wild-so haggard
so full of anguish. She arose, trembling
from head to foot, went to the door, closed and
locked it. Then throwing her arms round my
neck, cried as though her heart would break,
exclaiming, so, Ruth, Ruth do for God sake
help me. Help me before it is too late-too
late O kill me! kill me before I shall have
lived too long, Lived to disobey my kind in
dulgent parents. o, why was ever born to
be 50 wicked and so miserable? If could
only dic now, before the sun goes down this
night, what mercy it would be-"
As may well be imagined was very much
frightened at the strangeness of her conduct, and
made several attempts to unclaSp her hand from
around my neck. asked her to tell me what
had happened to make her 30 very unhappy. l
wanted to 20 for Mrs. Staunton, but she would
not listen to any thing of the sort. She only
cried and trembled tho more, muttering incohe-
rent sentences, and sobblng as though her heart
was breaking. This lasted about half an hour.
When she became more calm, We sat down
together on the side of her bed: Ida with her
head resting on the foot board, and her face as
bloodless Us though her rash prayer had been
granted; for. except that slight shudder would
at intervals pass over her, one might have sup
posed that the troubled and weary spirit had
indeed taken its flight.
besought her to tell me what had caused
her this great grief2 had she heard from home =?
were any Of her friends dead2 1t struck Inc
that perhaps Charles Conoyer was dead, or
very i'll but not one word could get in an
swer to my questions.
All at once she turned to me suddenly say
ing, sRuth, don't tell any one word of this
at least not now. know can rely upon you,
though you are Dut o SNhu' ANoshi'o W nhy
consequence ails me- | am very foolish no
doubt; but you know I have been very much
petted all my life, and cannot bear to be crossed
or contradicted in any thing. So forget what
has just taken place, and pray excuse me to
Mrs. Staunton; tell her have headache and
had rather not 80 to the meeting tonight.
Solicit Ida's room with heavy heart, and
q vague feeling of uneasiness easily to be ac-
counted for. When had reached the stair
case turned back and going again to her room
entreated to let me stay and bathe her head,
and assist her in getting to bed. To this however
she would not consent saying, "No, no! l don't
want any one to stay with me. don't need
any assistance, AID shall soon feel better if
lett to myself; 90 away now Ruth, and don't
come back any more, please" And those words,
those last words, ring in my ears even now.
went first to No. IL, but finding the room
empty, Itook my bonnet and q thin shawl Gas
the nights were still somewhat chilly and