The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-11-18
NEW SERIES, Vol. g.. NC: IA
/ lManiac's Confession

tnroOgh various apartments giving us all Tue
in regard to the occupants, she
was able, and kindIy.Onswerlng all the ques-
tions until we came to room where one Of
the patients had lately died, and now Icy
awaiting the disposal OF her friends, who had
been spprised of her decease. We entered,
and gazed reverent'y upon the face Of the
sleeper. She was woman in the prime Of
life and bore traces Of great beauty. What
great sorrow had bereft this beautiful crea.
ture OF her reason! and by what relative, and
for what motive, had she been incorcerated
in this living tomb were queries which
were in my mind as gazed upon her lifeless
remains. -r"
My eyes involuntarily wandered over the
apartment. A little table stood in the cor.
ner, beneath the grated window. A Bible
lay upon it, and as took it up. paper Slid
from between the leaves and fell at my feet.
| raised it. II was a closely written sheet,
and glance convinced me that it was some
sort of revelation which had been written
there during the last hours Of that life which
had fed.
."Whut is this I" asked, as held up the
paper. l .In.a $3.50. aa.e
"Oh, that is probably come Of Aggy's
scribbling. She used to call for pen and
paper and then she would write over several
sheets, and soon destroy them. That is pro
baby one of them of no consequence, l
presume" said the woman.
asked il might have it.
"Why, yes, il you wish it, she replied.
hid it away in my bosom, and we soon
left the premises. .. ...--a.
"Whut could you possibly want Of that
cr"zy woman's scribbIing!" my companion
asked, as we left the building.
IL fancy there is something here worth
preserving" | replied. "Let US examine
it,"
As we rode homeward, read it aloud 10
my friend. II was written in a trembling
hand, and read as follows:
81 was the only and idolized daughter OF
wealthy parents. | possessed naughty and
impericus temper, which was never subdued
or restrained. My parents were not religi.
GUS, and no care was taken 10 impress up
on my mind religious truths. Cons qucntIy
| grew up unprincipled and cx,r, mey pns
sionate. While every pains was taken with
my education and Accomplishments, my lit
tie heart was lett to run wild, overgrewn and
chuked by the briers end thorns Of sci sh
ness, and love OF tyranny; vet was pas.
sionately altached 10 my friends, and as long
as they did not cross my impelilous will,
got on nicely with them.
"Thus grew to womanhood. Chance
threw me into the society Of young lawyer
OF distinguished abilities, who had begun
what was predicted to be a brilliant career.
soon learned to love him with all the depth
of my passionate and impulsive nature and
wus wild with joy, when one day he came to
me, and in eloquent language told me how
long aud devotedly he had loved me, and
asked me to be his wife.
1--WE we're married. II I occasionally felt
a twinge of disgust Of my own qualifications
as a wife, soon silenced it with the argu
ment that my love was strong enough to
make up for all deficiencies. 30.
"My husband was all that was good, anG
noble and generous. was often passionate
and unreasonable. But he would take me
to his bosom, and kiss me so tenderly. and
say so gently. 'You must subdue this un
happy temper, Aggy. 1t is making you very
} miserable.'
! "Then when he was gone, would fly tc
my chamber, lock the door, and give mysel
up TO on uncomfortable fit Of weeping fol-
! very shame" a...s .4a r.a8 tHamgH
t "We had been married about year. Ont
evening (would to God could blot from
the record Of time that fatal night but i,
/ lives like a Kissing fiery serpent in my me-
mory, and has doomed me to utter despair
in this world, and / fear the next y my hus
} band did not return at the usual hour.
, watched long at my accustomed place, at tht
! purlor window. His slippers and dress int
J gown were warming BY the CRATE, and every
thing was in readiness for him but he dit
not come. Twilight deepened into darkness
, and began to grow uneasy All my selfish
feelings were reused, and felt myself sore.
Iy grieved. An hour more, yet he came not
I paced up and down the floor in fit Of i'm
] patience. A ring at the door, |, waited L
( hear his step upon the stairs ). but twas
, lighter step than his, accompanied by the
? rustling Of silk. Nellie B, an init
mate friend, bounded in. She was dresse,
for the opera. She said their carriage. wait
ed at the door for myself and Ernest. toll
her Ernest had not returned from his Office
and could not 60. She looked disappoint
0 ed. A sudden thought seized me. Woul,
I it not be capital. revenge for his neglect o
1 me to find the parlor deserted when he came
I went to the opera. We were scarcel,
;. seated in our box, when party; entered
e box opposite. The blood rushed back to m,
Q heart, and my pulse stood still as recogniz
b ed Ernest, Ernest. ny. husband, and leanipI
9 upon his arm one OF theamost beautiful crea
j! lures my eyes ever beheld. This was m
! fret impression, for there quickly followe
| - doadI,, and soalo,,a A hatred m made Ia