True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-10-06
THRILLING SKETCH.
The Foarfold Dream.

The Foarfold Dream.
If there be no city called Hippesford
among the northwestern towns of England
let il be there, whittier went five wears
ago to see the Italian hung. The name
under which be suffered was supposed to
be a feigned one; the crime which he
expiated was that Of murder; The Staying
OF his master and benefactor as he slept,
and The taking of a sum of money, which,
in all probability lie might have had for
the asking. One Of those atrocities, to
give reason for which battles the student
ofhuman nature. The defence sell up for
Mavoranel was that Of insanity there
being no doubt whatever as to his having
committed The deed-bnt this plea was,
in my opinion, very properly SET aside
His advocate happened to be an intimate
friend Of mine; and il was through the
lnterest-morbid and reprehensible, am
we'll aware-with which he had inspired
me- in the unhappy criminal, that found
myself among that crowd in front of the
Hippesford gaol. | heard someting going
on near me, little too jocose for the
occasion.
You cruel hearted rufian, if you dare
to mock the poor wretch like that again,
cried deep, low voice, I'm save Mr.
Calcraft some trouble in your case.'
The speaker was ine, powerfully
built sailor, towering by half head
above the throng; and; under his flashing
eyes and threatning brows, the fellow who
had provoked his wrath, subsidized at once
into mutterings, and presently into sullen
silence. Having achieved this end, he
made no further observations, but kept
his looks intently fixed upon the ghastly
preparations above us. He alone-amid
the hum and noise of the crowd-main
tained an inviolable silence, and strained
his eyes upon the scafold above, as tho
he would have numbered every nail in it;
the extreme anxiety Of his face was
remarkable, even among those thousand
eager and expeclant countenances. Not
caring to look upon the dreadful sight
direcIly-l watched that face, when the
death-bell began to toll, as though it were
a mirror-feeling sure that should see
reflected in it whatever was happening
| was burning and quivering with excite
ment when the wre;ched criminal was
carried up by three or four persons in
to view. Immediately after he came in
sight. this fixed expression vanished as
completely as though curtain had been
drawn over some picture; and, as the
sailor cast his looks upon the ground
heard him rnutter, in a solemn whisper
his thanks to Heaven.
AS the sailor and | were carried along
together by the resistless human tide,
said to him, sure of sympathy,
This is sad sight my friend-is il
nol?' ~ '@
Yes, sir, terrible sight, indeed; but
it might have been worse
How so 2 said 1.
Well, it's long story he replied
but if you would like to listen to il, apc
to take a cup of tea with me, (of which
feel the needy at my lodgings, | shall b,
pleased enough. II Twill be arelief 10 me
feel, 10 tell it even to stranger
| So we two went up into little room
overlooking the scene, and which ha,
been let (as had been agreed upon whel
they took the apartment,) throughout ,ha
morning 10 party of five gentlemen(!
and a lady(!) who had only just evacua
ted it. And there he told me this story
i you must excuse me if am it'll
slow, at first, for yon throng has fairly
dazzled and dumb founded me. | an
quite new to sights Of this kind. Thanl
God nor haYe I ever seen SO great
ctowd before. l live upon the south eas
coast, where the folks are not as many a
in these parts, and MY own employment
is particularly solitary one; | am ligh
house man. | sometimes pass Who'll
weeks without ever seeing any other fac
than that of my mate, without hearin,
any other voice save his, and thai of tn
baffled wave which beats forever agains
our rock Even my holiday time is spen
among people, who pass as lonely live
as ! do. My friends dwell at coas
guard station, far away from any town
and indeed from me, only they can se
every night our lantern burning steadily
out a. sea, which my mother and sjste
says is great comfort to them whel
father is from home. lis lonesome vol
Esee, for them to know that there is nj
human being save themselveswithin mile
Eof them. the next post being long dis
tance beyond The headland, whittier, ofieI
on the darkes, nights my father has to q,
feeling for the white chalk heaps that ar
laid downto mark the road betwixt TIL
stations, the direction Of which, in oil,
times, they say, the smugglers used i
alter, SO that the poor revenue mel
we're guided over the precipice, into til
arms Of death below. Twelve years ag
a vessel was cast ashore, and went /
pieces one wintry night at the cliff foo,
beneath our guard house, and all The crew
save one, were thrown by the scornfu
sea. upon the shore, dead men
The sailor gave an involuntary lool