Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-07-06

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entered the roonl / stood in the recess, Of
the window, where he did not at once observe
me. The wine first attracted his attention,
the fatal glass. / saw him lift it to his lips,
drain its. contents, and / fell fainting to the
hoor.
~ knew no more for several hours. When
rallied was lying upon the sofa the lamp
was burning dimly-an easy chair was wheel
ed to my side, and in it saw the form of my
husband. / sprang quickly up. The drug
was doing its work. He was in heavy slum-
ber, and already his breath came thicker and
shorter, and his pulse beat but family.
My anger had passed away and all the
wild worshipping love which had cherished
toward my husband came rushing back upon
my heart. chafed his hands, kissed his
lips, strove to rouse him but all in vain.
Again paced up and down the floor, but OH
what different emotions possessed me now.
I" A little folded paper, which | had not
before noticed, and lying upon the table,
caught my eye. Scarcely knowing or caring
what did, took it up and opened it. I
saw it was the handwriting of my husband,
and eagerly read its contents. Great god
of Heaven! What had / done? 1t was
note that Ernest had sent me, and which dill
not arrive till after had gone out. tran
as follows:
"Excusc me, Aggy DEAR from coming home
to tea. My sister Of whom spoke to you
this morning, has come home and has sent
for me to come to her. If she is not too
weary, will take you both to the opera this
evening, and will call for you at eight.
Your loving HUSBAND.
be had told me IN the morning ohaU arr-vn'y
sister of his, who had been absent several
years, was expected home that day. His pa
rents resided in another part of the city.
He would call for me at eight had gone
out earlier, and probably by some careless,
ness of the carrier, the note had not arrived
before the time. afterwards learned that
he did call for me, and being told that had
gone to the opera with some friends, and pro-
bably had received his note, he proceeded to
that place with his sister, hoping to find me
there.
GA wild hope that he may yet be reused
seized Inc, and l sprang to his side. But
alas too late! lie had ceased to breath.
"Oh! heaven Of heavens what evil had
nay blind, passionate temper wrought On me
and mine Again became insensible.
81 opened my eyes. Loving, tear-stained
faces bent oven me. A soft hand was gently
stroking my temples, and gazed into the
face Of that gentle sister, whom | had never
seen save upon that fatal night. She kissed
me and wispered.
"Dear Aggy, you are the greatest sufferer
of all.
~ was told that was found in the morn
ing by the servant, lying upon the floor in
sensible, and my husband reclining in his
chair, dead
sit seemed that suspicion had not rested
upon myself. The coroner was called, and
his verdict, died by the visitation of Cod"
Heaven only knows how | loathed and
hated myself. longed to confess the truth,
but for the sake Of others forbore to reveal
what would have brought upon the family
deep disgrace and additional grief. A long
illness followed and my reason reeled. |
was carried back tc my parents. l could not
remain in the house which had been the scene
of my sin and punishment.
"Years passed; grew no better, but was
still trembling upon the verge of insanity,
yet retaining sufficient reason to distinctly
remember my sorrow and to understand what
was passing around me. What was perhaps
strange, was conscious of my mental con-
dition.
"Years passed, and my parents both died.
was placed in the care of an uncle, who
was my only natural guardian. From him /
had inherited the selfsh passion which had
| been my ruin.
"For time I lived in bis house, but he
found me too great a trouble, and under pre-.
tence of solicitude for my recovery he placed
me in the insane asylum. knew it was only
to get me out of his way that he might have
no hindrance in possessing himself of my
large fortuae. But did not object. felt
deserved it all.
"Twelve years have | spent in this re-
treat. Every one has been extremely kind
to me. During that time have never seen
my uncle. 1t is almost over. feel that
shall soon follow to that dark bourne where
in my frenzy sent my noble husband nearly
twenty years ago. have read the Bible-[
have tried to pray"
A few months since I visited - Gene
terry. I found their graves. A costly monu-
ment marks the spot. The uncle is Living in
possession of his niece's wealth, and it SEEM
insly prosperous. I have never made known
to any one the existence of the paper in my
possession. have learned that the family
Of Ernest are all dead
The dear friend who shared with me the
knowledge of Aggy's confession also lies
;sbeneath the sod of the valley"
Hoping that it may serve as warning to
some who may read it, give this history
to the world.