The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-05-12
CHAPTER XXIII-Concluded.

CHAPTER XXIII-Concluded.
There was no riot, however. 1t was dinner
.;me. and some of the crowd were hungry.
Some we're appeased, if not fully satisfied with
,l- measure of vengeance which they had OBJ
aimed Some. perhaps, already regretted it,
from one of those revulsions OF feeling to which
mois are prone; and-that better side of the
distinctive Southern character coming upper
most. which some persons think is SO much bet
,.r than the best side of the distinctive North
srn character, as to more than equalize the two,
perhaps they were even moved to pain by the
sight Of the two brothers, SO young, so gallant
l,,king. 50 attached, and so unfortunate.
Be that as it may, Herman was detained in
I the court house but few moments, before it
was sufficiently cleared for him and his attend
ant. to reach the jail-cart without difficulty
and he returned to his cell with no molestation,
except from the eyes of the lingerers; and even
those he could not see, for the sunlight of that
dazzling day was black to him; and his sight
vas turned inward upon himself, and his own
and his Constance's great appalling misery. 1t
seemed to crowd and fill his whole being, heart
and soul, so utterly, with its swelling and
Spreading darkness, that no room was left with
in him for anything else, except for Him, Who
. Is in mercy everywhere.
In this stunned condition he remained at
| TadmOr over week more. In the course of
that time, the excitement against him was par
tally renewed bya false report that got abroad,
no one knew how, that the lenity of his sentence
had been procured by bride. Edward, who
had written before the trial to the Governor,
did so again upon its conclusion, and received
second answer, courteorsly worded, like the
FIRST but little more than a repetition Of it, re-
newing his Excellency's assurance that, Eat the
fitting time DIR. Arden's fathers services to the
South would no doubt be remembered" his as
serton that the fitting time had not yet come"
and an invitation to his house. He promised,
however, very strong and reliable guard to
convey Herman to the penitentiary and with
this Edward had to be satisfied. That the time
could ever have come when the offer of strong
guard to take Herman to prison should seem a
boon 10 him
Hermans chain was put on again. Letters
Of recommendation to the Wardens of the peni-
tertiary were given him, not only by Mr.. Broad
stone, but by Judge Sharper and his jailor. 1t
rained hard but a crowd assembled to see his
departure. Edward was allowed to enter the
stage coach with him, in company with the
sheriff. The savage-looking guard rode on
horseback on each side of the windows, armed
d.--. Il 4 I'll
but SAT for the most part tongue-tied, under that
cruel and mysterious spen when maAes Omen
most dumb when We have the most to say, and
the shortest time TO say it in. Herman had
given to Edward very long letters to his be-
trOthed and sister, containing much that 1t
might have been more difficult for him to utter
than 10 write, even if there had been no third
person present He seemed now 10 be racking
his brains to recall the names, haunts, and
wants OF all the sick and poor who had learned
10 depend upon him, that he might leave them
"a a legacy of love to his brother At least,
when he did speak, it was chiefly of them.
The Journey was brief and blank. As the
huge and dismal walls which awaited the young
captive stood up in the distance, and came
forth, with their whited-sepulchre front of black
ened and widowed stucco, to receive him, one
OF the guard suddenly thrust his shaggy head in
al the window, and said, in language rather
above his station
You may he happy in another world but
YOU will see no more happiness here below.
You've spent your last pleasant day in this one
aud ali that at an end"
He then withdrew, and rode on as before. 1t
was not easy to Judge whether he had spoken
from cruelty, or from a sort of rude impulsive
sympathy; but his speech was as if an i'll Omen
had spoken.
Herman shivered slightly, as if a cold wind
from within the mouldy-looking tomb of living
men before them had breathed upon him but
instantly rallying himself, he turned to his
brother, and said, "0ne would think he was a
student of Dante, Lasciate aqui speranza, vo
en- entrate.' Oh, no, There is but one
prison, If any, in the universe, over whose door
those words belong. The fellow is mistaken
Ned. as | shall tell you FIVE years hence"
The news of their coming had preceded them
and great throng had gathered, to witness
their arrival. They alighted, and entered tn,
Office. Ii was at once crowded with strangers
The guard, armed with muskets, kept the door
The oyerseer, with his bowie knife and pistols
stood over Herman His name was written il
the prison record. The harlequin, parti-coloreC
prison uniform was brought forward. On,
would have thought that it was for Edward
his face flushed, and his lip trembled-a sigh
which Herman had hardly ever witnessed be
lore. He tore out his purse, and showed
couple of gold eagles to two of the guard
Pat all this rabble out !" said he, in hoars,
Whisper which choked in spite of him. Tn
men, half cowed by his expression and manner
obeyed instinctively, almost as much for fea
as fee.
Herman pushed the clothes aside. Wait
moment" said he, gently, but in tone whcl
scarcely admitted OF denial, and his hand passes
on and clasped his brothers in its vigorous
manly grasp. He took out his watch, AM
gave il to him-"Aspen,caU," said he; Ed
ward nodded his gold pencil" Clara. Go
bless YOU! God bless you! Now, Ned, CO."
And it was over-that bloody wrenchin
apart oftwo hearts, which had grown together
Edward, at the door, gave one glance over hi
shoulder, and saw his brother standing, stated
and erect, as he had ever seen him, looking yer
pale, but undauntsd, with cowhides and han,
cuffs hanging on the wall over his head, and til
siouching, rufianly -looking turkeys busy a
about him. 1t was enough. He fed from ii
spot and the State as if chased or led by ii
Furies
CHAPTER XIV
The Pen;feof;1ru