The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-02-05
THE BROKEN HEARTED OR, CRIME
ITS OWN AVENGE Err.
NEW LEAF FROM wELL-kSowx HISTORY.

. A NEW LEAF FROM W ELL-kNoWN ulSiokf'
We recently published a letter in which
Harlow Case, the defaulting Collector of
Sandusky, announcing the decease Of the
unhappy woman who had accompanied his
flight, and implored the forsivness of her
husband. Under the title We have given
above, missionary correspondent of the
Boston Waterman. and Reflector describes
an interview with the guilty pair, which
took place shortly before death hurried
away the mother and the child whom she
had made the companion of her Wanderings
The subject is painful one, but the writer
describes so feelingly and truthfully the
selfinhicted misery Of Case and his partner
in guilt, that we reproduce his narrative:
what though the spicy breercs
Blow soft o'er Ceyion's Isle,
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile"
Curiously enough. | was just repeating
this stnnza when my new acquaintance call
ed for me. had met him while on L busi-
ness visit to Ceylon, as u countryman of
mine, and was pleased with the opportunity
that afforded me more intimate personal
knowledge.
thought myself fortunate in falling in
with so agreeable u gentleman, and con-
sidered his face and manners peculiarly re-
fined. On our second meeting noticed a
singular restlessness of the handsome dark
ewes, an irritable bitterness of the lips, and
disposition to be constantly on the move,
shown in the tappin Of light bamboo cane,
or the motion of foot or hand.
These things however, did not strike me
as singular at the time, but coupled with
what afterwards learned, were certain ev-
idence, that the man felt areaHy the gnaw-
ings Of the worm that never dies.
One forenoon we left the little seaport
town where | was sojourning, and rode II
short distance into the interior of the gor-
geous Island. Most glorious were the sur
roundings on every hand. With prodig-
alitv quite undreamed of by inhabitants of a
colder cline, nature had showered her most
exquisite floral gifts everywhere. Trees
loaded with sweet smelling flowers, their
intense colors vieins with the foliage Of
richer green, from out of which they smiled;
tall ctus-pants, with crimson, goblet
shaped blossoms lilies, gorgeous III the
queenly unfolding Of form and color
every thing rich, lavish, wonderful met our
ewes. toasted to fullness with this tropical
! luxuriancc.
THAT is my house," said my new friend,
pointing to Il lcw-roofed cottage, surround
ed by a wide verandah, from whose cling
ing vines sweet odors were flung upon the
soft atmosphere--bu from the moment the
words were uttered his gcnialitv departed.
Within the cottage enclosure were walks,
bowers and fouuta ms. Chaste statuary
was dispersed over the grounds with Won
derous effect. The house seemed almost a
fairy structure, rising in the midst of flow
ers and foliage. And the man who sat be-
side me. whose smile mounted no higher
than his lips-the dreamy, far-l ooking dis
content IN his eye growing every moment
more perceptable-was the owner of this
Eden like home.
We were met at the threshold by love
" child of some eleven summers. Her hail
hung IN curls. Her eyes particularly lus.
trous vet mournful in beauty, and on tho
Young brow seemed to see "a something
shadow of sadneSs--an unchildlike quiet
rs she greeted my ncw friend.
Dressed in pure white she gliled befor,
US, and to her was left the duty of enter.
tanning me While Mr.. C., excusIng himself
in the remark, that sickness necessaril,
called him away, for a half hour or 50, Ii,
left the room.
is your mother very unwell p askeG
Of the little girl, who with these shadow.
filled eyes of hers, was regarding Inc gent
Iv. but attcnti,ely
Yes, sir, mamma, has been sick 4 lon.
timr,' replied she, dropping her eyes, whll'
her lips trcinblcd.
'DId YOU come from America = she ask
ed timidiy.
.Yes. my dear. Do you know anythin:
Of that country?' returned, growing
more and more pleased with her expressive
face.
.OnIy that mamma came from there, nnC
think she added hesitatingIy, 'that did
But Mr.. c. will never let me talk nbout it,.
'Arc YOU then not the little daughter 0
Mr.. C.. = asked somewhat astoni>hed.
Il am my mothers daughter,' answered
the child, with a grave dignity in one St
voung-and minute after she arose anl
quietly left the room.
sat watching her white robes fittin:
through the long shady walk opposite IN,
window, and knew that the child broode,
over some dark sorrow, for her eyes were
filed with tears.
Why WIS it questioned myself, tha
painful thoughts took possession of me as
sat there? 1t seemed rs if | were so ourn
ing in an enchanted spot, and that som'
horror was suddenly to break upon me.
At nv side, nearly covering u bcnutIfu
table Of letter wood, was several costly gIf
books. took them up carefully, for have
a reverence for books-and turning to thu
hy- leaf of spended bound copy of Shak
espeare, read
TO Mary Frances F., from her devo
ted husband-IIcnrv f. F.
thrill of surprise and anguish ran from
vein to vein. My thoughts seemed para
lived. The truth had burst upon me Will
such suddcnness that the blood rushed with
shock to my heart.
know Henry f. F., had known hin
intimately for years. He was IL friend, to
wards whom all my sympathics had beer
drawn, for he bad seen such sorrow a,
makes the heart grow old before its time.
His wife whom he loved had deserted hin
she had taken with her his only child
She had desolated household and for
getting honor, shame, everything that per
tains to virtue and to God, had fled from
the country with the man whose arts hac
won her wanton love.
How could remain under this roof thai
now 6eetneu aCCuTSeu lloN Httt tuc ueS
troyer of virtuc-thc fend who had revelleC
in such n conquest.
could only think of the evil they hae
done-not what they might suffer through
the tortures of remorse. 1t was some time
before the seducer came into the room
where | still sat with the child, determined
to meet him once more before left thu
house.
o! how guilty how heart striken hi
appearance Remorse sat on his forehead
looked out from his eycs-spokc when h'
was silent.
will you como to dinner?' he asked.
Ihestated. Should partake Of his hos
pitality; the hospitality of one of those
iiends in human shape whose steps take hole
on hell 1? knew his guilt-why delay te
declare it? Why not at once, in burning
works. upbraid h,m for his vlliany, ant
fee as from a pestilcnce his sin-cursce
house? The man noticed my hesltat:on. III
could not, of course, Interpret its cause. a.
he repeated his request, the look OF distress
upon his face excited feeling Of pity which
for the moment, slightly disarmed my re