Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-09-25
ATTACHMENTS AND CoURr1Ne.-We ha

ATTACHMENTS AND OOURTING.-We have
heard good story of which an Alabama Sher-
iff was the hero. Court was in session, and a.
mid the multiplied y of business witnesses which
crowded upon him at term time, he stopped at
the door of beautiful widow, on the sunny side
of thirty, who, by the way, had often bestowed
melting glances upon the aforesaid Sheriff. He
was admitted and the widow appeared the con-
fusion aud fright which the arrival Of her visitor
occasioned set off to greater advantage than usu-
al the captivating charms of the widow M
Her cheeks bore the beautiful blended tints of
the apple blossom, her lips resembled the rose
buds upon which the morning dew yet fingered,
and her eyes were like quivers of Cupids, and
glances of love and tenderness-arrows that on
ly invited beau (pardon the pun) to full execu-
ton. After few commonplace remarks
"Madam," said the matter of-fact Sheriff, 81
have an attachment for you" s
A deeper blush than usual mantled the cheeks
of the fair widow; the downcast eyes whose
pierces were centered upon her beautiful foot,
which half concealed by her flowing drapery,
partly patted the floor. She with equal candor
replied,
"Sir the attachment is reciprocal"
For some time the Sheriff maintained an as.
tonished silence-at length he said:
MADAM, will yoa proceed to court"
mo, sir, though this is leap year, will not
take advantage of the license therein granted to
my sex, and, therefore, greatly prefer that you
should proceed to court" replied the lady with
a merry laugh.
"But madam, the justice is waiting"
"Let him wait, / am not disposed to hurry
matters in so unbecoming manner; and be-
sides, sir, when the ceremony is performed, l
wish you to understand that l greatly prefer q
minister to justice of the peace" i
light dawned upon the Sheriffs brain.
madam" he said rising from his chair with
solemn dignity, 'there is great mistake here 8;
my language has been misunderstood The at
tachnent OF which spoke was issued from the
office of Squire O., and commands me to bring
you instantly before him to answer contempt
of the court, in disobeying q subpoena in the
case of Smith}0s. Jones'"
We drop the curtain.
BEFORE THE GUILLoTME-The tumbrel had
come and gone necessarily on the fatal day. 1t
was in its last journey for that day that it took
up Madame Roland and an old trembling man
named Lamarche. The mob, revelling 10 blood,
shouted 81 la guilzotine !' II am going there,''
she answered; s'but those who send me thither
will not be long ere they follow. I go innocent,
but they will come stained with blood, and you
who applaud our execution will then applaud
theirs" The mob answered her with the vilest
insults and grossest epithets. Youth and beau
ty could no more excite admiration in their fe-
rocious hearts than the sight of trembling old
age by her side could draw forth pity Lamar
che wept bitterly; but Madame Roland, proud
OF her fate, was unnaturally gay, and strove to
cheer and encourage him. When they arrived
at the Place de la Concorde, where, beneath a
huge clay statue of Liberty stood the guilotine,
reeking still with the blood of hor friends, she
leaped lightly from the cart. The executioner
pulled her by the arm toward the scaffold.-
'Stay," said she, feeling sympathy for her COM
panion even at this moment. Il have one fa-
vor to ask, though not for myself" She then
explained that the sight Of her death would re-
double the poor old mans misery, and begged
that he might be allowed to die first. She
heard the knife fall On his neck without shud-
der then, bowling to the great statue, she cried,
"Oh Liberty, Liberty, how many crimes are
committed in thy name !" and mounted the scat
fold firmly. In few seconds her head, fair as
it was, rolled into the basket prepared to receive
it. Thus, at thirty years OF age, died this
strange woman.