, 1861-01-10


gered but few weeks after the son she adored,
and seldom spoke during the period, except to
call upon his name.
But will not dwell upon this painful theme.
Suffice it to say she died; and her death, under
such circumstances, increased the sensation
which my brothers mysterious murder had ex-
cited. Yet, with all the horror which was uni.
verSally entertained for the crime, and the exc
cratiOns poured upon It's atrocious perpetrator,
still the doer Of the deed remained undiscoy.
cred and even |, who was Of course the most
active In seeking 10 develop the mystery, not
only could catch no clue to the murderer, but
even iailed TO ascertain where the mangled re-
mains Of my lost brother had been deposited.
II was nearly year after the fatal event. that
penitent knet to me, and coniided 10 the ear
Of his cOniessOr the misdeeds Of an ill-spent life
| say Of his whole life, for he had never before
knelt OF the confessional.
Fearful was the catalogue Of crime that was
revealed TO me-unbOunded selishness, oppres-
sion, revenge and lawless passion, had held unbri
died influence over the unfortunate sinner, and
sensuality in all its shapes. even to the polluted
home and betrayed maiden, had plunged him
deeply into sin.
Twas shocked-I may even say I was disgust
cd, and the culpFit himself seemed to shrink from
the recapitulation Of his crimes, far, far more
extensive and appalling than he had dreamed
Of until the recital Of them called them all up
in fearful array before him. was about to
commence an adnionition, when he interrupted
me-he had more To communicate. l desired
him to proceed-he writhed before me. en-
joined him in the name Of the God he had Of
Tended, and who knoweth the inmOst heart, to
make an unreserved disclosure Of bis crimes,
before he dared to seek reconciliation with his
Maker. After many 4 pause and convulsive
sob, he told me, in voice almost suifOcated by
terror, that he had been guilty Of bloOdshed. ]
shuddered, bnt in 0 short time | recovered my
self and asked how and where he had deprived
q fellow-creature Of life? Never, TO the latest
hour Of my life, shall forget the look which the
miserable sinner gave me at that moment. His
eyes were glazed, and seemed starting from their
sockets with terror; bis face assumed deadly
paleness-he raised his clasped hands up to me
in the most imploring action, as If supPlicahng
mercy, and with iyid and quiVering lips, he
gasped out
I" Il was me who killed your brother Z"
Oh, God how felt at that instanti Even
now, after the lapse Of years, recollect the SEN
satiOn; It was as Il the blood was flowing back
upon my heart, until I felt as IL Il would burst;
and then q few c0nVulsive breathines-and back
rushed the blood again through my tingling
veins. l thought was dying; but suddenly
uttered an hysterical laugh, and fell back sense
less, in my seat
when | recovered, cold sweat was pouring
down my forehead, and was weeping cOpiously.
Never befors did l feel my manhood annihilated
under the Influence Of an hystericaI affection
il was dreadful.
found the bloOdstained sinner supporting
me, ronsed from his own prcstratiOn by sense
Of terror at my emotion; for when | could hear
anything, his entrsatigs that ] would not dis
cover upon him were poured forth in the most
abject supplicaton.
"Fear not for your miserable life," said I;
the seal Of confession Is upon what you have
revealed to me, and SO far you arc safe; but
leave me for the present, and come not near me
again until send for you"
lie departed.
kneli and prayed for strength to Him who
alone could give il 70 fortify me in this dreadful
trial. Here was the author Of brUther's muT-
der, and . mothers consequent death, discovered
70 me in the person Of my penitent II was .
fearful position for Gail mortal to be placed
in; but as consequence Of the holy calling
professed, hoped, through the blessing Of Him
whom served, TO acqu,re strength for the trial
in which the ministry Of His gospel had led me.
Tlss fortltnde needed came through prayer,
and when thought myself equal to the task, I
sent for thu murderer Of my brother. ofiicia-
ted TOR him as our church has ordalned-l aP-
pointed penances 70 nun. ana, IN snoEt Gest
with him merely as any other cOnlessor might
have done.
Years thus passed away, and during that time
be constantly attended his duty and Il was re
marked that he had become . quieter person
since Father Roach had become his confess0r.
But stu ne was not hked-and, indeed, iear ne
was ar RON reloF!neu man, thougn ne d'd not
allow his transgresslonS % DC 50 gsIIhg ss uney
were wont 70 Oe ane oeE.n 70 tnInk tnat teI'
ror epo cunning nAo oeen nis mouvcs ~ sIs'
gesung . ann tne c0urse ne naa auIpteo, as sne
opportunities wnlcn gave n'm Q, oslng oi.en
with me IS nl8 eOnlessOf, were likely 70 tuit