Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-09-17

He turned away to make some preparation
for his horrid work, when heavy sigh which
seemed to bear on its breath the word Mer-
cy ~ recalled him to the side Of Caroline he
seized her wrist, a feeble futtering pulse
vibrated thrillingy to his touch.
She opened her eyes, gazed around her.
saw the surgeon, and all his accompanying
horrors. She sprung from the board, and
threw herself at his feet; her own disarray
affected her not, the feelings of this world
she believed had passed forever; but in the
most earnest accents, she articulated -
know not whether [ am in the presence of
God or devil, but | am innocent !" limo
cent repeated EDToSOn, in his sepulchral
voice. Yes, she continued, wringing her
: hands, ''in pity torture me not . or say that
this dismal place is but purgatory-that / do
! deserve, for did carry knife about me, that
| might put an end to my own life, rather
| than be his, but of the crime for which |
suffered, he knows me guiltless and thou,
| terrible being canst read III my soul that |
! speak the truth Oh thou look'st just this
viii not last eternally. Spare, save me! and
! | will worship thee :" Such an appeal, in
| such circumstances, and under such delusion
| could not for a moment be doubted Eberson,
| III a transport of gratitude, poured over that
| dear bruised throat the vinegar, which he had
! kept at hand, as disinfector, weeping forth,
| Be calm, my child and fear me not-you
are with fellow creature, who believes and
! will protect you. This earth, and the life so
miraculOusly preserved, shall be endeared to
YOU" Instantly screening her limbs from the
chill air. he led her to his own room, con-
signed her to bed, and brought her food and
wine, while his servant slept; and would have
| left her to rest, but that her state still Dor
| dcred on delirium, he sat all night, like an
| elder brother, beside her. But now, what
| was to be done To announce her existence
to the world, cruelty as it had used her, and
branded as was her lowly name, might but
provoke fresh persecution she had no power
| to prove the crimes of Gortz her new bene-
factors bare assertion Of her innocence would
| not have impressed others with a like cOnvic-
ton for Eberson was, as yet, an obscure
| and needy man. The only course left for her
| was to fly, call herself something else, and in
| a distant part of the country live in retire
ment; but how could she gain living while
unable to mix with her kind Ebreson re-
solved never to abandon her; he could toll
for them both. He would trust no one with
his secret Caroline would no longer be ex-
clusiyely his, he thought, if he shared the
| knowledge Of her life with his dearest friend.
| He had one brother in the place, Catholic
curate. Locking up his treasure he stole out
ere dawn, awakened this holy man, and Dor
rowed all his money by telling him that debts
and quarrel, consequent on a hasty mar
riagc, forced him to change his name and
residence. The priest charged himself with
| forwarding all goods Ebreson then hired a
swift conveyance, babe Caroline array her
| self IN his attire, and packed up his books,
instruments, wardrobe and started.
| When his servant rose, the curate was
ready to account for everything. Ebreson
| found in his poor Caroline such intellect and
| virtue that he married her The good curate
settled with them, and they knew not what
| had become Of Gortz, save that be had left
the theatre of his wickedness. One night
| Frere Basil entered their abode with a face
of dismay. &" Brother" he said, 81 come
from a shocking sight, the deathbed of a
| dispairing sinner. was called in to admin
| lister the consultations of religion to an aged
man, who has not long resided here. He will
| have no physician, though the people about
him think he cannot see another sunrise; yet
poverty is not the sole cause of his reckless
| ness. He refused the last sacrament, calling
himself unworthy of it; so | fastened to Sc
cure your charitable aid" "What is the I'M
happy patients name ," asked the wife.
"Gortz, sister"
CHOW all gentle saints be praised " she
| cried, tho questions, brother, our neighbor,
the notary, must accompany us. Pray heav-
Ell we are not too late - This party accord
| inglv hurried TO the wrGtChed abode of the
dying man As they entered his chamber,
| they heard him rave: /" Talk not to me of
| sealed cOnteSSiOns--the whole world gaped
on her degradation and | have wandered for
| twenty years, like the accursed undying Isra-
| elite; still no rest from that thought | can
| give ye nothing, mercenarieS. If We find any
gold bury it at the gallows foot, Or lay it out in
masses-but no no hopes Of pardon, for thy
murderer, innocent Lima
Carolina drew aside his curtain. At first
he stared without recognition. When she
| called him by name, believing that he beheld
| her spirit, he coweringly hid his face; but
| she, removing his hands from his eyes, wills
| pered, Peter Gortz take courage | bring
| YOU peace and pardon. You are no murderer
| The queen of heaven enabled her true sery-
| ant Wondrously to save me from death and
| you from dispair. | am happy wife and
| mother. Yonder is my husband, come to
serve you if he can"
The moment GOrtz was assured of her life
| he started up, and-retributive Justice again
| begged for one hours-for but one half hours
| breath >'Some potent restoration" he cried,
! my poor girls frame must be cleared to all
| the world, and as much atonement made as
| wealth can do" The draught was given
the notary was ready. To him Peter deposed
that, believing Caroline thought herself en-
tircly dependent and in his power, her rejec-
ton of his suit and threats of departure had
stung him to vindictive madness. She told
him she had packed up, ready to set forth
with the first light, and insisted on leaving
the house to seek conveyance, telling him
that she had left her trunk open-he might
search it if he would, for she had stolen moth
ing. These brave words gave his hitherto in
definite desire for revenge feasible shape :;
and, during her absence, he had actually sewn
into her raiment the plate and money, which
he concealed at the bottom Of her box leav-
ing it apparently just as he had found it ; and,
when she returned, bidding her farewell with
a semblance of relenting, ere he retired for
the night. Having made this statement, he
| formally consigned the whole of his long
| boarded wealth to her, and sank into peace
full slumber, from which he never woke in
this world.
SUCcEss.-Suecess, we may say, is hideous