The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-06-08

that her young friend could not make up
her mind to disclosure at the time, the
aged dame gave up her inquiries, and
told Catharine to think seriously of the
propriety of con6ding all to her.
Hannah conceived that, on mature con.
sideration, Catharine would come to the
resolution of seeking counsel at the cot
tage. And she was not wrong. ID few
days after their late conversation the
young wife came to visit Hannah again,
and after little absent and embarrassed
talk entered upon the subject which was
uppernost in the minds Of both
Hannah" said Catharine, 81 fear yo
can serve me nothing-I fear no living
being eau serve me. 0, Hannah good
as my husband appears to be-good as he
is-there is some dreadful weight press
ing upon his mind, which destroys his
peace and mine too Alas the gloomy
fits which you as well as l noticed in him
are not, fear, without cause
Catharaine wept in silence for min
ute, aud continued
| L
from his EXPRESSIONS his dreadful expires
sions-while he is sleeping by my side
Hannah he speaks in broken language
of murder-of having committed mur-
der! He mutters about the streaming
blood that his hand had drawn from the
innocent victim' Alas [ have heard
enough to tell me that he speaks of
young woman. o, Hannah perhaps a
woman deceived and killed by him p'
As Catharine said this, she shuddered
aud buried her face in that of the babe
which she carried in her arms
Hannah was shocked to hear of this,
but her good sense led her at once to sue
gest for the comfort of the poor wife that
it was perfectly pos-ible for her husband
to imagine himselfa a nurdere, IN his sleep
and speak Of it, without the Iii ohtest real
ity in the ~hole affair.
"Ah, Hannah said Catharine, sadly,
"tnese dreadful sayings are not the >esuI'
of one sInmber They occur often-too
often. Besides, when | first heard him
mutter ID his sleep these horrible things,
| mentioned the matter 10 hin, at our
break FAST, and laughed at il but he grew
much agitated, and telling me TO pay no
attention to such things, las he some
! times talked nonsense, he knew, leaving
| his meal nhnished-Indeed, scar Gel
touched [ am sure he does uol know
how often he speaks in his sleep, for
have never mentioned the subject :gan
though my rest is disturbed by it
And then his fits of sadness at ordinary
moments Hannah Hannah there is
some mystery-some terrible mystery un.
der it Yes" continued the poor young
wife, "he is SO good, SO kind so dutiful
to God and to man. He has too much
tenderness and feeling to harm a fly :;
Hannah, what am to thiuk or do, fpr [
am wretched at present?"
1t was long ere the dame replied to
this question. She unused deeply on
what had keen told to her, and in the end
said to her:
My poor child, cannot believe that
William is guilty of what these circum-
stances lay seemingly to his door. But if
the worst be true, it is better for you to
know it than to be in this killing suspense
forever. Go aud gain his confidence.
Catharine tell him all that has come to
your ear, and say that you do so by my
advice"
Hannah continued to use persuasions
of the same kind for some time long er,
and at length sent Catharine howe, firmly
resolved to follow the counsel given her
On the following day Catharine once
more presented herself at the abode I'd
Hannah, and, as soon as she entered, ex
claimed
"Dear mother, have told hun all
He will be here soon to explain every
thing to as both"
The old woman did not exactly CON
prehend this HAS he not" said she,
given an explanation, then, to Won 2"
mo, Hannah" said Catharine; but.
oh he is not guilty. When | had ~pok
en- to him as you desired me, he was silent
for long time, and he then took NE in
his arms, Hannah. and kissed me, saying,
My darling Catharne, | ought TO have
conGded in you long before. | have been
unfortunate, but not guilty. Go to friend
Hanuah's and | will soon follow you and
set your mind at ease, as far as it can be
done. Had | known how much you have
been suffering. would have done this
long before These were his words.
Hannah o, he may be unfortunate, but
not guilty 2"
Hannah and Ca;harine said little more
to each other until the hu> band of the
latter came to the cottage. William sat
down grayely by the side of his wife, aud
commenced To tell his story.