Litchfield enquirer., 1864-04-21

1 tr+.,,,+ -r-- - 0 'So4H' A'a3 naahuYc V , William Hutton, the old woman he'd neve , been able to rid her own mind altogether o m'aglvlngs upon the subject. For many months after Catharine's marriage. however Hannah coald discover but open. unalloyed happiness in the air and conversation of the youthful wife. But at length Hannah's snx ious eye did perceive something like change Catherine seemed sometimes to fall, when wis iting the cottage, into fits of abstraction no anlike those which had been observed in he husband. The aged dame isit greatly distress ed at the thought of her dear Catherine beins unhappy, but for a long time held her peac, upon the subject, trusting that the cloud migh be temporary one, and would disappear.
 It was not So, unfortunately. Though ir their manner to each other when together, nothing but the most cordial affection was ob servable, Catherine. when she came alone to see Hannah, always seemed prey to some pneasiness which all her efforts could not con- ceal from her old friend. Even when she be- came for the first time mother, and, with all the beautiful D. a Pride of yoang mothers love, presented ql her babe to Hannah, the latter could see signs of secret grief imprinted on Cath. erine's brow. Hoping by her counssls to bring relief, Hannah at last took an opportunity to tell the young wife what she had observed, and besought her confidence. At first, Catherine stammered forth nasty assurance that she was perfectly happy, and, in few seconds, belied her words by bursting into tears, and owning that he was very unhappy. .,...
 But cannot, Hannah, she exclaimed, I cannot tell the cause-not even to you l!
 Don't say so my poor Catherine, replie , Hannah it is no curiosity that bids me in- terfere.'
 '0h, no, Hannah, replied the young wife, l know you speak from love to me r
 Well, then, continued the dame, 'open your heart to ms. Age is good adviser
 Is your husband harsh,' asked Hannah.
 No, no,' cried the wife man could not be kinder to woman than he is to me-
 Perhaps he ipdplges in drink--in private--'
 Hannah, you mistake altogether was Cath erine's reply 1; my husband is as free from all such faults as ever man was.'
 l My dear child said the old woman, almost smiling as the idea entered her head, you are not suspicious--not jealous
 '4hava meyer had'a moment's cause, Han nah,' answered Catherine. No. my griefs are not of that nature. He is one of the best and dearest of hussbsnds.' ...
 Old Hannah was puzzled by these replies as much as she was distressed by the now open avowal of Catherine's having some hid den cause of sorrow but, seeing that her young friend could not Imake up her mind to a disclosure at the time the aged dame gave up her enquiries, and told Catherine to think se- riously of the propriety of con6diny all to her.
 Hannah conceived that on mature conside- ration, Catherine would come to the resolution of seeking counsel at the cottage. And she vas not wrong. In few days after their late conversation, the young wife came to visi, Hannah again, and after little absent and embarrassed talk, entered upon the subject which was uppermost in the minds of both.
 Hannah said Catherine, fear you can serve me nothing--1 fear no living being gan serve me. Oh, Hannah 1! good as lhy husband appears to be-good as he is--thers is some dreadful weight pressing upon his mind, which destroys bis peace and mine too Alas the gloomy fits which you as we'll as noticed in him are not fear, without cause
 Catherine wept in silence for a minute, and continued
 All that know of this cause arises from his expressious-his dreadful expressions while he is sleeping by my side. Hannah he speaks in broken language of MUkDER-of hay ing committed murder He mutters about the streaming blood that his hand drew iron, the innocent victim '! Alias l I have heard enough to tell me that he speaks of young woman. Oh, Hannah perhaps woman de, ceived and killed by him 2
 As Catherine said this, she shuddered, and buried her face in that of the babe which she carried in her armsa,
 Hannah was shacked to hear of this, but her good sense led her at once to suggest for the comfort of the poor wife, that it was perfectly possible for husband to imagi 1 4 himself murderer in bIs sleep, and speak of it without the slightest reality in the whole affair.
 'Ah, Hannah said Catherine sadly these dreadful sayings are not the result of one nightmare sumbsr. They occur often-too often. Besides, when first beard him nut ter in his sleep those horrible things, I men, ,ioned the matter to him i; the morning at our breakfast, and laughed M at t; but he grew much agitsted and telling ne to pay no at tention to such things, as he sometimes talk ed nonsense, he knew, in his seep, be rose and went away, leaving his neal unfinished indeed, scarcely touched. am sure he does not know how often he speaks in his sleep, for