The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-09-18
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THE FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
1t was chill evening in Decemeer-
misty rain was descending, which con-
eealed and encased in crystal everything
exnosed to the outdoor atmosphere, and
rendered precarious footing upon the
sidewalks for the pedestrian. Upon this
evening, an individual was silently and
cautiously vending bis way through b one
of the hourishing villages of Connecticut.
is,appearance was tall and muscular
but he.was SO closely mufled in his cloak
as to efectually conceal his features, for
which=the inclemency of the weather al
forded ample apology. He crossed the
public square, and threaded a street lead
ing southwardly from the village church
until he arrived at neat cottage, situated
near the margin of the river. Here he
paused. and casting around an inquirlng
glance, he approached the door, and
fakine 8 station beneath a window, he
+onned thereon-it was Immediately open
ed and q sweet and musical voice in
CURED
sssWho is there 7"
aOsgood," he replied.
oIsit you, indeed, Edmund? Why
have you ventured here? Know you not
that they have set a price upon your
head ?n.- ~
al know it well, dearest Maria; but 1
could not leave my native land forever
until heard from those sweet lips that
you believed me innocent Of the heavy
crime which thew allegc against me"
80, Edmund, could you doubt that l
Believe you innocent? But you have in
CURED a fearful risk in coming here
.sSpeak not of it, dearcst-fife were not
worth preserving, with the heart-rending
presumption that my own Maria, too, be-
fieved me guilty. But, alas! must l
leave you, my own, my beautiful! must l
resign to another the treasure for which
slone priced existence!"
edmund, O., Edmund, you know not
the pain your words infict! Can you
doubt my fidelity? l have promised to
Be thine alone, and that promise | will
not recall, though all the world despise
me for lay fidelityssto the outlaw
ssCan it be? Is thcre yet hope for the
outcast from society? / go, dearest-I
leave nv native land without regret-and
when I find a home where we may dwell
in security wilt, thou hasten to my en-
brace ?"
sDoubt me not, Edmund promise.
Now depart, for I tremble for your safety.
But bark / hear voices J"
On the instant, FIVE or six men sprang
into the enclosure, with loud cries OF
ssHere is, the assassin! ]" aSeize the MUIR
dererw and the maiden sank back upon,
thief with an agonizing cry, "Alas
he is betrayed! his fidelity to me has
wrought his ruin p
Edmund Osgood was a young man OF
promising talent, and an only child OF
wealthy and respectable parents. He
had just completed course of collegiate
studies, and entered upon professional
course with an eminent physician in
NJ. Not blight had ever been dis.
eernible upon his character, nor cloud
had vet obscured the horizon of his hopes.
He had formed an acquaintance with a
lovely and accomplished young lady in
the village where he was studying his
profession, and to her he was engaged,
when an unfortunate occurrence dashed
the cup of bliss unexpectedly and hope
lessly from his lips. BE had sauntered
forth, on lovely afternoon, to spend a
few hours of self-communion away from
the hurry and hustle of business, and the
dull routine of studies. In passing
through an unfrequented path, in an ex-
tensive piece of woodland, be came sud-
denly upon man PROSTATE and in the
agonies of death; pistol, recently dis
charged, lay by his side, the ball from
which had in all probability pierced his
heart. A pocket-book also lay near it
ne-roois 1v,uP 10 ascertain II IL consainea
any papers, whereby he might discover
the name Of the dcceased-he had just
opened it, and found it we'll filled with
bank notes and other papers, when a
party of sportsmcn, who had been out
for the purpose of shooting wild game,
emerged from the thick wood and came
suddenly upon him. Being thus surprised,
with the pocket-book of the murdered
man in his hand, and pistol recently dis
charged by his side, he was accused of the
murder-and, Notwithstanding his pro.
testations Of innocence, he was hurried
before magistrate, and of course COM
mitted. Tho night succeeding his examl-
nation, however, by some secret agency
he was released from confinement and
fled. Rewards were offered for his ap-
prehension, and the emissaries of the law
were dispatched in pursuit. The fugitive
eluded their grasp, however. until i'm
pelled by an irresistible desire to converse
once moro with the object of his affec-
tions, he bent his steps thitherward-and
This aS we have seen 1nd t0 hic IatactiOn