The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-09-18
Jur the Npllte Girtlee
ED.M IND osG CD
THE FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

LIE = UE O4NOO @&-R4AA>'~
It was chill evening in Deeember-
misty rain was descending, which con-
gealed and encased in crystal everything
exposed to the outdoor atmosphere, and
rendered precarious footing upon the
sidewalks for the pedestrian. Upon this
evening. an individual was silently and
cautiously vending his way through one
of the fourishing villages of Connecticut.
His appearance was tall and muscular
but he was 50 closely mufled in his cloak
as to effectually conceal his features, for
which the inclemency of. the weather at
torded ample apology. He crossed the
public square, and threaded street lead
ing southwardly from the village church
until he arrived st neat cottage, situated
near the margin of the river. Here ne
paused, and casting around an inquiring
glance, he approached the door, ana
taking a station beneath window, ne
tapped thereon-it was Immediately open
ed, and sweet and musical voice IN
CURED
ssWho is there?"
saOsgood," he replied.
eIs it you, indeed, Edmund? Why
have you ventured here? Know you not
that they have set a price upon your
head ?D,
aLknow it we'll, dearest Maria; but I
could not leave my native land forever
until I heard from those sweet lips that
you believed me innocent of the heavy
crime which they allege against me. :"
30, Edmund, could you doubt that |
Believe you innocent? But you have in
Cured a fearful risk in coming here.''
aSpeak not of it, dearcst-life were not
worth preserving, with the heart-rendlng
presumption that my own Maria, too, be-
lieved me guilty. But, alas! must /
leave you, my own, my beautiful! must |
resign to another the treasure for which
alone priced existence!"
ssEdmund, O, Edmund, you know not
the pain your. words infict Can you
doubt my fidelity? 1 have promised to
Be thine alone, and that promise [ will
not recall, though all the world despise
me for my fdelityssto the outlaw
ssCan it be? Is thore yet hope for the
outcast from society? [ go, dearest-I
leave my native land without regret-and
when I find home where we may dwell
in security wilt thou hasten to my en-
brace ?"
"Doubt me not, Edmund-I promise
Now depart, for tremblo for your safety.
But bark! hear voices !"
On the instant, FIVE or six men sprang
into the enclosure, with loud cries OF
aHcre is the assassinm "Seize the MUIR
dererp' and the maiden sank back upon
the floor with an agonizing cry, "Alss !
he is betrayed! his fidelity to me has
wrought his ruin !"
Edmund Osgood was 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
N. Not blight had ever been dis.
cernible upon his character, nor cloud
had yet obscured the horizon of his hopes.
He had formed an acquaintance with
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. lie had sauntered
forth, on lovely afternoon, to spend q
few hours of selt-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, he 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
-ng- Ipo,1 1u.np 70 ascertain II II coutaiuvd
any papers, whereby he might discover
the name of the dcccasod-he had just
opened it, and found it we'll filled with
bank notes aad 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. The night succeeding his cxami-
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 more with the object of his affec-
tions, he bent his steps thitherward-and
this, as we have seen, led to his detection
With well-dirccted blow he laid the
foremost of his pursucrs at length upon
the ground, and made good his retreat
A cry was raised, which called out the
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