The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-09-18
gpk tlle gullle Circle.
EDMUND osG ooD
THE FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
1t was chill evening in December
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 tail and muscular
but he was so closely mufled in bis cloak
as to eftectually 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 at neat cottage, situated
near, the margin of the river. Aere ne
paused. and casting around an inquiring
glance, he approached the door, and
fakino q station beneath a window, he
tanned thereon-it was Immediately open
ed and o sweet and musical voice in
CURED
sssfNho is there?"
ttOsgood," 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,,
sI know it well, dearest Maria; but [
could not leave my native land forever
until heard from those sweet lips that
you believed me innocent OF the heavy
crime which they allegc against me.
30, Edmund, could you doubt that L
Believe you innocent? But you have in
CURED o fearful risk in coming here.''
..'Speak not of it, dearest-life were not
worth preserving, with the heart-rendlng
presumption that my own Maria, too, be-
fieved me. guilty. But, alas must i
leave you, my own, my beautiful! must |
resign to another the treasure for which
alone priced existence!"
"Edmund, O, Edmund, you know not
the pain your words infict! Can you
doubt my fdelity2 I have promised to
Be thine alone, and that promise | will
rot recall, though all the world despise
me for my fidelityssto the outlaw
ssCan it be? Is thcre yet hope for the
outcast from society? l go, dearest-I
leave my native land withoutre regret-and
when I find home where we may dwell
in security wilt thou hasten to my en-
brace 2"
aDoubt me not, Edmund-I promise.
Now depart, for tremble foryour safety.
But bark! 1 hear voices !"
On the instant, FIVE or six men sprang
into the enclosure, with loud cries of
aHere is the assassin" "Seize the muir
dererp' and the maiden sank back upon
the floor with an agonizing cry, "Alas
he is betrayed! his fidelity to me has
wrought his ruin p
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 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. He had sauntered
forth, on lovely afternoon, to spend a
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
aoonies of death: q pistol, recently dis
charged, lay by his side, the ball from
which had in all probability pierced his
heart. A pocket-booll also lay near it
-ng JooK 1J.up 10 ascertain II IL contauod
any papers, whereby he might discover
the name of the deceased-he had just
opened it, and found it well 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 q 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 eXami-
nation, however, by some secret agency
he was released from confinement and
fed. 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
PEELED by an irresistible desire to converse
once more with the object Of his affec-
tions, he bent his steps thitherward-and
tEis az we have seen led to his dntection