Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-09-28
letter from Hanover County.

rc,rrespondence of the Alexandria Gazette
HANOVER, September PA fond mother
a;as leaving a husband and several children,
an,onc them three daughters, the Oldest about
a;obteen years. The nurse OF these children
ramoincd 10 aid ard assist the father IN c,ring
for them. Confdng in herinteerty, and Aind
nrss ri heart. the father permitted the nus, |
hand Of the nurse to live upon his farm ana
cultivate his fields One Sunday evening all
tho children bu. the Oldest daughter were
away, and the father rides milc TO see
neiehbor and friends, leaving n: daughter 10
thr care of the supposed faithful nurse ana
her husband The evening wears away n
comes and the father has not returned me
culoliaus of the lonely daughter enter !he
honsc-the helpless and unprotected situation
OF the girl are pointed out-shc tIemoies anu
starts with fearful apprehension Is ielzeu,
orarcomc and ruined. Promises and threats
are commineled and poured upon her. one
n.omiscs to disclose nothing. THRICE N pass
inc weeks is this scene repeated. INDICATIONS
n the criminal acts begin TO appear. NO one
knows and no one suspects il but the ruined
victim of diabolism, and the tends who perpe'
tratrl the deed alarmed themselves, they IN
duce her to drink fiery draught, and IN few
bonr, the father knows it all. Not untl she
tnnw she was to be sent beyond the reach OF
rhr fends She so much feared, would she dis
c!nsn o.sinple word which could crmlnate the
wretch who ruined her But as she was about
70 depart to another State, TO see home
among strangers, she poured out the pent'up
en,ot;ons OF her soul. The threats, the proml
sos the mysterious conduct, the mess oil straw
berries, the strange effect, the violent scenes,
the contamination of the hclilsh act tne
crushed spirit, tic mental agony, the oroSen
heart. the Gcry draught, the finale, were all as
closed no one but tender, broken hearted
woman could tell.
She departs at he DEPOT the hends are
seated, eazjng with traZeE otfGontcry on the
parting scene. For iouI d9ys they stalk IN
daylight around with deadly weapons about
the yard and premises Of the broken hearted
father. lie hears that the lost one had pro-
baby, eliminated him before she lett. dc
threatens and bids dlflncc. The evening OF
the fourth day comes and the '9'h'r 20 - to
the house TO know why he persists Ia Insulting
HIN with his hated presence. lie enters the
door and asks mildly tor him. The husband,
wife and daughter rush upon him. lie at
tempts to draw q pistol-thcv get hold OF II
and enleayor 10 turn it upon him. lie exerts
himself with mighty energy and sustaius him
self in the unequal struggle Tor many leafiu
minutes The son comes 10 the father assis
tancc-with.a small knife he infcts a wound
on the face and neck of the mamie Is telIcd
to the ground-ho rises and fies-thrce piso
, shots are sent after him but he escapes. les
terday Major Hambrick orders the father tC
be brought to Richmond to answer charge Of
cutting and otherwise maiming' the wretch
The father and a friend, Northern gent lcman
report to Colonel Hambrick. The tale OF horror
is bgicfyto!d The INDIGNATION OF the officer
is oyershel lining He feels AMI expresses ham
sell as.no one but father or brother could. -
The table is turned The negro is ordered tc
b. arrested and returned u Hanover for trial
But wounded as he is, he is spirited away, anc
|, the poce are ordered TO scour the city fcl
bin. The father returns and awaits the deol
IN oI IN ,;ec HANOVER.