Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-05-28

Percy CliheP Chatting and rebelious ut the |
injustice which made him prisoner, though |
innocent, -pinins for the comforting pres
ence Of her whose daily visits Ind been such |
source Of consolation to the despairine |
mnn,-these emotions together with poor
iare and confinement, had done their work, |
and though his term OF imprisonment had
but just commenced he was physically only
the wreck Of the man who, year before,
had been committed 10 prison. Though con-
scious ofhis innocence he entertained little
or no hope Of liberation before tho expInl-
Of his sentence, and now that no Called to b.
upheld by the courage and iorttude OF bis
wife, his mind, Ms well ms his body, partially
yielded to tho strain, and his compassionate
Jailor watched him narrowly for symptoms
which, IL was feared. forctold insanity.
Ono neyer-to- bo-forgotten day on visiting
his cell short time after carrying him lot
ter, the jailor found the unfortunate man ly-
ing insensiblo upon his cot. Tho letter lay
open beside him. Evidently ii contained It'd
ings, which Percy, in his weakened state of
body and mind, was unable to bear. lie
was soon restored to consciousness, and
willingly entrusted the letter 10 tho jailor
who had always manifested friendliness to-
ward the unhappy prisoner. 10 his astonish-
ment and qualification he read the following
unexpected confession: r rgrI
"Percy Clifie, once my friend, | am dying,
and before It is too late must make y con-
fession which will cause you to curse the day
you ever trusted in my friendship. deceive
ed you with false professions Of friendship
MS long as had any hope Of accomplishing
the result sought. For the lagt six months
you must have wondered why ceased TO
visit you, or to offer those Manifestations oil
goodwill which you will now learn were
but hollow mockeries. But must tell my
story briefly, for my ply stefan assures me
that have but little time to live. ....i
Five years ago you first made my acquain-
lance, and with full confidence in my honor
you introduced mo to your wife, and mado
me an ever-welcome guest at your happy
home. From tho first conceived an ardent
attachment to your wife, and should not
have hesitated to avow it 10 her, and cntreat
her to fly with me, had | seen any reason to
hope might gain her favor. But when
saw how sincerely she was attached to you,
how like true wife, though her excellence
increased my regard. knew it was worse
than folly to think OF perverting her honor.
So waited my time, trying by every means
in my power to win her regard. At length
despairing of success. conceived the hellish
plot, which succeeded only so far as to cause
suffering to you aud to her whom 1 so sell
| Gsh 10
the realization of my wishes.
Do not curse me, when tell you il was
through my means you were imprisoned for
crime of which you knew nothing, n crime
which, in fact, was never committed. The
plot was conceived and matured in my
wicked heart, and the witnesses against you
were bribed by portion of that wealth
which has ever been only a curse to me, be-
cause was not taught to use it Alright. The
wicked scheme was successful thus far, II re-
suited in your conviction and imprisonment.
Then tried every artifce TO win my way
to the heart of your WIFE To of ect my pur-
pose, professed unfinished regard for you,
and hope in the prospect of u pardon and a
speedy release. Next allowed you to be-
come Respondent, hoping your loss of oour-
age would depress her spirits, and while II
led her to abandon all hope of your release,
might have the effect of causing her to place
more confidence in me rs the only friend
left her. In this way hoped finally to gain
her affections, and on the morning after her
providentiai escape from the fire which had
so nearly removed her from Us both, when
found her homeless aud friendless, dared
hope that she might hear to my duplication
and avail herself Of the freedoms accorded
her by law TO place herself under my protec
ton.
But she repuIsed me with scorn, and 81
emphatically that ii left me no hope for any
change in her feeling towards me. Still il
tho madness Of my unholy passion. douh
not but might have continued to persecit
her with my attentions, but happily she es
capped this additional trial for soon learne'
! that she had left tho city. My object in pro
fassing friendship for you being removed
ceased to visit you. and sought to drown m
disappointment and remorse IN the wine-cup
: Its effects have speedily brought my wors
than useless life near to its close, and EN-
ploy the little time that is left me In dictat
} ing this letter to you, hoping that by restor
) ing you TO your family, may partially atom
: for the crime that rests heavily upon me.
A confession of my part in this diabolica
D plot. duly attested, has boen placed in III
hands of proper authorities, and every effol
will be made for your speedy release.
. DO not curse me! God is your avengei
May he make your future life happy!
Ross GAYLORD"
1t is needless to narrate the process of lay
: by which.as the reader will anticipate. Perc
Cliffe was soon released from prison, fire.
, even from the faint of dlshonorable actor
} or of the happy meeting with his iamil
which sooH took place. Upon Mildred har
: piness has wrought its usual powerful innu
ence. The bloom has returnd to her cheek
! the light to her eye,-and were it not for tn
maternal tenderness with which she attend
to the wants Of her lovely children, and tn
light which irradiates her countenance a
T her eyes meet those of the handsome. nobl
$ looking man who is seldom far from he
| side, one might almost imagine her cir
5 again, thoughtless and care free rs when
/, years agono her merry laugh and light foot
: step awoke the echoes in the grand old man
q sion whore now, purified by suffering she
q almost worshipped by her husband, - to hir
9 a living personilioation Of goodness.
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