Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-06-30
A REPORTERS STORY.

A REPORTERS STORY.
1 had been stopping for a short
time in the city of Buchanan, Michi.
gan, engaged in the capacity of trav-
cling reporter for one of the New
York journals, when one rainy, dis
agreeable day, resolved to visit the
prison, in search of some items of in
teresting news. did so.
After having passed through the
entire establishment, l was at last
shown into the cell of young man
doomed to suffer death.
The occupant of this cell was a
fine, sad, intelligent-looking person.
age of about twenty-three years of
age. His high, classical forehead,
deep-blue eyes, and noble, polite
bearing, indicated him to be no COM
mon william. His face was thin and
pallid, but from those pure, express
sivc eyes flashed a depth OF charac-
ter, an uncomfortable sorrow, soul
destroying remorse, which no cold
blooded murderer could possess.
At the first words, 'sPray, be seat
ed" l was surprised at the deep,
full, musical intonations of his voice.
1t at once proclaimed him scholar.
soon entered into long CONVEX
sation with him, and little by little
learned the following sad but truth
full tale, which | give as nearly as
possible in his own language, and
which l hope will prove. warning
to the many weary, foolhardy thou
sands who are swiftly drifting into
the fearful, whirling, domestic vortex
= jealousy.
My name is George Melville. My
father was once a Clergyman in the
Western part of this State, was de-
scended from one of the best fami-
lies in those parts.
received a good education, and
at the age of twenty, entered large
mercantile house in New York city.
l soon, by close application and in
defatigable energy, gained the entire
confidence of my employers; and
after having been in their service
one year, was selected by them to
visit the West Indies as their agent
on some business of importance, and
which would require considerable
tact and forcthought to execute faith
fully, and promptly transact.
Previous to my departure for those
Islands, l became acquainted with q
Miss Reynolds, who was q few years
younger than myself, and the daugh-
ter of q gentleman who had recently
purchased and removed to an estate
near my fathers.
Everything that was graceful and
lovely appeared centered in her form;
everything that was virtuous and ex-
cellent in her mind. l sought her
hand. Our souls soon became united
by the indissoluble bonds Of sincere
love; and as there was no parental or
other impediments to our union, it
was agreed rs soon as l returned
from the West Indies, where it was
expected my stay would be short,
the marriage solemnities would be
performed. Solemn oaths of love
and constancy passed between
us, and l sailed with light
heart for the West Indies. While
there, l received from her, and re-
turned to her, letters filled with the
tenderest expressions of anxiety and
regret of absence. Oh! that 1 had
never, never returned ! What pain,
anguish, and rcmorse l would have
been saved
The moment I got on land, 1 hast
ened as fast as the railway trains
could carry me to the house of Mr..
Reynolds, to see the charmer of my
soul.
She received me with all the ar
dcncy of affection, and even shed
tears Of joy in my presence. l urged
her to name the day which was to
perfect our union and happiness; and
the next Sunday, only four days dis
tant, was agreed upon for me to
lead her to the altar. How did my
heart bound at the prospect of max
ing Miss Reynolds my own, Of pos
sessing in her all that could render
life agreeable
l fastened home to my family, and
informed them of my approaching
bliss. They all sympathyzcd in the
anticipated joy which swelled my
bosom. / had sister some years
older than myself, who had been the
friend and companion of my angel in
my absence. They were now almost
every day together, so that l had
frequent opportunities OF Emma's
company.
One day she had been with my
sister, at my fathers; and, as usual,
l accompanied her home. On my
return my sister requested me to at
tend her in private room. We
therefore retired, and when we were
seated, she thus addressed me:
"Georgie, you know that to pro-
mote your peace, your welfare, and
your happiness has ever been the
pride of my heart. Nothing except
this could extort the sad secret now
disclose, and which has hitherto re-
mained deposited in my own bosom.
My duty to a brother, whom esteem
,loor oo I;fo forh;ds ma IN remain