The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-04-17

| suggestion lIhb tuc DAOe luUl Decu klllcu
in tho fall. The charge OF murder had
been abandoned, but Oliver was found
guilty Of nanslaughter, and condemned
to seven years transportation.
"I tried to shut my eyes on tho
future-to hope We might remain undis-
turbed, and TO train my boy to better
things. Meanwhile my father died. Ho
had secured shop for me, and left me
n small annuity, to be paid quarterly.
Eight years passed away. Launce-
lot, my pride and joy, was fifteen-a
frank, good natured, aud high-spirited
youth, whose mother was all in nil to
him.
Suddenly the avalanche camo down
upon us. A fierce, dark, scowling
reprobate came in at our door, md
claimed rs my husband right to share
my means. My heart sunk. This was
not tho man / had sworn to love and
obey.
al was powerless to resist, and he
stayed. Goaded by tho thought that
whilst he had been in captivity wo had
prospered, hc tortured mo in every way
he could devise, and Launcelot became
my champion. Then he made the boy
his butt to wound me surest.
cat Inst Launcelot, seeing only shame
and disgrace before him, conceiving
that he was only cause OF Outrage on
me, as many good son has done before,
rau off to sea, and was left to cope
with Oliver Marbury alone.
"One night-shall ever forget it
n man clambered over tho outhousing in
at my chamber window. 1t was he,
haggard, footsore, bloody. He had
wounded n mau and sought conceal
ment. He threatened to kill me if l
spoke word. What money 1 had hc
took, ato greedily some bread and
cheese, changed his clothes, and then
fed rs he came.
"Men were on the watch and he was
taken. Ills blood-staincd clothes were
found in my room, where I sat white
with terror.
az was told that, in M atrray with
poachers on his premises, Captain
Thornton and keeper had been killed,
and l was questioned until my very
brain b,gun to reel.
AZ thought should bo called upon
to give evidence against him. | had
loved him once. He was tho father OF
my children. To avoid such contin.
gercy l fed, whittier l neither knew
nor cared.
81 had no mouey-nover thought OF
it. I went nlong Lanes, through fields,
avoiding the higlroads, excitement Keep
ing nc up, though Ind 10 food. The
first night took Shclterin abarn, stealing
of like culprit at daybrcak. must
have looked hungry, for lad swinging
on gate, with great hunch OF bread
in his hand, broke it i'll two and offered
half to me.
"That night I dropped on stone by
the wayside aud fell asleep. l was
reused by some one calling to me. 4
gentleman in gig offered me seat il
l was going his way. The moon shono
full Oh his face anl in my surprise l
calculated: Mr.. Smithson' My father
had dealt with him for years. Ny
troubles were not unknown to him. l
told MN nll. he LOOK me nome 10
Redditch, to his wife aud there re.
manned.
"My husbands sentence was now for
life. There was no fear OF his breaking
in upon me, they said ; but, ah thought
and memory did that.
"Mr. Smi;hSon would have me change
my name, but 1 dared not destroy tho
only clue by which T4auncs might seek
his mother. From time to time I heard
OF him through Mrs. Matthews. Once
went to meet him in Liycrpool-ouly
once. 1 expected him home from Cali,
fornia Inst Christmas.
"When went home from the shop,
Mrs. Chappell, last November, bought
n newspaper to read over my tea. l
read TINT the Rosicrucian had fouulercl
Off Cape Verde, and nil hands gone
down with her. 1t was my sons ship
"AIrs. Chappell, my last hope went
down in tho Rosicrucian. 1t matters
nothing now who knows my story, Or
who does not"