The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-12-07
Select Story.
A REPORTERS STORY.

/ the city of Jackson, Michigan, engaged
in the capacity of travelling reporter for one
Of the n W York journals, when one rainy,
dI-agreeabl da, i resolved to visit the State
prison, in search of some item of interest
ing news I did so.
After having passed thr ugh the entire
establishment. | was at last shown into the
cell of young man doomed to suffer
death.
The occupant ot thi. cell was fine, sad,
Intelligent looking per-onage of about TWEEN
ty-three wear. of age. His high, classical
fIrehead, deep blue eyes, and noble polite
b airing, indicated him to be no common
villain. His face was thin and pallid but
from those pure, expressive eyes, flashed a
deep character, an endurabe sorrow, a soul
destroying remorse, which no cold blooded
murderer could possess.
AT his first Words Pray, be seated" |
was surprised at the deep. full, musical in.
'onations of his voice 1t at once proclaimed
him scholar
soon entered int a long ngconversation with
him, and little by little learned the following
sad, but truthful. tale which give as nearly
as possible III his own language, and which
| hope will prove a warning to the many
weary, foolhardy thousands who are swiftly
drifting into that fearful, whiring, domestic
vortex Jealousy.
My name is Geor -e Melville. My father
was clergyman in the western part of this
state, and descended from one OF the best
families in those parts.
l received good education, and at the
, age of twenty, entered large mercantile
house in New York city. soon, by close
: application and indefatigabe energy gained
the entire confidence of my employers aud
after having be'n in their employ one year
t | was selected by them to visit the West
i lndias as their agent on some business of
importance, and which would require con-
y siderable tact and forethought to execute
3 faithfully, and promptly transact.
Previous to my departure for those islands
became acquainted with Miss Reynolds
who was few years younger than myself
and the daughter of gentleman who had
recently purchased and removed to an es-
tate near my father.
d. Everything that was graceful and lovely
appeared centered in her form ; everything
that was virtuous and excellent in her mind
| sought her hand. Our souls soon became
united by the indissoluble bonds of sincere
love and as there were no parental or Other
imper iments to our union, it was agreed
that as soon as | returned from the Yves
Indie, where it was expected my stay would
be short, the marriage soemnities would be
performed. Solemn oaths of love and CON
stancy passed between us, and sailed with
a light heart for the West Indies. While
there, | received from her, and returned tC
her, letters filled with the tenderest expires
sons of anxiety and regret of absence. -
What pain, anguish, and remorse, | would
have been saved
The moment got on land, hasten6 as
fast as the railway train could carry me to
the house of Mr. Reynolds, to see the char.
mer of my soul.
!, She received me with all the ardency OF
affection. aud even shed tears of JOY in my
presence. urged her to name the day which
was to perfect our union and happiness; and
the next Sunday, only four days distant, was
agreed upon for me to lead her to the altar
How my heart did bound at the prospect oil
of making Miss Reynolds my own, of pos
sessing in her all that could render life
agreeable.
hastened home to my family, and in
formed them of my approaching bliss. -
They all sympathized in the anticipated JOY
which sweled 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 had frequent oppor
tunities of Emma's company.
One day she had been with my sister, al
my fathers; and, as usual, ! accompanied
her home. On my return my sister request
ed me to attend her in private room. We
therefore retired, and when we were seated
she thus addressed me:
peace, your welfare, and your happiness ha,
ever been the pride of my heart Nothing ex
cept this could extort the sad secret which
now disclose ,andwhich has hitherto remained
deposited in my bosom, My duty to brother
whom esteem dear as life, forbids me to re
main silent As an affectionate sister | can
not tactly see you thus imposed upon.
cannot see you the dupe and slave of al
II artful and insidious woman, who does no
sincerely return your love; nor can / Sc,
your marriage celebrated with one who's
soul and affections are placed on anothe
= object "
Her she hesitated, while l. with anguish
of mind almost insutferable, begged her Il
proceed
About six or eight months after your de
:, parture," she continued. ''it was reported
to Miss Reynolds that she had rival in tn
West Indies that you had there found al
English beauty on whom you lavished thos
endearments which belonged al right to he
alone. This at first made deep impression
on her and whether from this cause, tickle
ness of disposition or that she never sincere
ly loved you, know not but this l d
know, that youth has been for some tim
past her constant companion. To convinc
you of this, you need only visit the old, un
r inhabited house bordering on the river
about nine or ten this evening, where yo
,e- will undoubtedly surprise Miss Reynold
II, I'll and her lover, enjoying one of their pleas
nd ant, loving interviews, If | should be mis-
n, taken, will submit to your censure bu
NJ should you find it as have predicted, yo
have only to rush from your place of cor
ss "a, cealment, charge her with pelfdy, and rt
&C. nounce her Iayor"