The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-01-26
AbNE ~wOOpHORTu's FATE.
Another Real Life Tragedy Of
Rural New EagIand.

~" hHu pIeccueu by peculla
circumstances.
She was about forty years ole
and almost from childhood he
life had been one Of reiircmen
and Loneliness. Her mother die
when she was less than ten year
old, and she was left, an onl,
child, TO the care of her father
Mr.. Joshua Woodwork. At tina
time. and for many years thereal
Ter, Mr.. Woodwork lived in a lit
tie, low, one story house on
pleasant, tree bordered stree.
about a mile from the center o
Norwich. This dwelling was sur
rounded by the smooth, fertile
acres of a large farm, and the
barns and other outbuildings
were capaclous and handsome.
and evidently the belongings of d
prosperous and careful owner
The shabby house cODtrasted
Hueerly with its surroundings,
but Mr.. Woodwork, who always
%practiced the severest economy
Notwithstanding his ample means,
was satisfied with it. He lived
with his child; titled his farm un-
aided; Miss Anne,as Eoon as she
became old and strong enough,
did all the work Of the household.
She grew into q tall and beau
tiful girl and was sought by many
Buitors. To all of them, for many
years, she turned a deaf ear, Ell
Their being disinclined to marry
or withheld by the objection Of
her father who wished her to re
main at home with him. TO one
other admirers, it is said, she
gave her heart, and for a long
time he was a frequent visitor at
the house. Her father bitterly
opposed the match, though the
young man was of a good family
and in every way eligible. He
at length forbade the lover to en-
ter his house, and made his
daughter a close prisoner. She
seldom appeared in public, save
in company with her father.
The stern disposition Of the lat
ter, together with the restraints
put upon her, produced in her
mind morbid fancies; she accused
him of designing to marry again.
Parent and daughter were each
watchful and suspicious of the
other, and the peace of the honse-
hold. At length they drew up
and signed a formal agreement,
the substance of which was that
neither should marry.
After this they lived more hap
gily, but their relations were far
from confidential. Miss Wood
worth was charitable and gener- {
Gus, and the property that she in /.
herited from her mother enabled
her to satisfy her benevolent i'm
pulses. Her father objected to
her aims giving, and often drove
petitioners from his door.
About six years ago he was in
duced by his daughter to build a
more suitable house-a large,
handsome, two-story dwelling, a
few rods from his old home. The
house was provided with every
rural comfort and convenience;
but not half the large rooms (
be used by so small a fami
ly.
Within the past year or two s.
Miss Woodwork grew more S
and eccentric in her 0
ways. While her father was in i
the field she sat and brooded over il
her sorrows and disappointments 4
in the great, solitary house. A I;
few days ago she expressed a |
wish to attend the funeral Of a a
and her father accom- 6
her. She returned home II
more melanchaloy and nervous W
han ever. While busted in h
household affairs, she would often l
tart up and hurry to the window Of
It any sudden noise in the street. III
On Friday morning she rose SC
cry early. She was white and d!'
: itated. She went about her III
York with more than ordinary &C
and cleaned and dus- NJ
cd the house from roof to cellar. or
Ifter dinner, which was late, pr
bout three o'clock, Mr.. Wood Sp
,orth sat down by the fire, and sa
is daughter, after removing the lie
ishes and cleaning the room, re- suI
red to her chamber. L;
A few moments later there was 81
he sound of q heavy fall, but Mr. Lo
oouWorth was not disturbed; he t.,
,ought'his daughter was a rtn- nG
inc the furniture in the rooms bo,
boye. After a while he listened,
nd hearing nothing, he went up
airs, Miss Woodwork was not
her room, and he searched for n,
ar in vain through every depart. tax
ent of the second floor. Then Oh
, went Nd the garrett stairs. Be cat
re he had reached the middle 20
ems he saw her body swinging W m1'
owly in front OF mn. EAT
n small white cord, scarcely !.
than a piece of Irvine. 1t s 90 :
IS attached to the rafter. A efa
shioned arm chair lay overturn- ,
on the floor. -