Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-10-20

dered In vancacy, for they had lost
their charm and their delight,-his
| niece, his more than daughter, whom
ne dotted on with all that affection
| which man feels, who, In the de-
| cline of life, having few affections,
elings more earnestly to Those that
remain. Cursed, cursed be the fiend
that brought misery on his gray
hairs, and doomed him to waste in
in wretchedness He could not live
under the horrors that were accu-
muIated around him an apoplec-
tic tit Was brought on, and in a few
days he died In my arms.
What then became of me? /
know not; i lost sensation, and
chains and darkness were the only
objects that pressed upon me. Some-
times, indeed, l dreamed that /
wandered in fowery meadows and
pleasant wales with the friends OF
my youth but awoke, aud found
myself in a dungeon. Melancholy
followed but, by degrees, gained
clear conception of my miseries
and situation, and was then releas-
Ell from my prison. For they had
called me mad and, during many
months, as / understood, solitary
cell had been my habitation.
But liberty had been a useless
gift, to me, had not, as l awak-
ened to reason, at the same time
awakened to revenge. AS the
memory Of past misfortunes pressed
upon me, began to reflect on their
cause.-the monster whom / had
created, the miserable demon
whom | had sent abroad in the
world for my destruction. i was
possessed by a maddening rage
when | thought of him, and desired
and ardently prayed that L might
have him within my grasp, to
wreak great signal revenge on his
cursed head.
Nor did my hate long confine it.
self to useless wishes; | began to
reflect on the best means OF securing
him (; and, for this purpose, about a
month after my release, | repaired
to criminal judge in the town,
tion to make; that L knew the de-
stroyer of my family; and that
him to exert his whole
for the apprehension of
the murderer.
The magistrate listened to me
with attention and kindness. "Be
assured sir" said he, "no pains or
on my part shall be spared
to discover the william"
"I thank you," replied ''listen,
to the deposition that
have to make. 1t is indeed a tale
so strange, that should fear you
would not credit it, were there not
in truth which, however
forces conviction. The
story is too connected to be
mistaken for dream, and have
no motive for falshood." My man
ner, as | thus addressed him, was
but calm ; had FORM
ed in my heart a resolution to pur-
sue my destroyer to death; and
this purpose Quilted my agony, and
reconciled me to life.
| now related my history briefly,
but with firmnesS and precision,
the dates with accurcy,
and never deviating INTO invective
Or exclamation.
The magistrate appeared at first
perfectly incredulous but, as con-
tinued, he became more attentive
and interested. / saw him some
times shudder with horror; at 9TH
er5 lively surprise, unmingled
with disbelief, was painted on his
When / had concluded my nara
ton, / said,-"this Is the being
whom accuse, and for whose de-
lection and punishment / call upon
you to exert your whole power. IL
IS your duty as a magistrate, and
believe and hope that your feelings
Is a man will not revolt from the
execution of those functions on this
This address caused
change In the physiog-
lomy OF my auditor. He had heard
ny story with that half kind Of
belief that is given to tale OF spir-
ts and supernatural events but
when he was called upon to act Off
.ially in consequence, the whole
Idle of his incredulity returned. He
however, answered mildly,-"I
would willingly afford you every
lid in your pursuit, but the creature
If whom you speak appears TO have
which would put all my eX-
.rtions to defiance. Who can fol-
ow an animal which can traverse
he sea of ice, and inhabit caves and
lens where no man would venture
o intrude? Besides, some months
lave elapsed since the commission
If his crimes and no one can conjec-
ure to what place he has wandered,
,r what region he may now inhab-
t."
"I do not doubt that he hOvers
lear the spot which inhabit; and
{ he had indeed taken refuge In
he Alps, he may be hunted like
he chamois, and destroyed as
,east of prey. But / perceive your
houghts you do not credit my
and do not intend to pur-
ue my enemy with the punishment
which is his desert"
AS / spoke, rage sparkled in my
yes; the magistrate was intimida-
ed. "You are Mistaken" said he,
Il will exert myself; and II il IL in
ny power to seize this monster, be
ssured that he shall suffer punish
nent proportionate TO his crimes.
But / fear, from what you have
described TO be his proper
les, that this will prove impracti-
able, and that, while every proper
MEASURE is pursued, you should en-
Ieavor to make up your mind to
disappointment"
"That cannot be; but all that i
an say will be of little avail. My
eyenge is of no moment 10 you
'et, while / allow IL to be vice, 4
onfess that IL Is the devouring and
My passion of my soul. My rage
) unspeakable, when reflect that
he murderer, whom have turned
pose upon society, still exists. Hou
efuse my just demand ; i have but
ne resource and / devote myself
ither in my life or death, to his de-
81 trembled with excess Of agita-
ion as / said this there was iren-
Y in my manner, and something,
Oubt not, of that naughty fiercenesS
which the martyrs OF old are said TO
ave possessed. But to Genevan
magistrate, whose mind was occu-
led by iar other ideis than those
( devotion and hCr0ism, this eleva-
ion OF mind had much the appear
nee OF madness. lie endeavOred
D s.ioshe me, Us II nurse does "A child,
nd reverted to my tale as the effects
( deIirium.
"Man," ! cried, chow ignorant
rt thou in thy pride OF wisdom