Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-07-12

4
for her the merciful interposition of the
reigning Prince.
ssStay but the execution for few
weeks said l, "and l have no doubt
whatever but the innocence of the young
woman will, in that interval be made ap.
parent"
My urgent representations did not,
however, seem to be of much avail; the
Baron was courteous but somewhat
positive man; he did not like it to be
supposed that he required any one to
suggest line of policy which he should
follow. Bowling me out of the bureau, he
said he would think of what l had rep,
resented to him, and see what could be
done. Elise's religious attendant was at
the same time busy in another quarter,
and we yielded ourselves to faint hops
that the execution would be stayed, OF
the punishment altered.
Day after day fed, yet each descend.
ing sun shone upon Elise at the grating
of her dungeon. Time flies on with fright.
full rapidity, when the moments are
counted by those who are condemned to
die on the scaffold. The eve of the day
of execution at length arrived, and it
narrows up my very soul when I re-
call to remembrance the horrible pre-.
parations which were making for the
taking away of the life of one of the most
simple and amiable creatures that ever
breathed. That night could not retire
to my place of residence in the town; l
wandered round the prison in sort of
distraction, while the stiffness was ever
and anon broken by the noise which
the workmen made in erecting the scat
fold and preparing the apparatus of death.
Morning dawned, and as soon as could
gain an entrance, REPAIRED to the prison
with heavy heart. Elise was pale, but
perfectly composed. After thanking me
for the interest had taken in her mis-
fortune, she said:
81 have yet another favor to ask of
you. Will you deliver these tokens of
my affection to my dear parents and
friendsi"
/ promised to fulfill her last wishes,
and she then gave me number of little
packages, lock of hair to her parents,
and favorite brooch for Joseph. Her
companions and fellow-servants were not
forgotten. There was some little gift for
every one. She also made me the bearer
of a letter to Eric, to be given to him
should his life and senses be spared.
pardon me, sir" said she, with a
smile, ''for tasking your kindness so
deeply; but l feared that if l addressed
my dear brother on this subject, mis- grief
would destroy the fortitude which l have
struggled SO severely to acquire"
Joseph now entered; but shall pass
over the scene that followed. 1t is many
years since l witnessed it, but the recol-
lection still brings tears to my eyes. As
she was conducted to the scaffold, all
the spectators were in tears. Her
youthful and modest appearance, her
sweet aud ingenious countenance, and
her air of resignation and piety interested
every heart; sobs and groans were heard
through every part of the assembled
multitude; women wept aloud, and many
gray-bearded man turned aside to dash
away the large drops that fell from his
eyes. The feelings of her brother al
most battle description. On first en-
countering the moving mass assembled to
witness his sisters execution, Joseph
looked around with an expression of
tierceness and disdain; but, on meeting
their sympathizing glances and seeing
the tears that believed their faces, his
countenance changed and he appeared
nearly suffocated by emotion.
The fatal moment at length arrived
the term of her earthly sutferings was
about to close, when sudden tlImult
arose at the extremity of the crowd. 1
heard a confused murmur which grad
ually increased in louduess. The sensa-
ton, as it soon appeared, was caused by
the approach of an officer of government,
bearing an order to release the culprit,
pardon having been granted in her
favor, or rather, as it appeared, her in
nocence having been made apparent
From gloom and sadness, all became
suddenly JOY and hilarious exclamation
1 confess my inability to depict the scene
which followed in way it deserves to
be portrayed; so let me explain, in few
happy words, the cause of so happy
termination of this singular drama.
Perhaps you may smile when l inform
you that the true culprit, the only rob-
Der of Madame Miners premises, was
discovered to be no one else but the
COW which browsed in the paddock be-
hind her mansion. Its voracity in seiz-
ing upon and swallowing articles, GER
tainly i'll calculated to serve it for food
was discovered in time to save poor Ell
isa's life. The animal was slaughtered,
and in cavity in its stomach was found
the spoon which had been carried off so
mysteriously; fact which explains eve
rything else.
The news of this remarkable event,
and the release of the deeply wronged
Elise, were received by all classes of
citizens with the utmost qualification.
Crowds from all parts of the city-and,
among the rest, Eric Poison, who would
permit no restraint on account of his re-
cent illness-attended at the prison to
congratulate the now fully acquitted
Elise. A shout Of JOY met her ear as
she stepped forth hanging on the arm of
her lover; the best men in the city shook
her by the hand; her fortitude was the
theme of every tongue; and when de-
parted from Copenhagen on my journey
through Holstein to Keil, / had the ex-
ceeding pleasure Of leaving her comfort
ably married and restored to the affec
tons of her parents.-Neto York Ledger.