Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-07-12
An unsupported Criminal.
A TRUE STORY.

AA oAouop6CI6u UIlulud1.
TRUE STORY.
While I was journeylng through Den
mark as a young man, my stay at Copen-
hagen was prolonged by the intense in
terest which l took in the following case.
which, for barbaric injustice and the
severity of the penalty for the crime
committed, exceeds any punishment
which could be administered at the hands
of civilized community in modern
times.
After having viewed the Danish capi-
tai, began to explore the surrounding
country.
In the course of one of nv ralnbIes.
and while proceeding in tie direction of
Elsinore, l was overtaken by sudden
storm. The thunder growled, the light
ming flashed, and the rain came down in
such torrents, that, hardy as l was, and
Injured to such accidents, was fain to
look round for shelter; and observing a
cottage, through an opening in the trees,
fastened toward it. Ny request for
shelter was cheerfully complied with, by
Peter Jansen, the owner of the cottage t;
his wife kindly pressed me to take some
refreshment, while her daughter brought
me seat. Beng well acquainted with
the Danish language, entered into con
versation with the good old man.
''You seem to be very comfortable
here" said I.
eyes, truly, that I am" he replied;
~ have reason to be contented with nv
lot; have sufficient means for the sup
port of my family; l have a good wife, a
son to work for me, and," continued he,
looking at his daughter with a good
humored smile, "a daughter to plague
me-"
The old man went on to tell me that
his son Joseph, who was daily expected
home, was sailor, and that his daugh-
ter, who was betrothed to Young
sailor, a shipmate of her brother, was in
the service of lady residing near Copen-
hagen, who had permitted her to spend
few days with her parents. So soon,
however, as the important business of
preparing the winter provisions of the
family was over, she was to return to
her parents house, when the wedding
was to be celebrated. There was an ap-
pearance of so much worth and goodness
about these simple people, that l willing
ly complied with their invitation to re-
main all night under their roof.
After having partaken of their
frugal repast of rye bread, milk and
eggs, was conducted to neat chamber,
where slept as sound as top till next
morning. Soon after breakfast, | took
leave of my hosts, who would not
accept OF any remuneration from me,
saying that if his sailor boy ever visited
my home, / should repay what l had re-
ceived in kind. This promised to do;
and after having accepted an invitation
to witness the marriage of Elise with
Eric Polsen, l set out on my return to
Copenhagen. l had not, however, pro-
ceeded far, when heard some one run
ming after me and calling on me to stop.
| turned round, and was surprised to see
Elise running up the hill, quite out of
breath with the haste which she had
made to overtake me. l observed that
she held something in her hand, which,
on her nearer approach, l discovered to
be my purse.
ooh, siri" cried she, ~ was 50 afraid
would not overtake you. You left YOU
purse on the table; and we were 50
vexed, for we did not know where to
send it to you; and what would have be-
come of you without your purse in a for
eign land2"
why, my amiable Elise, replied,
''if all hearts were as good and kind as
those / found under your roof, should
not have missed it much"
pressed her to take piece Of gold,
but she steadily refused; and, after re-
minding me of my promise to be present
at her marriage, and expressing many
good wishes for my journey, she returned
home, and pursued my way to Copen-
hagen, which, however, soon after left
on tour through the country.
returned to the capital short time
previous to the period fixed for the mar
riage of Elise, and my employment on
arriving in Copenhagen was TO purchase
for her quantity of bridal finery and
some useful household furniture, and on
clear, fine morning I set out to visit
my former host.
On approaching the cottage I OBJ
served that an unusual stiffness reigned
around. The door was closed, and the
curtain of the little window of the room
which the family generally occupied was
closely drawn. ! feared that some evil
had befallon them. I knocked softly,
but no one seemed to observe it; so
lifted the latch and entered. But how
were my feelings shocked at the scene
which met my view. The good old man
sat with his bands over his eyes, APP
parently overwhelmed with grief, his
snow-white hair hanging in disorder
round his face. His wife stood leaning
over him, her eyes red and swollen with
weeping, while tall, handsome youth,
In sailors dress, was pacing about the
room, while big tears rolled down his
sun burnt cheeks l looked round for
Elise; she was not there, and I doubted
not that her parents were mourning her
loss.
my good friends, said y. advancing,
81 sympathize in your affection; this is
sad stroke for parents 20 suffer"
''Ycu have heard, them" said Peter,
in stiaed voice
81 have heard nothing" l replied,
''but find yoa in grief. do not see
your daughter; she has been taken from
you. Lament not too deeply an early
death; she has been removed, but, !
trust, to happier coontry."
The old man groaned.
s'Joseph." said he to the young sailor.