Page:Irish assassin, or, The misfortunes of the family of O'Donnel (3).pdf/24

 and gave the alarm. An enquiry was then made if any suspicious character was seen about the house, when a watchman said, he had observed a man dressed in a countryman's garb, looking about for several nights before. The hue and cry being raised, a person was detected going on board an American vessel, his clothes much stained with blood, and a poignard in his pocket. It is needless to say this was the guilty Arthur. He was taken before a magistrate, to whom he confessed his rank and criminality. At first it was supposed by his friends, that, upon an investigation of the charges, it would be found they arose from insanity. This supposition was contravened by Arthur himself, who confessed his iniquities, and gloried in the murder of McPherson. The sessions of oyer terminer being then sitting, he was taken thither the next day, and arranged for the murder of his father and McPherson, to which charges he pleaded guilty. The Recorder began his last awful duty in pronouncing the sentence of the law, when the court was struck with horror, by a scene of the most heart-rending nature which was exhibited.

The dock in which the prisoner stood was surrounded by sharp iron pikes to prevent the escape of individuals. Within this stood Arthur patiently listening to the pathetic address of the judge; the attention of the court was fixed upon him, and all were astonished at the composure with which he listened to his doom. Suddenly the eyes of Arthur assumed a wildness, that at once evinced the agitation of his mind, and in an instant he dashed his temples against the surrounding pikes, two of which penetrated his skull, and terminated his unhappy existence! Thus ended the pride!-the glory!-and the misfortunes of the O'Donnell's!

The worthy Captain Farrell did not long survive the death of his Maria; he died universally lamented, and was followed by the benedictions of all who know him.