Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/34

. evidently inebriated, she clasped her hands, and whilst The tears gushed from her eyes, exclaimed,

"Oh, Joseph! It was cruel of you to treat me with such harshness. If you knew how miserable I am been during your absence, and the anxiety I felt for your safety, you would indeed pity me, but thank heaven, You have returned, and I am happy!'

"Her son made no reply, but stretched forth his legs. thrust his hands into his pockets and regarded the widow and myself with a vacant stare. Good God! What an alteration! A few weeks of intemperance wrought upon him! His hair that was wont to curl luxuriantly, was now disheveled and matted. His eyes had lost their brilliance; his cheeks were hollow and sunken, and his lips were black and parched from the effects. of habitual intoxication. His dress was disordered, and bespattered with mire, and in fact, his whole appearance calculated to raise emotions of loathing and disgust in the bosom of the spectator. Ah, sir! it seems, but an occurrence of yesterday, that I beheld the widow in her faded mourning dress; her dark glossy hair parted into plain bands on each side of her white forehead, while She leaned upon the arm of her son, whose eyes beamed. with affection, and whose deportment, as he walked up yon shaded avenue, bespoke the pride and joy of his heart, in being thus chosen as the protector of his fond mother in her declining years. And many were the blessings bestowed upon that son as he entered the church on the Sabbath day, supporting his mother, and bearing a small clasp Bible in his hand. The village James smiled and nodded to each other with looks of admiration upon beholding them walk up the aisle, and The old squire of the manor would often greet them with friendly salutation as they advanced, and point them out. to his lady, as though he experienced gratification on Viewing the calm and happy countenance of the mother, and commendable bearing of the son; little did I then Imagine that he would become such a disobedient and wayward youth—but to proceed with my sad narrative: and it will soon be concluded.

"A discovery was made that Master Joseph had joined a set of dissolute companions who had by the most artful strategies lured him to their toils, and by degrees had induced him to assist them in all their evil. practices. From the vices of gambling and inebriety, He had been led to commit the crime of theft, for, at the instigation of his wicked companions, he had broken open a bureau belonging to his mother and steal from then a sum of money together with a quantity of plate, and some few jewels, with which he had absconded; nor could the poor widow gain any intelligence. of him, until that sad adventure occurred, by which he met with an untimely end. It happened in the following manner:

"Those dissolute companions whom Master Joseph had joined, were known as a most desperate gang of ruffians. Orchards and hen roosts had been robbed. with impunity, for these depredators were said to be so strong in numbers, and so determined, that the villagers were afraid to attack them, so rewards were offered for their apprehension, they committed the most flagrant and daring acts of robbery unmolested; and perceiving that no one ventured to attack them. While pursuing their lawless deeds, they had become bold, and had now concerted a plan to rob the manor house, at the earliest and most favorable opportunity that should offer, in order to obtain the rich service of plate and jewels that the mansion was said to contain. For the purpose of carrying this plan into execution, Inquiries were made by certain members of the gang, and it was ascertained that the squire had gone to his town residence, in order to spend the winter there, and had left the manor house to the care of the old steward, who, with his wife, son, and servant girl, were the only people that inhabited it. This information inspired the desperadoes with great joy and a determination to effect their object without loss of time.

"It was a dark and gusty night in the month of February, that the burglars set out upon their expedition; and Master Joseph, who had been elected a sort of chief or captain of this desperate gang, undertook to conduct the enterprise.

"It was about two o'clock in the morning when they arrived at the gate of the manor house, and a trusty spy was sent forward to reconnoitre, who soon returned, and reported that everything was favorable for their plan of attack thereupon, the gang forced the gate, and moving along noiseless and upon tiptoe, concealed by the thick gloom that shrouded the earth, they proceeded along the path that led to the principal entrance, and when When they arrived there, Master Joseph beckoned to one of his companions, who carried a small canvas bag containing implements for house-breaking and taking from thence a center-bit, a screwdriver, and a pick-lock, he commenced operations upon the shutter, whilst his companions prepared their weapons of defense, in case of an attack. Master Joseph, having cut a hole in the shutter, large enough for him to thrust his arm into, retired to procure the dark lantern, held by one of his companions, in order to direct him where to find the bolt. At that moment, a window into the upper story was thrown suddenly open, and a blunderbuss discharged. upon the burglars. A cry of agony was heard, followed by by oaths and execrations, when the discharge of another deadly weapon from the same unseen hands, caused the gang to disperse with precipitation, for numerous lights appeared in the distance, hurrying towards the scene of action, where a great number of villagers soon arrived. bearing lanterns and weapons of defense. They proceeded to the manor house, at the door of which they