The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser

Some time ago, a young man took up his residence in a Scottish village, much celebrated for its delightful situation and mineral waters. During his stay, he succeeded in gaining the affections of a very amiable young girl, daughter of the person with whom he lodged. He told her he was a younger branch of a most respectable family in the north of Scotland, and that, owing to some domestic misfortunes, he was then in a kind of exile from his father's house almost without the means of subsistence.

By this representation, he had the address to draw money, to a considerable amount, from the affectionate and trusting girl. At length, pretending business of a particular nature called him away, he took leave, solemnly pledging to return in a few weeks and make her his wife. About three months after his departure, a letter was delivered to her, dated from a jail in the south of Scotland. It proved to be from her lover, and stated, that, a short time after leaving her, he had from necessity contracted a trifling debt, which, being unable to pay, he had been thrown into prison; at the same time entreating her, as she valued his regard, to relieve him from a situation so unworthy of his family and prospects.

The faithful girl, listening only to the dictates of her love, set off immediately, with all the money she could procure, to give him liberty—happy in having this opportunity of shewing the strength of her attachment. In an inclement season—through a country with which she was unacquainted—weary and dispirited, she at length reached the place of her destination :—with slow and feeble step she proceeded upwards in the principal street leading to the market place, but found it impossible to advance farther, owing to an immense crowd of people who had gathered together to witness the punishment of a criminal for some infringement on the laws of his country.

In order to avoid the pressure, she stepped on the stairs leading to a draper's shop, and involuntarily turning her eyes upon the poor wretch who was writhing under the lash of the merciless executioner, beheld, with feelings not to be expressed, the object of her tender solicitude and love. Nor was this all. A large placard was placed upon his breast, intimating that the punishment he was then suffering was for the crime of theft. A piercing shriek told the agony of her bosom to the surrounding multitude, as in a state of insensibility she sank into the arms of one of the by-standers.

The sympathy and care of strangers was not wanting, but though these recovered her from her swoon, yet reason again never dawned on her mind; and, at this moment, she is to be seen wandering in her native village, the pity of all who knew her, and an affecting instance of the basest villany triumphing over unsuspicious innocence.