cute, I will just confine myself to
one case of murder, instead of many--because you all know, that if they
are found guilty upon one count, it will be sufficient for our purpose.
Widow Flanagan, come up and prove your sorrowful case."

A pale, emaciated woman, whose countenance was the very reflex of
affliction and despair, now was assisted to make her way from the
further part of the building. She was dressed in the deepest mourning,
with the exception of the ribbons, which were, like the rest, a deep
blood-red, as an indication that one of her family had been murdered.

"Widow Flanagan," said the counsel for Captain Right, "will you have the
goodness to state your distressing case?"

"Oh, no, no!" she exclaimed; "I'll not state it--I'm beginnin' to fear
what your intentions is this night; and as for me, I'll not help you,
by act or word, to fulfil that fearful intention. Oh, change it!" she
exclaimed; "there has been too much blood shed in the country; too much
bad work every way in it. Call upon God to change your hearts, and go
home to your families while your hands isn't yet stained with blood! You
all know what the law is when it's let loose upon you, as it ought be,
whenever you commit murther, and take away your fellow-crature's life.
I forgive Purcel and his sons; it was neither him nor them that took my
boy's life, but the sogers--oh, no!" she exclaimed, "I see what you're
bint on, and why you are sittin' to try the unfortunate Purcels. I
read it in your black fearful looks, and dark faces--may God turn your
hearts, and forgive you for bringin' me here this night! Surely you
ought to know that one like me, who suffered so much by the spillin' of
blood, wouldn't wish to see my fellow-cratures sufferin' as I am? Oh,
no! I forgive the Purcels, and why shouldn't you? an' the worst prayer
I have for them is, that God may forgive them and change their hearts!"
Alas! that we should say so, but the truth is, that no charge against
Purcel, how bitter and malignant soever it might have been, could have
occasioned such a deep-seated and uncontrollable vengeance against
the unfortunate family, as the language of this extraordinary and
great-minded peasant woman. There was nothing further said at the
moment, every attention was paid to her wishes; in accordance with which
a party of men and horses were sent to convey her safely home.

When she was gone, a neighbor of hers, who was present, came forward,
and made an acc