ed into an expression of determined
vengeance.

When these awful words were uttered, Grimes's wife and daughters
approached the window in tears, sobbing, at the same time, loudly and
bitterly.

"You're wrong," said the wife--"you're wrong, Widow Kelly, in saying
that my husband murdhered him:--he did not murdher him; for when you
and yours were far from him, I heard John Grimes declare before the God
who's to judge him, that he had no thought or intention of taking his
life; he struck him in anger, and the blow did him an injury that was
not intended. Don't curse him, Honor Kelly," said she, "don't curse him
so fearfully; but, above all, don't curse me and my innocent childher,
for we never harmed you, nor wished you ill! But it was this party
work did it! Oh, my God!" she exclaimed, wringing her hands in utter
bitterness of spirit, "when will it be ended between friends and
neighbors, that ought to live in love and kindness together instead of
fighting in this bloodthirsty manner!"

She then wept more violently, as did her daughters.

"May God give me mercy in the last day, Mrs. Kelly, as I pity from my
heart and soul you and your orphans," she continued; "but don't curse
us, for the love of God--for you know we should forgive our enemies, as
we ourselves, that are the enemies of God, hope to be forgiven."

"May God forgive me, then, if I have wronged you or your husband," said
the widow, softened by their distress; "but you know, that whether he
intended his life or not, the stroke he gave him has left my childher
without a father, and myself dissolate. Oh, heavens above me!" she
exclaimed, in a scream of distraction and despair, "is it possible--is
it thrue--that my manly husband--the best father that ever breathed the
breath of life--my own Denis, is lying dead--murdhered before my eyes?
Put your hands on my head, some of you--put your hands on my head, or
it will go to pieces. Where are you, Denis--where are you, the strong
of hand, and the tender of heart? Come to me, darling, I want you in
my distress. I want comfort, Denis; and I'll take it from none but
yourself, for kind was your word to me in all my afflictions!"

All present were affected; and, indeed, it was difficult to say, whether
Kelly's wife or Grimes's was more to be pitied at the moment. The
affliction of the latter and of her daughters was really pitiable; their
sobs were loud, and the tears streamed down their cheeks like rain. When
the wido