The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-11-15
From TIE Pa;lqa3aiio .Sotiu,.

ihe sky WAS lowering, the appearance
"f the heavens Denoted am approaching
storm, and II the prophecies Of some of the
oldest inhabitants of France were 10 b.
credited, the whole aspect of nature fore
told one that would be dreadful in lis con
sequences. Every moment Increased the
horror of the scene. The kravtns assum-
I'd in succession n more terrific appear
ance. The lighhiugs now began to fork
from their enclosure, aud the thundcrs
striking terror into the heart" of lis hear
ers, plainly convinced the unfortunate ira
weller of his solitary aud dangerous situa-
tron. Ii was while the affairs of nature
stoud IN lns situation, that \ traveller VAS
pursuing his journey through the interior OF
France. Theplace ofthis destination was
the metropolis, aud he was endca,oring to
accelerate The speed of his charges, when
he perceived the storm approaching his
situation was truly periloHs, he had Just
entered deep forest the extent of which
he knew was great, aud would take him
some hours In pass, when, "thc lowering
clouds poriended an approaching aud a
dreadful Storm and the lightning, thai
few minutes after began to emit from the
tie plunged and reared with all the force
he was possessed of, and bid fair TO Olsen
gage himself from his burden, but the skill
OF his rider enabled him to keep his posi-
ton. Although the prospect before him
would Rave rendered many incapable II
making slmh eXertloh, Yet such was the
selfpossesson and courage of the traveller
that he WAS enabled amid this war of ,le-
ments, 20 restrain the fury Of his horse, and
IN such Il time, had he been thrown,
his death would have been Inevitable.
The storm had now reached the very sum.
NIT of lis fury, and the vivid flame OF The
lightning combined with the heart appnl-
ing claps of thunder that immediately sue
cceded IL, combined with the aw lul appeal
ancc OF The heavens, were truly dreadful,
aud our traveller had not seen shed or
cot, or any friendly habtaton that he could
take possession of, 10 shield himself from
the ELECT ri the tempest which cu,eloped
him. He NOW perceived, though very
family, light at short distance, but
which he had before moi noticed IN con,
sequence OF his whole attention being re-
CURED 10 the management of his horse.
As soon as the ilnitabiIiiy of the beast al
lowed Of II, he approached the place thai
| contained that light he was so much reloi-
ced 10 see. He LaiI3ed repeatedly, and at
length the door Of the cottage was opened
by child, apparently of the age of about
We yearr, Whtse voice not being suiliti mt
y strong IT, be heard IN the howlng of he
tcmpea; and The beating Of the rain which
now fell IN rrodiglous quantities, m0toned
TO the dripping traveller to alight aud en-
ter. lie obeyed, and having attached the
bride of hig hees.' to n shed that stood nd
lacrnt 10 the house, entered. The Gitle
boy who Was Lis usher, WAS beautiful IN the
extreme, aud the traveller was struck with
surprise when he behcld SO fnc youth in
such a dismal place. The house or cot
tagc was situated in a part of the forest
whore The circle IN which il stood had been
stripped by industry or violence of the fire.
qucnt tempests that occurred in that part
OF the kingdom, Of the trees that had stood
there, and by rs appearance had been e.
rccted hall century ago. The whole Mp
pcarnce of the place was dismal in the ex-
IRENE, and showed that the only DEEPEN
dnnce of lis inhabitants must he upon the
wild fruit that grew upon the bushes that
made tn forest almost mperv'Ous. On
entering he, perceived that the place was
neatly furnished, much more 50 than lac
sd have expected fem is situation, and
consi ted of two rooms. The boy ON the
travellers entering. slid DoI't make any
morse, papa is very sick, aud the thunder
waken, papa : papa is asleep, now come IN
and sec papa" He entered the inner room,
whc.c laid na pallet Of straw appeared a
MIN thai seemed 10 have attained the aye
of go. Ills grry hairs were visible at mo-
mcnl's GLANCE, and reminded the traveller
Of the necessity Of obeying the Injunction
OF the boz, who now entered, walking on
tlp-toe, hui his caution came too late The
old man anoke and WAS again seeking
" Sleeps balDly bosom :" when he pcrceiy-
ed a stranger BY his bed side. At so unu-
sual sight III Stared, and impat entity de
niandcd Inc cause fhis being there. The
traveller explained to the old man the rea-
son, stating how he was oycItakcn by the
Storm, aud that he was much latigued by
the WEAKNESS of his journey, AID the resi-
lraane3s of his horse. Thus satisfied, the
old man requested the stranger 10 be seat
ed. The storm hadno partially subsidized,
which tie OLE man immediately remarked,
and by his manner indicated that compa-
ny was disagreeabIe 10 him in amy respect.
The Cheyalieranxious to be gone, rose and
having thanked the old man aud kissed the
child, Placing at the same time Louis dor
in his hand, left the house, aid was prepar-
ing 10 depart, when he perceived that his
horse had disappeared. At this moment,
the loss was peculiarly irksomc 10 him
His lntre prospects depended on the
speed of his journey. If known at Paris
that he was on his road there, he knew
measures, wonld be- taken to prevent his
arrival, and he was anxious therefore, to.
reach the capital before this Intelligence
could precede him. In agony he rushed in
to the house to communicate his misfortune