American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-06-25


ther dimiy, and could not clearly discern the fea-
lures OF the stranger who, for at leas an hour sat
fixed as statue in his position, without, believe.
lat all observing me, or being conscious OF the exis
ltence of any being but himself and our hoste,s
within the room; and had alien into half sleepnr
reverie when was aroused by deep and hollow
groan, which issued from / knew not where. T
Ishuddered and drew nearer the fire Mrs. Hin,
bert, observed, started from her seat, and walked
the floor rapidly, while Ellen convulsvely clasped
her arms around the babe that lay slumbering in
her lap and pressed her cheek TO its forehead The
stranger remained motionless, but again some voice.
las from the bowels of the earth, sent up that bol
low groan. | could not determine whence it came.
and dared not ask, so agitaed did the two females
seem to be at the repeatal but it caught the ear of
the traveller. who slowly raised his head, and asked
in calm voice, 'who is sick? The old lady CLASH.
ed her hands and turned pale, as she endeavored 10
initiate the sound and replied, that she felt unwel.
There was mystery in all this that was observed
by the stranger; he turned TO and repeated his
Question. l shook my head in silence, and he again
rested his forehead on his hand. Again and again
in rapid succession the noise was heard 1t seemed
to come from beneath the floor, and the STRANGER
las if electrified, started from his seat, and cried
l'for Gods sake, what means this? nay madam, do
not shudder-this mystery must be unyeiled:'-
then drawing from his bosom pistol he seized.
with the other hand, blazing torch, Il will search
the house. said he, something smells OF murder
'Merciu heaven, screamed the elder lady, I'VE are
lundons. -'Undone!' we repeated in utter astopisb.
ment-'What means this'' The groaning con,ip.
lued and Mrs Hubert, falling on the neck of her
daughter, both were instantly dissolved in an agony
lof weeping.
Without noticing this the stranger led the search
land, on examining the fool some loose boards were
discovered, which being removed, revealed dark
leave beneath, and from it from sepuchre, those
sounds, almost too full of anguish to be human.
came; the stranger surveyed it, and then Cautiously
entered. On couch of straw at one corner of this
dismal abode, we beheld grey headed, ghasty fig
lure, clothed In ra and exhibiting the very iinape
LOT human wretchedness, stretched out al length
Tie raised his dim eyes as the light approached him.
/ What, have you come at last?' said he in hap
lgard tone;-'well you are welcome the grave will
Ioe more quiet, less dreadful repose than this--
am Irwin Hubert!' and he reached out his sbriye.
ed hand 10 me- you will not need cords continued
he, this frame is all feebleness and woe-I shall
give you no trouble
by this time Ellen and her mother had come
down, and noticed, for the first time, the signs o
repdatlon steal over the stern features Of The strsn.
ger; he withdrew with shudder and left ne with
the old man alone. assisted them in bringing him
up 10 the he by which the stranger had again seat.
ed himself, IN his usual sombre mood, where we
laid him on the Hoor, while Ellen held his head and
oathed his face with tears. 1t was dreadful mo-
ment OF inexplicable mystery; and. as that lovely
glrl kissed his wan and withered cheek while her
utterance was choaked with sobs and Mrs Hubert
sat motoness by his feet the stranger rose and pa
ecu me room with folded arms, and an eye that roll
ed awfully on all around
He was now to me the most interesting object
OF the group Though tall and robust, his figure
was handsome; his eye was the keenest and most
expressive ever beheld, and his whole countenancc
ana appearance impressed on my mind an idea of
determined holiness, decisive energy, and strength
OIL frame and intellect which | had never imagined
cou'n nave been combined in one individual. NV
eyes were riVetted upon him; but what was nv
as'ohishment when, suddenly his face Frightened
up as with transport of delight and aDproachino
the weeping girl, he knelt and took her hand. .Ei
len hubert said he, do you know mel The af-
lrighted girl had started at the touch, but her fine
eye met his. lie smiled and she exclaimed-sOh
my Henry! my Henry! my Henry.' and fell upon
his BOSOM
1t was as the meeting of lovers in another world:
ne was the husband of her youth. sYou come from
me grave said Ellen, 'or where have YOU BEEN
~ you feaiiy exist as see ysu, or am wild.'~-T
am henry HUBERT replied he, q left my fathers
ouae 'n' &c years ago. when you recolect you was
Absent al r, strangely enough; had cut nv
'rm, and waking at midnight, discovered that the
'anoage had tell of, and that it was bleeding very
asst dressed, and went to the river intending to
,athe 1t, as it fell nflamed and painful and while in
ne ac'' was seized by gang Of ruffians robbed of
ny money, gagged and sent on board small sloop,
rom which never escaped, until | was landed on
% island In theWest Indies destitute of every thing
iere was impressed on hoard ship of war, and
aken 10 the East Indies, where escaped, engag.
. III business, amply recovered my losses, and re-
"ea month ago, rich IN property, to my native
'ty; but Judge OF my despair when heard that nv
amer had been condemned as a murderer, and that
ny family and wife were no more Under these
IMPRESSIONS. wandered Thus Ear in search of snme