American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-06-25
From The Trenton EMPORIUM.
THE STRANGER GUEST.
"-But who, and what art thou,

"-But who, and what art thou,
of foreign garb and fearful brow."-Giour.
The FIRST time visited Philadelphia was in tht
depth OF an unusually cold winter, some fifteen oil
twenty years ago. The morning lett Albany,
recollect, the weather was hazy, and these wer,
some indications of storm these at frs
disregarded, but had not proceeded half day:
journey before it set in to snow the wind arose
from the moi thwest. and so intensely cold did the
tempest come on that was glad TO seek shelter
In small hut, half hid among the pine trees and
only discerned from the road by the thin column Of
smoke that assembled from the rude chimney which
scarcely protfuded itself through the roof Hum
BILE as was this habitation, welcomed to share in
the small comfort if afforded and chose it as re
tuge much rather than
"Bide the peltings of the pitiless Storm
without. was welcomed say, for had ,ligh
acquaintance with the Huberts: knew them as
family once in ailluent circumstances, but, by
fortune that was as impenetrable as the mysteries
OF the tomb,--a fate, the secret history of which
was locked up in their own bosoms reduced TO a
lar deeper poverty than the peasant knows to life
OF want and wo. Perjury does not always touch the
heart, and it was easy to read in single glance at
the group that gathered round the blaze on that
evening, that the bosoms of the Huberts had felt
deeper stab than ever simple penury could give.
The cabin was rudey formed Of logs, from be
tween which the clay piastering every here and
there having fallen out, left large crevces, and one
single room was all the dwelling contained. The
furniture consisted Of couple OF benches, an old
stand, and a few wsoden dishes In none of these
were to be seen the remains of that opuIence of
which learned the Huberts were the possessers
but 1t was found in their family attire, and the air
still lingering about them The old lady, tho neg
Seny dressed, had about her those touches of taste
and refinement which cannot deceive; and Ellen
Hubert, tho her cheeks thin and pale, and her
eyes heavy, perhaps with weeping, carried with her
a grace of manner and expression tina; reminded of
captive fairy in some desolatc region.
She was young and fair, for sorrow, as if proud
OF its victims only adds more delicate, and moving
and pathetic loneliness TO beauty. AS Igazed FIRST
On her and then on prattling cherub that stood be
side her, child OF but three or four years. read,
thought with too great certainty, the cause of so
much grief. The mother shone in every feature
Of the infant. But the next hour lett me unsa,is.
ned, Tor when the little object of her care slept Ell.
len Hubert became the melancholy girl had heard
her called; but when it played on her lap, or
caught her hand, or pressed its cheek upon her
snowy neck, such CLEAN of Joy seemed stealing
from the recesses Of her bosom and mantling her
cheeks, that could not but silently exclaim, there
sreno recolectons of guilt associated with the being
ag AMI
innocent mother.
IL he violence OF the storm increased as the long
afternoon wore cheerlessIy away, and, when the
hades OF the evening approached, withdrew from
ne rude hre side, where nothing but frequent signs
'roke the silence that had sealed up every tongue
or, hnding my attempts to lead my hostess or berI
laughter into conversation on the subject in which,
ielt most interest, vain, sat so long silent that
ny bosom caught portion of the disease which
vas SO evidently preying upon them, and with a
ad and heavy heart took my seat at a window 8, /
ooked out upon the forests they grew darker and
more gloomy every moment. The wind had died.
,Way' out inc snow now fell in large and heavy
lakes the sky looked even more dense with cIo,do
nan before and was oroodng over my misfortune
n being overtaken by such storm in such 4 Mace
the worst possible humour, when my eve CAUGHT
ne form OF traveller, who, though well mountedl
10 'arSe and beautiful steed, came slowly winding
loWh the pathway from the road, evidently much
argued with the journey he had made.
III oeueI mode should have been oycrjoyed all
ne idea OF other and more cheerful COMPANY than
ny present for the night but, as felt at the mol
neht, rather viewed the coming unknown as an
h'ruuer, about whom was, at least, Indifferent {
mo, Without saying word, gazed at him as he [
nshted and throwing the bride over the neck of $
lis animal, approached the door A loud ran wac =
nc hrst intmaon the family had of the coming oil r
ne" visitor. The stranger asked for permissionl,
remain in the house through the night, addino, y
nat ne should give them no trouble as he was pro-
loeu with provisions and blanket, and would Law =
70 inc moor; the request was granted, and HAVING
akeh care oil his horse, he entered the room. and
thout taking the least notice of any one or saving
word, he sat himself down by the fire, shook the
now from his hair and dress, and dropped his d
"eehsupon MS hands, asln adeepss solemn thought $,