The Wilmingtonian., 1823-11-13

Twenty times the woods OF Leigh
Shall wave their branches merrly--
In Spring burst forth in mantle gay,
And dance in Summers scorching ray,
Twenty times shall Au,umn's frown,
Wilher all their green to brown
And still the child of yesterday
Shall laugh the happy hours away.
That period rast, another sun
Shall not his annual journey run,
Before secret silent foe,
Shall strike that boy deadly blow,
Such and sure his fate shall be;
Seek not TO change his destiny"
The Knight read it and in that age, when, .,
ltrology was considered science as unerrinv =,
holy prophecies, it would have been little lev
than infideliy to have doubted the truth of ,ls
prediction Sir Maurice, however, was wis.
enough to withhold the paper from his lady, and
in answer TO her inquiries, continually asserted T.
that the giPsy was an imposter, and that the ob
iectsof his assuring the character Of an astrolo
ger was merely to increase her aims The chh
grew in health and beauty; and we are The f
most usually the more strongly attached to pe, L
sures in proportion to the brevty OF their Con-
tinusnce, so did the melancholy fate of his son l.
1.-The more firmly fix him in the heart Of Sir Maui
rice. Often did the wondering lady observe the 4
countenance OF her husband with surprise, as
watching the endearing sportiveness Of the boy, |
his countenance, at first frightened by the smile
4 of patcrnal love, gradually darkened to deepest
grief till unable to suppress his tears. he would
cover the child with caresses and rush from the |
room. To all enquiries, Sir Maurice was silen,
or returned evas,,e answers. We shall pass over
the infancy of young Walter, and resume hs .
narrative at the period in which he entered into
Ibis twentieth year. His mother was now dead,
and had left two other children, both girls, who
however, shared but little OF their fathers love,
which was almost exclusively fixed on Waller,
and appeared to increase in strength as the lahl
time drew near.
1t is not to be supposed that he took no pre-.
cautions against the predicted event Sometims
lhope suggested that mistake might have heen
imade in the horoscope, or that the astrolOge
might have overlooked some sign which made the
circumstance conditional; and in unison with
The latter idea, he determined to erect strong
building, where during the year in which his
doom was to be consumma,ed, Walter might re.
: main in solitude. He accordingly ave direc
itons for raising single tower, peculiarly formed
Ito prevent ingress, except by permission OF itsn
lhahitants. The purpose of this strange building
however, he kept secret; and his Neighbours,
latter hume rous vain conjectures, gave it the name
,of Cookies Folly.' Walter himself was kept
,entirely ignorant on the subject, and all his en-
opuiries were answered with tears At length the
= tower was completed, and furnished with all
Things necessary for comfort and convenience;
: and on the eve of Walters completing bis twen.
rtieth year, Sir Maurice showed him the glpsy's
: scrawl, and entrcated him to make use OF the re-
4 treat prepared for him till the year expired
/, Walter at first treated the matter lightly laugh
ed at the prophecy, and declared he would not
lose years liberty if all the astrologers in be
world were TO croak their ridiculous propheces
against him. Seeing, however, his father so ear
nesty bent on the matter, his resolution began to
: give way, and at length he consented to the ar.
:, rangement At six, the following morning, there
:. fore, Walter entered the lower, which he fasten.
! ed within as strongly as iron bars would admit,
l and which was secured outside in manner
tcqually firm He took possession of his volun.
tary prison with melancholy feelings, rather oc-
casioned by the loss of present pleasure, thaN,he
fear of future pain. He sighed as he looked upor
!, 1.-THE wide domain before him, and thought how
u sad would it be to hear the joyous horn summon
ling his companions TO the chase, and find himself
prevented from attending ito hear the winter
wind bowling round his tower, and rushing be-
tween the rocks beneath him, and miss the cheer
ful song and merry jest, which we're wont L
le make even the blast pleasant sound Certainl,
~ his time passed as pleasantly as circumstance
o. oipermiued. He drew up in basket, at his mea
ie hours, every luxury which the season produced
ID Ills father and sisters daily conversed with hin
lefrom below, for a considerable time; and tht
n morris dancers often raised his laughter by thel
as grotesque movements. Weeks and months thu
passed and Walter was still well and cheerful
g. His own and his sisters hopes grew more lively
abut Sir Maurice's anxiety increased. The day
ie drew near which was to restore his son to hi
r. farms in confident security, or to fulfil the predlc
erJtion which left him without an heir to his nam
nland honours. On the preceding afternoon, Wal
'gIter continually endeavoured 10 cheer his parent
,dIby speaking of what he would do on the morrov
indcsired his sisters to send round to all his friend
t. that he might stretch his limbs once more in tn
T. merry dance-and continued to talk of the iutlr
us with suth confidence, that even Sir Maurlc
d, caught spark of hope from the fiery spirits Q
orthe youth, AS the night drew on, and his sister
Dol were about to leave him, promising to wake hlf
an at six by song i'll answer to their usual inqir
ny fine wanted any thing more that night, Nothin
he said he, 'and yet the night feels chilly, and
It have little fuel left--send me one more faggot
an This was sent him, and as he drew it up, This
sad he, is the last time shall have to dip TO
y my wants, like old women for water, thank God
e. or it is wearisome work to the arm.'
els| Sir Maurice still fingered under the window
ldl conversation with his son, who at length con
HI. planned of being cold and drowsy. MARK sal
- m sas he closed the window, 'mark, Fatle
ed Mars, the star Of my fate. looks sningly tongi
ey all will be well.' Sir Maurice looked up-a dal
dslcloud-spot suddenly crossed the planet, and !
III shuddered at the omen.
I'LL The anxious father could not leave the spo
IS Sleep, he knew, it was in vain to court, and
is therefore determined to remain where he was-
of The reflection that occupied his mind continual