American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-11-28
From the NeU York Literary Gazette.
THE RUINS.

really ieh that absorbing passion which we call love.
She had however, been visited with strange emo
ons since the FIRST appearance oil Edward and when
the remembered the expression OF his eye, and the
pleasing tone OF his voice, she felt an exhilirstng
AMI Undesirable sensation, such youth loves to
experience, and old age to recoect. She would
not admit even to her own pure bosom that he wa,
more to her than any handsome young man would
be but some how or other, when he entered the
room in which she was, her cheek assumed more
rosy hue, and the fine flashing spirit that shone in
eye, grew more sparkling and more beautiful
still. The very attempts she sometimes made tc
conceal it, betrayed her secret and it was easy Tor
any observer to perceive that Edward was very often
the subject of her thoughts-tha, her young afec-
tons already beginning TO cling to his manly
form, and that her enthusiastic spirit was at last
bound in those chains which give to slavery grea-
ter pleasure than even freedom can boast.
1t was a stormy winter night: the wind was
heard whistling around the house--the hail often
beat furiously against The windows, and the tempest
without raging with all those tumultuous
sounds that give such pleasing value to the warm
shelter OF happy home. Caroline had retired to
rest late in the evening and the balmy Sleep
that lights only z" on lids unsullied with tear,'
soon found resting place on hers Heriancy, freed
from every care, soon began to soar through the
gay regions OF imagination and we must not be sur
prised to hear, that il flew with instructive affection
to hover around the form OF Edward. II had not
long, however ranged in the novelty Of its liberty
when her dreams became troubled Confused idea,
o. storm and death passed through her brain--a
heavy hand seemed to press upon her breast. She
thought she was standing upon high eminence
amidst rocks and craggy mountains, when the whole
great mass tumbled with tremendous crash into
ruins, and in the effort to save herself she awoke. .
For an instant she thought her dream continued
a strange tumult roared arou I'd the house. The
room was hed with smoke and hight CLEAN
shone under her door, 1t was not till she distinctly
heard the cracking OF burning timbers, and the roar
OF fiames, that the dreadful truth burst upon her
mind. She sprang from her bed-hastiy and
tremblingly put or few clothes-and with deter
mnation to lush out, opened the door. The light
and heat that now burst upon her were so great,
that she was compelled TO retreat to the further
corner OF the room and the sight that met her
view almost distracted her. The beautiful arched
ceilings and carved walls Of her fathers house were
reddenng and cracking in the furious bla2e-the
floor was burned through-the whole room seemed
entirely surrounded with fames-timbers fell crash.
Ing into the rooms below and sometimes gust
OF wind would bear towards her thick volumes oil
smoke, that rolled like huge waves wrapping every
thng-the very lames--n their dark folds.
me frantic girl found it necessary TO close the
door to preserve her from being scorched to death !
with some difficulty she accomplished this and
her next step was 10 open the window. Here she
paused IN mute astonlshment at the sublime sight.
thousands OF people were standing below on whose
forms the light of the burning house fell so dis
tlnctly, that she. could perceive the men engaged
with the englnes-some with trumpets shouting
commands 10 their companions others busily EN-.
ployed IN carrying out the iurniture--and many
standing ~ inactive silence, watching the progress
o the flames. She shrieked with all her might Il
out what is woman's shrek amidst the mingled
tumuit OF shouting men, crashing timbers and roar
ing hire. She could hardly hear herself The!
room was heated--the door seemed fast burning
away She screamed until her voice was choked
IN convusive efforts, and yet she was unheard. The
engines played briskly below, and they alone would
nave drowned ler feeble voice She almost sickle
ned with anxiety She looked upon the multitude
who stood beneath. Immediately around the house
they were in bright light The FIRE flung its lurd
glare over the collected crowd, until far away the
end was ndistnct in the shadows of night, and moth
ing was observable but dark mass that heayed like
the pillows OF stormy ocean,
Her voice had now become so hoarse that .he
could scarcely speak, but one idea glanced through
her mind ny which she might catch the attention Of
those beneath She ran to her hed--wth the
strength OF despair she dragged It to the window,
and pressed It thu ugh the unyieding aperture A
cry arose as i darkened the light Many thought
It was part OF the wall tumhling from its height
pu' II leu hariess, and as II reached the ground
every eye was turned to the spot whence it came
the door OF the room burst through at the Instant
and Caroline stood lifted high amidst desola,ion
ne blaze shone brightly upon her white garments
and many imagined tina, she was actually in tbs
midst OF the Aamcs-a buzz Of horror murmuret
oeneath-a hustle ran through the mighty mass
EXPLANATIONS OF dsmay broke from every lp-anc
every one was anxious to preserve her. Ladder
were instantly ralsed-one seemed ready to rescu
her, and she prepared to descend, when. with or,
OF anguish she perceived it was too short Tn
heat OF the room became agonizng-- the flame
were fast proceeding towards her room-every hop
was hani ghtd lrnnn her hnsnra. H.