The Wilmingtonian., 1824-05-13

IN a state of high fever, and it was necessary
should be kept quiet. All my friends left me but
nv mother, and she sat silently watching at my
bed side. There l lay-,earless and sleepess-
and the remembrance Of the direful incidents
came upon me, one by one, in thoughts Of burn
ING avony tossed and turned and turmolled on
nv couch, but there was no rest, and 1t seemed
as ifmy whole body was wrapped IN one sheet OF
fame 20! that | could forget the hurrors OF that
dreadful night! that could cast them forever
into the depths of oblivion, where they should he
remembered no more After while they gave
me an opiste, and slel but sleep was worse
than wakefuness, for ii brought with it dreams
! 30 terrific that the very recollection OF them Is ,
anguish Methought was in some place of Wild
unreaty, such as we often traverse in our hgl'
visions, and WAS standing there ii ne, tn ma.
ked pognard in my hands presently there came
one whom knew to be my Fl iien', and he smile II
upon me; hut was full OF strong PASSIONS and h,s
smile was like poison, and seemed hurried for.
ward by some invisible power, which struggled
to resist, until my dagger had pierced the heart
of the phantom before me. Then as drew 1t a.
wsy, thought the blood burs,ed forth and CO.
vered me with shower. At length he vanish |
ed, and | thought there arose in his place,
trightfnl demon. who seized me ere was aware,
and dragging me to the end of dreadful precl
Il pice, made me look down into a hideons abyss.
into which, every moment, he threatened 10 plung'
me. shuddered and awoke with scream.
"Afer long and dreary night. the day dawn.
ell. and then for the first time thought to en-
!, qrre of Albert. They told me he was alive.
!, with the word hope came to my pillow, and en-
loved short and quiet slumber. Afier this re
freshment, felt myself better. and b,gsn ra-
pidly to mend. The next day was able to g.
out and my first object was to visit my poor VIC
i, tim went into his chamber-he was lying on
his bed, pale and languid; it was sight could
scarcely endure, for my heart said within M
| .rv,l- IL, c..r 1,,I.,,h hor tad &c
, sat down by his sidetook his hand and burst into
: tears | could not ariculate word When
. had became somewhat composed said, "Albert
i. + hope"--- But he interrupted me. :" Oh no y
said he, de- not hope there i, no hope now. II
~ ;s too late; cannot live-it will soon be ov r
but wanted to see YOU, Charles, before depart
) ed. that I might ask your forgiveness" "F r.
givenes." cried 1, forgiveness it is who
7 need forgiveness at your hands, and il was that
:. which came to ask ! Am not your murderer
"a I, is the inirer and not the injured who stands
:. in need of pardon. Oh Albeit, do not ask for.
=. rivene,s of met' "Yes, Charles, must ; am
:, deeply to blame for having accepted your call
: had nv pride only allowed me to refuse, how
:. much anguish 1 should have saved you. For
\, myself. it is no matterw Albert Albert dc
- not talk thus YOU will drive me mad have no
~ thing against you; every thing is forgiven; onl.
m say that You pardon ne' He raised himself gent
n " in the he'd, and opened his arms threw my
Il
az don in thee is past, and we forgive each Other
vi now so may we find mercy at the throne of Hea
-, venW These were his last words-'ie snnl
~ quietly back upon the pil'ov-and shortly atte
:, was no more. 1t is awful to think how l stoos
~ tottrring on the narrow isthmus between hope
,s and despair. q that could bot that period for
~ ever from the annals of existence would mo-
,e live it over. If by doing so 1 could purchase
= worlds.
!" y, "I sood and gazcd upon his cold and paid
~ form as he lay extended in death, and gszet
III the world and all its pleasures seemed like vani
ty to me. Above all l could not help refiec'ine
:. with inoerable anguish, how utterly insigniii
cant had been the of all the distress before
y me. A few idle words, ungrardedly uttered, hat
- a. done all this And what were they at last
!" Merely the thought 'ss e1ervcscence of ruftiet
&c. temper! And yet magnificent as they were
,. they had quenched life-they had destroyed
ie pcace-they had blasted hopes-they had blight
ed prospects--thry had cut down the flower tina
'st ought to have bloomed tor many long year, il
ny the midst of its youthful glory-'hey had made
al me the assassin of my friend. These were ml
IN own thoughts, tearing at the root of my happi
IN ness; while the hereaved mother. and the sigh
re and tears of mourning brothers and sisters wer'
q, every moment fixing the arrows OF remorse IN m,
lie heart Oh what would not have given, had
RS possessed the power to restore the life had Ia
d. ken away !-But am going beyond bounds; dit
N, not intend to have carried my narration so far
all but it seemed to he my duty to warn you of ih'
ut horrors that await such a course that have
IN pursued From that time To the present, h.v'
De never known the sweet peace which enjoyes
IN before I have indeed derived some consolation
'r, from the remembrance that obtained my friend
ce forgiveness; and trust have also cbtaine,
IT. it from higher source but the recollection OF
that period is gloomy spectre that haunts me il
al every walk Of life and its evil events have east
al deep shade over my existen e, that will stre'cl
y, rward eycl to the very verge ofthe grave ar
as don me, my young friend, for detainiug you SC
ny long but believe me, have your welfare much
p AZ heart. I leave This detail without comment
- trusting it may warn you against the commissio,
L of AN error, which will bring with it unccasinf
I'd repentrnce, and unconquerable misery. II i
e. have the least effect in preserving you in pesc.
"a and innocence, shall then have the satisfaction
"a Of believing. that my many sutierings have no
10 been entirely in vain.
~ CHARLES WooDLEY."
=. "Aher reading this" said Henry. as he lait
!. down the letter." my views were entirely altered
= and turned with horr n from the project, which
al was before in the very act ofur tlertRking. The
~ pen which l had taken up to write an acceptance
-. - to the challenge, now used to endne an apolgy
,g An explanation followed in course---our disagree
:, ment a'liusedand onr friendship restored
h. What the result would have been had I acted
n, otherwise, it is impossible TO say but there is