The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-04-20

"Thou art the fiend who has created this ~
sat down by his side--took his hand and
burst into tears. ! could not articulate !,
word. When had become somewhat
compased said, " Albert, hopen -------
But I've interrupted ne. " oh no !" said
he " do not hope there is no hope now !
II is too late | cannutlye---it will alis0on
be over but wanted to see you, Charles,
before departed, that might ask Your for
giveness !" " Forgiveness % cried |, ssfor-
giveness il is fwho need forgiveness at
your hands, aud 1t was thai which came
10 ask Am | not your murderer His
the i,yUef and not the injured, who stands
in need of pardon. Oh ! Albert ! do not
ask forgiveness of me % /" Yes, Charles, l
must | am deeply 10 blame for having ac-
cepted your call had my pride only all
lowed tue 10 refuse, how much anguish
should have saved you. For myself, it
is no mattcrl" "Albert Albert do not
talk thus, you will drive me mad | have
nothing against you; everything is forgiv-
en-; only say that yon pardon me % He
raised himself in the he'd, aud opened his
arms; threw myself upon his boson...-
" Yes Charles, all that have TO pardon in
now, somay WE find mercy atthe throne OF
Heaven p Theso were his last words.
he sunk quietly back upon the pillow---and
shortly after was no more. Ii is awful to
think how stood tottering ON the narrow
istEmus between hope and despair. Oh
that could blot that period forever from
tie annals Of existence | would not live
1t over, II by doing 50 | could purchase
worlds.
stood and gazed upon bis cold aud
pallid form as he lay extended in death,
and as gazed, the word and all Its plea
sures seemed like vanity to me. Above all
could not help rejecting with ntolerable
anguish, how utterly insignificant had been
the cause ofai the distress beiofe me. Afew
idle words uDguardedly uttered, had done
all this And what were they at last p
Merely the thoughiless elieryescence of a
rutlied temper! And yet insignificant as
they were, they had quenched had
destroyed peace---ihey had blasted hopes
they had bighted prospects they had
cut dowu the flower that ought 10 have
bioomed for many lung years, in thciniidst
OF its youthful glory--they had made ME
the assassin Of my friend These were my
own thoughts, tearing at the root Of my
happiness; while the bereayed mother.
and the sighs and tears mourning broth
ers aud sisters were every moment fixing
the arrows OF remorse in my heart Oh!
what would lnot have given, had possess
ed the power to restore the life | had taken
away! But am golng beyond bounds
i did not intend TO have carried nv navra4
ton So far but it seemed 10 be my duty
to warn you Of the horrors that await sucl,
course aG that | have pursued. From
that time tc the present | have never
known the sweet peace which | enjoyed
before. have indeed derived some con-
ISOLATION from the Remembrance that OBJ
taioed my friends forgiveness and trust
| have now also obtained il from higher
source but the recollection Of thai period
is gloomy spectre that hunts nc IN eve
ry walk of life, and its evil events have cast
deep shade over my existence, that viii
stretch forward esen to the very verge of
the grave Pardon me, my young friend,
for OBTAINING you SO long but believe me,
have your welfare much nj heart. leave
this detail without comment. trusting 10
may warnyou against the commission OF an
error, which will bri1g with it misery and
repentance, aud unconquefable misery -
fit have the least effect in preserving you
in peace and innocence, shall then have
the satisfaction of believing, that my
many sufferings have not been entirely in
yan." CHARLES WOODLEY."
" After reading lhisp said Henry, as he
laid down the letter, my views were en-
tirely altered, ADD turned with horror
from the project, which was before in the
very act Of undertaking. The pen which
had taken up to write an acceptance to
the challenge, now used to indite an apo
logy. An explanation followed incourse----
our disagreement was adjusted--and our
friendship restored What tho result
would have been had ! acted otherwise, it
is impossible t, say but there is reason
TO believe that the consequences of an OPP
posite course however they might have e.
Ventilated, would have been of nature
most truly depIorable and unhappy"
I'm. Mon .lfda.