The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1825-12-24


of their guest gave rise to many observations,
which at length induced O'Halloran to impart to
his wondering audience the circumstance of the
travellers rejection by the neighbors, and the
fearful rage he had expressed on the occasion
The old woman's vivaclty forsook her, and the
gentle Kathleen crossed herself repeatedly, as
she sat in awful expectation of the issue.
The moments were wearing on, when suddenly
the old woman cried out, that the apartment
was sinking O'Halloran started on his feet
it was fact; the hearth had already given some
inches, and the pure water swelling up In
the interstices. while black and silvery eels coil
ed upon the stones shrek of dismay broke
from the lips of all present, and at that instant
the door was burst open and the old man APP
peared before them; his aspect was as that OF a
demon, and his eyes shone with. exultatlon.-
ely fly" cried he, sc fly from the destruction
We have not merited Rise, and follow me, and,
while time is left We, seek safety in the noun
tains." Saying this, he hurried them, without
further speaking, to the door OHalloran sup
ported his trembling wife and mother in their
forced progress through the streets, which were
now above ANGLE deep in water. Every minute
it rose higher and higher ''Hurry, hurry"
exclaimed the old man, 6 or the hour OF favour
will be past" He was leading to the outskirts
of the town, when O'Hallorans mother, shrink
ing from the reptiles that came in contact with
her feet, declared she could proceed no further:
his wife hung heavily upon his arm, and the
strangers intricate windings through the town
were now difficult to follow; but delay was not
to be thought of; the water was rising in every
part, and the newt, and the eft, and slippery eel,
meandering on the pavement ''For Gods sake
bear no awhile" said O'1alloran, GO and we may
vet reach shelter He doubled the support
of his arm, and the party renewing their exer-
tons, in short time gained the steep ascent OF
a mountain, which raised its stupendous height
above the steeples of the town. The old maa
halted not !; but with an agility that was sur
prising, commenced to thread the mazes of the
hill, ever and anon turning his head, and urging
his companions to speed The night was calm
and clear, and the heavens were OF deep, deep
blue, studded with a myriad of stars, that seem
ed as innumerable lamps of silver burning and
Frightening in the sky. In the distance, on the
skirts of the horizon, was traced, amidst the
darkness of the surrounding clouds, many a
CLEAN of pale and visionary hue; and against
these rose the far-of hills and the black masses
of the town, in which now all noise, all light,
all revery, were fast sinking into that still, still
gloom and quiet which proclaims the interval
of repose. The shades of night hung upon eve
nv object, and the breezes that came from the
shores of the ocean swept chillingly round the
steep, and to fanciful ear might have appear
ed to wall and lament for the approaching work
of desolation At length when O'Halloran and
his weeping family were seated on projection
of the emnence, they ventured to look down on
the houses beneath them: one by one the tapers
hoI I~oo, had fhn JUId