The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-08-25

my grave, but for the active and warm
hearted charity of womcn.t 1t is about ;
month since pension Of a few hnndred dol
lars year was awarded me in lieu of IN,
claim for some thousands"
How" | exclamed,," pension !" thet
government has made a profitable bargain
for your exhausted frame already lean!
over the grave, and long ere the receipt.
of the pension can equal the amount Of your
claim, the clod will rattle over your coffin.
Little did imagine how soon my prophecy
was to be fulflledl fate had already given
! the last turn to the hour-gass of his lite, aud
its sands were nearly wasted"
~ came hither Yesterday" continued he
"to take last look at ny mountain-hut
and to prepare for removal a few family
memorials, the only valuables which il
contains. have pursued the game to-day
for the last time i'll these wilds: to-mor-
row, when we descend the mountain, | will
acquaint you with other particulars in my
eventful life, | will then tell you who
am. And now, good night; we both need re-
pose
The morning dawncd upon his lifeess bo-
dy / had observed, during his recital,
that his frame frequently shook as if strug
ical debility. Paleness and flushes alternate
ly crossed his cheek as his excited feelings
contended with his languid frame. An un-
defined foreboding hung like lead upon my
heart, as babe him good night and he enter
cd the adjoining apartment. | wrapped my
cloak around me and threw myself upon tie
floor, but could not sleep. About midnight
| was startled by sound which seemed like
the groan of one in pain. Was it the wind
singing through the trees, or wasi the ag-
ony of suffering humanitye ! listened; it
was repeated again and again, ia tones that
struck shrilingly on my heart. lspruns to
the door, and entered the other room; tho
hearth fire was decayed, and vainly stir
red its brands for light ] opened the
narrow easement; the night was dark and
sullcn, and cloud upon cloud rose in frown-
ing masses from the horizon to the zenith.
| could see nothing, but from corner Of
the apartment the means came distinctly TO
my ear. CROPPED my way to the spot--it
was indeed the moan OF that aged man. ]
laid my hand upon his brnw--it was damp
and cold touched his breast the heart
pulse beat family and almost imperccptibly.
" Merciful God !" | exclaimed. che is dy-
ing! here iii solitude and darkness, with no
aid to cherish that spark of life which time
" interference might vet keep burning"
" Benevolent stranger" he murnu ed bro-
ken and family, "whar aid can arrest the
wheel of death, when it rolls over form
SO aged as mncs My hour has come, and
| have 50 lived that can brave its horrors
Tie t.rdy justice Of my country has come
too late, and"-Hs voice ceased; | heard
the death-rattle rising III his throat; raised
him gently in my arms, and tine hcart-brok
en- veteran of the Revolution expired peace
fully upon my bosom
The storm was vet howiing without, rs
laid the head softly upon its pillow, and APP
preached the window OF the hut. "Nes,"
exclaimed, "on such spot ana in such Il
scene, does an injured hero die; nature At
least mourns his DEATH though cold and self
lsh man will learn it without emotion"
At last the gray dawn oflight speckled the
horizon, and gradually aScendcd the east,
ushering in the morrow on which the old
man was to have quilted his rude cabin for
4 better home. He had, indeed. quilted it,
and for ever, for a home whore the memory
Of coldness and ingratitude cannot darkcn
the brightness Of the blessed; but the mem.
ory Of his wrongs may yet, i'll the hour Of re-
tributiua, be a pointed steel i'll the breast of
each and all Of those, whose neglect traced
on his faded cheek, the burrows Of anguish
amidst those Of time. He torgavc, but hea-
ven will punish.
] descended the mountain after last look
at the dead, and stopping at the first habta-
tlon gave the necessary orders for his burial;
and the hero, whose bier should have been
followed by 4 nation, was lain IN the earth BY
a few hlrellng peasants-Such is NATION
AL GRATITUDEt Previously to my
leaving the cabin, / observed on small
she'll a fcs books. l opened one that was
old and worn, and on the inner cover dis
covered family escutcheon subscribed with
these words, ARTHUR 81. CLAIR"
4 fact.