The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-06-27

ntnlgnl1 on lllhl SfHoiNh1 hidH ~
last my claims were heard. after
years of anxiety and Endurance. dn-
ring which | was once seized by the
tungs al the law aud thrown. in mid
winter, into prison al Georgetown,
which would have been my grave.
but for the active and warm-hearted
charity Of women. 1t Is about
month since II pension of n few hun
dred dollars Il year was awarded me
in lieu ofmy claim Tor some thou
sands"
!" How" cxclalmed, " n pensi-
on then government has made
profitable bargain, for your eXhans
ted frame already leans over the
grave. aud long ere the receipts of
the pension can equal the amount Of
The claim. the clod will rattle on
yoar coffin. Little did imagine
how soon my prophecy was 10 beiul-
filled ! fate had already given the
last Ia. II To the h0urglass of his lite,
and its sands were nearly wasted.
a came hithcr yesterdays con
tinued he, &" to take last look nj
my mountain hut, and TO prepare for
removal a few family memorials, the
only vaiuables il contains. | have
pursued the game to-day FOR the last
time in these wilds tomorrow
when we descend the mountain, |
will acquaint you with other partle-
uIars in my eventual life, and | will
| then tell you who am. And now
good night, we both need rcpose.
That morrow dawncd upon his
lifclcss body | had observed dn-
ring his recital. that his frame ire
qucntly shook as if struggling be
tween mental excitement aud phys
ical debility. Palencss and flushing
alternately crossed his check rs hl4
excited feelings commended with his
langud frame. An underlined fore
bodiug hung like lead upon my heart,
as babe him good night and enter
ed an adjoining apart cnt. wrap.
ned my cloak around nc and threw
myself upon the floor, but could not
sleep, About midnight was star
/ lcd by a sound which seemed like
the groan of one in paiQ. Was 1t
the wind signing through the trees,
or WAS it the agony of suffering hui
mainly listened il was repeated
again aut again aud again in tones
that struck shrillingly on my heart.
| sprung tn the door, and entered the
other room; the hearth-lirc MAS de
cayed. and yainly stirred its brand
for light. opened the narrow
easement the night was dark aud
snIIcn, aud cloud upon cloud rose IN
frowning masses from the horizon to
the zenith. could see nothing. but
from the corner Of the apartment
the means came directly To my ear.
| CROPPED my way the to spot--it"as
indeed the moan of that aged man.
laid my hand upon his brow. IT WAS
damn * cold-f touched his breast
the hcart-pulsc beat family and al,
most Impcrccptibly. Mercitul
God" | exclaimed i" he IS dying !
here, in solitude and in darkness.
with no aid to cherish that spark Of
life which timely interference might
vet keep burning" i" Benevolent
stranger, 3" he murmured, brokenIy
and family. =" what aid can arrca
the wheel Of death when it rolls over
a form so aged as mine ? My hour
has come and | have SD lived that /
ran brave its horrors. The tardy
Justice of my country has come too
late. and".-Ilis voice ceased l
heard the death-rattic rising IN has
throat ;.I raised him gently in my
arms. and the heart broken veteran
of the Revolution expired peaceful
ly on my bosom
The storm was yet bowling with
out as / laid the head softly npon its
pillow, and approached the window
Of the hut. YES" 7 exclaimed,
" on such a scene should an injured
hero die nature at least may mourn
its death, though cold and selfish
man will learn it without emotion"
At last the gray dawn OF light
spccked the horizon, and gradually
assembled the East, ushering in The
morrow on which the old man WIS
to have quilted his rude cabin Tor a
better home. lie had indeed quit
ted if and forever, for home where
the memory of GOODNESS and ingrati-
tnde cannot darkcn the brightness
Of the blessed ; but the memory oil
.....0.e. ..,1u rnt In the hour OF