American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-06-07
FOR THE wATcHMAN.
TEE MOUNTAIN RECLUsE.
"Dim backwards as cast my view,
what slck'nlng scenes appear. "-BunNs

hue usEiys he sofenng shades of her earthly velvet
suounedby the glowing tapestry of her foliage, variega
LED by the luXriant spendor of declining SUM- left the
lViage OF to take solitary walk | am fond Of
rambling at this season OF the dayand the more unpoIsh
ca and wild the scenery, the interesting appears To
me- Those who have visited the romantic and wild scenery
along the margin Of the susquehanna and particularly
the vicinity of viii agree with me- that il is one
OF the most spendidy romantic spots that interesting river
lean claim Here of huge rock piled in almost
endless rotation whose sombre bosoms in awful majesty
land seem to support the arch of the neither heavens sur
rounded by srubbery OF perpetual green, while opening
lawns inersect 10 diversity the and render truly
delightful There something likewise in the mellow
closing Of the evening" that well accorded with the state
lof my feelings felt in unison with the scene and en-
oyed of those sweet and tranquil reveres which call
tine soul from the grovelnS thoughts EARTH themes
o amore noble and exalted nature. Wrapt in communion
with my own SOUL heard not the approach of footsteps
till was aroused from my apparent sessness, by the
tremuous voice of the venerable being who stood before
Inc. Hail my SON., said the aged man. as he drew near
and "Iia Fathe repledl, as gazed with reverence
on bis tme-worn yet majestic person. His tall and SYM
metrical form seemed lily to coincide with that pathetic
goom which had thrown its mantle face that toe
PLAINLY bore record Of inward grief The of many
winters had wtened the few remaining locks that shaded
forehead which the hand of time and had deeply
llurrowed. There something indeed moulded in the
face of this venerable man, which told that the storm that
IbGghted his earthly happiness of common
nature. felt anxious to know his history was no,
Unsupported. The sympathy which felt for this aged
recluse could not be conceaed he appeared read my
thoughts he felt interested in his appearance: he
grasped my hand, and with feeble voice said Youth
Thou art the only being these aged eyes have seem
verse with, for years. saw thee long thou ddst be-
hold me- was pleased with thy appearance Nay, thou
rcsembest one and here sigh escaped him. who has long
since been consigned to waery grave and though have
Pronounced general intercourse with man, rejoice ir
their prosperity sympaze in their Affections, and II
proportion to my little MEANS administer their comfort
Thou art now i'll season of life when pleasure holds
her most auling charms-when the world is all sunshine
and the heart all happiness In this season, il is naula
| for us to feast glowing imagnatons images Of
chiinerical bliss But, my son, this age view life
through the optics Of dstempered Imagination. The
world SO full of calamity, that every of pleasure
lis polluted and tranquility disturbed When time has sup
piled US with events sufficient to employ thoughts il
has mingled them with many disasters and afl Icons
that we shrink from the remembrance of them and dread
their intrusion upon minds, and fly from them, to
pany and dissipation. And if thou canst bear with The
proxy Of old man, the short but sad history of my life
will show thee, trust the faacy of human expectations
and the ugacy of earthly Objects thanked him, while
my heart rembled with aiec,ionae soctude at what
would follow Sin me'' he continued, "you the only
REMAINING branch OF ancient and respectable family
The eary years of my life passed is ordinary with
youHg of fortune, routine of criminal and vitiated
udugences At the age of nineteen, closed my studies
and made the tour of Europe 1t at this epocha that
the scorpion sting tyranny began to poison the peace OF
the inofensive inhabitants Of America. and felt the
Injustice of my country toward that people, and resolved
embark in the defence of their My heart told
was right and my glowing fancy painted i'll the brightest
coors, the glory that awaited me then in Florence
Immediately fastened to France and without the know
edge of any of my numerous friends father my only
paren) in England, embarked for this country, This may
seem rash sep but youth is accustomed to without
regard TO consequences On my arrival, received
Leutenants commission and entered with alacrty the
duties of soldier IT was my peculiar good fortune to be
Immediately under the direction of the great and good
Washington. Influenced by his presence, fear was a
stranger 1t is not for me to say what benefit rendered
this couny-t was best known to those worthless whose
bones now Wondering with the EARTH may however
without vanity say that the friendship Of Washington
the best proof OF my good conduct.
/ After the conclusion of the revolutionary conflict, went
late night, alone, dwelling the pleasing expectation
of hearing from fond father whom had neglected
suddenly alarmed by the bursting of fire in
splendid building opposite to In a few Moments al
was in confusion and terror The family rushed into the
street, with whatever they could catch to shield them from
the chill damps Of November night. God be praised
said bystander they all safe" At this moment,
terrific scream from middle chamber, and the appearance
of lovely female imploring assisance told him but to,
plainly of bis fatal mistake. Oh my child! my Emma "
cried the agonzng parent and sunk senseless into the
arms of those around him. 1t that determined
his beloved child to his aged heart become
self inundated victim at the shrine OF humanity rushed
with mad impeuosity through the thckest Of the flames
TO the apartment where the unfortunate girl just sink
ling upon the floor seized her in my arms and with NJ
other protection than my which tore off to siec
her from the fire, rushed back into the street with M
lovely burden, amid the grateful applauses of thousands
After seeing her i'll careful hands secretly withdrew, witt
the pleasing consolation that was not known; conse
queny would not be obliged to receive those expression
of gratitude, which, to sensitive mlnd often distres
. sing. But was installing my pocket book, which ul
fortunately fell from my coat as reached the street witt
It Emma, betrayed my and address in it
Judge then of my surprise, my son, when on the following
day. the father and his lovely daughter in person
offer me those tokens OF aecionae esteem which tn
b willing incense of a grateful heart. Irue the fathe
thanked me in the warmest language of gratude-but
more powerful feeling had taken possession of the daug
ters breasah her virtues convinced me that cou
recprocae those dear and refined feelings of nature
; Mr. somers (such his name) wealthy, and he wa
:; soon again settled in splendid mansion than the for
mer now became almost daily visitor. had made thu
J. father of Emma partially acquainted with the of M
II being then in America, and my expectations in future
Time rolled sweety in the enjoyment of the society
my beloved girl and little did think that aught could ar
to mar the golden prospect of felicity which awaited me
But alas the page fate which bare the record Of dlsap
r about tn nnened-and OF sIblu