The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1825-12-08
From the American Monthly Magazine.
THE S7IRTEKING GHOST.
BY THE AUTHOR OF THE WOODLANDS.
deeds do reach
Down to the grave, disquieting the dead.

DO"H W shS i~t~s NAsteA~''6 e'AS AN"o'
The Sun had set behind the blue summit
Of the Shade mountain, whose broken crags,
hang in wild and fearful grandeur over the
low, sylvan valley, that runs from the shores
of the murmuring Montanso, into the broad
open plains of Northumberland toward the
Susquehannah; but ere the first star became
visible in the moonless sky, the clatterins
tramp ofa rapidly approaching horse was
heard upon the distant bridge and down
the stony road, hurrying onward as it for
life. A moment after, a stranger was seen
mounting the steep ascent of prominent
bluff, which overlooked the cedars of the
lowland vale, and refining in his coal black
courser Oh its utmost verge, he sat and
cast an eye of wild disquietude over the
rude scene. The recently erected cottage
OF EsselwolH, hid by cluster of low will
lows, upon which the shadows of the ap-
preaching night, already hung their dusky
mantle, one might suppose had escaped his
observ alton; or his restless and pcrturbed $
spirit had searched out some single object
OF interest too intense to allow wandering
thought or glance towards any other for
ever and anon he raised his white, trembling
hand, and parted the locks that clustered o.
yer his forehead, and gazed towards the up
lifted crags of the cloud-piercing mountain.
and upon the shaggy pines that stood un-
shaken in the shade at its base, and far
downwards where, among the springs OF the
winding rivulet, the white mossy stones lay
in groups, among the long grass, and the
neglected ruins of an ancient tenement moul-
derlng in fragments on the ground.
Old Essclwo!f walked out into the valley
from the cottage threshold, where he had
been standing and surveyed the stranger
with earnpStuesS then shopk his heod fNlA-
ed his arms upon his bosom, and cast long
and anxious glance towards the dim hori-
zon. A small speck had just risen above the
tree tops, and began slowly to spread itself
abroad in the sky; faint breeze already
| caused the leaves to tremble, and a scarce
| audible sigh breathed in the cool, moist air.
He saw and heard, and then observed the
stranger moment again, who now remain
ed fixed and motionless, and then returned
| with a somewhat agtated air to his seat at
the cottage door, The storms have long
been cradled,' said he, but yonder appari-
tion will rouse them from their slumbers,
and the Shrieking Ghost will be abroad
tonight Alarmed by words of such fear
full import, the family gathered to the door,
with many inquiries tor the reasons upon
which these unwelcome conjectures were
| founded,
| Il
ant of this wild abode for more than thirty
years; having emigrated to it from the
east when young man. leaving behind him
kindred, friends and the small patrmony
lett him by an aged father. The moving
Cause OF this early measure had never been
clearly ascertained, even by the few whom
the chances of the chace threw sometimes
in his way but whispers had been heard
Of deeds, from the imputation of which, ,whe-
thcr just or not, the strong links of friend
ship which his kindness and hospitality had
thrown on these around him, seemed cffec-
tualy to screen him. Whatever these
might have been, he had now grown gray
amid the lonely and solitary pines; and those
who had known him longest, spoke most in
praise OF his stern integrity, his virtue. and
his truth. And now the cottage he had bu-
ried himself in, alone, for so many years, had
become the refuge and home of destitute
but lovely family Of his kindred !; who, when
the storms Of misfortune had driven them
from the village of their nativity. had
sought and found welcome in the bosom of
the wild willows, on the shores Of the Man"
, tango.
1t was these novices in the fearful history
: scene, amid which they dwelt, who gather
ed round the old man that evening, and pray
ed tor a solution of the terrifying problem he
had spoken. EsselwolF while he eyed
calmly, but not without mixture of ankle
: ty, the slowly gathering storm, that climb
ed steadily up the blue eastern sky, pressed
! tenderly the hand of his Juliet, as she hung
e upon his neck, delicate and lovely girl re-
Y minding him of some beautcous new blown
e flower, flinging its tendrls to the breeze,
y and blushing in all the milder richness ol
e it's charms, amid the wilds Of rude un-
: cultivated forest and shus answered te
: the pressing inquiries of his collected house
: hold.
! The cottage which now lies in ruins hal
: hid among the long rank grass by yondc'
Il spring, was twenty years ago the abode o
N Lawrence and Harriet Neville. 1t was a
e that time the prettest residence in tn
m whole valley. for there alone solitary fugi
tives from clmes less rude, beheld with e
motions of delight the traces of tastefu
and elegant hand, in the beauteous orde
,e with which the views and flowers were al
n ranged, and the neatness and graceful elk
ly rance ofevery thing around. often saw
e. in those days, the happy pair. sitting unds
a. the canopying willow that shaded the CO
M tage door, while their children smiling
va all their gaiety and lovefincss Of youthful il
I'd nocence,S played around them and 0fts
d, have sa, down wearied with long day
IN, chase, and reg aled myself at the spring az
I'll and listened to Harrict's voice as she SUI
I'D some tender and pathetic lay, that recatlc