Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-06-03

tbeIy stunteu Dusu NUt Uldue Of grass LOT some
miles, and something. about the distance Of one,
that looked like u white washed cottage Of some
poor encloser OF the miserable heath upon which he
was now ~strndins. FuN Of hope OF a shelter from
the .tor m. and, lit onwards by the magnificent
torch 81 heavcs, the stranger trod cheerily for
wards, and in less than half all hour making full al
lowance for his retrosrading between tine flashes, ar
rived ut his beacon, the white cottSge, which, from
the low wall Of loose limestones by which it was
surrounded, he judged to be, as he had already ina
sined, the humble residence of some poor tenant Of
the manor. He opened the little gate, and was
proceeding to knock at the door, when his steps
were arrested by a singular and unexpected
sound; it was a choral burst of many voices, sing
Ing slowly and solemnly that magnificent dirge
of the Church OF England, the l04th palm
The stranger loved music, and the ombrous'nieio-
'dy Of that fine air had an instant effect upon his
feelings; he fingered in solemn aud silent sdmira.
ton TIL the majestic strain hail ceased; he then
knocked gently at the door, which was instantly
courteously opened to his inquiry.
On entering, he found himself in a cottage ofa
more respectable interior than from its outward APP
pearance he had been led to expect: but he bad
little leisure OF inclination for The survey of lis
effects, for his senses and imagination were imme-
iiately and entirely occupied by the scene which
presented itself on his entrance. In the centre Of
the room into which he Rad been 50 readily admit
ted, stood, on its tressels, an open coffin; lights were
at its head and loot, aud on each side sat many per-
sons of both sexes, who appeared to be engaged in
the customary ceremony VI watching the corse pre-
vious to its interment in the morning. There were
many who appeared to the stranger TO he watch
ers, but there were but two who, in his eye, bore
the appearance Of meurners, and they had faces Of
grief which spoke too plainly Of the anguish that
was mining within: one, at the loot oi the coffin, was
a pale youth just blooming into manhood, who CO.
vered his dewy eyes with trembling fingers that i'll
tho taara which trichlpt down hs wap
cheeks beneath; the other-; but why should
we again describe that still unbowed and lofty
FORM The swful marble brow upon which the
stranger gazed, was that Of Ruth Tudor.
There was much whispering and quiet talk
among the people while refreshments were handed
amongst them; and so little curiosity was excited
by the appearance ofthe traveller, that he naturally
concluded that it must be no common loss that
could deaden a feeling usually so intense IN the bo-
som of Welsh peasants: he was even checked for an
attempt to questions; but one map-he who had
given him admittance, and seemed TO possess autho-
rity in the circle,-told him he would answer his
questions when the guests should depart, but till
then he must keep silence. The traveller endea-
vored 10 obey, and sat down in quiet contemplation
of the figure who most interested his attention, and
who sat ut the coffn's head. Ruth Tudor spoke
nothing, nor did she appear to heed aught Of
the business that was passing around her. Alb
sorbed by reflection, her eyes were generally cast
to the ground; but when they were raised, the tra-
weller looked in vain for that expression oil grief
which had struck him so forcibly on his entrance;
there was something wonderfully strange IN the
character of her perfect features: could he have
found words for his thought, and might have been
permitted the expression, he would have called 1t
triumphant despair; so deeply agonised, so proudly
stern, looked the mourner who sat by the dead.
The interest which the traveller took in the
scene became more intense the longer he guzed up
-. %. aot,np. ,pah1o IA oe,ai ttn nviatu yuh,nh boil
begun to prey upon his spirit, he rose aud walked to-
wards the coffin, with the purpose of contemplating
its inhabitant: a sad explanation was gwen, by its
appearance, ofthe grief and the anguish he had wit
messed; a beautiful girl was reposing in the narrow
house, with a fac = as calm and lovely MS if she but
slept a deep and refreshing sleep, and the morning
sun would again smile upon her awakening: salt
the emblem Of the immortal soul, was placed upon
her breast; aud, in her pale and p~erishing fingers
branch Of living flowers were struggling for life in
the grasp of death, and diffusing their sweet and
gracious fra GRANGE over the cold odour Of mortality.
These images, so opposite, yet so alike, affected the
spirit of the gazer, and he almost wept as he con-
continued looking upon them, till he was aroused
from his trance by the strange conduct of Ruth
Tudor, who had caught a glimpse of his face as he
bent in sorrow over the coffin. She sprun, up
from her seat, and darting at him IL terrible glance
Of recognition, pointed down to the corpse, and then
with a hollow burst OF frantic laughter, shouted
"Bchold; thou liar"
The startled stranger was relieved from the ne
cessity Of speaking by some one taking his arm and
gently leading him to the farther end Of the cottage:
the eyes Of Ruth followed him, and it was not till
he had done violence to himself in turning from
her to his conductor, that he could escape their sin
gular fascination. When he did so, he behell
man, the pastor ola distant village, who
come that night to speak com fort 10 the mourn
era, and perform the last sad duty to the dead on the
"Be not alarmed at what you have wit
messed, my young friend,' said he, "these ravingy
are not this unhappy woman, at an ear
ly period Of her life, gave ear to the miserable su-
Of her country. and a wretched pretend
er to wisdom predicted that she should become 4
shedder of blood; madness has been the inevitable
in an ardent spirit, and in its rawlings
the dreams she has committed one sin, and is still
to add to it another"
"You may say what you please, parson," said the
DID man Who had given abundance to the stranger,
and who now after Diminishing all the guests save the
youth, joined the takers, and seated himself on the
'ettle by their side: 'you may say what you please
about madness and superstition; but know Ruth
Tudor was a fated woman, and the deed that was to
be ! believe she has done: ay, ay, her madness is
and il the deep sea and the Jagged rocks
could speak, they might tell US a tale Of other
things than that; but she is judged now; her only
child is gone-her pretty Rachel. Poor Evan! he
her suffer; sh, he little thought two months
ago, when he was preparing for a gay bridal, that
her slight sickness would end thus; he does not de-
'erve it; but foe her-God forgive me i'll do her
wrong, but | think il is the hand of God, aud it
les heavy, as il should.' And the grey-haired old
nan hobbled away, satisfied that In thus thinlung
lie WAS showing his zeal for virtue.