Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-04

FOR THE LITERARY CADET.
PAUL PETERS.

fork. lie hau come among tne simple DWELL
ers of the land stranger; and had gradually
gided into their confidence. Apparently poor
and frcndless, none knew him; and after few
short weeks none asked who he was; yet in
that brief space of time, he had made himself
beloved his kindness to the little urchins of
the place, and his good naturcd countenance,
were as welcome passport TO the hearts Of
all. He was not rich, yet he did not appear |
to be poor. The simplest garb was his con-
stant apparel The farmer with whom he had
domesticated himself, affirmed, that he had
ever paid his little demands cheeriully.
Two summers passed away, and still Paul
was an universal favorite. Not dance took |
place, but Paul tripped it away, the hveliest OF
the happy throng; not harvest feast was
given, at which Paul was not the merries
guest and not iire-side party took place
without his telling the best story. When he
came among the old, they looked upon him as
the herald of JOY, and he was ever welcomed
with hearty smile. The young considered
him a kind friend, who had caused them
many happy hour, by his pleasant tales of
! lands far away. The little ones delighted to
| cling about him. and often as they hung around
his neck, would ask him of his home, his fam
| lily and his friends; he never answered them,
save with kiss. Many rosy checked dam
sci, as she laughed with him, in the dance,
would sigh when she gazed upon Paul's broad,
manly face, and thought he perhaps loved some
( fair one who resided in the place where he had
spent his younger days.
The family in which he lived began 10 look
upon him with the feelings ofkindrod the good
old farmer, so dear had he become TO him, call
ed him his own dear boy, and the dame would
hope he might one day become so, when she
beheld him kiss the blushing cheek Of her half
laughing, half resisting daughter Lucy. Sum-
mcr flowers die; but loves blossoms ripen.
Paul was soon to become the husband Of
Lucy. From constantly associating together
they had learned to love ca ch other; and Lucy
was one of the simplest and loveliest of the
children ofnature! The family We're assembled
the day before the intended nuptials around
blazing hearth. All appeared cheerful, when
the dash Of horses hoofs was heard over the
frozen ground, and in few minutes gray
headed negro, having alighted from a noble
horse presente3 , packet to Paul. The limbs
of the horse were sleek and well formed; and
the neatness Of the b!ack's dress proved him to
be the favoured servant Of some good lord
Paul having perused the packet, directed the
rider to tether the horse, and rest himself un-
til the morrow. No more was said of the oc-
currence, for il had made no alteration in the
manners of the one it most concerned The
Jest and the laugh went round: and the gay
Lucy retired to rest to dream ofthc kind heart
ed Paul, and of future days Of love.
The morrow came. But neither Paul, nor
the black were TO be found. The horse too,
was gone. Lucy wept, and her parent advised:
but what is advice to a loye-sck heart! Though
she wept, she complained not: and though her
mother would strive to console, yet what ap-
| pcared in the shape of comfort acted only as
! probe. She was still the same gentle being
| Snc Hdu cNcI DcCi, Dul SbS hS''i "ii'iAS" VIZ
Joy of her countonance was gone.
Paul's name was now never mentioned; for
il only seemed to increase the sadness OF Lucy;
and his memory, save with the disappointed
GIRL had began to die away. Month after
month rolled on, but the tuant came not.
Tho war of the colonies was beginning TO
throw its tcrrors into this part of the country,
till now the abode of peace; and the young
were girding on their armour against their OPP
! pressors II was when troop was organizing
| in this hamlet, that General G. rode, with his
servant, into the village to inspect this body
| of men. His war-wofn features, and scared
brow. told tales of hardship and suffering; bu,
still they were features which were Immediate
ly recognized as those of Pau Peters. All
were ready 10 open their arms to him: but little
had they thought that the distinguished Cen
eral, whose voice was SO influential in the war
councils of his country, was the merry, good
humorcd Paul Peters!
General G. followed by the same grey haired
servant, pa ced quietly along the wide avenue
leading 20 the cottage of Lucy When he ar
rived at the lattice-window, he beheld the fair
girl The last time he had seen her, the last
kiss he had given her, came rushing up in his
mind; and the contending emotions OF his soul
almost oycrpowered him. The grey-headed
servant opened the door, and announced "Gen-
cral g." The family rose to receive l'tm--
But Lucy recognized the chosen of her heart,