Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-15

the hughes, pinnacle OF tho ruin is be-
meath the level Of the high road. Tho
harmony of tint between the ruin and
the f.liage, which surrounds and over
spreads IT, is exquisite. Dark MASSES
OF ivy, and tho lighter verdurc OF the ash
and The birch, contrast finely with the
gray hue of the Wondering walls. The
spacious apartments, which were once
the abode OF comfort and luxury, are
now unable to afford a shelter from the
storms Of The SKY. The long trailing
weed, and the clustering ivy, are the on
" hangings the walls cau nov boast;-
the stars are their midnight lamps, the
winds OF heaven their only music. The
ground is carpotcd by soft and vcrdant
turf; and the wood m springs ia
prolusion on every side. a fine stream
Of water runs round the base OF tho hill,
and on it is a water-mill, placed as if
~purpose!y 10 contrast It's humble comfort
with the Wondering grandeur of the ru.
in which towers above it. The right
lime TO behold this scene is just before
sunset, when the lower part o. the dell
is ~envclopcd in the shadows Of evening,
and the castle alone stands radiant in the
sunlight. Then, while the birds are vet
singing their evening song, and the brook
makes music with them, the miller may
be seen, with his horse, descending the
sleep path which leads TO his dwelling
and his daughter, graceful and beautiful
as evening, is tending her flowers, in The
garden which slopes down to the stream:
or her voice may be heard, cchoing up
The hill, to warn the children who nrc ut
play among the ruins, that the sun is set
ting and ii 10 time 10 come home.
Never was situation more retired than
this; for there is no ccc to it, but by
the gate, OF which the miller keeps the
key. Yet, as parties of strangers some
times visit the castle, and us on these
occasions the beautiful girl | have men
toned is sometimes obliged to act az
guide, she has acquired an address free
from awkward shyness, and as graceful
the gayest of the gay; aud her parents
lot her run wild, and amuse her little life
US she would. But when she was about
seventeen, n sudden and remarkable
change took place. She loved and was
beloved; bu' being somewhat spoiled by
indulgence, and too young and giddy to
make a right use Of her power, she tri-
fled with her lover, offended him, and
while Boosting Of her influence and
meditating some new cXertion Of it. size
was struck dumb by receiving a letter
from her lover, announcing his departure
from Dartmouth as a sailor, and bidding
her farewell. Mary never got over the
shock. She never complained, for she
knew that she had brought her sorrow
on herself. she never mentioned his
name, nor did her parents speak Of him;
but they tried by fresh indulgence to win
back her smiles and tighten her heavy
heart. But Mary no longer liked, or
would accept indulgence. She was hum
blcd, and she seemed TO find comfort in
being as unlike as possible to what she
had formerly been. She became indus
t%rious, grave and w%omanly.
She took care of the little ones; she
assisted her mother; and the only amusc-
ment she seemed to care for, was TO set
the children to play hide-and-seek at
the castle. In vain did her parents sigh
for the sound of her light laughter; she
was gentle, but it was plain that she
could no longer be gay.
One day, a large party arrived to view
the castlo. The miller was goneto Tor
ness, and his wife was busy; so Mary
took the key, and acted as guide. She
left the gate open, as she thought her
father might return while she was in.thc
ruin. lie did %yeturn, aud impatiently
sought his wife, and with u countcnance
of establishment asked who had arrived,
and where Mary was. Being told that
she was with Il party of strangers at the
castle, and that no remarkable visi;er
was among them, he related an eXtraor-
binary tale. He was descending the
path just above the mill, when ho heard
a rushing among the leaves, end looking
that way, he saw a man stealing along
behind the trees, evidently wishing TO
avoid notice. The miller called; but no
answer being returned, he jumped from
his horse, and pursued the intruder, who
once turned his head, and then fled fast
ct than the miller could pursue. Yet
the glimpse which he had obtained OF
the face, urged the good man to greater
speed, for it seemed the face Of Mary's
lover. After q fruitless chase the miller
paused, and thought it best to hasten
home 10 ask his wife's advice. She felt
certain Of her husbands having mistaken
/ IL. .l..l.l. e a.. rr,n Los (t..u.