The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-02-01
THE BLASTED TREE.
81 mark'd the broad and blasted oak,
Scorch'd BY the lightning's lvid glare;
Hollow its stem from branch to root,
Ill ;,, amy, az ara In -

Hollow its stem from branch to root,
And all its shrivelled arms were bare"
twas piercing night in mid winter, and
along the rounded hills towards the Clifton
meadows, the moonlight sparkled on the
bright and thickly crusted SHOWS with pecu
liar splendour. Far off, the faint but per-
petual roar of the icy river was heard, and
the dark forests beyond it were dimly seen
in the distance, like a heavy cloud in the
western horizon. The Intermediate coun-
try presented only few solitary trees, and,
save that here and there rugged group OF
oyergrown shrubbery were seen above the
snow, one wide and Vast uncultivated waste
appeared. 1t was night in which the fam
cy of an honest German could not fail to con-
jure up thousand phantoms his shrieking
ghosts cried from the crevices of every sap
less tree; his witches role on the pale moon
beams, in the distant and scarcely pCrcept-
ible mist that spread a thin veil over the
beautiful stars; and wandering spirits of de-
parted friends peeped, like premature res
urrectionists from behind every thicket.
| The hour of eleven had drawn nigh, and
the watchful family that inhabited the crazy
CABIN OH the borders of this barren country,
had extinguished their blazing pine lights,
buried up their fires and sprinkled over the
| SlHOhlnS dSueo tiC SpOUHiul vi oailt VIC hia
gic virtues of which dispersed the ghostly
train, and ensured them peaceful rest
when two travellers passed along the brok-
en- road that leads from the village towards
the ford above the falls One bore the APP
pearance of an old man, inirm with age; his
broad-brimmed hat hid his face but, some
thin gray locks waved around his shoulders.
and he leaned forward on his jaded horse
like one suffering with fatigue or decrepi-
tude; behind him was the appendage of a
stranger, large black portnanteau, which
swelled with the treasure it contained. The
other was an athletic young man, whom the
good people distinguished to be hardy
woodman, who sometimes acted as guide to
travellers, and sometimes. for he had some
science. run out patented lands, and was,
withall, better acquainted with the country
than any man in it. He led the old mans
horse sometimes and sometimes ran before
to break the road.
The cottagers thought they discovered
traits of mystery in this: and as every thing
that partook of mystery BODIED mischief ac-
cording to their conceptions, they followed
the midnight travellers across the barrens
with their eyes, until they disappeared and
then lay several anxious hours dreaming of
murder. and robbery. and blood. More
than once they thought they heard the pier
clng cry.of despair, mingled with the roar OF
the waterfall; and more than once discover
ed symptoms in the dusky room that spoke
! of death without.
But the woodman was in the village by
sunrise; he reported he had put the stranger
safely across the ford, and left him to pur-
i sue his journey. Suspicion was hushed for
moment, for the character of the young
-,,n ,y,e oood the traveller was known tC
have possessed money, but he had been call
ed down the river on business of such ur-
gent Importance, that it was necessary for
him to reach the lower ford that night, and
he had, with difficulty prevailed on Hurlbu'
f to accompany him to the western road. Who
, the stranger was, none knew, and thus tai
all was fair. But he never reached the ford
, and no trace was heard of him that night
Suspicion was once more awakened, ant
+ HurIbut maintained, when questioned OF
the subject, guarded and scornful silence
The tortunetellers were consulted, and they
mathematical tho woodman. Signs wer'