Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-18

object of her care slept, Ellen Hubert
became the melancholy g'rl | had heard
her called; but when it played upon her
lap, or caught her hand, or pressed its
cheeks upon her snowy neck such a
CLEAN of Joy seemed stealing from the
recesses Of her bosom and mantling her
cheeks, that could not but silently cx-
claim, there are no reccollections OF
guilt associated with the being of the
darling child; she loves, she adores it as
an innocent mother.
The violence Of the storm increasing
as the long afternoon wore cheerlessly
away, and when the shades of the cvc-
ming approached, withdrew from the
rude freside, but frequent sighs broke
the silence that sealed every tongue; for
finding my attempts to lead my hostess
or her daughter into conversation OIL the
subject in which / felt most interest, vain,
] SAT so long silent that my bosom caught
portion Of the disease which was so
evidently prcying upon them, and with
a sad and heavy heart took my seat at n
window and looked cut upon the forest.
as they grew dark and gloomy every mo-
mcnt. The wind had died away, but
the snow now fell in large heavy flakes;
the sky looked more dense with clouds
than before, and was brooding over my
misforlunes in being overtaken by such
a storm, in such place in the worst
possible humour, when my eyes caught
the form of u traveller, who, though
well mounted on large and beautiful
stced, came slowly winding down the
pathway from the road; evidently much
fatigued with the journey he had made.
In better moods l should have been
overjoycd at the idea Of other and moro
cheerful company than my present for
the night, but as felt at the moment, !
rather viewed the coming unknown as
an intruder, about whom l was indifler-
cnt, and without saying a word, gazcd
at him as he alightcd, and throwing the
bride over the neck of his animal, ap-
preached the door. A loud rap was the
first intimation the family had Of the
coming of new visitor. The stranger
asked for permission 10 remain in the
house through the night, adding that he
should give them no trouble, as he was
provided with provisions and blanket,
and would lay on the floor; the request
was granted, and having taken care of
his horse, he entered the room; and
without taking the least notice Of any
one, or saying word, he sat himself
down by the fire, shook the snow from
his hat and dress, and dropped his cheeks
upon his hands, as in deep and solemn
thought.
All was silent as before; the pine fire
burned rather dimly, and could not
clearly discern the features Of the stran-
ger, who for at least an hour, sat fixed
as statue N his position, without l be-
lieve, at all observing me, or being con-
scious of the existence of any being but
himself and our hostess within the room
and l had fallen in half sleeping reve-
rie, when l was aroused by deep hol-
low groan, which issued from l knew not
where. l shuddered, and drew nearer
the fire. Mrs. Hubert, I observed, star
ted from her seat, and walked the floor
rapidly, while Ellen convulsively clasped
her arms around the babe that lay slum-
bering in her lap, and pressed het cheek
to its forehead. The stranger remained
motionless, but again some voice as if
from the bowels of the earth, sent up
that hollow groan. I could not deter
mine whence it came, and dared not ask,
so agitated did the two females seem to
be at the repeatal; but it caught the ear
of the traveller, who slowly raised his
head, and asked IN a calm voice, "who
is sick?" The old lady claspcd her
hands and turned pale, as she endeav-
ored to initiate the sound and replied
that she felt unwell. There was a mys-
terry in all this that was observed by the
stranger; he turned to me and repeated
the question. l shook my head in ST.
lence, and he again rested his forehead
on his hand. Again and again in rapid
succession, the noise was heard, it
seemed to come from beneath the floor
and the stranger as if electrified, started
from his seat, and cried" for Gods
sake what means this' say madam, do
not shudder-this mystery must be un-
veiled," then drawing from his bosom
pistol he seized with the other hand
blazing torch. "I will search the
house"-said he something smells of
murder" "Merciful heaven!" scream
the elderly lady, eve are undone. y
Undone" we repeated in utter aston
ishment-" what means thisi" The
groan continued, and Mrs. Hubert fall
ling upon the neck Of her daughter,
both were instantly dissolved in an ago
ny of weeping.
Without noticing this the stranger led
the search. and on eYamin;no The aoor