The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-06-11

Often, indeed, at first, had they used to cast a
wlstiui eye towards the ancient building, which
they had always regarded as their own; it was
full In view from their cottage, and the large
trees, that had sheltered the front having been
lately cut down Dy the creditors for sale, the
well known walls were thrown bIeaky open
then they sat down and talked sadly of former
days and pleasures, when care was a stranger
and on passing sometimes beside the place in
Inc way 10 their daily toll, they stopped as if by
mutual impulse; cast on it long and melan-
choly loot, and saw that the rank weeds over
spread the garden, that the pond was filled up,
and that the spacious dwelling was let in small
portions, to low tenants, whose noisy and squat
Id families made common area of the whole.
One night the brothers were busy at their
work at the bottom Of the mine, where the
ground they had taken lay af length of more
than hundred flthoms. They were talking
with great glee of their prospects; and that if
the present run of luck should last for year
the old family dwelling, dilapidatcd as it was,
and live there once more The elder brother
was obliged TO 60 above ground, to ask advice
of one of tlle captains, respecting some new APP
pearanco in the lode, and said he should return
again shortly. With his small candle he mount
ed quickly by the ladders, a perilous ascent to
a strangers foot, and the slaves too are some
times rotten and frail. He had delivered the
message he wished, and had descended some
distance on his return, when part of the earth,
as sometimes happens, at the edge of the shaft
loosened and large stone falling, struck the
unfortunate miner from his ladder. He 3lung
cd instantly 70 the bottom. The other, hearing
the rush and fall Of a heavy substance, ran to
the spot, and by his glimmering light beheld
the manglcd form and features of his brother.
He had been dashed TO pieces by the shock
and the younger Gilbert, kneeling beside him
filed the place with his cries, which no one
heard, for they had been quite alone, and in a
remote part ofthe mine. His first impulse, was
30 ascend, and attempt to carry the body to the
surface; but seeing that all aid was now
mockcry, be lifted and bore it TO the spot he had
just left, and there sat down beside it, The !
persisted man was his only friend and relative !
the single companion Of his life through dis /
tress and prosperity; they had borne contempt
and negect-had mourned and hoped together
and he called on his brothers name in wild and /
earnest accents, and looked, again, on his brok- |
an form and lifeless features. There was
fearful and horrible in the silence |
that was around, and the echoes Of the arched |
caverns and hollow avenues that returned his {
brothers name on his ear. The candles that I
still burned there (his companions had been ex-
linguished in the iall,) rendered dinly visible (
the damp sides and roofo the place. With the
superstition Of his province, he placed one light
at the head and another at the feet of the body
and this arrangement renderedthe scene still
moro ghasily. Gilbert sat little apart, nearly /
shrouded in the darkness, and gazed Che could !
not withdraw his gazc,) on the form or which
the sckly light fell.-EngIss.. Magazine.