Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-09-13
PROVIDENCE.
THE GRAVE.
They come-the lost, the beautiful,

The dead"
Being engaged in a pedestrian tour through
the eastern states, l chanted one evening to
light upon large plain, just as the thick fall
ing dew had begun to weigh down the heads
of the wild flowers and gruze the tall spires Of
grass which carpeted the almost pathless lawn,
which was spread before me like the face of
the calm and unrulllcd ocean.
BY the glimmering lights which were scarce.
ly discernble, perceived that the distant
confines Of this tract Of land were bordered by
one of those little villages so frequopt in New
England and as tho moon rose in unclouded
majesty, she s'lverod o'er the gable end of a
plain white building, which by its size and CEN
tral situation. naturally concluded was the
humble meeting house Of the sequestered in.
habitants. I hastened onward in hopes of
reaching a habitaton before it was too late to
obtain lodgings for the night. was however
disappointed in my wish, and did not reach
the outskirts Of the village until near midnight
The sky was clear; the stars shone with un-
usual brightness and the queen Of night lent
radiance to the scene which enabled me to
observe with the eve off sentimental traveller
the rustic domains of the slumbering towns.
men.
The first thing which attracted my attention
was lawyers Office over the door of which
was a small sign announcing that justice was
there dealt out for dollars and cents, and that
all quarres might be settled by paying costs
and abiding the decision of the learned Judge.
And why thought l, should this peaceful ham
let be disturbed by litltious attorneys by qud-
dties, swords Of learned length" and writs of
Habeus Corpus' "All trades must live," said
1, and went on.
A little farther and tall brick house rear
ed its massy front; 1t was the mansion Of the
cabinet maker, but the saw and tho chsel
were now silent; the windows were darkened
and nothing stirred within.
Ipassed on-a low one storied house, lit
tie the worse for wear, standing little back
from the road next drew my notice-an old
poplar lowered far above the mossy roof and
a grass plat spread before the door. Why did
pause why did seat myself on huge log
which lay snugly against a dlapidated stone
wall, and gaze upon this neat but humble cot
tage? There was something in the appearance
of this house and its vicinity which created a
sad train Of reflections in my mind, which
spread sombro gloom over my nerves and in
torested me exceedingly in the persons who
made il their abode. Gray's elegy was at
once brought to my remembrance and espec-
tally the stanza,
" Full many gem &c."
rose upon my recollection with weight and
energy unusually powerful.
was startled in the midst Of my contempla-
ton by train of light which suddenly shot
from one Of tho windows; and then percev-
ed for the first time that all the family had not
retired TO rest. The window curtain was roll
led up by far female hand and tho easement
thrown open 10 let in the air, as the evening
was rather sultry.
With the true spirit Of a Paul Pry crept to
the window and venturod to peep into the
room. II seemed to DO the parlour; and its
gay pdpdIHlS anu SnIiiiS iuduoSdhy iuih'uS
contrasted strongly with the rugged outside of
the building. Upon sofa at the farther side
ofths room sat youth, whose hoavy brow and
downcast eye bespoke no small inquictudo Of
mind, while a sylph like damsel apparently
twenty four years Of age, occupied chair
near the family clock which stood in one cor
ner next the road. Her head reclined on her
bosom and her pensive air, which was height
encd by tear glistenng on her yellow lashcs
bespoke sympathetic feeling with the melan-
choly youth
My curiosity was raised to tho highest pitch
when after long silence her lover thus began
--"My dear Azubah why will you be so crucl'
For three long years have have loved you
with an ardor that has dried the very blood in
my vcins-I have painted for one sight of you
more iban ever did the Arabian Camel for a
we'll Of water for you have waited, for you