Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-08

riod hopes Of the aged couple. The form ofa
man hovered over the grave! l approached
nearer, and perceived him to be youth. AL
though not superstitious. | must confess that
my first thoughts dwelt on something more
than natural; but when he turned his face
partly towards me, and the lignt of the moon
fell full upon his pensve features, 1 recognized
the countenance of Allred's friend. He spoke
Il listened" Magnanimous martyr" said
he, " my lost Alfred! Is that warm, generous
heart cold in the grave? Oh, tell me- Is that
noble brow upon which was stamped the i'm
press Of every virtue, chilled with the damps
Of death! Must the ravishng sounds of thy
heavenly voice never more meet the ears of thy
dsconsolate friend-never more cheer him in
aaliction, and congratulate him in prosperity.
| Oh, that had died for thee!" He ceased
saw that lie was much agtated. and was with
held oy that awe which we ever feel towards
virtue in distress from approa ching nearer.
AT length he continued: "Alfed, awake!
Can such a soul as thine be held in tbrall by
the bonds Of death! Oh, my more than friend,
my brother, conjuro thee by the sacred ties
which united us-I conjure thee by the memory
Of days that are past, to arise and smile once
more upon thy desolate friend!"
Just then he turned his eyes towards the
place where stood. He cried out with Joy
and rushed towards me. He soon perceived
his mistake, and apologizing for his 'rudeness.'
said that he believed the ecstacy Of grief had
/ almost overpowered his reason. But" he
continued, there, sir, in yon now.made grave
lies the pride of s.. The parents hope
cut down untimely-the christian, the friend,
the philanthropist, gone down to tho grave in
the midst of his years-a victim to female
trea chory!"
"My Cod" cried I. "Do you insinuaie that
the deep groan Of an agonzed father, the
waings of a bereaved mother, the tears of
| dsconsolate friendship, the wreck of virtue and
nobleness is to be attributed TO the dark deeds
Of woman?"
Woman" replied he, dis the brightest of
Natures gems. Lovely woman s the sun of
our hopes but oh. sir, when the glorious al
| tributes with which God has invested her have
been perverted, not ali hell contains fend so
BASEL
"I should Judge then replied l., that your
| friend died Of broken heart, and as Low feel
doubly interested in his history, can you graft
| fy my curiosity by giving me the story Of his
| woes!"
"What you require" said he, /" is n painful
task; but come, go with me to yon willow
there will unfold to you wha, will excite your
surprise and Indignation. Not here will re
late his story-not so near his sleeping dust
for he forgave her all-hc would not allow us
to mention a syllable OF the cruel tale while he
| lived; and will not tell it at his grave
! followed him to the foot Of tree at
short distance then, seating ourselves,
| he related the following:
"Alfred Bruce was the son Of respectable
parents, who from aliluGnt circumstances had
become gradually reduced TO poverty. At the
time their was born, they maintained
conspicuous situation in the world. The poor
never asked Of M4 Bruce boon and was de-
nied His lady spent her whole time in visit
ing the abodes of sickness and distress, and she
has closed the eyes of many wrotched child
Of sorrow, whose last words sighed forth
blessing on the friend Of the miserable.
"At the birth of little Alfred, the mothers
| joy was full, and she looked upon this the
answer to those prayers which the poor had so
often offered up in her behalf. "Thc Lord
hath blessed me indeed" said she, tits
enough!'
But misfortnnes in business soon succeeded,
and the affairs OF Mr.. Bruce began TO decline.
In a few years his fortune became so much re
duced that his situation was but mtlc above
that Of those to whom ho had in the tine o:
his prosperity been so liberal and as MS cir
cumstances waned, his friends forsook HIM
FRO he Continued