Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-12-10

ORIGINAL STORY.


i 10 Sdiu tuht mtH 10 u sOCldI DSlHX.
He is 20, in the most absolute sense of the
term. While reposing in the bosom Of his ia
mily. or moving in tho circle of his particular
friends and acquaintances, it is true that
his attention is nearly engrossed by those
whose claims seem paramount to those Of a
stranger and (unless he be a New-E England
er,) he stops not TO inquire the name. station,
or character Of the transient passenger, but az
he ~listlessly regards the busy throng who JOS
tie by him, he feels but little interest in their
concerns. and seems to see them as though he
saw them not.
But, shift the scene.-Place him in some
lonely forest, or on a desert isle he there
signs for the society of some being to cheer
bis solitude. Ho longs to hear the "sweet
music of Speech" and his pent-up thoughts
stagnate in his bosom.
Does he fortunately realize his wish, he well
comes the stranger, the foreigner, the savage f;
nay, his Loneliness may be cheered by brutes
themselves and the prisoner has been known
TO form an attachment to the foul reptile
which fattens on the noisome steams of his
dark dungeon
Now, as Edward Rollin resembled the rest
of mankind in this particular, It is not strange
that he called out to a person travelling in the
same direction with himself. whom he espled
just as he emerged from the skirts of a thick
wood, through which he had passed on his
way 10 his fathers mansion.
The stranger halted until Edward came up
with him. He proved to be an ~itinerant
preacher ; at least. such his dress and man.
ners proclaimed him, and although Edward
was not particularly partial to such wights, he
gladly accepted his company, for lack of bet
ter society.
"A dark night this, and a lonely wsy,'
said the youth to his fellow-traveller, who
seemed 10 regard him with scrutinizing caution.
eyes," replied the holy man, with that Pc
culiar snufiing accent common to the sanity
tribe-''this is such a night as the wicked do
prefer for under cover of darkness do they
carry on their nefarious works !; and, really,
when | first beard the sound Of your voice, my
mind was d'squieted within me. for ! suspected
that one of the proving miscreants of the
forests was about laying hands upon my world
ly substance, which, although sufficient to
support me withal, batting the assistance l oc-
casionally receive from those to whom I dis.
pense spiritual good, is hardly sufficient to
compensate the plunderer for his trouble.
The preacher stopped and looked again a,
Edward, as though he had mean, the latter
part of bis speech TO be particularly emphatic
Although Edward felt strongly disposed to
encourage the poor mans fears, and make
himself a little merry at his expense, his bet.
ter feelings prevailed, and, determined to ease
his apprehensions at once, he replied, "Yo,
need entertain no suspicious of me, my friend
my name is Edward Rollin. My father, MIR
James Rollin, who lives near yondcr castle
which YOU may observe on the hill before US
is we'll known hereabouts. You may hav.
heard of him."
Indeed - replied his companion, "ant
are you the son of that noble worthy /! I hav,
truly heard of hun, and believe him to be a.
honest a nan as there is in England, hospita
BILE, generous, liberal, intelligent, and a goot
friend to the blessed cause. l had purpose,
abiding in his house this night, and, as l wa'
a little dubious of my wey, right glad am l the
l have met one who can direct ine lhitber
ward"
81 TIN travelling homeward," replied Ed
ward, and will conduct you 10 my father.
house. | do not doubt you will be welcomo
My fathers doors are ever open TO tia poor
aud no travoVer is ever turned away. Nay
inquire your name :"
"My name," replied the ptea cher, 4" hath
not sounded much ia The cars Of tho world
! am but an humble laborer in the vineyard
bus trast as far as my ability goes, | do the
Masters work faithfully. My name is Gan
nett"
"Gannett Ganncs =, said Edward, trying
to recollect -" IL is "a new name to me. Pray
Sir, we're you ever in these parts before !"
"Never !" replied his companion "m,
labors have been pretty much confined to the
north country ; but feeling a drawing OF spiri
tow ards Switzerland, I have set Out Oh what
deem my masters errand, and have come
hither to preach the everlasting Gospel, in
strange land, far from my kindred and friends.
81 ,hosgh, you must be- a stranger in IN,
land" replied Edward =" otherwise, ono wht
is SO cautious would not have travelled at nigh
fall throughout the great glen"
The preacher started -"Pray Sir" said he
' is the glen dangerous :"
You have passed" replied Edward, "b!
~ 49,. -..,,L - A. I,n,. A. Erap m.