Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-09-20

iaHus cnanceu 10 meet our If!enu the hcrlIllt'
Hs heard my story and blamed me for my pre-
cphancy-I began to entertain some serious
doubts of the proprie'y OF my proceedings. but
dared not return to her for fear should find all
my fears realized. You have cleared away
the mist from my eyes. will 60 10 America,
and If she be yet living, will throw myself at
her ieot ,implore hor forgiveness, and beseeeh
her to restore ne TO her favor again. Blu. oh
Heavens! should find her married."
"Fear not, my frend," said I, "ber love is
too pure. too constant to admit of change. I
AIN bound TO America, and should be glad Of
you for companion. Nothing could give ME
greater 10y than to behold you restored to each
o'hs "a embrace" -..
banked me and accepted my offer. wo
then returned to the CELL The hermit had
spread the table and cordially invited us to sit
down. William gradually introduced the sub
ject Of his mornings discovery, and the old
man was in raptures--" Return, return" said
he, "and make that angel huppy-I can spare
you now, for my cup of joy is already fulI-my
miseries are gone. and I win still remain here,
until death calls me to the arms Of my beaIi-
fed Maria!"
In the afternoon, William knelt and received
the blessing Of the aged companion Of his sor-
rows. Their parting was affecting TO the last
degree they had met IN sorrow. bat parted in
happiness. We repaired to London. where
was a ship bound 10 tho port Of Now York,
on the eve Of sailing. We ged u passage
and soon set out with fine breeze and passed
The mouth of the Thames in good spirits and
with every prospect Of u quick and pleasant
voyage. There were many fellow passengers,
in whose society we enjoyed great satisfaction.
After We had fairly gained an oiting. and
were coursing rapidly through the Atlantic
waves. !, one day, invited William to be seat
ed near tho binnacle on tho quarter deck and
give me the history Of the hermit. He thus
related il:
:" The hermit was native Of Massa chusetts.
In his early years his parents removed to the
village Of -, where he became acquainted
with Maria. She lived in house which stood
precisely on the site now occupied by the cot
tage of Azubah. Maria was girl Of consum.
mate beauty, Of genius, and good education.
,.re she had attained her fifteenth year her
early friendship with the hermit, (who mus, be
nameless) had ripened into love; but the at
tachment which he felt for her was, if possible,
too fervent, too ardent, and engrosslng, to be
designated by that hacknsyed term-he wor-
ment was entered into by the parties, when
each invoked the vengeance Of Heaven in case
Of violation Of the contract. But Maria i'm
proved as she advanced to woman's estate,
Amongst The rest, young officer assiduously
strove TO gain her affections; but she gave no
encoura cement o the enamoured crowd. Their
adulaton slept on her ear, and the hermit
alone was ever in her thoughts. Business,
however, called him away. He was absent
some months and during that time, the hand
some soldier urged ais suit with unwearied
perseverance. Her parents seconded his en-
deavors. The hermit, although young, en-
gaging, brave and sincere, was in very moder.
ate circumstances; while the officer was re-
pu.ed wealthy. The threats Of her friends and
the promises Of the soldier at length overcame
her She had not heard from the hermit in
some time, and report said that he had SO far
forgotten her "a 10 make love to rich heress,
al, ~ S,
Maria consent to accept the officer, The
wedding day was fixed. The evening before
the consummaton was 10 take place the her
nit suddenly entered tho house of MaEia's
father. and begged her to honor him with her
company in a short walk which he proposed 10
take. AT sight Of her long absent lover, Ma
ria could not conceal her agitation, but con-
sented to accompany him. He took a wind
ing path which led to the woods After they
had penetrated the most solitary part Of the
forest, he suddenly turned towards her and
thus addressed her:
False, perjured jill! when you pledged
yourself 10 me, you invoked the vengeance Of
a jus, God upon you if you should prove faith
less - you have done so and his vengeance
comes!'--So saying, he plunged dagger in
her heart and she fell a, his feet. She spoke
-" E. said she, "you havc slain mel
have deserved it for my Inconsistency; but Know
that notwithstanding my hand was designed
for another, you alone possessed my heart! Yes
Il had been taught TO believe that you had
forgotten me--Sut feel Oh God pardon my
Offences and and Hy dear E.! fly! before
tho ofiioers Of JUS" She could say no
more, but with q fam, sigh immediately e1-
pred.
The hermit wildly cared momont on the