Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-16

1htIc nave nOt Deen any tTaceS VI tno
savages discovered this season, and !
should be sorry TO raise an alarm in the
town merely on the account Of dream
'But you know, Edward, they are a
secret, as we'll as terrible enemy said
Mrs. Abbot, and raised her mild eyes to
her husbands face with that pleading
expression, when tears seemed ready to
start, and yet are checked by tho fear Of
giving pain 10 the one the heart loves,
that fond husband finds it so difficult
to withstand.
Il will not 60 to the garrison to-day
said he, laying down his hat.
'But you promised your father, and
he expects you OIL important business
said Mrs. Abbot. you must 60. know
my fears are childish, but they shall not
make me wicked. am too apt to think
my security depends entirely OH your
presence l forget the One mighty to
save can defend me, and that trust in Him
is a shield TO the Christian. You had
better CO.
Not without you,' said her husband,
who now began 10 feel the fears she was
endeavoriug to shake Off 'Come, ,'preparc
our little Edward, and we will go down
together. If there has been any alarm,
we will not return tonight
Reb ecca paused few moments, as if
considering her husbands proposition.-
The subtilties Of the ancient schoolmen
arc not 80 perpIcxing, SO difficult Of ex-
planation, so contradictory, as are often
the feelings and wishes Of the human
heart Scarcely five minutes had elaps-
ed since Rcbecca would have thought
permission to accompany her husband
would have obviated overy inconven-
ience, and been attended with no danger.
But other considerations now arose.
Edward had been summoned to attend
a public meeting on affairs Of the town.
tShould she 60 with him it might excite
notice, for the ladies of those days sell
dom visited ,and should inquiries be made,
she could hardly satisfy them without al
ludng to her fears, and then her dream
must be told to justify her fears, and there
was no telling where or when tho excite
ment would stop. And moreover her
husband might incur reproof from the
elders for listening to his wifc's fears
and dreams, and thus raising agitation
amsng tho people. All these things
might occur because the wife Of Edward
Abbot could not stay alone one after.
noon.
Il will have more fortitudc, Edward,
said Rcbccca, smiling. l will not make
a fool Of you, though l appear like one
myself. l will not go. 1t is nearly a
mile, and you have no time to spare to
carry the babe, or wait for me, and
ought not to go-so do not let me hinder
you another moment
The house OF Edward Abbot stood on
tho western bank Of the Merrimac, near
ly a mile from the present village OF
Concord, then called Rumford. Edward
was tho first who ventured TO reside at
such distance from the garrison or for
tilted houses, and he had thus obtained a
reputation Of remarkable courage, OF
which ne was quite as proud as DASH
ing blade Of these polished days would
be in accepting challenge to a duel.-
His wife, too, participated in his triumph,
and the wish to spare him modification
was powerful motive to inspire her with
resolution to overcome her own fears
and allow him to depart, when, from the
presentinent she felt that danger was
nigh, she would by the superstition Of the
times, have been justified in detailing,
or at least, accompanying him. But she
saw him depart without tears, watched
him from the small window till he enter
ed the forest, and then betook herself to
her household concerns. Yet she could
not forbear going frequently to the door,
and sometimes she would 60 forth and
gaze all around their lt:e domain, and
then watch the progress of the sun, with
an expression of countenance that, to an
observer, would instantly have revealed
the agitation and anxiety her heart was
suffering. Every thing abroad was in
perfect quietness. There was scarce
a breath of air perceptibIc, and the wa
ters of the Merrimnc flowed without a
ripple. The calm July sky looked a
deeper and more heavenly blue, seen as
it was by Rebecca from spot clrcum-
scribed by tall trees, now clothed with
such fulness of foliage as made the
forest look dark and almost impenctrable
Close around the house were planted
corn and vegetables, and field of wheat,
in front Of the dwelling, stretched in un-
broken green to the rivers brink. There
was not a sound 10 be heard save The
chirping of robin that had built her nest
on chesnut which stood close TO the
southeast corner of the house, the only
tree suffered to grow within the inclosuro
Of Edward.
Rebecca watched the sun till it had
| sunk behind the Mestarn hills and than