Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-07-07
scene Of the following my sterious trans.

action.
In an early year Of the last century,
the venerable cure Of Roerwig, was one
night seated in his study. absorbed in
pious meditations. His house lay at
the extremity Of the village, and the
simple manners Of tho inhabitants were
so little tinged with distrust, that bolts
and locks were unknown amongst
them, and every door remained open
aud unguarded.
The lamp burned gloomily,-and the
sallen silence Of the midnight hour was
only interrupted by the rushing noise
OF the sea, on whose waves the pale
moon shonc reflected, when the cure
heard the door below opened, and the
next moment the sound or mems step.
upon the stair. He was anticipating
call to administer the last Offices of re
liglon 60 some one Of his parishioncrs
on the point Of death, when two fo.
reigners, wrapped up in white cloaks.
entered the room. One Of them ap-
preaching, addressed him with polite
ness: Sir, you will have the goodness
to follow US instantly. You must per-
form a marriage ceremony; the bride
aud bridegroom are already waiting
your arrival at the church. And this
sum,'-here the stranger held out a
purse full Of gold--'will sufficiently
rccompense you for the trouble and a
larm our sudden demand has given YOU.
The cure stared in mute terror upon
the strangers, who seemed to carry
something fearful-almost CHASTITY in
their looks. and the demand was re.
peated in an earnest aud authoritative
tone. When the old man had rcco.
vered from his first surprise, he began
mildly to represent that his duty did
not allow him to celebrate so solemn a
rite without some knowledge of the
parties. and the Intervention Of those
Iformalities required by law. The
other stranger hereupon slept forward
in menacing attitude: SIR said he,
you have your choice; follow US and
take the sum we now offer you,-os
remain. and this bullet goes through
your head Whilst speaking. he lie
yelled his pistol at the forehead Of the
venerable man, and coolly waited his
answer; whereupon the cure rose,
dressed himself, and informed his Wis
Iitan's-~ho had hitherto spoken Dan
ish, but with foreign accent-that he
was ready 10 accompany them.
! The mysterious strangers now pro.
ceeded silently through the village
followed by the clergyman. Ii was q
dark autumn night. the moon having
) already set; but when they emerged
from the village, the old man perceiv
ed with terror aud ssionishment thai
the distant church was all Illuminated
Meanwhile, his two companions, wrap
ped up in their white cloaks, strod,
hastily on before him through the bar
rem sandy plain. On reaching th,
church. they bound up his eyes; b,
then heard q side door open with :
well.known creaking noise, and fel
himself violently pushed into crow,
ut people, whose murmurings he hear,
all around him. while close beside hin
some persons carried on d conversation
10 language quite unknown to him
but whichhe thought was Russian. A.
he stood helpless and bliDdfolded, hc
feit himself sliced upon by a man.
hand. and drawn violently through ia,
crowd. At last the bandage was re
, moved from his eyes, and lie founC
+ himself standing with one of the tw,
strangers before the altar. A row o.
large tapcrs, IN magnificent silver can
dlestieks, adorned the altar, and the
church itself was splendidly lighted az
by prOfusion Of candles. The deep
est silence now reigned throughout III,
whole building, though the side passa
ges and all the seats were crowded {,
! excess; bat the middle passage wa,
, quite clear, and he perceived IN il 4
newly dug grave, with the stone which
had covered II, leaning against bench
+ Around him were only n lie figures
bnt on one OF the distant benches hc
thought he perceived female form. -
The terrible silence lasted for some
minutes. during which not motion
could bc dctcrted IN the vast assembly
Thus when tho mind i, bent on decd
VI darkness. silent gloomy broodins
OF soul often preoedes the commission
OF toe hofrid action.
Al last a man, whose magnificent
} dress distinguished him from all a.,
rest, and bespoke his elevated rank
rose and walked hastily up 10 the al
tar; - be passed along. his steps &c
sounded through the building. and eyc
~ eye was tuned upon him, he ap
peared to be Of middle stature, viii
: brosd shoulders aud strong limbs; hi,
B gait was commanding, has complexion
. VI yeilowish brown, aud bis hair "a
ven black his features we're severe
. and his lips COMPRESSED as IL ia wrath