The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-07-17

to repair forwith to the cabin, and bring
its inmate into the camp. "Old Grey
Beard has chosen singular location for
his palace" said the Lieut.-a man who
was loathed alike by his equals and infe-
riots. over whose early life was drawn the
dark veil Of mingled crime and mystery
as they slowly wound their way up the
craggy height, but il he makes the
least resistance, We III tumble him and his
air.castle into the lake." 81 would rath-
er take loving bg with some one else, !"
replied the guido, {" for he scaled those
rocky battlements like tiger seeking his
lair" The conversation was continued
until they arrived within short distance
ofthe hut. Silence was then command
ed, and they surrounded the humble abode
without discovery or molestatioh. The
Lieut.. tapped loudly upon the closed en-
trance, and in moment it was opened by
the object of their search. Grief had
stamped its signet upon his brow, and the
mildcw wing of Time had done its work Of
woe, though the unsubdued fire ofhis eye,
formed singular contrast with his bleach
ed locks. Calmly surveying the armed
group before him, with look of defiance
and sarcasm, his eye at length rested up
on the Lieutenant and it seemed as if
the silent misery and sleeping vengeance
ofyears flashed forth in that glance. The
withered look was not observed by the Of
ficer and the party stood before the singu-
lar being with mingled emotions of curios-
ity and awe. "May inquire your rea-
sons for disturbing sad and lonely be-
ing," said the recluse, whose foot is up
on the grave, and who has sought refuge
in this wilderness from the deception and
folly ola world composed Of knaves and
fools?"
The Lieutenant stammered out a few
words in explanation Of the object Of their
visit. A slight shade came over the coun
tenance Of the old man, when they init
mated that his cabin would be searched
but it was only for moment. He request
ed permission to finish his coarse repast,
before they disturbed his rude apartment,
which was granted. On being question
ed as to the cause of his seclusion he re-
Piled with bitter melancholy; "Ask yon
lone and light scathed oak, barring its
branches and barkles trunk to the fearful
sweep ofthe tempest, for the cause of its
desolation:-ask the wave that wanders
from far sea, and is dashed upon the e.
ternal shore why it rushes to destruction:
but ask not the agonized spirit to unroll
the scroll of the past, and trace the burn
ing characters which mar It's pages:-ask
not the soul of wretchedness to send the
thoughts over the booming sea of memory
into the shadowy regions of misery. 1t
is enough to know that was happy and
am miserable: once looked abroad up
on the sunny prospects before me, and
mstook the gossamer webbed hope, Of
youthful Imagination for sober realities and
considered the great mass Of mankind hon
est and virtuous:-but time dispelled the
Elusive aspirations Of youth and expert
ehce has taught me to trust viper that
stings the bosom which warmed him soon
er than place confidence in man any far
ther than his interest is concerned. ! for
merly resided in Boston, affluent and hap
py. My family was small, consisting Of a
wife and one lovely daughter. The lat
ter was ruined by fiend in human shape
"a British Lieutenant; (here the officer
hid his burning brow and appeared lost in
abstraction; but the old man appeared not
to notice his confusion and proceeded) the
former died Of broken heart; my proper
ty was reft from me by the treachery ofa
false friend; and l became a free deni-
zen ofthe wilderness. Rctribution has in
part done its work The william who
grasped my property has ended his career
on the gallows;-though the reptile who
blastered ono Of the fairest flowers that
ever b!oomed out of Eden still walks forth
in the open light ofday. Soon, very soon
however, will he receive the need Of ven-
geence. But the sands of my glass are
few.-Time will soon be changed for the
dial plate of eternity!
The melancholy voice Of the old man
ceased, and they proceeded to search the
apartment, while he threw open door
not before discovered by them, on that
side of the cabin facing the lake. 1t was
dizzy distance from this door to the blue
water bcneath-but the old man looked
down with unquivering limbs and steady
eye. Unsuccessfully rummaging every
part Of the hut, with the expectation OF
secret papers or money, he was ordered
- <>co,,,~~yx,, tho so1d;ara IN had c,,s~