The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-03-12

IL as il may, 1 have thought II worth Tie |
relating; and trust the readers Of the
Table Book will at least be interested.
The mill, at the time rofcred TO, had
been uninhabited for some ten or twelve
years. l, had found an occupier in the
nerson of Joe Dayis--The inhabitants
of the distant, though nearest village,
endeavered to frighten Joe, the miller
by telling him of its being haunted. He
laughed at what lie considered their idle
fears, bade them keep their superstitious
nonsense for their children's ears; and
Iaughingly added, that if naught but
ghosts visited the mill, he stood good
chance Of getting what he most required
after hard days work-a quiet rest.
When Joe took possession Of the mill,
he was as Jolly fellow rs ever lived,
and fine buxom wife had he, and three
rosy children. His cup of happiness
was filed to the bri,n; his song merry as
the lark's, and his loud, hearty laugh
were alternately to be heard above the
the rush of the dam and the chck-clack-
ing of the wheel. When his work was
done, it was treat to see him playing
,
hide and seek or dandling them upon
his knee.
All went on woll for some time; but
in few months Joe became an altered
man. There was a visible difference in
his face and manner. At first shade
was seen to overcast his hitherto unelou-
ded brow-then his cheek became rob-
bed Of its bloom, and his step lost its
buoyancy. His laughter (when he did
laugh, which was seldsm) seemed la
bored, and was followed by sigh; and
the song-that favorite song, which he
had so often sung to Mary in his court
ship--faltered on his lip. Instead of
cl1giug TO his home and family, as usu-
al, he deserted them and when the
strnyiug villager kindly questioned him
ne 10 the change, ne would not answer,
but shake his head and hurry onwards.
One day Mary found her husband un-
usually depressed. "Come, come, said
she, "I'm sure all is not right within"
She hung fondly on his neck, kissed
him, and besought him to make her the
partner of his sorrow; he raised his
head, gazed at her affectionately, and
endeavored to smile away her appre-
hensions-but it would not dO.-He
dashed the tear from his eye, and rushed
out ofabe room.
Joe Davis had dreamed dream; or,
as my narrator informed me, he had seen
a vision. Sitting one evening in his lit
tie parIour, with his wife and children
before him, he on sudden, leaned back
in his chair-his eyes became glazed
and were riyetted on the picture of hls
wife holding three roses in her hand,
which hung over the mantelpiece--he
lfhonght he beheld "a shadow of himself
bend over the picture. that he saw the
roses began TO fade, and, in fading he
distinctly saw the faces of his children,
while the portrait of his wife by degrees
became coorless. Snch was the dream
which gave him so mdch concern-sucll
was the prophecy which was ere long to
he fulfilled.
Joe left his house, telling Mary he
would be back before night. The dark
ness set in, but he did not make his ap-
pearance. Poor Mary, as the night ad-
vanced, became mistrustful-she looked
at the clock md listened for his ap'
proaching step. 1t was nearly midnight
and save the melancholy monotonOus
ticking of the clock, and low breathing
of her sweet children who were. sleep
ping near, all was silent as the grave
when on sudden, the child cried out,
"Fathsr. how cold you are J" Mary
started and beheld the death pale face
Of her husband kissing her children
shrieked wildly and fell sensless to the
floor. M
When Mary came to herself, the fire
was out and the clock had stopped. She
endeavored to calm her ngitated mind,
and thought she heard the noise of the
the dam, and her husband singing. She
listened, and thought of her children,
whom 10y the revenlment Of one Of the
secrets Of her prison house) she knew
were dead. The rest of that horrible
| night was 49,
The morning came with its beautiful
purple light-the lark hailed it with its
mntin song--the flowers bloomed at the
very door stone of the mIl-the school,
boy whis,led as he passed ,as if in mock
cry of her wo. The light of reason
passed from Maty Davis. In the course
Of the day the body OF her husband was
found ia The dam, but Mary knew it not.
\ --
Encounter ,0ith a Tiger. We find the