The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-04-17
ance. The living sands have here oblit-

ating change on the fiHctuating surface
Of The desert, whose hills of sand rise
and fall with motion as incessant ms
that Of the waves which. roar around
them. In niraveling through this coun-
try, spent upwards Of an hour in this
district, and never shall forget the i'm
preston which the s;epe made upon my
mind.
While riding along through the DESC
late region, thunder Storm rose over
the ocean towards ths north, the waves
roared,--the clouds scudded along be-
fore the wind--the sky grew every in
slant more dark, menacing earth and
sea, the sand began to move in increa-
sing volumes under my horses. feet,--a
whirlwind arose and filled the atmos-
phere with dust--the traces Of the path
became iDyisible-while air, earth aud
ocean seemed mingled and blended to-
ge!her, every object being involved in a
cloud of dust and vapor. ] could not
discern the slightest trace Of life or veg
citation around the dismal scene,--the
storm reared above me,--lhe waves Of
the sea lashed mournful!y against the
shore--the thunder rolled in the distance
and scarcely could the lurid lightning
flash pierce the heavy cloud Of sand
which wlirled around me. My danger
became evident and ex,rome but sud-
den shower laid the sand, ard enabled
me to push my way to the little town.
The storm had just encountered was.
horrid mingling Of all elements. An
earthquake has been described as the
sigh which troubled nature heaves from
the depth Of her bosom perhaps not
more fancifully might tins chaotic tenn
pest have typifed the confusion of a
widely distracted mind, to which pleas
ure and even hope itself have been long
straugers-tbe cherries desert revealing
only remorse and grief--the voice of
cons cience tbreaining like the thunder,
and her awful aDticipations casting a
lurid hight over the gloomy spirlt,-till
1t last the long sealed up source Of tears
open a way for their floods aud bury ,he
anguish of he distracted soul beneath
their waves.
Ia ih's desolate country their existed
in former times village called Roerwig,
about mile distant from the shore.
The moving sands have now buried the
village, and the descendants of its in-
habitanis, mostly shepherds aud fisher
men, have removed iireir cottages close
TO the shore. A single solitary building,
situated upon hill, yet rears its head a.
bove tho cherries shifting desert. This
building--and the village church, was
the scene of the following myst erious
transaction
In an early year ofthe last century,
the venerable cure of Roerwig was one
night seated in his study, ohsorded in |
pious meditations. His house lay at
the extremity of the village, and the
simple manners of the inhabitants were
so little tnged with dis,rust that bolts
aud locks were unknown amongst them
and every door remained open and un-
guarded.
The lamp burned gloomily and the
sullen silence Of the midnight hour was
only interrupted by the rushing noise of
the sea on whose waves the pale moon
shine reflected, when the cure heard the
door below open and the next moment
the sound of mems steps on the stair.
He was anticipating call TO administer
the last Offices of religion to some par
ishoner on the point Of death, when two
foreigners, wrapped up in white cloiks,
entered the room. One Of them ap-
preaching, addressed him with polite
ness -" Sir you will have the goodness
10 follow us instantly. You must per-
form marriage cerimony, the bride and
bridegroom are already waiting your ar
rival at the church. And this sum" he re
the stranger held out purse full of gold,
"will sufficiently recompence you for
the trouble, and alarm our sudden de-
mahd has given you"
The cure stared in mute terror upon
the strangers, who seemed To carry some-
thing fearful, almost ghasily in their looks,
and the demand was repeated in mn au-
thoritatiye tone. When the old man
had recovered from his first surprise, he
began mildly to represent that his duty
did not allow him to celebrate so solemn
rite without some knowledge Of the
parties, and the Intervention Of those
formalities required by law.--The other
stranger hereupon slept forward in n
menacing attitude "sir," said he, lyon
have your choice; follow us and take the
sum we now offer you--or remain, and
this bullet goes through your head"
Whilst spenkipg, he !evelIed bis pistol
ot the forehead Of the venerable man,
and cooily waited his answer whereup-
90 tbs cure rose, dressed himself and in
/ formed his vstants--w bad hitherto
spoken Danish, but with a foreign nc
cen,--iha, he was ready to accompany.
them.