Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-01-17

to silence. and he CROPPED along with
trembling and uncertain steps. which
sounded too lonely in his ears. The
promise OF Scripture occurred 70 hi.
memory, and revived his courage. 81
will be unto thee ~ . rock in the de.
sert,.nd as hiding place in the storm"
Surely. thought he, though alone. ! am
not forsaken; and q prayer for assis-
lance hovered on his l,p..
A light now gimme, ed in the dis.
lance which would lead him. he con
Jectured, to the cottage Of the old wo.
man. and towards that he eagerly bent
his way, remembering as he FASTENED
along, that when he had visited it the
year before, IL was in company with
large party Of travellers, who had be
guiIed the evening with those tales Of
mystery which had so lately filled his
brain with images of terror. lie re
Collected, too, how anxiousiy the old
woman and her sons had endcayoreJ
to detain him when the other travellers
were departing. and now, therefore, he
confidently anticipated a cordial and
cheering reception. His first call for
admission obtained no visible marks of
attention, but instantly the greatest
noise and confusion prevailed within
the cottage. They think il one IF Che
supernatural visitants of whom the
old lady talks so much, thought the
boy, approaching n window, where the
light within Showed him all the inhabi
tants nj their several occupations; the
old woman was hastily scrubbing the
stone floor. and strewing II thickl Y over
with sand, while her two sons seemed
with equal haste to DC thrusting some
thing large and heavy into an imme nse
chest, which they carefully locked
The boy,in frolic some mood, though
les.ly tapped at the window. when they
all instantly started up with couster.
nation so strongly depicted on their
countenances that he shrunk back in
voluntarily with an underlined feeling
OF apprehension; but before he had
time TO reflect moment longer, one
OF the men suddenly darted out Of the
door. and seizing the boy roughly by
the shoulder, dragged him violently
into The cottage. Il am not what you
take me for. )" said the boy, attempting
to laugh, ..but only the poor pedlsr
who visited you last year, "Are you
alone ]" inquired the old woman, in a
harsh, deep tone, which made his heart
thrill with apprehension. eyes" said
the boy, Z" am alone here; and alas"
he added, with burst Of uncontrolla-
BILE feeling, :" am alone in the vide
world also! Not u person exists who
would assist roe in distress, or shed |
single tear If died this very night
Then you are welcomed" said one of
the men with srerr. while he cast q
glance Of peculiar expression at the
other Inhabitants Of the cottage.
TWAS with shiver Of Apr eh ension,
rather than Of cold, that the boy drew
near the fire, and the looks which the
old woman aud her sons exchanged.
made him wish that he had preferred
the shelter OF any one Of the roo6ess
ca'tages which were scattered near,
rather than trust himself among per
sons Of such dubious aspect. Dreadful
surmises fitted across his brain; and
terrors which he could neither combat
nor examine, impsrcepiibly stole into
his mind but slene, add beyond the
reach Of assistance, he resolved Co smo-
Their his suspicious, or at least not in
crease the danger by revealing them.
Ehs>Toom TO which he retired for the
night had q confused and desOiated
aspect, the curtains seemed TO have
beensFioiently torn down from the bed,
and still hung in tatters around it
the table seemed to have been broken
by some violent conclusion, and the
fragments Of various pieces Of furni-
tOre lay scattered upon the floor. -
Thr boy begged that light might burn
in bis apartment till he was asleep, and
anxiously examined The fsstenings Of
the doors bo, they seemed to have been
wrenched asandsr on some former oc.
cssiOn,and were still left rusty aud
broken.
u was long ere the pedlsr attempt
ed To- compose his agiiated nerves 20
rest; but at length his senses began !
to steep themselves IN forgetfulness, =
though his imagination remained pain.
Tally active, and presented new scenes
Of terror TO his mind. With all the vivid
ness Of reality. lie lsneied himself
again wandering On the heath, which
appeared 10 be peopled With spectres,
who al beekOned TO him not 10 enter
the cottage, and a. he approached IL,
they vanished With a hollow and de.
spatring cry. The scene then changed,
and he found himself again seated BY
the FIRE, whore the eounteRanees Of the
men sco~led upon him With the most
terrifying msligBity, sRd be thought
the old woman Suddenly yrized b,m
by the aras. and piniObed them n he
side. Suddenly the boy vas started
from these agitsfed slumbefs, by WhsI
sounded to him like cry of distress;