The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-04-24

have been. II is sufIicient TO say, that
on coming Of age, was cleyerly situa-
ted in the world, NY village is far from
this place and there l was beloved and
respected. From some cause or other,
had more influence over my acquain-
tance, especially over my femaIe acquain-
tancc, than is common 10 u man in the
ranks of the multitude. My reading,
and above all, my habits Of reflection
had probably occasioned this superiority.
When came Of age, there was one
girl in the village whom ! loved with all
my heart, as ever man SO loved and,
with my strong passions, love was a
thing that would color my life and gath
sr TO itself all my being. She was more
than worthy Of mo. Yet she did not
fully know me, if she did, she was in
discreet, but shall / find fault in her now
She is dead sir,--while have the
curse of Iiving--the curse Of a living
death
"Among those who moved in the
same circle with Laura and myself, was
man by the name Of Hayley. She
was indiscrcet enough to endure some
trifling attentions from him, while her
affections were given to me. Moreover
that man was vile-vile in the grain.--
Like some men we read Of in history,
he seemed to have been cast as mildew
upon the sphere in which he lived fitted
to hight all whom he touched. To
have decorated his ruffie, he would have
sold for gold the bones of his sister,
There was hardly one spark of kindly
humanity flashing up from the dark Of
guIfs Of his soul. But this is toying
with dagger that has entered my
heart.
81 knew his character and observed
his attentive demeanor towards Laura.
She had declared her love for me, yet
watched him with burning jealousy
that I again and again scorned as ira
tional and degrading 70 my self respect.
Does she love me = thought /, if she
does, can she endure auother's assidui-
ties--and above all, can she endure him
him Was born to share a human
heart--was ! born to share any thing
with such a wretch as that man !"
~ was in this temper one evening,
when an honest fellow, who knew little
of these feelings between man and wom-
an, except as he blundered upon them,
carelessly asked me 'ifI thought Hay
ley was really going to marry Miss Lau-
ra.' mo, not that know Of replied
why, have you heard so 2 Yes, but
he talks strangely ifit's true He then
repeated to me remark which Hayley
had made respecting Laura in the pres
ence Of two. or three companions, init
mating what no man ever yet heard pa
tiently Of the woman he loved. Gould
you swear that he said so y enquired I,
N measured and peculiar tone that as-
tonished him. Il am sure ofit,' he re-
piled, Il heard him.
l listened to nothing more, for these
tidings filled my whole soul. 1 had
never been so wrought upon, I did not
buster, and I thought but for a moment
what was to do. Fire arms were not
at hand, but hastily procured two
rude clubs, and moved towards the tav-
ern, where my informant had last seen
Hayley. / left word at the door that n
person wished to see him at the corner
of the common, and took my station in
the shade of large tree. When he
reached the spot designated, I stepped
into tho path before him. "Hayley,"
said !, "there is club for you and one
for'myself We will settle cur difficult
ties here, now ~ The cowardly william
turned white as ashes. "W-h-w-h
What is--the ma--matser-friond ~
he stammered, trembling while he took
the clu. There is no need Of explnna-
ton, wretched slanderer as you are
You know how you have treated Laura.
At the mention Of her name, he knew
there was no room for parley, and ac-
cordingIy he endeavored to get the ad-
vantage by suddenly aiming blow al
my head. Had it not been for this un-
generous resort, would only have
dealt with him in the common club law
mode. But, as it was, I avoided the
stroke, the color mounted my cheek
warmer than ever, and with one blow
upon his head, stretched him on the
earth. There he lay like a log. I
looked at him awhile. is he dead -
Am lam really murderer !-Whas
a soul have / driven into eternity, and
that ! should send him thither.
'Unanel'd,
No reckoning made, but sent to his acc cunt,
With oil his imporfec tons on his head
N Withdrew leaving my club upon
the spot. Hayley was soon after found
there--actually dead.
"A neighboring town shortly witness
ed the trial of a prisoner for murder
The room was crowded long before the
Court arrived, and stirring with the