The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-01-29
MISCELLANY.
The Night Attack.

in ford recollect the time partic-
ulorly, for l got my company IN the
lhirty-seventh, on the same day that
received an invitation from MIR. Morden,
with whom l had formed mail-coach
acquaintance, to spend n week with
and join his nephew in partridee-shoot-
ing. This gcn,leman's house was four
teen miles distan, from the town, and
situated in n very retired part OF the
country. 1t wos a wild but beautiful
residence, placed upon the extremity OF
a peninsula, which jutted into an exten-
sive lake. To sportsman it offered all
the inducements that shooting and fish
ing could afford: But it had others be-
sides these; no man lived better than
Mr.. Morden-and his daughter Emily,
and her orphan cousin, who resided with
her, were decidedly the finest women
who had attended the last race ball.
No wonder then that accepted the old
gentleman's invitation willingly, and on
the appointed dny put myself into post
chaise, and reached the place IN time
for dinner.
The house was one of those old-fasf-
ioned comfortable Irish lodges, which
are now extinct, or only to be seen in
ruins. It was Il long low building, COW
cred with an infnity of thatch, which
bade defiance to rain, cold, and storm.
The tall and narrow easements reached
the ground, a handsome fiower-knot ex-
tended in their front, bounded by hol'
ly hedge, and woodbine and other creep
cr, festooned the windows with their
leaves and berries. At some distance
well-s.ocked haggard peeped over spa
cious range Of Offices; the lawn was
studded with sheep, which appeared o.
ver.burdened with good condition and
as drove up the avenue, passed vel
featured, well-clad simpleton, urging be-
fore him from neighboring stubble'
field, flock of turkies, as formidable for
number MS for size. In short, every
thing about the p! ce bespoke the opu'
ence and comfort Of the proprietor.
Mr.. Morden was q clever and respects
able man he was land-agent to severn
large estates-noted for plain and un
pretending hospitality, .punctuality II
business. and character Of unusual de
termination.
The old gentleman received me wit!
friendly sincerity, and his handsome
daughter added warm welcome. The,
apologized for not having company t.
meet me, but "two families which the,
had expected had been detained by some
unforeseen occurrences at home" Din
ner was shortly after served. Like thu
host, it was excellent without display
the wines were superior-and when 'h'
ladies' left us, The claret went round ,ht
table merrily.
1--WE arc in trouble here" said MIR
Morden, addressing me, "and you have
come to house of mourning. We hav,
just suffered serious, l may say, ire
parable loss, in the sudden death of tw,
favorite dogs. They were Of the genu
inc breed of Newfoundland. and for siz
courage, and sagacity were unequalled
Poor Emily has cried necessarily since
the accident"
"Were they stolen !"
ooh no wish they were, or tina
would afford hope that chance or mo
ney might recover them. No. sir, the,
would not follow a stranger |; alas =
they died yesterday by poison. We un
fortunately laid arsenic in the meal-lof
to destroy rats and yet, how tho poor
animals could have got to 1t is mystic
ry the steward declares the key nevc
left his possession. Iwould give hun
dred guneas the meal had been in tn,
bottom Of the lake. BY Jove no los
shor, cf the death Of a friend, could hav'
given US all so much uneasiness. The,
were my daughters companions by day
and my protectors at night. Heigh ho
come. sir. mss the wine" Tears stoo,