Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-07-23

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We have seldom met with more in
ieresting and affecting narrative than the
following, which we copy from the West
ern Methodist.
A WESTERN TALE OF TRUTH.
Mr. Henry Losslcy was the son of gen
tleman in Georgia, who was in but moderate
circumstances. lie was reared in the gener-
al custom of rearing children among the
southern planters; he received tolerabe cd
ucation, and some knowledge of book keep
ing, having spent few months in the house
of ", in the town Of A. In the
nineteenth year Of his age, he formed an at
taehment to Miss Mary Lansing, young la
dy Of some accomplishments, and great per-
sona beauty, but her patrimony was small
Mr. Lossley and Miss Lansing were frequent
ly in each others company, and every time
they met, their mutual attachment increased.
They often spoke of their affection for each
other, and lamented that their prospects were
not such as to justify a connection for life
Thus matters went on with them for several
years, till at length finding it impossible for
item to be happy unless III each others soci-
ETY., they determined to cast their let's to-
gether, and if they should not be able to
move through the world in the style they
could wish, they could at all events support
themselves decently; so they were united by
that tic which is the most sacred and endear-
ing which can be formed in this life.
For some months after their union they
did not seem sensible of their want Of pecu-
mary means, but it soon became evident that
they would have to gain support by their ac-
tuul labor; and as it was also certain that in
that country they could not do more than OBJ
tain mere subsistence, and at last, in old
age, be without any settled home, to which
they did not feel willing to SUBMIT was
thought best that Mr.. Lossley should travel
into some new country-get piece OF land,
make some little Improvement on it, then re-
turn and carry out his companion. Many
were the anxious thoughts that filed their
bosoms. The husband had his fears lest he
should not obtain a happy home for his below
ed one whom he was about to leave behind;
and the wife already began to. count the
months, the weeks, and even the days she
should be left as it were alone in the world;
while on the other hand, they both looked for
ward with pleasure TO the time when in
new country, growing with its growth, and
strengthening with its strength, they should
rise to state of Importance in the world.
The time Of separation at last arrived, and
Mr.. Lossley, after embracing his best of all
earthly friends, gave the parting hand, and
took his journey, not knowing certain width
cr he was going. lie travelled to the State
of Kentucky, and was about contracting for
a piece Of land in the neighborhood of where
the town of LIS now built. Hcavail-
ed himself Of the first opportunity in order TO
let her know where he was, and what he was
doing.
This letter never reached the beloved oh
jcct for whom it was intended, but fell into
the hands of one whose name will be "reveal-
ed in that day." Suffice it to say, there was
one with whom MIR. Lossley had been com-
petltor. An answer came--but not from
Mrs. Lossley: 1t was apparently from hci ia
ther with whom he left her during his ab-
scnce. Oh, horrid letter never shall ! for
get It's contents:
Dear .Son--Your wife took sick about a
week after your departure. At first we did
not entertain any fears concerning her. AT
ter some days her brain became affected, and
she lost her reason; and while in this situa-
ton, she called every person in her atten-
dance, and who came to see her, "Henry!"-
A short time before her death she came to
herself, and seemed to have but one desire to
live, which was 10 see you! and her last sem
tence was, son, my tear Henry! and shall l
see him no more IN H,s ,corid 2" and breathed
her last"
On the reception Of this letter, Mr.. LOssley
became almost desperate. His whole amount
of earthly good seemed cut off at one stroke.
lie made several attempts to answer this let
ter, but 1t was impossible to write on such Il
painful subject. lie became solitary man:
being IN land Of strangers--and had no per-
son to whom he could unbosom himself; and
though grief is fond of company, yet he had
to share his alone. The thought of returning
to the place where he had so often beheld
the fair face and lovely form of his now lost
Mary, without being able to see her, he could
not bear; having left but little behind save
his companion that was of any consequence
to him, he gave up the idea of returning
Neither had he any disposition to settle him
self; and finding that he sustained his grief f
better when travelling than in any other way,
he wandered of without any settled point of
destination. At length he found himself at
the lead mines of Missouri. But yet he be-
held objects that reminded him of his loss.
which induced him to sink still deeper into
the bosom Of the great forest; so he Joined
himself to a company of fur traders, and
shaped his course for the Rocky mountains.
1t was the custom Of the company to post
a watch at night, and it was proposed to be
taken by turns; yet for some time I.ossley vo-
luDteered his services every night, so that
when his companions were asleep, lie would
look on the moon and stars which once shone
OH him when he, with his fair one leaning on
his arm, used to take their evening cxcur-
sion. The scream of panthers did not inter-
rupt him, while for the lamcntation of the
owl he had particular fondness, and rarely
for months did he take his departure from a
camping place without leaving the letters