The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-02-18

my father but did not love bIs weakness; and inc
display of it, in his indulgence towards me, was the
cause of many a serious, if not sometimes angry,
debate between them. Well do / remember (for it
ranked like poison in my swelling hearty a deeara-
ton he once made in my presence. 1t was fine au-
tumnal evening, and he seated with my father
and mother in balcony, which opened from IL
brary-wndow upon spacious lawn. entered the
room and advanced towards them, unconscious OF
course that their conversation had been about me !;
but my uncle looking at me with severe express
sion of countenance, and at the same time address
sing his brother, exclaimed, Well, James, neither
you nor may live to it but if the grace of God
or his own better reflection, he grows older, do
not work change in this young squire, duel, Jack
Ketch, or a razor, will work his exit some day or
other"
"My father smiled saw my mother wipe a tear,
at that moment | could have struck my uncle dead
l muttercd few words-I knew not what, and left
the room. Boy as was, Qor had barely compile
ted my seventeenth year,) felt all the vndictIve
passions of manhood kndling within me. 1t SEEM
ed as if sentence had been passed upon me, more
terrible because, secret voice whispered to me- 1t
was prophetic That impression neoer torsoOk me!
1t grew with my growth it pursued me through
life it almost gave color to my after years. If
could have opened the volume Of futurity, and
read the page, blotted with the record of what
was to become, it could hardly have bound me in
the feters of my destiny more certainly; than did
this ill-omened prediction of my uncle.
81 questioned my father haughtily, few days
afterwards the of his brother for thus
speaking of me and even dared to insnuate, that
had he felt what father should, he would have
sentcd the indignity. He answered me Il write it
with shame and contrtion) most mildly, most afiec
tionately-The gentle beng-l see him now, as he
tenderly took my hand-apologized to me-to me /!
who ought to have stood trembling in his prescnce
followed up my blow. With cold, but subtle ma
lgnity, played off my revenge towards my uncle,
through the idolatry of my fathers love towards my
self barbarousy gave him a choice of misery !;
for disdainfully replied, that he must henceforth
determine, whether he would lose brother or a son
as had determined to remain no longer under his
roof, unless had the assurance that should never
again my uncle there. lie looked at me. NY
God what look it was so full of meek sorrow
and appalling obedience Without uttering word
he sat down to his writing table. The tears fell up
on his paper but they did not blot few bitter
words addressed his brother, which severed forev-
in this world two noble hearts cast, indeed, in
different moulds but which kindred blood had ce-
mened, in the close bonds of fraterna love for more
than forty years
"This was my first revenge. But was satisfied
No
" 1t was only few months afterwards. that chance
threw III my way daugh hter of my uncle's. / met
her at the house of a common friend, who knew and
between the two brothers. He equally attach
ed to both, and believe pleased himself with tho
idea, that an occasional intercourse between the
younger branches of the families, might some day
or other effect a reconciliation between the head
My cousin Harriet was a year older than myself
She was in her nineteenth, and in my eighteenth
year. loved her. Yes, the first feeling that gowed
within my bosom was that love. She beauti-
-fascinating-accomplis L
w her | W. not bpto l " sfie
had kndled reciprocal passion in her breast. The
mute eloquence of her look and manner was only
the hhrbinger ofthat same thrilling eoquence, which
fell from her tongue when won the declaration of
her affection.
" Her father knew that met at this friends
house but whether he told, whether he pen
,trated, the secret of our attachment never learn
d. l only know that, at the very moment when
eparation was madness, his mandate went forth,
all further intercourse between us,
nd that it obeyed. Not, by me ; for was in
apabc of submission but my gentle Harriet, who
hought herself incapable of disobeying. We met
10 more where we had been wont to meet, and my
oung hearts spring of happiness seemed forever
vithcrcd.
" But here again, began to reflect, my path was
rossed-my hopes blighted--by my uncle.
heard, too, that his tongue had been free with my
lamc; that the bistering censure of his ausere vr
ne had fallen upon my actions. l writhed under
he contumely. My wounded spirit insatiae
or vengeance. l meditated, deeply, how / could
nflict it, to strike the blow where he was
most vulnerable. l did not brood long over my
lark purpose. The love still bore for his daugh-
er, was now mingled, with the hatred bore tow
,rds himself; and l exulted in the thought, that
should perhaps be able to crafty, at one and the
same moment tive of the ficrccst passions of my
and revenge
." SUCCEEDED
In these two words let me shroud a tale of hor-
ror. Harriet my victim Ask not how l
She fell An angel might have fallen
rs she did, and lost no purity. But her stainless
heart was too proud to palter and cquvocate with
circumstances. She from what she Deem
ed her bridal bed.-And ere twenty summers had
famed her check, the grave-worm banqucted upon