State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-09-19

head and face Indicated as his character
istics.
After we had made an examination of oil
that was curious or interesting in the pcni-
Tertiary, and parted with our conductor, the
director, my friend proposed that we should
extend our walk over the hills, and through
( the woods, to the James river, and go back
TO the city by the bank Of the canal. new
er refuse walk OF this kind OH pleasant
evening in place so beautiful as this j,
therefore, readily consented, reminding him
that it would atlO1l the opportunity lie de-
sired of giving me the story ofhis convict
| friend. He said it was for that purpose lie
had proposed the walk, for he never visited
the penitentiary, though years had passed
since the circumstances had taken place,
without suffering fit of melancholy for
some time after. have taken the liberty
TO alter the names in all else it is the LAM
guage of my friend, and here you have the
tale as it was told to me-
"Whcn at William and Mary College,
first became acquainted with Henry La
mar, who, like myself, was there to com
plcte his education. lie was from one of the
inferior couniics and came to the institution
at the same time with myself, we were
about the same age, and our acquaintance
soon ripened into friendship. He was
young man of fine feelings and good habits
and general tuvorite with the citizens and
studefits during his stay at Williamsburg.
He pursued his studies with diligence, and
left the institution with mind highly cult
waited and with the good wishes of all he
| left behind him. Before we parted ut Col
| lege, we arranged to correspond. which we
regularly did for the two years that elapsed
before I met him again. From his letters
learned that he had engaged himself to be
married to young lady whom he had long
| loved, and of whom he had made me listen
many an hour while | should have slept
while at college. never saw her, but from
the description given of her by Lamar, and
from my knowledge of his TASTE in the lady
line, and of his high and pure notions ofthc
female character, have no doubt she was
among the lovely.
| "About two years after, he passed
through Richmond on his way to the state
Of Mississippi. He had recently become
possessed Of bis portion Of his fathers es-
tate, and was then going south to purchase
land, have his negroes taken there, and 10
practice law, the profession he had chosen.
Ii was his Intention TO remain about year
and return-marry his lady love- and with
her settle in Mississippi. This was the
scheme Of life he had formed, and which he
was then on his way to carry into effect.
"The penitentiary which we have just
left, although then but rising from its toun-
dations, was an object ofcuriosity 10 stran-
gers as well as citizens. While Lamar was
in Richmond, we took it in the way of one
ofour ranbles, and stopped to look in upon
: this rising receptacle of the living dead. In
passing along the front of ono of these
ranges of cells, Lamar, who WINS ahead Of
me, suddenly turned into one, which from
: its particular situation, was in n state Of
greater forwardncss than any of the others
and laughingly exclaimed as he entered it.
r 'this shall be my room when come here.
| was still outside when he made this excla
nation, and heard one Of the workInen say
in M under tone to another, 'it will soon bt
ready for him.
ain u few days after our visit to the pen
tentiary we parted. lie went to Mississippi
I purchased land had his negroes takel
there--made fine plantation, and was sue
cessful in his profession. But cloud hn'
gathered over his path that could not b'
= dispellcd.
}, "ln that pnrt of Virginia where he hat
lived, and where lived also his af1ianced
: (whom wc will call Lonisa,) lie had left
l. friend, Il young man by the name of Rich
o ard Oakley, in whom lie reposed the mos
;, unlimited confidence. They had grow
- up together und had iorIaed one of thos
u strong attachments which we frequently Sc
n between young men, very unlike each 9th
v er, and no two could be seen moro unlik
= than Lnmnr and Oakley. Il knew The latte
% at college. While there, he was believed
by all the students TO be 81 snake in tn
grass and dIslked by every one but La
mar, who could not be made to think hin
any other than true and honorable. Lama
had written several letters to Louisa, 10 onl
one or two of the first had any replies bcel
:. received. Finding his letters to be thu
unnotced, he inquired Of his friend Oakley
with whom he correspondent, the cause O
: Lousa's silence. From him he receive,
;. such information as left him no room +
II doubt that absence had entirely cured he
! of any love she ever had for him, and tina
If she had rendered herself entirely unworth
II of his further regard. Like most othe
IS lovers, he gave full credit to Oakley's com
5, munications, and settled down in the belle
: TINT his friends representations were true
% and his atlianced false to him. lie felt IN
i, wound deeply, but his pride was reused
r and he resolved size should not trump
n over the desola:On she had made, nor III
Il, world offer its malignant sympathics 70
Y, his loss. In this resolution he stage
G longer in Mississippi than he had intended
y, nor had he any particular object now j
re coming 10 Virginia at all. In any event h
H. would not visit the scenes of other days
m until he had rooted from his heart the al
tn fections which had 80 long been cherishe
us there for Louisa, that he could meet her ,
| least with the cold brow of Indifference
", Time and resolution can do much, but the
in Cannot all pluck fron the heart the thorn {