The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-07-20

The MANIAc.-Towards .he end of las
October, when the weather first began t
presage winter, and every body fled from
the country to shut themselves up in thci
Partisan domiciles, regularly quilted th'
city to enjoy solitude SO much more to M
taste, beyond the barriers.
The ground was covered with its usua
autumnal dressing the dry and yellow
leaves from the trees of the outer boulevard
wlIrIed around me in troublesome eddies
and the humid fog which began to exteno
itself over the whole scene caused me ve-
ry disagreeable impression.
Leaving Belleyille to the left, walked
on slowly and thoughtful, engaged in pro-
found reflection, on the variety and empti-
ness of this worlds pleasures, and was soon
transported in idea, far from Paris, into
the midst of more congenial scenery.
Sud lenIy the sounds Of grief met my ear
it was the sharp cry of despainng heart /;
and as melancholy as my own reflections.
was just then close to the eastern burial
ground. A hearse was slowly bearing a
corpse to its place of rest, and its conductor
announced its arrival to the functionarics Of
the place.
HI CCuCtCIy was uCSCfttu, ny a
few couples, who, partially hidden by the
fog, glide in the perspective like the shad-
ows of the departed. They were lovers,
who had gone there to seek for secrecy and
silence among the tombs, and they were
toying and laughing, and speaking of lone in
path paved with the bones of their fellow
hortals. They made resting place of n
tomb stone I; but why should we feel aston
ished that youth and frivolity seek every
where pleasurel
| pursued with slow steps the ascent to
the chapel, and having reached the summit,
l seated myself upon a tomb, and cast my
eyes in every direction round, mournfully
considering the objects with which l was
associated.
A violent burst of laughter reused me
from these contemplations, and my sympa-
thy gave way to indignation, and caused
me'to bend my steps towards the spot
whence the sound proceeded,
There, in one of the most retired alleys
ef this vast cemetery, beheld lonely fe-
male seated upon a tombstone her cheeks
were pale and wrinkled; her eyes red and
swollen; her tears still trickling down her
cheeks. Nevertheless, it was she whose
Laugh had electrified me; it was she who,
in spite of her tears, continued to laugh.
As soon as she saw me, she shook her head
and placed her finger mysterlously on her
lips" Hush hush be SILENT" said she,
as if she was addressing some invisible be-
ing, hush, there is some one coming"
l drew towards her, and she attempted to
knit her eyes still cast down, and her atti- /
tude became most rigid.
In the mean time, the fog had consider /
ably increased, and the poor unfortunate
hablliments imbibed its moisture.
Her frozen limbs seemed to be void of feel |
ing n drop of water hung to each scatter
ed lock of hair, and her hands, purple rs
the violet, could scarcely move her knitting
needles. She was a personifcation of sub
missiye despair!
"The weather is very cold, madam, TO
remain thus exposedto its influence. But per-
laps you are waiting for the person whom
heard you conversing with just now"
Till then, the poor creature had been per-
'ectly silent; when she suddenly leaped
from her seat, aud pointing towards a grave |
At her feet, replied: " That person lies |
bere." On the head stone | read these
NOius " thH VI
er, who died at the age of nineteen years
lis mother dedicates this tablet" Alas
he unhappy woman believed she still heard
Inc voice of her son issue from the depths
If the grave therefore she chatted aud
aughed as if really in company with the
owed being who slept beneath. Such was
he effect of her maternal grief and aflec-
ion.
1 made several efforts to draw her away
rom the cemetry, but she angrily repulsed
ne. "What quit my poor Julius before =
right-fnll r. said she. Oh no sir, no q
vc are SO comfortable together! II was to
cave him alone here, he would get tired" i
One of the watcbmen belonging to the ID
'lace passed close to us he hummed a tune Il
n the most careless tone imaginable. a
THAT woman disquiets you, SIR" said e
'e, carelessly. bah Let her alone, and y
70 your ways: she has seen hundred 9TH Il
RS since she came here ia
What do you mean by that 7" 4;
Why, her son died about year ago. Y
md sire has regularly passed every day since d
hat period beside his grave. She talks to I,
i'm, and insists upon it that he answers c.
es-it is enough to kill one with laughing $,