Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-04-12

him assistance, had from time to time
deferred it, from the difficulty of APP
preaching so delicate a subject. AS
the time of parting approached, how
ever, he drew the conversation TO that
point, and was informed that the sum
( Of five hundred dollars would relieve
his friend from embarrassment. Hay-
ing a large sum in his possession, he
generously rendered him the amount
required, and Hamilton, after some he.
station, accepted the loan, and propo-
sed 10 give his note for its repayment,
which Saunders declined, under the
plea that the whole transaction was a
matter of friendship, that no such for.
mality was requisite. When they
were about to part, Hamilton unclasp-
ed his breast>pin, and presented it to
his friend, Let this" said he, ere
mind you sometimes of Kentucky-l
trust that when | visit you next year,
| shall see it adjoining the person of
some favored fair one." 81 have no
such confidence in YOU" returned the
other; and handing him a silver haft
knife, curiously embossed, said "I
am told that knives and scissors are
not acceptable presents to the fair, as
they are supposed to cut love, so |
have no fear that Almira will get this
and | know that no other human be.
ing would cause you to forget your
friend" They then parted.
As Hamilton was ridingslowly home
ward, engaged in thought, and holding
his bride loosely, a deer sprang sud-
denly from the thicket and fell in the
road, before his horse, which started
and threw him to the ground. In ex-
aiming the deer, which had been NOR
tally wounded, and was still struggling,
some of the blood was sprinkled on his
dress, which had been otherwise soiled
by his fall. Paying little attention to
these circumstances, ne arrived at his
home.
Though his absence had been brief,
many hands grasped his in cordial well
come, many eyes met his own in love,
for few of the young men of the oun
try were so universally beloved, and
so much respected, MS Hamilton. Bot
to none was his return 30 acceptable
as Almira -. She had been his
playmate in infancy, his schoolmate in
childhood !; in maturer years their in
timacy had ripened into love, and they
were soon TO be united in The hottest
and dearest ties. But the visions of
hope were soon to pass from them, as
the mirage of the desert that mocks the
eye Of the thirsty traveller, and then
leaves him a death-devoted ~wanderer
on the arid waste.
A vague report was brought to the
village that the body of a murdered
man was found near Scottville. 1t was
first mentioned by a traveller, in COM
pany where Hamilton was present !;
and he instantly exclaimed, ono doubt
it is Saunders-how unfortunate that
left him! ~ and then retired under great
excitement. His manner and expires.
sion awakened suspicion, which was
unhappily corroborated by a variety
Of circumstances, that were cautiously
whispered by those who dared not
openly arraign a person whose whole
conduct through life had been honest,
frank, and manly. He had rode away
with Saunders, who was known to
have been in possession of a large sum
of money. Since his return, he paid
off debts to a large amount. The PEN
knife of Saunders was recognized in
his hands-yet none were willing on
mere surmise, to hazard a direct accu-
sation.
The elections were at hand, and Ha-
milton was a candidate for the Legis-
~lature. In the progress of the canvass
the foul charge was openly made, and
propagated with the remorseless spirit
of party animosity. Yet he heard it
not, until one evening as he sat with
Almura, in her fathers house. They
were conversing in low accents, when
the sound Of an approaching footstep
interrupted them, and the father of AL.
mira entered The room. ~
"Mr. Hamilton" said he, "I am a
frank mani consented to your union
with my daughter, believing your cha
racter TO be unstRined-but ! regret to
hear that a charge is made against
you, which if true, must render you
amenable to the laws of your country.
| believe it to be a fabrication ofyour
enemies but until it shall be dispro-
we'd, and your character, as a man of
honor placed above suspicion, you must
be sensible that the proposed union
cannot take place, and your visits to
my house discontinued"
"What does my father mean ?" in.
CURED the young lady, anxiously, as
her indignant parent retired.
81 do not know" replied the lover
cit is some electioneering story, no