The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-08-02

r'ous idleness, he sxclsined, while the in-

rious idleness, he sxclsimed, while the iu-
solent foe is ravaging our coantryi
Hundreds of fathers are gathering to the
standard ofFreedom, and may stay behind
and be branded Ne a coward aud trail
tor
! His father girded around him the sword
that himself had worn in the wsr Of Inde-
pendence, and Frank Selden left his young
wife in his paternal home, and few 10 the
battle field. His bravery, his GOODNESS and
his scientific attainments made him a well
come acquisition to our ranks, and he soon
rose in command. Successive mails
brought his anxious parents end wife still
new proofs Of his commanders confidence
and new details Of his dauntless bravery.
And then came long interval of suspense
the army was blocked up, all commune
cation cut of, aud battle anticipated
News at length reached the waiting friends
the army had suffered defeat--the
Aborigines had murdered the prisoners in
cold blood, aud Frank Selden, the brave,
the generous, had fallen the victim of In
dian ferocity. Horrible barbari,y to
heighten the horrors OF war by callisg fiends
to the contest. But the son had fallen
bravely, and the proud father smiled even
while he mourned. The mother wep, in s-
lent anguish for her brave her beautiful boy,
her hrst-bern. And the wife wept wilh
frantic grief and refused to be comforted.
WHY did he leave me I! On why did he
leave me Z she repeated necessarily, and
listened not when reminded it was at the
imperious call of duty.
Year after year joined the ocean of the
past, and the venerable pair were gathered
to their fathers. Isabelle Selden and Franks
widow still resided at the old family man
sion. Isabelle had gradually merged into
what boarding school Misses style an old
mud, though her brilliant complexion, her
fine hazel eyes and beautifully white teeth
rendered her still most attractive woman
despite the scurvy epithet. Time had
wrough ht no change 10 the person Of the love-
ly widow, save that her arm looked still
more beautifully rounded. through the trans
parent Grape sleeves, and her person alto
ge,hcr had acquired a perfection Of fulluess.
Numerous suitors had bowed and retreated
before the queenly looking sisters. Isabelle
seemed destined to sink into the maiden
Lady. Bountful of the parish, and Mrs.
Selden still declared herself inconsolabIe
so that Sedley Hall, it seemed probable,
would be converted into an infrmary, an
orphan asylum, or any other of the fashion
able etceteras of charitable caprice TINT its
fair owners might choose when an En-
glIsh gentleman bought an adjacent planta-
hon and became neighbor and frequent
visitor at SeIden Nall. The handsome for
,igner seemed particularly struck with the
widow, and people even went so
ar as to hint that they really looked enough
like to be brother and sister, and it was uni
'ersally speculated that closer connection
han that even might yet subsist between
hem.
1t was bright morning in June and the |
isters were sitting together, when Isabelle I
uddenly exclaimed, l declare, here comes {
hat detestable Englishman again. / never
zee him without thinking of the murderers t
If poor Frank. Suppose tell the servant /
o deny us to him |"
Would that be right ask ID Mrs Selden =
'lushing deeply as she bent over her en- 9
roidery frame, when he told us last eve \
ing he should hurry over with the music {
e had sent for, the moment it came '
Then.' said Isabelle in chagrined tone, q
! suppose be will dine and spend the day h
caurse," and gathering up her work she r
,alked out of the apartment before their v
isitor was announced. 1t so happened v
nat as Isabelle left the parlor she pass 8
the door Of q little study formerly 4
ppropria.ed to her brother, but now scarce h
: ever entered. She turned the lock and a
ntered, and walking up to n cabinet which
lood At the farther side opened the door !,
nd looked with fearful eyes upon the dusty o
,emorials of by-gone days ofjuyeaile hap e
mess. There lay the fishing tsckle-the a
fe-ball mould-the well thumbed Virgil a
,e scribbled sheet of amatory verses to her b
ho was afterwards his wife--s thousand "
nd thousand mementos Of him who was a
eparted forever. The gushing tears were ia
Iindng the mourner's eyes, and she closed -
,e cabinet aud sat down in his chair a
ranks chair-to weep. As she shut the e,
oor a folded paper fell on the floor. She u
icked il up and the strange characters d
aught her eye. Il was the horoscope left k
y the stranger. A strange awe crept over
'abelle as she unfolded the mystic page. 81
Twice welded she repeated, who would a,
ave thought it then ? and she threw il
'ide, and sobbed aloud. The strsnge look til
the fortune-,eller-Frank's isoody uneas- m
ess about not finding bim-the Young &c
'ide's Never pronounced with such firm
sss, such tender emphasis, were all before et
sr. And then came another scene. The
,ughty Briton standing in her brothers r
heritance the husband Of his much loved hi
ide. Isabelle rnused-could the living
reteIl 7 er
Another month and the beautiful widow c,
~ standing in her bridal chamber. array
in elegant and tasteful robes and sur. I
unded BY tbrsng Of the young and mirtI- to
J. Isabelle fitted through the apartment fr