Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-04-12
NJ 7 Y.
From the Western Monthly Magazine.
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
A TALE FOUNDED on FACT.

The circumstances which | am about
to relate, are familiar to many now liv-
ing. The event excited intense inter-
est at the time of its occurrence. If |
shall succeed III impressing upon any
one the decisive character of circum-
stantial evidence, my object will be at
tanned.
Beneath the magnificent sycamores
which bordered a lovely stream in the
south west part Of Kentucky, a COM
pany of emigrants had pitched their
encampment for the night. The tents
were set up, the night fire threw its
CLEAN upon the water, the weary hor-
ses were feeding, the evening repast
was over, and preparations werem made
for repose. The party consisted Of
three brothers, with their families,
who were vending their way to the
new lands Of the distant Missouri. On
their visages, where the ague had left
the sallow traces of its touch, few OF
the noble traits of human character
were visible. Accustomed TO reside
upon the out skirts of society, little
versed in its forms, and as little ac-
customed to the restraints of law, or
the duties Of morality, they were the
fit pioneers Of civilization, because
their frames were prepared for the ut.
most endurance of fatigue, and society
was purified by their removal. Theirs
was not the fearless independence and
frank demeanor which backs the hon
est backwoodsman of our country but
the untainted license, and the willy de-
pertinent Of violent men, who loved
not the salutary influence of the law,
nor mingled Of choice with the virtu.
Gus of their own species.
AS they stirred the expiring fires,
the column of light, mingled with the
smoke and cinder that rose toward the
clear sky of the mild May night, re.
vealed travellers Of a different appear
ance, who had encamped on the mar
gin of the same stream. One was a
man of thirty /; several years passed
in the laborious practice Of medicine,
in q southern climate, had destroyed
his constitution, and he Rad cone TO
breathe the bracing air of a higher Ia
titude. The wing of health had fam
ned into vigor the waning fires of life,
and he was now returning to the home
ofhis adoption, with a renovated frame.
The young man who sat by him, was
a friend to whom he had paid a visit,
and who was now attending him a
short distance on his journey. They
had missed their way, and reluctantly
asked a sullen permission of the emf
| grants to share their coarse fare rather
than wander in the dark through un-
known forests. Hamilton, the young
er of the two, was perhaps, twenty Sc
ven years o fage, and was a gentleman
| ofprepossessing appearance, Of cultiva-
ted mind, and of a chivalrous and sem
sitive disposition. His parents were
INDECENT, and he had by the energy OF
his own talents and industry, redeem
ed them from poverty, and placed
them in easy circumstances. In one
of his commercial expeditions down
the Mississippi, he had met with Saun-
ders, the physician. An intimacy en-
sued, which though brief, had already
ripened into mature friendship.
"Afection knoweth not of time,
1t riseth like the vernal flowers;
. The heart pulse is its only cbime,
And feelings are its hours"
Together they had hunted over the
f1owry barrens, and through the ma
iestic forests of their native State-had
scaled the precipice, and swan the tor
rent-had explored the cavern, and
visited whatever was wonderful or Gu
rious in the region around them /; and
both looked forward with painful feel
ings to the Termination of an inter-
course which had been pleasant and
instructive. AS they were to separate
in the morning, the evening was passed
in conversational the copious and
involuntary flow of kindness and con
fdence which the heart pours out at
the moment when friends are about 10
sever, when the past is recalled and
the future anticipated, and friendship
no longer silent, MOI ~motionless, dis.
plays itself like the beauty of the
ocean wave, which is the most obvious
| at the moment of its dissolution.
Early in the morning the two friends
pursued their journey. AS they were
about to depart, one Of the emigrants
advanced towards them, and said,
81 reckon, strangers, you allow 10
camp at Scottsville, tonight"
EYES," said Saunders, 81 do"
"Well, then, | a tell a cut that's
a heap shorter than the road you talk
oftaking-and at the forks of Rushing
river, there ssa smart chance Of blue
Lclay, that's mirylike, and its right sea.
ry crossing at times"
Surprising they had found a neare