Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-03-23
,ststEI.EANY.
CsRCUnsrANruaL EVIDENCE
a TALE FOUNDED on FACT.

iALL fONNbID T.
FROM he Ue'iern Monthly .uaSa..ne
The circumstances which am about
TO relate. are familiar to many now liv-
ing. The event excited intense int
rest at the time of It's occurrence. If
| shall succeed in impressing upon any
one the delusive character OF circum-
sfantiai eridence, my object will be at.
tanned.
Beneath the magnificent sycamores
which bordered lovely stream i'm the
southwest part Of Kentucky, a compa-
ny Of emigran,s had pitched their en-
campment for the night. The tents
were set up. the night-fre threw its
CLEAN upon the water, the weary horses
we're feeding, the evening repast was
over, and preparations were made for
repose. The party consisted Of three
brothers, with their families, who were
vending their way 10 the new lands OF
the distant Missouri. On their yisages,
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 accustomed 10 the
restraints Of law, or the duties of mo-
rality, they were the fit pioneers of CT D..
'il'zation. because their frames were
prepared for the utmost endurance Of
fatigue. and society was purified by
their removal. Theirs were not the
fearless independence and frank de-
meanor which backs the honest back.
woodsman Of our country; but the un-
tainted license, and the willy deport-
ment Of violent men, who loved not
the sanitary influence Of the law, nor
mingled Of choice with the virtuous 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 margin
OF the same stream. One was a man
OF thirty; several years passed in the
laborious practice Of medicine, in a
southern climate, bad DESTROYED his
constitution, and he had come 10
breathe the braciug air Of higher lati-
tude. The wing Of health had famed
into vigor the waning fires Of life, and
he was now returning to the home OF
his adoption with renovated frame.
The young man who sat by him, was
a friend to whom he had paid 9 visit,
and who vas now attending him a short
distance on his journey. They had
missed their way, and reluctantly ask
ed a sullen permission of the emigrantI
to share their coarse fare rather than
wander in the dark, through unknown
forests. Hamilton, the younger Of the
two, was, perhaps. twenty-seven year,
Of age. and was gentleman Of prepos.
sessing appearance. Of cultivated mind
and Of a chivalrous aud sensitive dis.
position. His parents were INDECENT
and he had by the energy Of hi. own
talents and industry, redeemed then
from poverty. and placed them in easy
circumstances. In one Of his CONNER
oial expeditions down the Mississippi
he bad met with Saunders, the phvsi
clan. An intimacy ensued, which, tho
brief, bad already npened into ma,ur,
friendship.
( 4" Affection knoweth not 81 time,
~ Tiseth like the yernal flowers:
The heart pulse y its only chime,
And feelings arc ils hours"
+ Together they had hunted over IN,
howery bsuens. and through the ma
Jestc forests Of their native Staie-ha,
scaled the precipice. and swan the tor
rent-had explored The cavern, and VI
'Ited whatever was wonderful or cur
Gus IN The region around them IN,
both looked forward with painful feel
lngs, TO the termination Of an inter
course which had been pleasing an,
instructive. A. they we're TO separai,
, IN the morning, the evening was passe,
) IN eOnyersiion--in the copious an,
D involuntary hoW oi kindness and conf
dence Vhioh the heart pours out at th,
moment when friends are about 10 90
4 yer, when the past is recalled and III
. future anticipated. sbd friendship. nj
Z longer silent, nor motionless. display
: itself like the beauty Of the oessn wave
which ii the most obvious 81 the no
ment Of its dissolution.
Early in the morning the two friend
pursued their journey. As they yer
about n depart. one Of the emlgrnnI
advanced towards them. add remarked
] reckon, strangers, you ALLOW Z
camp 81 Seot,ville to-night ?"