Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-07-10
vOLUM X III.
The Swallows Cave, at Nahant.
A ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.

The swallows Cave, at Nahant.
ROMANCE REAL
many years ago, two people, living near that por-
uoh oi Saleia connecting with Nahant whom we
snah M l)h by their christian Names Charlotte and
william fell desperately in love with each other; but
nhsppened IN this case particularly that true love
ala soi run smooth, for the father OF the grl being
something OF a turn % mind similar 10 Sir Giles Over
reach that -, fond of this world goods had made
up his mind 10 marry his daughter young Eng
llsh officer Of great fortune But Charlotte loved ano
ther swan, who had been her constant associate
from her childhood, and OF course had firm posses
sion OF her heart. His only fault was poverty and
most plarng defect was in the eye Of the father of
his souls dol. The young officer having settled all
the prellminares, made proposals 10 Charlotte, which
she with scorn rejected. The CAV sutton being chag-
rned with The repuse he had met with conferred with
the father, and threatened 10 leave the place forever
rather than again subm TO such cavalier treame nt
from er whom ne conceived was far beneath him
IN circums stances. The father hon determined TO
take the matter INTO his own hands, TO see his daugh-
ter ana use conclllatory measures in bringing her to
his wishes, but II such had not the desired effect,
force was to sc used TO accomplish his purposes.
The young lady al first endeavored TO change her
parent determination by tears and suppcauons but
finding they had effect she assumed the character
OF an obedeat daughter, and 10 all appearance acced.
ed TO every wish OF her father. The yeung officer
now believed that he might become the ady's hus-
band, and IN gaining his point argued very much like
King Richard, that she is woman, therefore may
be woo d-she IS woman therefore may be won.'-
Charlotte played the lovers part with the young off
Ger, but acted IN reality with her hearts delight
William. The place Of rendezvous The Swa-
lows Cave, where the lovers nightly stole and
poured out their souls in transport On little shelf
OF the rock, which is now firm ever, the lovers
sat all the lvelong night, and into her William
Poured the sweetest words
That art love could frame
They consoed themselves with the reflection that
the father would one day relen that the officer
would die, and then they would be freed from the
shackles of suspense But as fate decreed it, the ia
Their grew worse and worse every day. and what is
more, the young officer had no notion of dying. The
young couple were now wrought up TO desperation,
and Charlotte was determined, rather than marry any
one but William, to put an end to her existence
The young officer, finding that Charlotte spent her
evenings abroad, began to grow Jealous and dlscOn
tented and resolved to watch her narrowly but Char
lote Yankee girl, and Yankee girls pretty
shrewd and canning, she Of course found out what
he was after, and while he acting plot TO
catch her. the dear girl was playing countcrpot to
check his progress. The jealousy the part OF the
young officer might be supposed prevented the To-
yers from meeting as often as usual. They however
formed plan of corresponding SO that when any
thing prevented their meeting together they would
write each other love epistes Directly underneath
the shelf of the rock where they sat- was little hol
low resembling box, one of Natures neatest pieces
of handy work. and the tide did not rise to this
point, the hollow was made general depository for
the billet deux.
TWAS on beautiful moongh evening in the month
July, when all the fields are clad with green man
that Charlotte stole from the back door OF her fathers
house TO meet William at the Swallows Cave
She glided like doe through the fields, and her nm-
BILE steps brought her to the Cave. William re-
ceved her with open arms. Now in all these details
we had liked TO have forgotten the most lmpo amt
thing, viz the beauty Of Charlotte In the FIRST
place. she had fine comely form-teeth like ivory
hair black as the ravens wlng-ciear arched brow
and sparkling, brilliant laughing eye. And then
her appearance
.Grace in her steps heaven in her eye,
In every gesture dignity and love-
This was her appearance when she to the
cave and on the rock by the side of her true love-
This was her outward form, but her heart sad
and troubled aud her spirits overcast with grief
Well might she have said in the beautiful lines of
Burns
Had never loved 80 blindly,
Had we never met or parted,
had meier been broke n-hearted.
After an exchange of soft glances, Charlotte unbur
dened her heart as follows
Il have seen that odious officer again, and he has
gone so far as TO name tomorrow for the wedding
day. He asked my consent in the presence OF my
father, and was forced to comply for the sake of
deceiving him. When he left, l went TO father and
implored him not to sacrifice his daughters happ-
ness forever by uniting her with one whom she can
never love--but he called me a iroward, foolish GIRL
and unless did az he wished, he would make me- l
then begged of him to delay the day Of marriage TO
another tune, but he refused | wept bitterly at his
denial, and went 10 my bedroom listened until
softly and left the house, determined never again to
return
William listened attentively to this recital, and then
rising. took Charlotte by the hand and imprinted an
aflectionate kiss upon her lips.
Charlotte dear Charlotte, all hope Is now in vain,
fate has decrced that You never shall be INNS. DO
you recoec this noteP said he, taking billet from
his pocket.
Il do do said the agonzed GIRL III is pledge
OF eternal ove-ln IL have sworn TO live or die TO-
gether-ouro oath is recorded in heaven
The time has arrived-let US leave toge-
Their this world OF misery-we shall again meet here
after
The lovers took each other by the hand and walk
ed toward steep rock overlooking the sea- which is
now called The Lovers Leap From this steep
they were determined to Jump, and bid adIeu to earth
But just as they were about taking their farewell,
tall gentee young man, dressed in a military coat
and cap, seen emerging from the cover of neigh
boring rock, known as The Retreat He stole eau
tiously to where the lovers standing and arrv
ed Just in time to prevent the execution of the daring
deed Charlotte and William turned round and the
moonbeams revealed the form of the young officer
He instantly drew his sword from its scabbard. while
the lovers stood like statues before him. Each look.
ed at the other for a few moments in mute as,onsh-
menI Then the officer dropped his sword and oin-
ing the levers hands together, said;
'Ihave been n spy upon your movements this night
and have for the first time become sensible that
Charlotte never cpu be my wife, You love each other