The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-11-08
ORIGINAL TALES.
For the Rhode-lsland Republican.
The Rival Friends.
RHoDE-IsLAND TALE.


READER, did you ever visit the southern
shores of Rhode Island If you never
have, fancy yourself placed with me on
high ledge of rocks running nearly in line
opposite to what is called Sachuest Beach.
That black pile of rocks beneath US, is
named the Hanging Rocks. Beyond these,
to the south, lies the low sandy beach above
named, and then nothing meets the eye but
the waters Of the vast Atlantic, rolling its
untiring waves against the stupendous
rocks, which on every side of this beautiful
island, oppose it in its wayward course.
The rumbling that you hear, like the noise
of distant thunder, is caused bv the impet
uous rush of the waves into a deep and
narrow chasm in the rock, called Purgato-
ry. That beautiful grove to the right has
received the name of Paradise, ard in the
heat of summer it is indeed an earthly one
shaded from every scorching ray Of the
summer sun, aud open to the refreshing
sea breeze from the sweet southwest, it has
become a favorite resort to most visitors to
the Island, and indeed to all who seek for
rural pleasures. That large farmhouse
which you see farther to to the right, sur
rounded by trees-look well at that, gentle
reader, for 50 thereby hangs a tale"
About twenty years ago that house was
the residence ofa Mr.. Dalton; a gentleman
who had retired from the hustle Of public
life, to taste the sweets of retirement. His
family was small, consisting only of him
self, a maiden sister who was his house
keeper, and an only son, about twelve years
of age, and nephew "A few months older, to
whom he had been guardian since infancy.
Augustus Dalton and his cousin Thorn
as Mertonn loved each other with more
than the love Of brothers. Ofthe same age,
their studies were the same, their sports
likewise and in the days that tried mems
SOULS" the studies Of our youth were such
as enriched their minds with useful knowl-
edge; their sports, such as knit their frames,
duO SlidbiCu tuCfii W bcuI
ships of that trying time without murmnr !;
aud, finally, to conquer the most tried vet
Grams of Europe. The cousins were bold
and open in their dispositions indeed, so
daring in their natures, that their very sports
were at times dangerous. Often have those
bold boys been seen in their small boat, ply
ing their way over the mountainous waves
i'll pursuit of their favorite sports of fishing
or shooting, when the nerves of the hardi-
est men have shrunk from the contest. Of
ten have they been seen rolling on the top
Of some stupendous wave, whose size, in
comparison with the boat, was as mountain
to a nutshell; and The next moment, decend-
ing into the trough Of the sen, so long would
they be hid from the sight, that the anxious
spectator would fancy that they would
never appear again; when, perhaps, they
would rise into view on the crest Of frolh-
capped wave, and in their terrible elevation
waving their hats, in apparent exultatiou that
the sea in its might should be to them mere
ly the instrument of pleasure. Thus things
went on between studies and pleasure, until
they attained their eighteenth year, when
an incident occurred, which bid fair mate
rally to affect the color Of their after life
The farm on which we are now standing
was purchased by a Mr.. Davenpor--you
smile at my calling these bIeak and barren
rock. farm; but these rocks were no, the
boundary Of his estate, it extended us far to
the west as the road, and somewhat farther
10 the north than that lone house which you
sec going to ruins on the hill, looking as
lonely and desoIate as the lightning struck
tree by is side. Bu, far otherwise have
seen that hoase but few short yeors ago,
mirth and laughter rang through those now
deserted rooms but, alas, those days are
past; why should we try to recall them !
The memory Of pas, pleasures only gives
pain, unless hope whispers they may again
be recalled. But to return to our story.
Sir' Davenport, was a man who knew no
pleasure but IN gold: he loved it, not for
the power II gave him of relieving the dis
disiressed-but TO gaze on his ciilering
heaps. and watch their silent accumulation.