Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-03-30


modic contraction OF the facial N uscles
"A distressing and dangerous convul.
SION and he was wont to say. that II
people generally we're only aware o,
the number Of their species that had
gone off in laughing mysteries, they
would be little more cautious how
they gave way to such a senseless and
utterly unsccountable propensity.
Jeremiah's face was very LONG and of
funeral aspect. lie undoubtedly be-
longcd TO the very extensive family of
the "Croakers," We: he was a good de al
unlike the vulgar body Of that disa-
greeable brotherhood. He was not mo-
rose. or splenetic, or ill-natured; but
simply LUXURIOUS. sad. mournful, me-
lancholy, and most unduly impressed
with the calamiiies Of existence. He
va, no raven-he desired not to croak
evil tidings in order to render others
unhappy, but naturally and uncon-
sciousiy infected them with unhappi-
ness. If his humor could be so STYLED
His horror Of any thing like merriment
or popularity. was much Of the same
morbid character as that Of the old gen
tleman in Ben Johnson's Silent Wo-
man" whose dislike of noise is soex.
cessive, that all his servants have to
answer him by signs, ard creep about
the house in felt shoes. Having no.
thing on earth to think about or trouble
him In reality, he was, therefore. trou-
oled at all things. Property in the funds
to the amount of FIVE thousand pounds,
besides ten shares in that capital .pecu-
lahon, the London Cemetry Gonna
ny" relieved him from the necessity
OF struggling against physical wants and
difficulties; and the consequence was,
that he bad .all time and leisure TO in-
dulge his mental malady, which had
lately increased TO such an extent, that
all IN the neighborhood troubled with
an exuberance of spirits, were invaria-
bly, recommended by their friends TO
go and take dose of Nightshade.
jeremiah was somewh hat of literary
turn. His library was no, extensive
certainly. but then it was grave and So
lad. Nothing light. or trivial, or anus
ing was admitted there. Young ;
Night Thoughts" "Hervey's Media
tions among the Tombs," "Dodd's Pr
son Thoughts, "DreliDcourt on Death"
and Blair's Grave" with other works
OF a similar character,-a few volumes
OF Shipwrecks aud Remarkable Calam-
tiles, Buchan's Domestic Medicine. q"
" Hsrrison's Diseases of the Human
Frame, etc. etc. made up The staple
ut his literature and never vas he
more pleasantly or TRANQUILITY unhappy.
than when over ono Of those enliy.n.
ing volumes on a dull, dreary evening,
with the rain paiteTing monotonously
on the almost deserted street the 81
lcncc of which remained unbroken ex-
ceP' by the hollow knocking at, and
opening and closing 90 an occasional
door, as some shivcIing oitlzers sought
shelter for the night IA b.. donicil. -
This suited him exactly, and was " ha,
he termed sober and rational enjoy
ment.
Mr.. Nightshade lodged in a house
rented by q worthy clock and watch.
maker. OF the name of Phillips. Thi,
man was Just the snlipodes Of Night
shade. lie was not unlike a bottle al
ginger pop; his body being Of the
shape Of that particular kind Of bottle
and has spirits full as hight, brisk. and
airy as the pleasant beverage contain.
ed therein. lie arose early and work
ed late, in order to provide for seven
matrimonial tokens which his wife. ar
industrious womsn las II would appear
had presented hl1 with. and he sang
and vhistled all the time he worked
7 The shadow of care never fell upon
him. except. indeed, when he came N
( contact and entered into conversation
with Mr.. Nlghtshade. Tbs did hin
good IN some shape. II had a sedsilv,
effect, Allay ing the efrrvescence OF hi,
/ spirits. |, regulated him: for his Rrea
fault was. that he dad every thing in
hurry. and lass watches. like himssli
went rather too fast.
j, might be expected Jeremiah and
be regarded one another ss prodigies
They could not Al all account for each
other. " What oan make Mr. Night
shade 81 unhappy - be0eyolsnily con
Ieeiured Phillips. wheue veT the dcl0r
Gus VIsage Of Jeremish ddkened %,
doorway What does that NAN ee
% laugh 81 - sol,loquiyed Jeremiah
dozen times q dsy. - the hearty Laugh
81 the man Il watches ever snd amor
startled h'm IN the midst e some d.,
nal speculation tifGRiully thought
less Of him. oonsiiering that be has ,
vile and seven children. and provision,
on The fiss too p" Bui Phillips va n1
a man az thoughi-he as q man OF o..
lion. ile dad his best fof The day and
took no heed Soc 10 rruoV h,' fan
in beng provided i1f as imnsnse --
With jeremiah. on the tonirsiy ,'m
ing events tnysuabiy "ca.t her sha.
doWs before and most son be snt
gloomy shadows they Vsrs Ne va
ever psVlsred Wi'h fesf ~ ,hsngs.
doubts snd ssruplss shook ban strong
lly" We ere told from high anih0fi,
ihst we ere al made II clay ystu sai
very puzsiIng b. thins hov too such
very different kinds n animals roolr