The native American., 1837-12-09
A STORY OF THE PLAGUE.
BY LEIGH HUNT.


with the symptoms of the Plague, Just as the day
had been fixed which was to unite him to his
mistress. Some difficulties had been thrown in
the way of the union by grabbed guardian; and
many hours had not elapsed from their removal,
and every thing being settled (which the lover
FASTENED to see done with the greatest impa
tience) when the terrible spots appeared that were
| to cut him of from communion with the unaffect-
ed. 1t is supposed that the obstacles in the first
instance, and the hurry afterwards, threw his
blood into ferment, which exasperaed the at
tack. He wished to make light of the matter, and
go about his ordinary concerns; but the strange
ness of his sensations, and the thought of the pc
ril that he might bring to his mistress, soon made
him give up his pretensons. He said that his
horror at first inclined him to cry aloud, to tear
his hair, and dash himself against the wall of the
room; but the thoughts of her again controlled
him, and he resolved to go through every thing
as patiently as might be- lest he should add to his
chances of losing her. He sent her message
to that effect bidding her be of good heart; and
then in passion of tears which he resolved
should be his last, but which, he said, seemed to
give him wonderful kind of support, betook
himselfto his prayers, and so to his bed.
He was soon left alone with none but an old
nurse to attend him; but he did not sleep, and
the good woman, observing him tranquil, slept al
great deal, he thought next day he might as well
rise and go into the garden for little air. The
garden, though in the city, was very pretty one,
and as it abutted on some grounds, belonging on
one side to church, and on the other to a field,
where they shot at butts, removed both from
sight and noise, and might be called even solitary.
He found himself alarmingy weak; and the air,
instead of relieving, seemed to bring the heat of
an oven with it; but there were grass and roses;
and he thought il would add to the grace of his
memory with her he loved, if he died in SO sweet
a spot rather than in the house.
Besides, he could not bear to think of diving in
what he hoped would have been his bridal bed.
These reflections made him again shed tears in
spite of himself, and he lay down on bench UNI
der tree, wishing he could melt away in that
tender despair. The young gentleman guessed
that he had lain in this way good hour, during
which he had sleep that little refreshed him,
when he heard himself called by his name. He
thought it was the nurse, and looked towards the
house, but saw nobody. The name was repeated
twice, the last time with the addition of an cpl
tibet of tenderness, which he knew could come
from no such person. His heart began to beat,
and his ear guiding him truly to the voice, which
he now recognized, he on the top of the
wall, nearly opposite to him, and under tree
which overhung it from the outside, his beloved
mistress, holding with one hand on Dough, and
with the other supporting herself in the posture
of one who intended to come down.
"Oh, Richard said she, what blessing to
find you here, and nobody to hinder me! have
cheated them, and skunk away-my love-my
llifev'
Our lover said these last words had wonder
full effect on him. With all her tenderness, his
betrothed bride had never yet INDUCED it SO far
to utter such conjugdP words. THAT was his
phrase.) He said they seemed to give her right
to Join him; and they filled him with such love
and gratitude, that the very languor Of his illness
became COMPOUNDED with bewitching pleasure.
He confessed that the dread of her being infect
ed, though it still required to him, was much
fainter than before. However, he the more
thought it was his duty to urge it, and did So
But the lady had no such dread. She had come
on purpose to brave it. In vain he spoke as
loudly as he could and rose up and began to drag
his steps towards her; in vain he made signs to
her not to descend.
help me down, it is but an easy Jump, and do you
think any thing will induce me to 60 back! | am
come to nurse YOU and make you happy
"You will de-" said the lover in faint voice
now arriving within hearing, and still making
signs of refusal.
.Oh, no; Heaven will bless u.s. cried she, 81
will NOT 90 back, mark me; will not, indeed; |
cannot, much less now have seen you, and in that
sick gown. But see you cannot help me down.
You are unable. Therefore come"
With the words she made the jump, and the
next minute was supporting him in her arms
She put her arms round him, and took his repell-
ing hand into hers, and raising herself, kissed him
on the mouth, saying, :" now | belong to YOU
Let me seat you on the bench, and get you some
drink. l am your wife now, and your dear SER
want, and your nurse" Their eyes were filled
with tears, and the lover could only lift his head
towards Heaven, as much as to say that :" they
should at all events live there
Not being able to reach the bench, he sat down
in thcket of roses. The young lady went to
get him some drink, and she returned with the
news that she had walked the astonished nurse,
and sent to tell her guardian where she war. No
body cduld be expected to venture to come and
fetch her away, and he did not
The lover told the gentleman who had these
particulars from the guardian, that this behaviour
of his betrothed wife, put him in state so new
and transporting, that he conceived an alteration
of his blood must have taken place very speedily
after her return from the house; for though he
could hardly bear his delight, he began maniestly
to get better within an hour afterwards. The la
L Il ...r. N.n,v G-sD IL