Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-10-18
GOOD God, my fathers ring! and this
isNmiy murdered fatherP and failing on
his Knees, wept long and hudibiy over his

against the damp wall, weeping as II MS
heart were breaking on this second DIS
coSery Of blood!'' Clara WIS at his side
endeayoring 70 sooth him, whheAihe gen,
lie and timid Frances, on bended Knee,
was weeping at the side OF the afflicted
Charles, who, with upilt streaming eyes,
and lips moving seemed to be invoking
heavens vengeance on the unknown albeit
tor in the awful crime, While all was
thus still, save the heavy sighs escaping
from some one Of the fhournfuI party, they
were suddenly aroused by the deep bay
ing OF hounds near the front entrance to
the cave, which was Immediately answer
ed by the long winding of the mellow
horn, which came sounding wildly from
distance through the cave, and cchong
and re-echoing among the rugged cliffs.
Again was heard the bayiag Of the hounds,
now within the cave, which was quickly
answered by the approaching horn; then
voices were heard haloong, and in rush
cd two old painting hounds followed by
Lord Barton and servants, all well armed,
who on seeing his daughters safe, exclalm-
ed--"God be praised!" and opening his
arms they rushed towards him, and fall
ing on his neck, kissed him, and fora mo.
ment were speechless; when Clara, re-
covering and whispering to her iather,
led him to the farther side OF the room,
Frances still retaining his arm, where
she related to him briefly all the par
ticulars since they left home. lie in
"a low tone badc his servants TO re-
tire, but be within call, and walking calm
ly towards Charles, who was now stand
ing look ing down OH the remains Of his IA
Their, and Clifford, and said on taking each
by the hands: .lrs raa.
SHY young friends, this is the will Of
God, and while bowling beneath the blow,
remember that the hand that inhicts is all
mercilul, and that il is God who hath laid
this rod Of bitterness upon you, and by his
help we may yet discover ALL"
They both pressed his hand in silence,
their hearts being too iullto speak their
feelings, on seeing which, Lord Barton i'll
formed them--''That as it was then late,
measures should be taken for the removal
Of the remains then before them. and also
for the interment OF the body without the
cave" rgge .n alH ...Iz .srrr III liza
Calling in the servants, the remains Of
the father of Charles were placed upon an
old oak table, standing against the wall.
on which was jug of water, a piece OF
dry bread, a crucifx and an old bible, open
and turned downwards; which, on Clara
taking up, found part of the 18th verse,
of the l4th charter OF Genss,* marked
round with q pencil. lnone coruer was a
heap Of straw, supposed to be the bed OF
the uwretched man who had, unbidden;
rushed into the presence ol5the Almighty,
and was burie on the spot where he lelL
two large stones being placed 10 markt the
murderer's grave o. 9a.a J Tot
During this time servant had been
sent 10 the nearesttenant Of Lord Barton's
for conveyance for the removal of the re-
mains now lying out on the table, which
soon arriving, they were placed on bed
brought for that purpose and all proceeded
to Barton Park. The next morning they
we're taken to the residence Of Charles,
followed by large number OF friends and
neiuhbors, and Inferred in the family
vault. Theifolowing day, handbiIs were
issued, stating the particulars and Offering
q large reward for the discovery Of the "a
bettor in the horrid crimes, which caused
very great excitement throughout the
country at that time; but no discovery was
made, and il was supposed he was dead,
or had fled from the country. -.
Clifford, who had now been in posses
sion of his late fathers beautiful estate on
the Hudson; nearly six months which he
had purchased at small advance, through
the kind aid and influence of Lord Barton,
and made many improvements thereon,
had, at the polite request Of Lord Barton,
continued his visits to Barton Park, and
was always cordially received, more es
pecially by Clara, who, since the excur-
sion to the cave, wore melancholy look,
and was seldom seen to smile, except
when Clifford was visiting the Park. She
had warm, devoted heart, but that heart
was now another's, though the great secret
was closely locked up in her own pure bo-
som; but Clifford being good Judge of hu-
man nature, believed Clara loved him, and
more than once when alone with her, de-
tcrmined TO disclose his passion, but the
awful oath which Charles and himself had
soIemnly taken, "never to change their
situations till the abettors Of their parents
murderer was discovered" made him re-
hnquish the thought, till God, in his infn-
lie wisdom should see fit to clear up the
horrid mystery.
One rainy morning while Clifford was
sitting alone in his study, pondcring on
the past eyentsof his life, and gazing with
intense interest orthe miniature Of Clara
which she ad,privateIy presented him il
exchange for his own, and thinking if ev
or the time wonld arrive when he coult
call the original his own, the sound oflht
postman's horn under his window aroused
him from his deep reverie, and ere he haC
time 10 place the dear resemblance OF al