The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-02-03

f,NIclcui cNcaltneu, as l llelu ulS i
own pistol to his bosom, "what is your
objectl Are you common mignight rob-
ber--or bear you aught of private malice
towards Roger allston ~
acknowledges Allston ~ repeated the |
wretch beneath me, in a voice which sound
ed like a shrek, as he struggled half up
right even against the threatening pistol.
"Great God has it come to this Hell has
no pang like this meeting l-Shoot !"-he
exclaimed, and there was dreadful earnest
ness in his manner, which sent the hot blood
of indignation cold and ice-like upon my
heart. "Shoot!--you were once my friend
lin mercy kill me y
A horrible suspicion flashed overmy mind
Il felt sudden sickness at my heart--and
the pistol fell from my hand.
Whoever you may be- said, "and
whatever may have been your motive in
attacking me, would not stain my hands
with your blood. Go-and repent of your
crimes"
"You do not know me-" said the robber,
as with some difficulty he regained his feet,
"even you have forgotten me. Even you
refuse the only mercy man can now render
me-the mercy of death--of utter annihila-
ton -
Actuated by sudden and half defined
impulse, caught the strangers arm,
and hurried him towards the light of a street
lamp. 1t fell upon his ghastly and death
like features, and on his attenuated fornr,
and ragged apparel. Breathless and eager
| ly gazed upon him, until he trembed be-
/ meath the scrutiny. | pressed my hand
against my brow, for | felt my brain whrl
1 like the coming on of delirum. could not
be mistaken. The guilty wretch before me
was the friend Of my youth-one whose
memory had cherished as the holiest le-
gacy of the past. 1t was Henry st. Clair.
Yes--it was st. Clair but how changed
since last we had communion with each
'o.her Where was the look of inteli-
gence, and the visible seat of intellecl--the
beauty Of person and mind Gone--and
4 gone foreyer--to give place to the loath-
someness of deprayed and brutal appetite
TO the vile tokens of DISGUSTING sensual
ity, and the deformity of disease.
swell may you shudder," )" said st. Clair,
81 am fit only for the companions ofdemons;
but you cannot long be cursed by mo pres
ence. have not tasted food for many days;
hunger drove me to attempt your robbery
but, feel thatI am a dying man. No hui
man power can safe me,--and there be a
God, even He cannot save me from myself
from the undying horrors of remorse."
Shocked by his words, and still more by
the increasing ghastliness Of his counte-
nance. / led the wretched man to my
dwelling, and after conveying him to bed,
and administering cordial to his fevered
'lips, ordered physician to be called. But
it was too late; the hand OF death was upon
him. He motioned me to his bedside af-
ter the physician had departed; he strove
to speak, but the words died upon his lips.
He then drew from his bosom a sealed letter
addressed to myself. 1t was his last effort.
He started half upright in his bed-uttered
one groan of horror and mortal suffering
and sunk back, still and ghastly, upon his
pillow. He was dead.
followed the remains of my unhappy
friend to the narrow place appointed for all
the living--the damp and cold church-yard
| breathed to no one the secret Of his name
and guilt. | left it to slumber with him.
now referred to the paper which hat
been handed me by the dying man. Will
trembling hand broke the seal of the en-
yelope, and read the following addressed tC
myself:
: "If this letter ever reaches you, do no
5 seek to find its unhappy writer. He is be
} yond the reach of your noble generosity
2 guilty and dying man. | do not seel