The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-05-08
SELECTED TALES.
From the Lady's Book for April.
FRIENDSHIP.
OR THE HOUSE ON THE HEATH.
OR THE HOUSE o.
By MRS. THAYER

! SOME years ago, a traveller upon the
turnpike between Montreal and Lnchine,
might have observed at an equal distance e
from each, mn old building. situated in the
midst of a wild and dreary tract Of land,
presenting tn the eye a scene Of unmtiga-
ted desola,ion. The curse Of nature seem
ed to rest upon that spot vegetation was
at IA stand; for, save q few stunted pine
trees, the earth presented nothing but a
meagre covering of short, dry, sunburnt
grnss. The house itself was in most dill
apidated slnte one end indeed, had part
ly crumbled to the earth: the shattered
window frames swayed with every blast.
The other end, though not equally ruinous,
was still, the last place which any one, who
had ever experienced the sensation convey
ed by the word comfort, would have chosen
for place of residence. 1t was inhsbita-
ted, however, and that too, by beings Of the
gentler sex. For many years " the house
on the heath" $50 il was called) had been
untenanled. There was a traditionary le-
gend respecting its having once belonged
to n very wealthy man, who had inhabited
it for short time, with n lovrly young
creature, whom he called his wife. They
lived a very secluded life; neither visiting,
or receiving visitors; and seldom seen be-
yond their own precincts. Ii became a
subject Of wonder, that they should have
chosen such gloomy place Of residence /;
the feeling was soon converted into curios-
ty as to the why and wherefore Of The man
ner Of living, Of people, who, evidently did
not lack for this worlds goods. But ss
there appeared no way, by which the mys-
terry could be solved, Mr.. AuIey, so WAS
the gentleman called, keeping no servants,
it is probable that the whole affair would
have been entirely forgotten, Ind no, aeci-
dent recalled them to the minds Of their
neighbors.
One cold, stormy evening in November,
about year after Mr.. Auley took posses
sion Of the isolated dwelling above deserib-
ed, peasant having been belated in his
return from market, thinking to shorten the
distance TO his home, directed his course
through Mr.. Auley's premises. He notic-
ed light burning 10 one Of the upper
chambers, but it WAS not late enough in the
nigh, for that to cause any surprise. lie
has,ened on, and had just turned the cor
ner of the house, when his steps were nr-
rested by a faint scream, succeeded by sobs
mud, what seemed to him, supplicstions for
mercy. lie listened in breatbless silence,
but No other sound reached his ear. The
next morning it was discovered, that "the
house on the heath" was empty. A dill
gent search was made ih.oug hout the prem
ises, but no hight was thrown upon tho nys-
terious affair. Mr. AuIey aud his young
wife had disappeared. none knew how. IL
was the generally received opinion, that he
had murdered her, ard many affirm TO this
day, that, on every anniversary Of the night
when n was supposed the evil deed was
done, q figure, dressed in white 10 seen to
Hi, past the windows Of the old hosse.
Such being the belief, it may well be
supposed, that no little sensation was caus-
ed by the appearances Of smoke again is
suing from the chimney, giving indication
that human beings had taken possession Of
the long avoided spot.
II was early in the spring Of Is-, that
az old, and siugularly ugly woman, accom-
panied by itlle girl, Of SIX or seven yesrs
slehted from a public stage, ct the little
oubwge on the Lschine road, and called
for breakfast during the meal, the old wo-
man inquired Of the landiady, If there was
not near by, an old house, the property Of
enc Mr. Auley! A, the sound Of that
name, oil the stories, which had been hush
ed for many wears, revived in the mind Of
the landl,dy ; snd she ssgeriy asked of ter
unprepossessine guest, il size knew any
thing Of the person she had named vbst
had became of him, ond whether hs wife