The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-09-17

uoh OF MS wife in her stu mbers deferred him
rom ms murderous intent. Whose but the pen
cii OF the demon could paint the fears the
hopes-thc dark resolves of the wreched Gray
whiie the wearied guest slept but few PAGES
rom him, in that peace which virtue and weari
ness alone can give
The morning came, and glowing from his
ocean couch, arose the sun, gliding the distant
bluffs and surrounding forests with colors draw
alone from the pallet of heaven. His beams
shone down upon the cottage; yet unstained with
plood, and aroused the sleeperS. Did the evil
spirit slumber in Gray's bosom?
The simple breakfast was soon over, and
oomers asked Gray to set him in the nearest
road to Nj. With blindness worthy of
me days when he stood II respectable merchant
behlnd city desk, he informed Somers that he
would accompany him part of his Journey
ana under pretence of killing some game,
shouldered his rifle and led the way. For some
time they walked together, whilst renewing
poyhood remembrances-rememb which
called to mind many spot halIowed 10y child
hood sports and parental affection.
Ihey had thus proceeded about three miles
ana arrived among those beautiful bluffs on the
Ohio, since rendered celebrated by deed
which has given name 10 small crystal
stream which dashes over n precipice some bun
dred feet deep. A bird swept over their hea DIS,
and wheeling on its light wings lit on the bough
oil majestic oak-which bears the name OF
many an ardent lover of nature. Gray asked
the traveller to move onward while he attempt
ed TO bring down his game Somcrs complied.
and unsuspectingly left Gray behind.
a sharp rifle crack rang through the woods,
and shrek mingled in its echoes. The host
was murderer murderer for money. Blood
may he shed for revenge, and our syInpathies
may he excited for the assassn-but who can
find chord in his heart from which pity NAV
draw note Of feeling for him who, with blood
stained fingers, holds tho glitterng coin before
his eager eyes
Gray soon disposed of the body by hurting it
over the precipice. AS it went numbering down
through the shrubs and jagged rocks that lined
the chasnl, lie perhaps felt rcmorse, but il was
ed the portman'eau. and rolling out the shining
coin upon the leaves, for some minutes gloated
over his wealth, for the country was almost I'M
nha bited, and his demon spirit could rejoice
in it's riches undisturbed.
On returning home he deposited his i'll gotten
gold in the chest. His wife heard the ringing
OF the coin, and her quick mind told her that
Charles Gray, her husband, he TO whom her
very heart had confded, was murderer. She |
tainted. The wretch needed her not, lint gloom
ilv seated himself before tho fire. From the |
floor on whieh she. hal 9allGps. Mary AROSE AN
and grave in the forest, marked by simple
stone, tells You where lies the broken hearted
wife. Peace to her memory She has gone
where the blue streams were never crinisoned
with blood--where the dagger never flashes ovN
CIR the devoted wayfarer.
Charles Gray became rich man. His lands
broad and fertile, bore luXuriant harvests. A
tnll mansion arose among those ole. woods to
shelter the mrrt,erers head. Strange TO tell, he
lived unsupported. No one cared for the emf
grant IN the country from which he came.
ruins of that mighty forest. The steamer was
heard with its perpetual thunder and lightning
ascending and descending the beautiful Ohio,
and lovely residences, like gems, summoned up
the enchanter's wand from the earths bosom,
studded the banks of the silvery river. The
suspicious mind of Gray, (for the wicked are
always suspicious) rendered him fearful OF dis
covery, MS emigrants were crowdng into the
State,and entering the land in the most frequent
ed spots. The bones of Somers were still ex-
posed if they were found by any one rambling
through the bluffs, the dark atfar might be in
vesigateG, and he meet with his just deserts
Sallying forth one evening, he sought the wild
precpce, and descended by the aid of ropes to
the spot where laid his victim. The moon
burned in the midnight with lus:re which she
only wears on a winter night, when the snow
reflects her brightness, and earth seemed to
wear the pearly robes of angels. One by one
the stars had appeared through the rich arch
above, and around her hills swept the glorious
river Tor nature is still lovely though few
moments her beautiful form may bear the record
of crime, there placed by man. young gen
tlemen named Wilson, who was returning from
'1'' ~ '',S WY wv, P'ooO' y w. t'0N'
pice, and observing the ropes attached toa tree
which stood by his path, endeavored to trace
the spot where they ended. After narrow
search he saw them hanging against rock that
formed the base of the chasm around which
the waters swept their crystal current.
In few moments the young man perceived
the form of one whom he Immediately recog-
nlzed as Gray, by his tall and muscular figure.
He was gathering up some white substance in
bag. Al last he seemed to have concluded his
task, and throwing the bag over his shoulders,
attaching the strings TO his neck and body, he
commenced his ascent. by grasping the rocks
witt: his hands whenever they afforded a suffi
cient protruding surface--and placing his foot
firmly in the fissures-Gray had succeeded in
climbing half way Up the chasm, when stop
ping to rest, tho shelly rock crun,bled under his
feet. The murderer made violent struggles to
sustain his position, but losing his balance-he
plunged headlong into the Gulf One wild
shrek told that the soul of the wretch hal gone
to its Judgment. And there lay the bleeding
skeleton al xict hnU