The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-26

slumbers deferred him from his murderous
intent Whose but the pencil Of the demon
could paint the fears--thc hopes-the dark
resolves Of the wretched Gray, while the
wearied guest slept but few PAGES from him,
in that peace which virtue and WEAKNESS
| alone can give.
The morning came and glowing from his
ocean couch. arose the sun, gliding the dis.
tanl bluffs and surrounding forests with colors
drawn alone from the pallet Of heaven. His
beams shone down upon the cottage, yet un-
stained with blood, and aroused the sleepers.
Did the evil spirit slumber in Gray's bosom.
The simple breakfast was soon over, and
Somers asked Gray to set him on the first
road TO M. With blandness worthy
the days when he stood a respectable mer-
chant behind city desk, he informed Mr..
Somers that he would accompany him part
OF his journey, and under pretence Of killing
some game ,shouldered his rifle and led the way.
For some time they walked together, whilst
renewing boyhood NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
brances which called to mind many spot
hallowed by childhood sports and parental af-
| lection.
They had thus proceeded about three miles,
and arriving among those beautiful bluffs on
which has given name to a small chrystal
stream which dashes over precipice some
hundred feet deep. bird swept over their
heads wheeling on its light wings lit on the
bough of majestic oak-which bears the
name of many an ardent lover Of nature
Gray asked the traveller TO move onward,
while he attempted to bring down his game.
Somers complied and nnsuspecting left Gray
behind.
| A sharp rife crack rung through the
woods, and shrek mingled in its echoes
The host was murderer for money. Blood
may be shed for revenge, and our sympathy
may be excited for the assassin--but who can
find chord in his heart from which pity may
draw note Of feeling from him, who, with
blood-stained fingers, holds the gi,iering coin
before his eager eyes.
Gray soon disposed Of the body by Earring
it over the precipce. As it went numbering
through the scrubs and jagged rocks that lined
the chasm, he perhaps felt remorse, but j, was
| but for moment. With eager hand he open
ed the portmanteau, and rolling out the shin
ing coin upon the leaves, for some minutes
| he gloated over his wealth, for the country
was almost uninhabited, snd his demon spirit
could rejoice in its riches undisturbed
On returning home he deposited his ILL
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 heart had confded, was murder
er She tainted. The wretch needed her
not, but goomily seated himself before the
fire. From the floor on which she had fallen,
Mary rose an altered woman. The rose fled
from her cheek and a grave in the forest
marked bya simple stone, tells you where lies
| the broken hearted wife. Peace TO her me-
mory She has gone where the blue streams
were never crimsoned with blood--where the
dagger never flashes over the head of the de-
voted wayiarer.
Charles Gray became a rich man. His
lands broad and fertile, bore luxuriant har.
vests A tall mansion arose amongst those
old woods to shelter the murderer's head.
Strange TO tell he lived unsupported. No
one cared for the emigrant in the country
from which he came.
Years rolled away. Villages arose on the
ruins of that mighty forest. The steamer
was heard with its perpetual thunder and
lightning ascending and descending the beau
tiful Ohio, and lovely residences, like gems,
summoned up by the enchanter's wand from
silver river. The suspicious mind Of Gray,
for the wicked are always suspicious, render
ed him fearful Of discovery, as emigrants
were crowdng into the State, and entering The
land in the most unfrequented spots. The
bones of Somers were still exposed if they
were found by any one rambling through the
bluffs, the dark affair might be investigated,
and he meet with his just deserts. Salying
forth one evening, he sought the wild prcc-
pice, and descended by the aid of ropes to
the spot where laid his victim. The moon
burned in the midnight with the ustre that
she only wears on winter night, when the
snow reflects her brightness, and earth seems
to wear the pearly robe of angels. One by
one the stars had appeared through the rich
arch above, and around the hills swept the
glorious river for nature is still lovely;
though for few moments her beautiful form
may bear the record of crime there placed by
man. A young gentleman named Charles
Wilson, who was returning from visit to his
lady love- passed by the precipice and OBJ
serving the ropes attached TO the tree which
sood 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 chasm round which the
waters swept their chrystal current.
In few moments the young man perceived
the form of one shom he Immediately recog-
Missed as Gray, by his tall and muscular figure.
He was gathering up some white substance
in bag. At last he seemed to have con-
cluded his task, and throwing the bag over his
neck and shoulders, attached the strings to
his neck and body, he commenced his ascent.
BY grasping the rocks with his hands when
ever they afforded a, sufficient protruding sur
face-and planting his foot firmly in the fs-