Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-03-02

delicious period to fade upon the tablet of my
heart. 1t of the few, few green and
sunny spots, which lie scattered over the dark
waste OF time.
But the day at length arrived. when the impe-
rious calls of business--that perpetual intruder
on the poetry of life--must tear me from the
friends and scenes which SO dearly loved. l
had already fingered much longer on the hospI-
talty of the Burfons than necessity required;
and know not when I should have left them,
hadI waited till either my own inclination, or
their friendly opportunities, had ceased. babe
adieu--but not without willing promise TO visit
them once more on my return.
About three weeks elapsed. / had despatched
my business, and was returning homeward light
/ hearted and free, when, after toIng up long
and dusty hill, caught sight again, at few
miles distance, of the great refreshing valley,
/ and the pure crystal within it, My pulse beat
high with expectation. My horse had not forgot
ten the hospitality of the Burtons, and we rapid
ly approached the aforementioned sceaes.---
As decended the last HILL and sometimes be-
fore ] reached the house, Rover came bounding
along, with every demonstration of Joy, 10 wei
come my return. Upon entering, the domestcs,
who were making ready their evening repast,
| informed me that the whole family had gone upon
the water.
i Taking Rover with me, strayed down to the
neighborIood of their Ianding-place, and seated
myself on ii cliff, which overlooked the lake
The waters of lake George are peculiarly trans
parent. have often looked out of boat upon
it's pebbly bed, and thought | might easily have
waded the shore, when in truth my oars
length could not reach the bottom. 1t was from
this singular beauty, well as the tout ensemble
of witching scenery about 1t, that the Indians,
who formerly inhabited the adjacent territories,
believ ed the bosom of the lake to be the abode OF
the Great Spirit; and the French priests, who
came TO convert Ihem infected III the super
etiiion of the place, named it the Holy Water;
and either imagining it to be uncommonly pure,
or else believing 1t to be really endowed with
peculiar sancity, used to send vessels filled with
it to their native country, to be used IN the sacred
, rites of their church. This afternoon was re-
markably calm and coudless. The opposite
shore hung in the water with such truth and life
Of expression, that it looked like the scenery OF
another world, caIlner and more lovely than our
own.
Presently, however,, breeze sprung from the
east. The smooth surface just curled beneath
its kiss; aud, IN short time, observed the fuil
I sail of the pleasure boat emerging at no great
distance from behind a little knoll, that had con
cealed it. 1t shaping ITS homeward course.
The sun was fast declining towards the western
mountain-upon whose summit was p,leda thick
mass of snowy clouds. Every thing promised u
glorious sunset.
. | sat wrapped in the dream of expecta ton
measuring the long ripple which the boat left
upon the lake, and thinking, within myself
: whether they could reach home before dusk.
turned towards the sun, to Judge from his height
s how many minutes the light Of day had yet to
, live. l Immediately struck by the uneom
/ mon richness of the white fleece, which was roll
:. ing itself, volume upon volume, into Thousand
Y wild fantastic shapes. AT the same moment,
It small black cloud seemed suddenly to grow on
;. of the mountain AS it rose, 1t sweled, ant
l. spread itself, like pail, the rich mass 0
n vapors, cffacing one by one the beauties OF thu
IF gorgeous spectacle The wind freshened iron
e the east-but the thunder-cloud still steere'
= against it, and sailed on in suilen majesty, lik
l some dusky spirit, regardless OF tho opPosin!
Is element. The was obscured, and col
r shade thrown over the lake. The leaves rustle
le through the forest with noise like the long ro
IS of the ocean some distant beach, and q du
low moaning seemed to move upon the waters
st AN nature pretended one Of those tremendous
n storms, which there, in season OF the protoune
n, est calm, pour in a moment out OF the hoiiows
in the surrounding mountains l looked back am
a ousy for nv friends. Their bark had neare
at the bay, and was still calamity c!eaving In
IN waves. thought could distinguish Arthur
If the helm, proudly steering his little treasur
IL fearful but for those whom he loved dearer tina
n life. l waved nv handkerchief, and 1t W;
al answered Rover stood just below me, snufiir
the air, and wagging his tail in silent expect
IL ton.
it'll The heavens were completely overcas
Mt the thunder rolled heavily, nearer and nearer, al
lad big round drops splashed here and there upon Il
d
II and an explosion shaking the cliff to its yer
the root. The long, broken peal, that followed,
nd verberated from crag TO crag. and died away
ing the far distance. There momentarv paus
the gates OF heaven were loosed, and the wa,
ing fell in sheets, if another lake emptyi
the itself from the sky. l could just discern
= little bark through the thick rain. In spite of
mt fury of the storm. it gained its way, and had
nee ready reached the entrance to its harbour
on few moments more, and il safe. While
sed was vet looking at it, sudden gust of WI
rms rushed out of the west The boat stopped
lea an Instant as if fixed to the spot-and them W
ON, a slight tremendous motion, settled down into
leir waves.
Rover who sat watching its progress from
'ere point beneath set up wild howl, and dashed
ger to the water. | instinctly followed, leap
Ar from point to poat-slipping among the ro
roll catching at weeds and briars, which sprs
was out OF the crevices-nor it till | stood III
lea the very margin of the lake, that l reflected
the rashness of my design; was wholly una
epa- to swim. Rover however. bore him stoutlv fl
the the shore, and had almost reached the spot;
bng not a trace of the vessel could be seen. The
ord: rents of rain ceased, and l could now clea
'PPy discry a human figure emerging from the wa
with it was Arthur-and he dragged after h
title from the bottom the dear object who cluno
ho,th SnE b,J 81