The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
From le Louisville Literary Messenger.
THE FOREST MURDER.

THE FOREST MURDER.
TALE OF INDIANA.
The incidents which am about TO relate,
are not drawn from Imagination, but fact. 49,
They form an act Of the never ending drama
ofhuman villainy.
This is indeed wild night said Charles
Clay to his wife, as they sat before the blaz-
ing hearth Of an Indian log cabin-while the
winds walled around the roof and went sound
ing through the forest.
wilder than | ever knew observed the
wife 'and. Charles how thankful we should
be to our Maker that he has given US this close
cabin and warm fire to protect us from the
rude dement's
sumed scowl, which of itself spoke the de-
mon in his heart. Thankful, wife you
mock me ! What is this cabin to the luxu-
rio,,s comforts of the town folks whom we
used to see in New York, rolling through the
streets ID their cushioned carriages, or recIin-
ing on silk sofas, and laughing at the ragged
beggars that claimed their charity! Thank
fuln
Mary did not reply. She feared him when
in these moods, and was too judicious to irri-
tate him even by words which she intended 10
be soothing. For what are words, though
brealhed from seraph's lutte, or sylabled by
angels lips, to one whose soul has become
absorbed IN the unacqured love OF wealth.
Charles Gray was native Of New York,
and had been left handsome fortune--but
prompted by avarice and too impatient to con-
tinue in the safe business in which he began,
joined others Of an equally rapacious DISPOSE
ton in speculation, which at first proved
promising, but entirely failed, and left many
an ardent dreamer ruined man. Charles in
this mad affair had embarked his all He was
left without house or friends, for friends are
often bound by golden chains alone. He de-
termined, with his wife, to emigrate to India
ma, for whose fertile soil, broad streams,
genial climate, and noble forests so much was
said. "a, E.. .
With bitter spirit he babe farewell to
home, and with small amount of money
raised by the sale Of his wile's Jewels, sought
the almost untrodden wilds Of the West. With
this small amount Of cash. he purchased n
few acres Of ground on the Ohio river, where
the beautiful and splendid town Of is now
standing. For a short period he labored as
sidiously on his small farm, and cheered by
the smiles of lovely and devoted wife, SEEM
ed to forget his misfortunes. short time
before our narrative opened, Charles had vi
sited L, as a hand on fat boat, the
only species of water craft then used to con-
vey goods and produce down the river
Whilst he was there, he met several Of those
who had failed in the same speculation which
had ruined himself. But whilst he had re.
NAMED poor, they by some means had revived
their fortunes and settled on the Ohio, where
they were carrying on brisk business
Charles returned home an altered man. For
whole days he would sit idle and discomfort
ed. His sleep was disturbed by dreams Of
gold, in vain did that beautiful accomplishing
wife endeavor to frighten the fiend from his
bosom. 1t was like one solitary star trying
to dssipate the darkness of the storm-t tossed
ocean.
Wilder yet roared the storm through the
crashing woods, and Charles was still brood
ing over his imaginary wrongs, when hal
loo was heard outside the little enclosure
which surrounded the cabin.
Mary sprang to the door, and after scruti-
nizing the traveller, for such the intruder was,
by the light Of bark torch which she held
over her head, invited him into her rustic
room. ...
In moment a gentleman Of rather a slight
stature, bearing portmanteau in his hand,
entered and gave the usual salutation. Mary
called her husband to attend TO the traveller,
but neither by words nor gesture did he ex-
hibit signs of having heard her until the
strangers portmanteau upon touching the
floor, spoke to his sordid soul Of gold. The
demon was aroused, but he wore a smiling
face. ... +.
Welcome, stranger, welcomed exclaimed
GRAY, in so hurried and strange a manner,
that the traveller started back a few PAGES in
surprise; but quickly recovering himself, ex-
changed salutations, and seating himself on
rude chair already placed for his convenience
before the fire.
Conversation soon commenced, nor was il
interrupted until the night had far advanced
towardsthe dawn. George Somers was also,
he said, native of New York, and from the
neighborhood in which Charles Gray had
lived. He informed Gray tina, he had sold
his property in the East, and emigrated TO the
Ell Dorado to speculate in lands, having
with him large sum Of money for that pur-
pose.
AT last they all retired to rest. The travel
Ter TO sleep-Gray to brood over the wealth
of his guest What fearful thoughts passed
through the brain Of the wretch that night!
How often did his eyes wander 10 the hunt
ing knife Once he was about leaving the
bed, when slight motion Of his wife in her