The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1839-11-07

claimed Gray, in SO hurried and
strange a manner, that the traveller
started back a few PAGES in surprise;
but quickly recovered himself, ex-
changed salutations, and seated HIM
self on a rude chair already placed
Tor his convenience before the fire.
Conversation soon commenced, nor
was it interrupted until the night had
Tar advanced, tow..;ds the dawn
George Somers was also, as he said,
a citizen of New York, and from the
neighborhood in which Charles Gray
had lived. He informed Gray that
he had sold his property at the East,
and e,nigrated to the Ell Dorado,' to
speculate in lands, having with him a
large sum of money for that purpose.
At last they all retired to rest.
The traveller 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 to the
hunting knife! Once he was about
leaving the bed, when a slight mo-
ton of his wife in her sumbers de.
tered him from his murderous intent.
Whose but the pencil of a demon
could count the tears-the hopes
the dark resolves of the wretched
Gray, while the wearied guest slept
but a few PAGES from him, in that
peace which virtue and WEAKNESS
alone can give!
The morning came, and glowing
from his oceans couch, arose the sun;
gliding the distant bluffs and sur
rounding forests with colors drawn
alone from the pallet of heaven. His
beams shone down upon the cottage
yet unstained with blood, and arous-
ed the sleepers. Did the evil spirit
slnmber in Gray's bosom?
The simple breakfast was soon over,
and Somers asked Gray to set him
in the nearest road to NJ.
With Il blandness worthy OF the days
when he stood a respectable mer-
! chant behind u city desk, he informed
Somers that he would accompany
him a part of the journey, and under
pretence of killing game, shouldered
1 his rifle and led the way. For some
time they walked together, whilst
renewing childhood remembrances
which called to mind many spot
haIlowed by childhood sports and pa
; ternal affection. 55''
4 They had thus proceeded abou
three miles, and arrived among those
' beautiful bluffs on the Ohio, since rem
3 dered celebrated by a deed which ha
J, given name to a small crysta
e stream which dashes over precipic'
i Of some hundred feet deep. A birt
: swept over their heads, and wheel
t ing on its light wings lit on th'
/, bough of a majestic oak-whicl
/ bears the name Of many an arden,
: lover Of nature. Gray asked the ira
5 Weller to move onward while he at
r tempted to bring down his game
l ESomers complied, and unsuspectingly
a left Gray behind.
+ A sharp rifle crack rang through
: the woods, and a shrek mingled in it
0 echoes.-The host was murderer
a murderer for money. Blood may
: be shed for revenge, and our sympa
1 thies may be excited for the assassin
e but who can find chord in his hear
Z from which pity may draw note 0
: feeling for him who, with blood stain
e ed fingers, held the glittering coin be
fore his eager eyes? I'D
d Gray soon disposed Of the body b.
v hurting it over the precipice. As j
went numbering through the shrub
! and Jagged rocks that lined the chasn
= he perhaps felt remorse, but it wa
! but for moment. With cage
s. hands he opened the portmanteau an
II rolling out the shining coin upon tn
d leaves, for some minutes gloated owe
t, his wealth, for the country was a
n most uninhabited, and his demo
e spirit could rejoice in its riches undi
IS turbed. =.@ Y
81 On returning home he deposite
n his ill-begotten gold in his chest. H
'e wife heard the ringing Of the coin, an
le| her quick mind told her that Charlie
IS Gray, her husband, he to whom he
0, very heart confded, was a murdere
TX She tainted. The wretch needed he
N not, but gloomily seated himself b.
,e fore the fire. From the floor. o
is which she had fallen, Mary arose a
Of altered woman. The rose fled froI
n her cheek, and a grave in the fore
t. marked by q simple stone, tells yo
as where lies the broken hearted wifi
il Peace to her memory! She has gor
ID where the blue streams were nev,
crimsoned with blood-where tt
O. dagger never flashes over the dew
as ted wayfarer.
y Charles Gray became a rich ma
n His lands, broad and fertile, bore lu
r. nriant haryests. a tall mansion arc: