The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-09-25
SELECTED TALES.
From the Boston Pearl.
7 II Z I HIM BL E..
Br WILLIAM CoMsTocK.
Poison has been upon thy sigh.
And fever has breathed IN thy words.

/ ] suddenly fo"rd -'ysslf standing in tho
tire OF very large room. The apartment was
entirely naked. | stood alone. | seemed 10
have swaked from dream-or, more properly,
from a long sound asleep in which dreams had
no part. How came there | could not tell.
had distinct recollection Of my mother and
the old nurse that attended upon my infancy.
] looked around me 10 see if neither of them
were al hand. But nothing excepting the
newly painted walls, and high windows, was to
be seen. | was certain that had been, mo-
ment before, reading aloud 10 my mother, and
that she sat in an old fashioned mahogany
chair, smiling graoiously at my side. But
soon perceived that the floor was at a greater
distance from my eyes than il used TO be. |
looked at my feet. They were much larger
than had expected to find them. My dress,
too, was altogether changed. The clothes
were good and new; but how different from
those which il appeared 10 me / had worn
but a few moments before Happening
accidentally to put my hand TO my face, felt
hsir-stiti, curling hair on the side of my cheek
i-whiskers What could il mean! NV
limbs did not move as formerly. My steps
were longer began TO fear was not myself.
but some other person! What could have
made this strange alteration, and how came
in that strange room--so solitary-so comfort
less The smell of the fresh paint-the cold
ness Of the air-the utter loneliness Of my coIi-
dition--for even my former self was not there,
and had TUNED into stranger--all affected
me very disagrresbly. Then the anxiety, the
doubt, the nameIess foreboding, drove me
nearly 10 madness. ] had grown up to man
hood without knowing it, aud there stood a
very child in understanding. and yet possessed
of the feelings Of man. ] was confident that
but a moment before was playing with toys. was
driving my hoop, and exploring my mothers
pantry for sweetness. Nov was | transformed
into man nearly six feet high, with whiskers !;
dressed in boots. fashionable coat, and such
other apparel as belongs to gallant OF twenty.
/ Then my hands, looked at them. So large .
The nails affected me strangely. was almost
afraid they would scratch me. | was filled
with horror at my own person. / walked a
round the room in order TO divert the sense OF
] personal identity, The door was strongly
fastened the windows were so high that
could not reach them. ] longed to know in
what part Of the world ] w3s-why | came
there, e,-and what would be the end OF the bus
mess. But could learn nothing, for | was a.
/ lone. silence SO dread that | could hear my
/ heart beat, rsgned around me. Could | but
have seen any living thIng-so much as a fly
! ] should have been transported with Joy. But
there was no motion, no life, within the range
Of my vision. closed my eyes, and tried to
forget that existed. 1t was III vain. opened
! them again, with scream of horror, rushed 10
daylight as TO my only companion. j ran a
round the room and listened TO the echoes OF
my own footsteps. There was some consola-
| ton in the noise. ] hunted up and down the
room for some token that Others had been then
recently. saw the mark OF hammer where
the workman in driving in nail had narred
. Il, .,,I al L,l nod
up from beneath the paint. The spot was not
larger than pea-but the bright wood was in
sight. 1t showed the marks OF exertion, Of life
aud activity, and that spot was company for me
| put my finger upon il. huddled close 10 it,
| gazed mady on it. Sonsbody had been
there. My spirits became little composed
and tried, theo. to recollect something OF what
had passed, and how ] came 10 that irghtfu
situation. Memory refused her Office. could
trace my history no farther than to my eleventh
year. All after that period seemed TO be a
blank. Hour after hour, racked my brain ia
order TO remember some circumstance connect
ed with my present condition. IL was ia vain
The chain Of events which had taken place
since my early boyhood seemed to be locked
up in an iron chest, against winch ] beat my
head until 1t sched, IN a vain attempt 10 force
an entrance.-At length, something family
yellow seemed TO present itself, at vast dis
lance, to my minds eye. With ieyerIsh aud
desperate anxiety, tired TO bold fast to the
chain of sensations which had carried me in
this direction. ! succeeded. The yellow OBJ
ject seemed 10 assume form. At first, q
number Of cells, like those in honey comb
fitted across my brain. They became closer
together. These formed 10 a compact and .
regular circle, and above them rose the sldei
of huge brass kettle. held on to the idea
although it seemed every moment as II m,
brain would crack with its terrible eScrtiOn
The object contracted. The cavities becam'
smaller, and now ] could perceive that the,
were little hoIlows which had been scollopeC
out OF the bottom Of the ke;lle. But q no Ion
ger appeared to be a kettle. Ii had assumed
different form, and the moment that ] decided
its real shape it became firmly fixed to my yleS
as common brass thimble. Here ] rested
for ! could pursue my investigation no farther
Ny faculties seemed benUmbed and my
strength was gone. | slid gradually down upor
the floor, where lay for some time, ia partIa
insenslbility. How long lay in this situation
am unable TO say but 1t could not have beef
more than an hour. before was aroused b,
, the unbsrring &C IN. door started up, bu
: was not 10 time to catch sight Of any thing bu
an arm which was drawn quickly away, and th
door closed. But there was basket and
, pitcher left behind. ] screamed aloud to III,
, individual who bad left them, but he va. gone
!, IL wa, however. source Of extreme grzIiGcs
ton TO me. that had seen human limb.
, hastily explored the basket II contained
viands Of the choicest description. together
. with flask Of Madeira vine. the pitcher va
Of choice workmanship. and flied With pur
: cold water. ate and drank, and was .atish,r
easily satisfied; for thousand oppr-,.i'
, Thoughts rushed turnultuously across my brain
{ was among friendly people-else Why this at
: teution 10 my wants! This was indeed u,
principal consolaiion. Az else was mystery
blsckness, and terror The remembrance o
. tn. thimbe again engaged my attention
Without much difficulty, again called il ui