Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1839-05-18
N1tSrRllHotw.
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE,
A TALE FOUNDED ON FACT.

n AALE rOUNDEU ON rACIs
The circumstances which lam about TO
relate are familiar to many now living.
Ia some particulars have varied from the
truth; but ii in relation to an event which
excited intense interest at the time of &C.
currence, | shall succeed in impressing
upon any one, the delusive character Of
circnmslantial evidence, my object will be
attained.
Beneath the magnificent sycamores which
bordered lovely stream in the southwest
part Of Kentucky, company Of emigrants
had pitched their encampment for the
night. The tents were set up, the night
fire threw its CLEAN upon the water, the
weary horses were feeding, the evening
repast was over, and preparations were
made for repose. The party consisted Of
three brothers with their families,w ho were
vending their way TO the new lands of the
distant Missouri. On their visages, where
the ague had left the sallow traces Of its
touch, few Of the noble traits of humane
character were visible. Accustomed to
reside upon the outskirts of society, little
versed in its forms, and as little accustom-
ed TO the restraints of law or the duties Of
morality, they were the fit pioneers Of
civilization, because their frames were
prepared for the utmost endurance of ia
tigue, and society was purified BY their
removal. Theirs was not the fearless in.
dependence, and frank demeanor which
backs the honest backwoodsman OF our
country; but the unlamed license. and
willy department of violent men, who loved
not the saIutary influence Of the law, nor
mingled of choice with the virtuous oil their
own species.
As they stirred the expiring fires, the
column of light, mingled with the smoke
and cinders that rose towards the clear
sky of the mild May. revealed travellers
Of different appearance, who had en-.
camped on the margin Of the same stream.
One was man Of thirty; several years
passed in the laborious practice Of medi-
cine, in southern climate, had destroyed
bis constitution, and he had come to breathe
the bracing air Of a higher latitude. The
wing Of health had famed into vigor the
waning fires Of life, and he was now re-
turning to the home ofhis adoption with a
renovated frame. The young man who
sat by him, was friend, to whom he paid
visit, and who was now attending him a
short distance on his journey. They had
missed their way, and reluctantly asked a
sullen permission Of the emigranis to share
in their coarse fare, rather than wander 10
the dark, through unknown forests. Ham.
ilton, the younger Of the two, was perhaps,
twenty seven years ofage-and was geo.
tleman of prepossessing appearance, OF
cultivated mind, and Of chivarous AID
sensitive disposition. His parents were
INDECENT, and he had by the energy of his
own talents and industry, redeemed them
from poverty, and placed them in easy cir
cumstances. In one of his commercial
expeditions down the Mississippi, he had
met with Saunders, the physician. An
intimacy ensued, which though brief, had
already ripened into friendship.
" Affection knoweth not Of time,
Ii riseth like The yernal flowers;
TIE heart pulse is its only cline,
And feelings are its hours"
Together they had hunted over the
| flow cry barrens, and through the.majesiic
forest Of their native State; had scaled the
precipice, and swan the torrent; had ex.
pIored the cavern, and visited whatever
was wonderful or curious around them
and both looked forward with painfulfeel
ings to the termination of an intercourse
which had been pleasing and instructive
As they were to separate in the morning
the evening was spent 10 conversation; II
The copious and involuntary flow Of kind
ness and confidence which the heart pours
out at the moment when friends are abou
to sever, when the past is recalled ant
future anticipated, and friendship no long
er silent, nor mot;onlcss, displayed iisel
like the beauty Of the ocean wave, which
| is the most obvious at the moment OF dis
solution.
Early in the morning the two friends
prepared to pursue their journey. Ashley
we're about to depart, one Of the emisrant
advanced towards them, and remarked:
I" reckon strangers, you allow to CAM
at Scottsv,lIe to-night?'
| EYES," said Saunders, :" do"
swell, then, l can tell you cut that
heap shorter than the road you talk 0
taking--and at the forks Of Rushing river
there's smart chance Of blue clay, that
miry like, and it's right scary crossing a
times"
Supporting they had found nearer ant
better road, and one by which dangerou
ford would be avoided, they thanked thei
informant, and proceeded on their journey
Ia some previous conversation, Sauu
1 L. L. 1~--.~I sbok his frsouh had rn