The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-09-17
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Louisville Literary Messenger.
THE FOREST MURDER.
A TALE OF INDIANA

1HE fORESI MURDER.
TALE OF INDIANA.
The incidents which am about to relate, ar,
not drawn from Imagination, but fact. They
form an act of the never ending drama of hu
man viainy.
This is indeed wild night said Chas. GRAY
to his wife, as they sat before the blazing hearth
of an Indian log cabin, whilst the winds walled
around the root and went sounding through the
! forest.
'Wider than ever knew, observed the wife
and Charles, how thankful we should be to our
Maker that he has given us this warm fire and
close cabin to protect us from the rude ele-
ments.'
Thankful and Charles Gray's brow assum-
ed scowl, which Of itself spoke the demon in
his heart. Thankful, wife you mock me =
What is this cabin to the luxurious comfors of
the town folks whom we used to see i'm New
ork, rolling thro the streets in their cushioned
carriages, or reclining silk sofas, and laughing
at the ragged beggars that claimed ,her charity?
| Thankful
Mary did not reply She feared him .when
ia these moods, and was TOO Judicious to irritate
him even by words which she intended to he
soothing. For what are words though breath
ed from seraphs Lutte, or sylIabled by angels
lips, to one whose soul has become absorbed in
the unrequited love Of wealth.
Charles Gray was native of New York and
had been left handsome fortune but prompt
81 e h safe ayRBt GSs agd tQ nj cRAGpe p
ers of an equally rapacious disposition in spec
uaton,-which at first proved promising but
entirely failed and left many an ardent dreamer
ruined man. Charles in this mad affair bad
embarked his all. He was left without house
or frieuds, for friends are often bound by golden
chains alone. He determined, with his wife, TO
emgrate to Indiana, for whose fertile soil, broad
streams, genial climate, and noble forests so
much was said.
With a bitter spirit he babe farewell to bis
home and with a small amount of money, rails
ed Inv the sale of his wifc's Jewels sought the
small amount of cash he purchased a few acres
of ground, a few miles from the spot on the
Ohio River, where the splendid and beautiful
town of - is now standing. For a short
period he Iabored assiduo,lsIy at his small farm,
and cheered by the smiles of n lovely and de-
voted wife, seemed to forget his msforunes.-
A short time before our narrative opened Charles
had visited i, shand on flat boat,
the only species OF water craft then used to con-
yey goods and produce down the river. Whilst
he was there he met several of those who had
failed in the same speculation which ruined him
SELF But whilst he had remained poor they by
some means, had revived their fortunes and set
tied ON the Ohio, where they were carrying on
q brisk business. Charles returned home an
altered man. For whole days he would sit idle
and discontinued. His sleep was disturbed by
dreams of gold in vain did that beautf ul I'M
complaining wife endeavor to frighten the fiend
| from his bosom. 1t was Ike one solitary star
trying TO diSsipate the darkness OF storm tos-
sed ocean.
| Wilder yet roared the storm through the
crashing woods, and Charles still brooding
over his imaginary wrongs, whena 'hollo' was
heard outside of the little enclosure which SUR
rounded the cabin.
Mary sprang to the door and after scrutinizing
the traveller for such the intruder was, by the
light Of q bark torch which she had held over
| her head, invited him into her rustic home.
Tn a moment gentleman of rather a slight
stature, bearing portmanteau in his hand, en-
tered and gave the usual salutation. Mary call
| ed her husband to attend to the traveller, but
neither by wordpo gesture did he exhibit signs
of having heard her until the strangers portman
teau on touching the floor, spoke to his sortlid
soul of gold. The demon was aroused, but he
wore smiling face.s-
Welcome, stranger, welcome exclaimed
Gray in so hurried and strange manner, that
the traveller Started back few PAGES in surprise
but quickly recovering himself, exchanged salu-
tations, and seatsashinIself on rude chair al
ready :placed- tpnfhiss convenience before the
fire. "a ..
Conversation soon commenced, nor was II
interrupted ninth the night had far advanced
towards the. dawn--George Somers was also, as
he said, native ofyNew York, and from the
ueghborhood in which Charles Gray had lived
He informed Gray that he had sold his property
at the east, and emigrated to Gel Dorado to
speculate in lands, having with him 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. w hat fearful thoughts passed through the