The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-02-09


retired within the hut Some trifling con-
versation ensucd during which his manner
made an impression on my mind which
small and lightly formed, and though now
feeble and emaciated, still betrayed the re-
mains Of elegance and activity: his large
blue eyes sunken and hlstreless, darted
from "gJect to object with resttessness
that denoted heart hnt i'll at ease as the
fierce energies of bis nature seemed strugg-
ling with the languor Of disease. IntereS-
ted by his appearance, | made some iLqui-
ries respecting his disorder.
a'The physicians" replied he, "think it
pulmonary affection, and for aught know il
may be SO, but the root ofthe matter is here"
laying his hard upon his hearty star be-
yond the reach If medicine )"
"Perhap' change of climate"
"No no" interrupted he; sscIimates and
countries are alike to me; my glass is near
| iy run, and it matters little how or when
desc hut die''
These words were spoken with certnin
pcevishness of manner which precluded
farther conversation, and took my leave,
resolved, however. 500 to repeat my visit,
Tor had become too leeplv interested in
his fate 10 rest satisfied without obtaining
farther knowledge ri his character. A-cor
DINGHY renewed my visits from day 10 ,lay
until they became frequent; ind bv many
little nameless attentions. ! al last won noon
his confidence and he appeared TO tahc pleas
ure IN my society, and ever expressed him
self uneasy at my absence. In the mean
while his health continued rapidlvto decline
and he was evidently j;,st on the verge "f
mortal existence. had often in the course
ofmy conversations with him endeav0red To
draw his attention to the conscientious of re-
/ lig,on but the most indirect allusion 10 re-
ligion or immortality, would cloud his brow
with frown which told me they could min
'ster no comfort, peace, or hope To him. A,
The close Of an afternoon which we had pas
sed together, as he lay gently swinging in
his hammock, he fixed his eyes on the sun,
Just then dipping beneath the western wave
and remarked:
''See what glorious sight is there! The
time has heen when could look Oh such q
scene with emotions of the most elevated
pleasure; now my heart sickens 1T The sch
1t reminds me of my fast approaching
dom. Yon sun has Tun lis course in brich
ness, and it sets in splendor-my caree
has been Que of darkness, and soon mus
set in gloom"
'sBnt the sun will rise again." observed
"Yes,'' he replied; ssand YOU mean to sa,
too shall e-ha ha! Arise 10 wha;i
n and he laughed, not lnd, but such laugh
: Oh, its internal gihber still rattles in m,
: ears! twas such laugh as the refinemen
e nf torture might extort from a wretch acc
!. nizing on the rack it was the wild express
e ION OF the horrors of hell already seizing o.
+ the soul.
;, ''Do you not believe it?" said l; "surel
a you are not an atheist
e ssNp no! no more an atheist than Won ora
d zing brute who believes or dishelieves ne
O Their creeds nor doctrines. Would wer
e an athest!''
Il ''Nay, say not so-sickness has disorder
# ed your mind Can you not pray? Hav
n you Lever prayed?"
]. ''pid never prayi Oh; yes! remen
. Der, hut Ills like dream, when kneelinp o
d my mothers lap she taught me to lift my il
e FAINT orsons to heaven; and she would pra
with me too, and for me; and in after years
3 when thrown adrift on the wide world, whe
,ft all who loved or were beloved by me, wer
s lslumbering in their graves, even then tn
y memory of those prayers would shed S.
,e cred influence over my soul and hoped b,
r ah! how vainIy hoped, that still mother
ii prayer would draw heven's bIessicg o
Is my head. Long years have fled sine
h aught like supplication tn God or man h.
passed these ps. Il is true | wor>hlppe
N but II was a most unholy shrine-the dei
, whom adored asked bloo', and blood
: gave him. Yes, whole hecatomb of HI
nj man lives this hand has inundated on Il
of altar Of revenge"
Sc ooh hnrribIe!' exclaimed; "surely "
h, rave-Nou mean not what YOU say''
is SHAY, nay tits sober truth. Bat listen
SIS | have not many hours toIive; will empl
rs them in ske,ching for you brief outline
ed a wicked, hap!ess, hopeless life For TIVE
,r- ty years you are the only human being vi
dis has crossed my path from whom have ]
ry ceived, without i bribe, one cheering wo
by or kindly look, save this poor girl, and she
Iy hut enough Of that-,vou will not betray M
ID Justice indeed claims much of this ensa
ir- guined head Of NINE, but death will help {
DC cheat her OF her due. was horn in Vale
ON at the age OF fifteen years lost parcn
id. friends and fortune Thrown on my o,
ow resources, came To the West Indies, Il
CHI succeeded af:era time in obtaining the
en- uation Of overseer To- Gonzales, the gov
n a nor Of S.. Ann. He was proud a
co naughty Spaniard, whom Idislikei for +