Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1839-04-25
yoa I'M EIFeHprRzD xsoUrRER.
THE LOVERR GRAYEs.

THE LOVERS GRAVES.
IL was late in the afternoon that arrived ia die
village Of B, and being soon fatiRued with the
noise and hustle Of the Inn, stroe out tn view some
parts ct the little town. Passing throuChthe principal
streets, came to q small stream which ran By the
west end Of the town. and following ito course iSoon
found myselfin beautiful grove. The sun was Just
sinking to his Tepose behind the western horizon but
the thick foliage Of the leaves hid his departing rays
and threw adaVkened shade around me. This gloomy
appearance, together with the light summer breeze
signing mournfny through the oaks Of the forest-the
ripping Of the little stream Of water it windedgen
ly aIong-and the sad-like murmur that came on the
departing twight-all tended to render my musings
ofa melancholy cast. Passing along came to spot
where my attention was arrested by two monuments
covered with plain white marble slab. All around
was calm and still and seemed almost sin to break
in upon the solitude Of such place. I sat down,
near this monument, on the trunk Of feled treer in
order to view the beauty of sacred place. Atmy
feet ran the stream whose course had followed and
on each side was the tall oak waving its lofty head
above the surrounding trees-mingled with this was
the fresh looking evergreen whose leaves were rust
led by the passing breeze. Atmy right hand was the
monument / have spoken Of, The long green grass
| waved with graceful motion over these mounds, and
the wild flowers grew in beautiful luxuriance around
| them Over it hung the branches Of willow whose
light green leaves were scattered over the stone As
I sat surmisng what could have been the fate of
I those for whom the monument had been erected, Il
heard rusting Of leaves behind me, and looking be-
held an aged female approaching. Startled at finding
in this lonely sequestered spot she turned leave,
when arose and inquired if she knew the history of
those two graves. She replied in the affirmative, and
taking my hand led me to the seat from which had
risen, then wipnsa tear from her eye thus began:
1t was in the spring of 1914, that Franklin Lowell,
with few others, emgrated from Connecticut to this
part Of Ohio. Mr. Lowell erected small log house,
but it was sufficiently large for his family, which con-
sisted only Of his wife and one lovely daughter Helen.
His home soon began to assume the aspect of beauty
as well as comfort and convenience, for Helen had
brought the lily Of the valley form her borders and
had taken the violet from its lowy bed, and taught
that too to grow IN plentiful luxurance around the
door. The ivy she taught to Irvine gracefully aboug
the atticed window, while under the wild rose bud
ded and blossomed in all its rustic beauty.
This village, though surrounded by hostile tribes,
had never yet been alarmed by the midnight attack
Of the Indian Their houses had never been destroy
ed by the red man Of the forest-as the Inhabitants
especially mr. Lowell, had been friendly the neigh
boring tribes. But the villagers were not long to re-
main thus secure. Soon their peaceful sumbers were
disturbed by the hdeous yell Of the Indian their song
of triumph and of death, and the people were often
called upon to defend their neghbors from the toma-
hawk. 1t was one of these occasions that Mr..
Lowell killed Of their chiefs, and this brought upon
him the deadly vengeance Of the whole tribe. The
red men, forgetful Of the favors they had received,
thought only Of revenge. They sought not to kilE
him, to burn his House, but to do something which
would embter his days forever; and this was to take
the life Of his only child, bic beloved Helen. She
at this time lovely gisl Of IS years. cheerful and gay,
and the light, pride and joy Of the village. She had
strong mind, and what is very uncommon, united
mental beauty with the greatest personal attractions,
She had but little knowledge Of what the world calf
pleasures, had she been called taste the cup
Of sorrow. She was happy. Her heart was buoyant
with youthful hopes-she thought not Of danger-she
dreamed not of the cruel fate which awaited her.
The enemy at length became 50 hostile that small
body Of troops were called out for their projection
commanded by Col. Nelson. He was a brave and
gallant soIder-beoved by his fellow officers for his
goodness and humanity. His person was manly-his
air noble, and his manners easy. His company being
introduced to the lovely Helen. He saw. admired
and loved her. Her modest department. her unaf1ect.
ed wit and gaiety, her cultivated mind, with her ex-
traordinary personal beauty, won his heart. She, with
all the artless simplicity Of her youth, returned his af
fections. The modest blush that dflsed itself over
her counienance at the mention Of his name, and the
joy that beamed fror her eye while in conversation
with him, told tale not to be mistaken. They, Sc
cure in each others love, the happiest morals
living. They expected sunshine and day forever
But alas how soon were these fond prospects blight
ed.
Three short months had rolled away, when COL
Nelson's regiment ordered to another quarter
The evening before his departure he went to bid adieu
10 his Helen. Not knowing that he had been ordered
away, she came forth to meet him with light and
cheerful heart. They stroed on together until they
to this spot, which was their favonne retreat
For few moments a mute silence was observed be.
tween the lovers The youthful Nelson, while stand.
ing beside his Helen dreadng to inform her OF his de-
parture. heard ball whistle through the trees. Hell
en- saggered-he caught her in his arms, and before
he had time to observe whether it was fear injury
caused this an Indian sailed from the woods and
rushed directly towards him. He raised his sword,
and supporting his lovely burhen, fought with great
bravery and was not until three deep wounds were
inflicted in his side, that he fell Helen too, sank to
the ground for she had breathed her last the arm
Of her lover. The Indian was brother Of the chief
who had fallen by the hand Of Lowell. His revenge
was now satisfied, and he turned with triumph from
this scene of contest and death.
They were buried in the same place in which they
fell, and this simple monument erected to their
memory. They no longer shudder at the sound of
approaching footsteps and fancy they hear the bah
and arrow whistlng through the trees-for they are
m IL -. e