The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-11-27

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missed their way, and reluctantly accept
cd sullen commission of the emigrant
to share their coarse fare, rather thar
wander in the dark through unknown 70
rests. Hamilton, the younger of the two
was, perhaps, twenty-seven years of ag'
and was young gentleman of prepos
scssing appearance, of cultivated mind
and of chivalrous and sensitive DISPOSE
ton. His parents were INDECENT, and hi
had, by the energy of his own talents ant
industry, redeemed them from poverty
and placed them in easy circumstances
In one of his commercial expedition:
down the Mississippi, he had met will
Saunders the physician. An intimacy
ensued, which, though brief, had already
ripened into mature friendship.
affection knoweth nought of time,
1t riscth like the vernal flowers;
The heart pulse is its only chime,
And feelings are its hours"
Together they had hunted over the flow
cry barrens, and through the majestic TO-
rests of their native state--had scaled the
precipice and swan the torrent-had ex-
plored the cavern, and visited whatever
was wonderful or curious in their region
around them and both looked forward
with painful feelings to the termination OF
an intercourse which had been pleasing
and instructive. As they ware to sepa-
! rate in the morning, the evening was spent
in conversational that copious and in
voluntary flow Of kindness and confidence
which the heart pours out at the moment
when friends are about to sever, when the
past is recalled and the future anticipated,
and friendship, no longer silent nor mo-
tionless, displays itself like the beauty of
the ocean wave, which is most obvious at
the moment of its dissolution.
Early in the morning the two friends
prepared to pursue their journey. As
they were about to depart, one of the emf
grants advanced towards them, and re-
marked -
81 reckon, strangers, you allow to en-
camp at Scottville tonight"
Yes said Saunders, 81 do"
"Well, then, | can tell you shute
that's heap shorter than the road you
talk of taking-and at the forks of Rush
ing River, there's smart chance Of blue
clay that's mirey like and it's right scary
crossing at tines
Suppo.:ihg they had found nearer and
better road, ant, enc by which dagger
Gus ford had been avoided, they thanked
their informant, and proceeded on their
journey. ..........
In some previous conversations, Salln-
ders had learned that his friend had recent
iy experienced some heavy losses, and
was at this rime much pressed for money,
and, wishing to offer him assistance, had,
from time to time, deferred it, from the
difficulty Of approaching SO delicate a sub
jecl. As the time Of parting approached,
however, he drew the conversation to that
point, and was informed that the sum of
five hundred dollars would relieve his
friend from embarrassment. Having Il
large sum in his possession, he generous
ly rendered him the amount required, and
Hamilton, after some hesitation, accepted
the loan, and proposed TO give his note for
its repayment, which Saunders declined,
under the plea that the whole transaction
was matter of friendship, and that no
such Formally was requisite. When they
were about 10 part, Hamilton unclasped
his breast-pin, and presented il to his
friend. "Let this" said he, "remind you
sometimes of Kentucky. trust that
when visit you next year, shall not
see it adorning the person of some favor
ed fair one" 81 have not SO much con-
lidence in you," laughingly returned the
other; and, handing him silvcr-hafled
pen-knife, curiously embossed, 81 am told
that knives and scissors are not accepta.
BILE presents to the fair, as they are sup
posed to cut love, so have no fear that
Almira will get ,his--and | know that
no other human being would cause yon to
forget your friend" They then parted.
As Hamilton was riding slowly home.
ward, engaged in thought, and holding his
bride loosely, a dcet sprang suddenly
from a ,hickct, and fell in the road before
his horse, who started and threw him to the
ground, in examining the deer, which hat
been MORALLY wounded, and was still
struggling, some Of the blood was sprin
sled on his dress, which had been other
wise soled by his fall. Paying little at
tention to those circumstances, he return