Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-12-17
THE ANACONDA.

had met TO listen to his story, tina, my for
tune was made in the island of Ceylon.-
1t was there that | was so lucky to find en-
ployment, in the house of man, whose
virtues rendered HIM as much the object of
universal esteem, as the favors which he
conferred upon me, entitled hun to my par
tcuIar gratitude. was engaged by him
as his secretary; but all other names were
soon forgotten by us both in that of friends.
He had consumed but few years in Cey-
lon and was already rich, and possessed of
distinguished situation. But Of all his
treasures, that which he counted most pre-
cious, was wife, who united all the beau
/ ty and grace of her sex with all the frmness
and Judgment Of ours
NV friend and patron (his name was Sea-
, feld) possessed villa at small distance
from Columbo. This was Seaields most
beloved, residence, and hither he fastened,
whenever the duties of his station permitted
his absenting himself for few days from
Columbo in particular, there was small
circular pavilion designed by his own hand
and raised under his own inspection, to
which he was particularly partial, and in
which he was accustomed to pass the grea-
test portion of his time. 1t stood some few
hundred yards from the dwelling house and
was situated on small eminence. Around
it lowered thick circle Of palm trees, re-
sembIng a calonnade; their leafy fans form
ed second cupalo above the roof
This delightful spot happened to be the
residence of Seafeld's whole family when,
accidentally business OF importance requir-
ed Louisa's presence at Columbo. Con-
scious that her husband considered every
day as lost, which he was compelled to pass
at ii distance from his beloved retreat, she
positively refused his attendance, but, ac-
cepting me as her escort, she departed from
the CITY, Her business was soon despatch
ed, and our journey homawards was per-
formed by night, for the double purpose of
reaching home the sooner and escaping
the ardor Of the noon day sun. We arriv-
ed an honr after daybreak yet Seafeld
was already abroad.
GAS usual, he assembled the hill to enjoy
the beauty of the rising SUM-" said Zadi
SeafieId's old and attached domestic.
owe shall find him in the pavilion, then"
said Louisa.
"Not an hour ogo, l left him there,
writing" was the answer.
eve will go thither and surprise him."
she said, addressing herself to me =: wait
here while change my dress few mo-
ments will suffice for my toilet
In the meanwhile, | remained leaning
against one Of the columns that supported
the small por,ico by which the door was
sheltered While my eye dwet with sails
r.. hsool 81, has a., of "a
palm trees, fancied that could discover
large excresence upon the stem of one of
them, extremely unusual in those trees,
which in general rear themselves perpen-
dicularly towards the sky, regular and
straight as the pillars of cooEnade. 1t
resembIed "A large branch extending from
one stem to its neig hbor, and what puzzled
me more in this appearance was, tina: 1t
seemed occasionally to be waved backward
and forward, though the breathing of the
sea gale was so gentle, that II scarcely
moved the leaves on any Of the neighborIng
branches.
was still puzzing myself with conjec-
lures when Zadi drew near me with some
slight refreshments. | pointed to the
branch whose apparent motion had excited
so much of my attention, and inquired
whether he could at all account for the
strong effect produced upon it by the sea.
breeze while the slighter boughs were so
gently agitated. He Immediately turned
himself towards the palm trees. but no soon
er did his eyes rest upon the spot in qnes-
ton than the silver basket with its contents
dropped from his hands the paleness OF
death spread itself over his swarlhy coun-
ienance and while his eyes expressed the
deepest horror and CONSERVATION, he pro-
nounced with difficulty, "Ihe anaconda
that is The anaconda We are undone !"
What could have produced an effect so
sudden and so violent upon man, whom !
well knew to inherit from nature the most
determined courage and most remarkable
sell-possession. was to me absolutely IN
comprehensive.
"Tell me-" exclaimed, "what terrifes
you thus What mean you by anaconda"
Zadi endeavoured to recover himself;
but before he had time for explanation,
Mrs. Sea6eld joined us. and putting her
arm in mine, advanced towards the paw
lion. Zadi's tongue was now loosened.
"Stay," said he, "proceed not step be-
yond these walls. Every door and window
must be shat and boted. All 5! Everard
that branch of the palm tree-is no branch
it is snake terrible snake We call
it an anaconda, and its kind is in size the