Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-11-30
sleepers. Did the evil spirit sumber in Grays bo-

sleepers. Did the evil spirit snmber IN Grays DO
sOm2
The simple breakfast was soon over, and Som
asked Gray to set out with him on the nearest
road to NJ. With blanliess worthy of the
days when he stood respectable merchant be-
hind city desk he informed Summers he would
accompany him part Of his journey, and under
pretence ofkiling some game, sloudered his RTE
and led the way. For some time they walked to-
gether, whilst renewing boyhood remembrances
--remembrances which called to mind many a
spot hailowed 10y childhoods sports and parental
affection.
They had proceeded about three miles, and ar
rived among those beautiful bluffs on the Ohio,
since rendered celebrated by deed which has
given name to small strenm which dnshes
over precipice some hundred feet deep. bird
swept over their heads and wheeling upon IFS
light wings, lit on the bough Of majestic OAK,
which bears the name OF many an ardent lover rl
nature. Gray asked the traveller to move onward
while he attempted TO bring down the game. Som
ers complied, and lei Grey behind.
A sharp rifle crack rang through The woods, and
shrek mingled in its echoes. The host was
murderer "A murderer for money. Blood may
he shed for revenge, and Our sympaliies excited
for the assassin, but who can find chord in his
heart from which pity can draw n note of feeling
for him, who with blood-s'ained fingers, holds the
glitterng coin before his eager cyes
Gray soon disposed of the body by hurting it
over the precipice. As it went numbering through
the scrubs aud Jagged rocks which lined the chasm,
he perhaps felt remOrse, it was but Tor moment.
With eager hands lac opened the portmanteau and
olling out the shining com upon the leaves, for
some minute gloaed over his wealth, for the
country was almost unibhabited, and his demon
spirit could rejoice in its riches undislurbed.
On returning home he deposited his l-gotten
gold in the chest, Ills wife heard the ringing Of
the coin, aud her quick aiind told her that Charles
Gray her hllsband--he TO whom her whole
heart had confded, was murderer. She fainied,
The wretch needed her not, but gloomily seated
himself u, the fire. From The floor which she
had fallen Mary arose an altered woman. The
rose fed from her check, and grave in the for
est marked by q simple stone. tells you where lies
the broken hearted wife. Peace to her memory.
She has gone where the pure streams were never
| crimsoned with blood where the dagger never
flashes over the devoted way -farer.
Charles Gray became rich man. His lands,
broad and fertile bore uxurlant harvess. tall
mansion arose among those old woods to shelter
| The murderers head. Strange TO tell he lived un.
suspected. No one cared for the emigrunt in the
country from which he came.
Years rolled away. Villages on the rli-
ms of that mighty forest the steamer was heard
with its perpetual thunder and lighting, ascending
and descending the beautiful Ohio, and lovely
residences like gems summoned up by the ell
/ chaner's wand from earth's BOSOM studded the
banks OF the silvery river. The suspicious mind
of Gray, (for the wicked are always suspcious)
rendered him fearful of discovery, as emgrants
were crowdiug into the State, and entering the
land at the most unfrequented spots. The bones
of Somers were still exposed ii they were found
by any one rambling through the bluffs, the dar-
ing affair might be investigated and he meet with
his Just deserts. Sal yiDg forth one evening, he
sought the wild precipice, and descended by the
aud Of ropes to the spot where lay his victim. The
| . Il. A
she only wears on wintry night when the snow
reflects her brightness, and the earth seened TO
wear the peary robes of angels. One by the
stars had appeared through the arch above, and
around the hills swept the glorious river for ma
ture is still lovely, though for few moments she
bear the record Of crime there placed 10y man. \
| Young gentleman named W ilson, who was ic r.I-
ing from "A visit to his 'lady-love' passed l., he
precipice, and observing the ropes attache'' % Il
tree which stood 10y his path, endeavored 10 race
the spot where they ended. After a narrow
search he saw them hanging against the rock that
formed the base Of the chasm, around which the
waters swept their crystal current.
In few moments the young man perceived the
| form OF one whom he Immediately recognized as
| Gray by his tall and muscular figure. He was
gathering up some white substance in bag. AT
last he seemed TO have concluded his task, and
/ throwing the bag over his shoulders, attached the
strings to his neck and body, he commenced his
ascent. BY grasping the rocks with his hands
wherever they afforded a sufficient protruding
surface, aud planting his foot firmly in the assures,
Gray had succeeded in climbing half way up the
chasm; when stopping to rest the sla,y rock
crumbed under his feet. The murderer made
violent struggles to sustain his position, but loos
ing his balance he plunged headlong into the gulf
One wild shek told that the soul Of the wretch
had gone to its Judgment. And there lay the
bleaching skeleton of his victim. I" Retribulion"
had peaed forth from the throne Of the avenging
God, and the spirit of Gray stood before its Ma
| ker.