Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-10-16
TIE SUIPWCECk.

y "T ''N ""
There lay a broken hclm-a shattered mnst,-
But oh, the s,d,st relic of the Storm
Yon wave conveys a scaman's Iii, less form"
The day had closcd-ti,c last beam was
shining. Its declining rays yet fingered on
the mountain top, and threw back its fading
lustrc ON "A weeping willow, that spread its
bending branches over the dwelling of Luz
Crctia.
l had just retired from the worlds busy
scenes to enjoy a scqucstcrcd walk amid the
shades of evening, and was musing on the
mutations of fortune, when first the roman
tic little cottage met my view. 1t was beau
titully surrounded with ornamental plants and
flowers, which she had tastcfully arranged
and dressed with her own hands. The
twining ivy had crept over the walls, and
dcckcd with IA beautiful green the piazza, in
which the young and beautiful Nj. - was
seated, and with whom she was That night to
be united in marriage.
All was stiIl-savc the wood robins plain
tive notes which echoed from the forest
glade. Not a leaf was waved, not IA breeze
curled DER the stream. 1t was to me a most
enchanting hour. | pauscd-to listen and
adore. The pale moon now displayed her
silvcry rays, as M jcstically she rode amidst
III lamps ofhcavcn. lstood-spell-bound !
scarcely knowing
Which most 10 admire,
The suns parting rays,
Or the evening : attire.
The rumbling of approaching carriages.
suddenly broke my mcditations, and admOn-
isllcd me that | had fingered there quite too
long. They were the wedding guests conc
to share with Lucrctia tho f~clici,ics of the
evening.
The morrow dawncd-thc parting morn
ing; when the young bride was to receive IA
fathers blessing, and IA mothers last m
brace. They had iloatcd on fortunes unc-
ven tidc-lad tasted the bitter cup o cartl's
affection, and knew that they were now about
to commit their lovely and only daughter to
the same uncertain winds and tickle waves.
TO them it was a moment of intense inter-
est and anxious solicitudc. There was IA
kind of melancholy JOY in that hour. The
mother sighcd-palcncsS was on her cheek.
The father smiled, though "A tear bcdimmcd
his eye. Sadness was on his brow for he
had known the danger of tho seas.
Lucrctia was not so-hcr heart was jov,
and her step was light. Life and activity
was in all her movements. Like the NOR.
ming rose that watts its fragrance on the
early breeze, her far forehead kissed the
first beams Of the morning sun, and reflected
its bcauteons rays which gently played upon
her damask cheeks. Hope, sweet hone,
painted to her sunny days of future low
Alas! how sudden and great the changes of
fortune! The bright glory of the present
morning only seems to deepen the gloom of
the succeeding night. Full of expectation,
and confidence in the future, she fondly
doatcd upon long years Of pleasure here,
WIN such hopes she left the p%atcrnal roof
and settled in the beautiful village of o
on ono OF the great western lakes.
1t was the eve Of Autumn-thc shades Of
night had curtained, the earth, the chilly wind,
Of cold November were wildly bowling.
had Just seated mysely in the parlor. and wa,
%pcnning a few thoughts to an absent friend
when a female stranger entered the room
and seated herself in an opposite direction
She sat in pcnsivc silence, which was on!,
now and then interrupted by a deep draw
sigh such as bereaved and broken hoart
utter, when sorrow is too deop to BIO other
wise expressed. A thousand conjecture
we're awakened In my mind as to cause O
her griof. 1t is possible, thought I, sho /
going to visit some sick and dying friend
or, she had boon driven by poverty and mis-
; fortune to seek a resting place and a quie
home IN a land of strangers. and i, xipi,;n