The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-09-23
SELECTED TALES.
THE HEIR OF LANSDOWN.


' the stars still lighted up clear blue sky. ant
scarce one yellow appeared in sll the forest
e the prssage OF approaching autumn. Th,
I waves lay calm and unrufled al the foot Of Lans
, down Hill; but the musie Of the mellow flute
and the shrl elarionet, were listened for in yair
that night. The noble castle on the summit
was llt up splsndidly, aud guests were gathered
there Ia banquet, and the sound of voices ~as
heard but II was not feast Of badness. Ssme
pale faces were at the festive board-the song
that swellsd, was Of parting of the long, and
fond, and eloquent adies; Of remembrance,
stealing over the twilight of declining hopes
IT was full Of deep melancholy sadly
sweet. In a little cove, hid away from the star
light by cluster Of weeping willows, a light
skih was noored; and a sturdy boatmsn bent a
moment over the prov, and adjusted some ar.
tieles which reSembled the baggage of a far
bound traveller; then retiring amid lhe deepest
shade, he sat himself down on lhe fresh grass,
silently, and watchfuly. Another moment, and
two gentle forms gded from beneath the long
shadows OF the poItico, aud stood beside the al
ready uDmoorcd sktf. The boaimau was at his
osrs-a faint breeze gently curved the long tres
ses OF the "lllo"s-a quick and passionate en-
bracs-a long, deep sigh, that fell upon the ear
like the deathmo ol departing spirit-and
a half-whispered " God bless yoa- God he uith
you," WIS all that passed; the boat glidsd soft
ly away, over the bosom Of the sleeping waters,
and soon vanished in the shades OF night. That
I L n
the mansion Of his fathers, and from the girl OF
his heart; fugitive from the cruel jealousy OF
a brother The noble hall, the rich fields, and
the delightful hills aud vsllies, dear 10 his bos
ON as the scenes Of his lis,less childhood aud
Uayward youth, he left with scarcely regret.
! His heart was not set on riches and, sacred n.
was still the ancient heritage of his family, he
repiued not at the decree OF Kind father, who
had wilsd his whole estate to an elder son.
But his heart bled that nighi--he went away in
the dim mist, over the still waters, alone, and to
a world OF loneliness for Mary Irving was not
with him, and without her, the waste Of life was
all a cherries solitude.
! brief season only had elapsed since inelli-
genee from America announced TO The family
the death of Colonel Morton, the wealthy
proprietor Of Lsnsdown. lie had gone thither
! to settle some claims which accrued during his
mercantile career. His will was made before
he set out upon the voyage-and it had
been opened by il, all the family estate was
left to the eldest son, Gilbert A small farm,
for which Edward had received a title from his
/ 4, Fl, I, ka,, III, ia
er, now possessed, Until temptations come We
know not ourselves, much less do others know
US. In different circumstances we often become
changed men. The two brothers were most
unlike each other. Gilbert was reserved and
haug mild, allabe. aud aniabe.
These attractions won him the love Of Mary
Irving, and their parents often mutually said
that they seemed destined for each other. But
Gilbert had long enyied his brother the posses
sion of such treasure. lie. too, loved the
beautiful girl; and though in the lifetime Of
his father, aud while his more favored brother
had equal hopes OF fortune with himself he had
never dared to cherish hope Of winning her
noT, he resolved, even at The end Of three short
months from the receipt of the intelligence Of
his fathers deatb. 10 make bold and desperate
attempt at the Accomplishment, Of this object.
md once embarked ln the guilty plot, he pluug
ed into an extreme Of tresohery, al the thought
OF uhich, before, he might have shuJdrred.
lie anew the strength sf Msrys attachment
to his brother, and that Edwards utter ruin was
necessary 10 insure his own success. Ills plan
was formed. lie bribsd the witnesses 10 the
deed, by which Edward held the smsl! farm his
father had given him, TO promise they would
perjure themselves, when called on 10 prove
their ssnstnres--and secretly entered against
him the charge Of forgery. By substituting
this charge, he reasoned, that he should forev-
er separate Edward and Mary-beggar HIM IN
propery-ruin him 10 character-and even con
slgn him to prison. His plas was IN train Of
execution. aud he was now abroad directing It
to lis issues; and this very night he intended
to return with an officer, and deliver Edvsrd
into his custody.
But good Providence, which never entirely
forsske, the innocent, through the medium OF
one Uf Gilberts con6dants, revealed TO hloi MS
NdBrNfs ibN hh' AhaA ~ tNiiN NiN'N W
friends ., the hall. FOR It was his birth night
lie saw the daneer-tbe inrninent hazard Of an
hours delay. lie formed his resolution at 10.
instant. To cover his intentions from any Who
might be set ss spies upon him, he joined the
evenings entertainment and. soon as nigh, AZ
forded him covering. he fed from his friends
and hon. aud none bot Mary Irving knew ei-
ther the secret Of his departure, or tbs cause
which inpeIIed 81 for, in the sudden em.rgsn-
~ Of the case. ne knew not how to Distinguish
hs real friends from bis secret foes With sufh.
,i.ui certainty TO m-ke any disclosure' safe
-~L... d. ne r.lef1 80 e.,eoft,n 4oS I hsss