Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-07-10
From the Clinton County Wing.
TIE STRANGERS GRAVE.
by MORTIMER GRAFTON, GENT.

Ing almost COItllludl CaSCauc--anu Tie
ovcr-hanging prccpiccs, which seem about
to fall and crush the bcholder as he passes
them. Here once was our country's last re-
treat for safety amid the thousand secret de-
files, known only TO the hardy ycomanry,
who guarded the passes when the Stake
was our Country, freedom and liberty, or
slavery and death.
Few visitors to the Highlands who have
become acquainted with the spot known as
the Strangers Grave, fail to visit it, and lis
ten attcntivcly to the old woman who lives
near by, while she relates the story the
thousanh time, and in which she boasts in
her younger days to have planted the briar
and rose, which bloom over his last resting
place. A short distance above Washngton's
Valley and near the Highland Face, may be
seen small cottage, which from its appear
ancc has for ages, witlistood the blasts of au-
tumn and the SHOWS of winter; built in the
ancient form, with high and pointed roof,
the caves reaching almost to the ground, the
main entrance at the end Of the building
No fence guards this dwelling, no fancy bow
crs of roses or myrtle decorate its grounds,
10 honcy-sucklc or morning-glory crceps
mp the windows, but it looks as though it was
deserted, and to stranger it presents more
the appearance of dwelling for owls than
human being; this was the dwelling place of
dame W.; and yet how long she had
resided there none can tell, but has been
known to the oldest inhabitants for many
years. This cottage stands in one of the
pleasant vallics of the Highlands, shaded BY
oak and chestnut, and from the sides of the
brook, which in its graceful meandcrngs
greatly beauties the valley, may be culled
many beautiful flowers, not such as grow UNI
der the hands of the florist, but the simple
flowers of nature. Near the centre of this
pleasant dell rises mound, over which, the
outsprcading branches of the oak form "A
covered pathway, and over which the rose
and violet bloom--known as the Strangers
Grave.
All that is known of the one who lies in
this beautiful cemctry of nature, land which
seems as if nature had formed it expressly
for the burial place for one of her favor
tics, who might rest from his labors while
studying natures scenery and beauty, or
one dropping under the influence of crushed
hopes and broken heart, which no balm
can heal,) is, according to tradition, as fol-
lows. In the summer of II, when nature
was dcched in all her beauty, when every
;wig was green, and flowers dcckod the earth
in robes Of colors, and when the setting sun
was most beautiful, sinking behind the hills,
leaves the golden west streakcd with blue
and red, and those soft lines which the rays
of the setting sun shoot upward; the whole
beauty of the scene can only be seen by fan
r,.'s inl,Cp ia tl,n I, IL,
set stranger, weary from travel, reached
this cottage and asked for food and lodging.
The fishing tackle and basket of specAed
trout, bespoke what had been his occupation
which caused fatigue.
The dawn ofan autumnal morning iIlumin-
ed the bed of the dying stranger, and the good
old dame, watchlul and ready to obey the
calls and wants of her charge. asked if he
would have any thing; he said-''No,linS,
only that may be bolstcred up to behold
the rising sun once more throw his rays upon
my favorite retreat" His wishes were
promptly complied with, and ere the sun had
reached the zenith, his soul had fled. AL
though as strange as his life and death had
been, and the painful situation of the good old
lady, harboring and nursing the stranger as
though he were her own, she had learned
from him most of his history. With the aid
Of some farmers, she complied with his last
request and buried him in the valley where
he chose to be laid, and took change of a
packet which was to be delivered to lady
some distance from his home.
He was the only son Of respectable parents
who resided in the State of v. Iii,
father died when he was Young, leaving him
heir to great estate, and in charge of a fond
and indulgcnt mother. lie cntcrcda college
in the Eastern States, (of which at that time
there were but few and was known as a
4 careless scholar, or one who cared more fol
his gun and fsh-lincs, and rambling in the
woods and by the brooks, than science and
philosophy, or studying the Greek Philo-
sorhers. The first in every pastime which
broke College laws, and the one who cared
least for rcprimands and faculty advice. A,
length, no longer regarding study or college
laws, he was expelled. At first the cxpul.
sion and disgrace humbled his naturally PROUD
spirit but that soon wearing of, he returned
to his mother. She received him with feel
lngs of regret, and rcproved him through he
tears as a fond and anxious mother would
and wcpt, since all her ondesthopes cherish
ed in her only son were now frustrated. HI
was panied when he saw his mother troubled
the anxious care and blightcd hopes, all eau
: scd by his waywardness and neglect. ii
!. was changed, and vowed to retrace his pas
o steps, and by his future conduct, cheer tn
" heart OLA widowed mohcr.-The determi
nation was no sooner conceived in his mind
T. than firmly resolved upon.
:, lie returned to College, and with man
promises and the solicitations of his friends
(. he was reinstatcd; from this time he was
Re altered man. No longer was he the gay vii
l. youth of former days, the careless and all
re sent scholar, but now, the example of h
"a class, the first student in standing, he wa
" likely to bear off the honors fthe institution
" lie had formed an attachment for youn
~ lady when first connected witll-Colleg,
id She was the daughter of a land-holder, an
IN to whom he carried letters of introductio
when he first became a student; she love
a. him with all the fervcncy of her YOUTH,
~ heart, as he was her first love. His will