Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-01-09

M Z 8 G L NJ x.
From the Boston Mercantile Journal.
A THANKSGIVING STORY.

1t was a bleak day, in the month ofNo.
vember. The north wind howled mourn
fully through the trees-the broken clouds
fitted rapidly across the face Of the Hea-
vens-and tho whole face Of nature assn.
med an aspect, cherries and uncomforta-
ble-well calculated to remind the NOR
alist ofthe closing cen in thegreat dra.
ma Of life-as a traveller, with weary
steps, wendell his solitary way through
one of those beautiful hamlets which a.
bound in New Ensland-and which ION.
stitute the noble ornaments, emblems of
! freedom, peace and happiness, Of which
he is Justly proud.
To Judge from his costume, this trav-
eller belonged to the humblest ranks of
life-or had been singled out as a victim
Of misfortune. His coarse straw hat, his
patched doublet, and his canvass trou.
sers, soiled by tar in many places-whIle
they proclaimed his occupation and his
poverty, seemed but poorly calculated to
protect him from the ~inclemency Of the
weather. His form was cast in u noble
mould denoting great activity and strength.
His manly features, bronZed by exposure
to the tropical sun, and partly concealed
from view by his luHuriant locks ofcoal
black hue, showed that he was in the
dawn OF manhood. And his eye seemed
lighted up with an intelligent spirit-by
n CLEAN Interpretation and hope which
/ showed that his humble fortunes did not
accord with his noble nature-and that,
however severely fate had dealt with him,
his energies were still unbroken-a and thai:
maugre the chill northern blast, and the
~fatigues which it was evident he had re-
Gently undergone, he was resolved to push
onward, until the object which he had in
view was accomplished.
at is now three years." said he TO him.
self, as he plodded along the road, "since
| very foolishly left my happy home, ur-
ged by a silly pique, and a love for a life
OF adventure, to brave the hardshlps and
perils of the ocean. Since then my life
has been a constant series OF mlsfortunes.
| have met with storms on every tack
But thank Providence, although my can
vass is sadly reduced and pretty well worn
out-and my pockets are destitute of bal
last-my hull is unimpaired and my spi-
rits are as unbroken and buoyant as ever.
hope my parents are still living, and
Irosperous, and huppy-I was a fool tc
cave them. And my brothers and sis
ters-how happy we were together-and
cousin Mary, that bright little fairy, whom
| loved with a love surprising that OF cou'
4 sins-and in whose company ! have pas
sed so many rapturous hours! Oh, was
a great fool to leave such blissiul scenes,
And | believe, after all, that the little fai
ry loved me! | know she did-sae al
but told me so. But it is too late now t
re!race my steps-l can only regret m.
folly. | dare say the bright and Joyous
young thing has forgotten Ned wins
and was married to some worshler ie'lo'
than / am, long since. For her ros,.
cheeks, and laughing eyes, and sweet os
position, to say nothing of the propert.
she was to inherit when she came oil age
attracted many admirers-and made sA
havoc among the hearts OF the youths
the village. Well, if she is married thei
is no more to be said have no right !
complain. But | hope she has chosen
good husband. | will see her once mo
wish her a long life and a happy one
and away to sea again. But u she is n
married." He did not finish the Sc
%tence, but a change came over the couI
tenance of the i'll clad and weather-bet
len mariner, as if he was INDUCING IN
Vlslon of rapture-and he involuntari
qulckened his pace.
N AS Edward Willis journeyed onwa
towards his home-antlcipating by tur'
happy and adverse fortune, he was su
prlsed to find that although 1t was IN :
middle of the week, there were no sig
OF labor among the inhabitants. All W
qulei-even the oxen were browsing co
N len'edly in the pastures-the hoe no