Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-04-14

- -..-...s staaossse.a9 WINS,
humiliation. Should die by own hand--no,
had an habitual and constitutional terror of
deash--I had seen the sceptre too fearfnlly.--
/ could easily silence the intoxicated wretches,
| had enough of that. There was, felt, an
Eye that witnessed, and Hand that turned
my hidden misdeeds against myself Suspic-
ion lay upon me, and all would be interpreted
into one fearful, tissue by the avengers OF my
uncles blood. Yet / would try to silence my
accusors--I could bride higher than justice
would pay, and should have strong interest.
would make over my property to Edward,
and begin life anew in the wilds ofthe western
world.
Il was a calmn night, the clouds were NOV
ing heavily above the waters, and darkness
gathered fast around my steps. The way
was familiar, and / moved unconsciously on,
until I found myself on a summit of lofty
cliff on which amoss temple had been built,
on account of the extensive prospect the spot
overlooked. l entered and sat down--the act
was habtual. Strange it was, the thought
that in a moment rushed up my heart. From
the vulgar and almost demonIac crew which
had Just left in the home Of my ancestors sche-
mino my destruction with drunken avldty; my
thoughts reverted through the gloom OF years,
to the forms that had sat round me IN my ear
lest youth; in this very seat; here was the
scene of many childish festival Edward,
aud Mary; and myself and many youthful
visitOr-lheir forms arose around me, drest IN
the heart-speaking smiles of youth and inno-
cence, There was sense OF protection in
the halowed images. wepi for the first time;
in all my agonies had she'd no tear. l now
wept ptofusely-a light came over my darken-
ed spirit, as If an angel spoke within me, felt
the impulse to throw myself on my snees amid
the darkness OF night, and call aloud for mercy
and forgiveness.
a sudden CLEAN oflight flashed far out up
on the dark surface Of the waters beneath
"Was it a sign from heaven" thought l.
Again, and again, and again 1t flashed out, and
fell tremously upon the lake. looked among
the cloads;--anothCr broader and brighter
pleam tinoed their dense and low masses with
broken streaks Of dank and shadowy light.
"What is it thought /, looking round, as the
blacklist midnight seemed rather to swallow
than to conceal the glimmering scene: it was
not many seconds before broader, brighter
and longer bleak Of the same quivering and
unduating light suddenly poured itself forth
upon the night. | could!see the low, dark lev
el Of the opposite shOre--a line of fire semed
20 Shoot out like waving tongue upon the
black waters--and the Abbey stood darb
against the luminous haze, on which 1t tower
ed outline was minutely visible. "The Abbey
is on fire" burst from my lips, as | stood gaz-
ing, TRANSPORTED with wonder, suspense, graft
itude, vindictive satisfaction, which chas I'd
each other stormily across my mind.
The blazing light momentary grew more
permanent and brighter, and clear and far
thes prospect of scenary become disclosed an
It's wavering and Pickering radiance. IL was
strange ard ghastly spectacle, the whole re-
gion around seemed to dance with frightful
movement, and the black specks of shadow
seemed TO people the scene with hendllke
forms as they danced TO and fro amid sireaks
ofilluminated cilf, or masses of more uncertain
light. Il was not hard for guilty conscience
20 realize the dreadful picture, which is so
vividly represented of those horror peopled
regions, where "hope can never comes" and
TO complete the dismal Illusion, wild and mel
choly wall of many voices now broke along
the doubtfuly illuminated shore, like the wall |
ing heard by tie brink OF that Internal rlv-
er
"Cocytus, named Differentiation loud,
Heard on the rueful stream"
The sea gulls had been reused from The
shore and island cliffs, and flashed like spirits |
across the gleam, as their screams awoke the |
wild echoes Of the mountain lake. My ears
tinred with horror when a louders cry, like /
the voice of human agony, mingled among
their clamering notes '.When shall | escape
from horror" thought l as a column of most
fearful spendor burst M, from the highest roof
Of the castle. A broad red canopy floated over
head like the broad banner of destructior.--
Around, the Clouds hung fer and lurid, like |
the ribbed vaults Of the Internal prison. A |
painter might have skotched the minutest !
tracery of tee bills, the spotted cliff, the rocki
islands, and the darkly visible moors beyond. |
1t was a superb yet horrible sight.
THE traces Of my guilt are eifaced."
thought I. Alas the home Of my childhood
sink IN your devouring element--the fireside
where my mother sat is ashes, the boards of
which / could read the mnutest stain, into
some old bovish deed,--pre at this moment be-
coming charred, and crumbled into ruin, the
towers which cheered the coming guest from
far, will, az morning, be missing from Their
place above the woods of Lock Abbey"
In the morning was FAR on my way TO
Dublin, you know the rest of my history.
Lock Abbey, in its dilapidated condition, |
transferred to your father and mother; while
the sale of large portion of The estates fur
nished me with the means Of settling in Lou
isiana; where yout steps have been, | trust,
providentially conducted; 10 lay me in the dust;
and to fill the place of an heir. | shall well
coma tba ,nnnnput Of nv rplpagp