Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-09-16
Original Gale.
A TALE OF THE OLD LEDGE.

Ledge Certainly, no one after hearing OF the
beauties Of the spot, could neglect to feast upon
scene so beautiful, so enchanting. You stand
upon rocky summit, covered with low shrub
berry, and with moss which seems to have grown
grey in honor of the spot, Directly before you
lie ricn fields of waving green, with here and
| there an humble cot, from whose chimney rises
the smoke in graceful wreaths, seemingly nd-
eating that peace and plenty bless the fortunes
of those who gather around the hearth below
little farther in yonr front, lie the tranquil wa
tiers of Casco Bay, interspersed with numerous
green islands, and bearing upon their bosom
tiny sail. boat from which you almost seem to
hear the Joyous voice of merry youth, ringing
forth with It's clear and melodious cadence. In
the far distance, like dim cloud, appears the
sail of some g Coaster" making slow progress
towards our great New England metropolis. The
opposite view IS not, perhaps, less pleasing or
grateful to the Imagination. Behind majes-
tic trees of rich green, you behold the quiet vii
lage, with its neatly painted houses, and its two
spires, pointing upward to the pure heaven
brought to view by the Christian religion, which
is weekly taught from their pulpts below. The
soft music of distant waterfall, hidden from
your sight by rising bank, mngles sweetly
with the merry hum of the village, which, unlike
the hustle and noise of the crowded city, falls
gratefully upon your ear. In the hum Of the CT
ty you seem TO recognize the cries Of the dis
tressed, the voice of strife and all those harsher
sounds which resound through its streets But
he Inn nj he ntrv Will
of the kind the song of the laborer, the lowing
of cattle, and the noise caused by the busy grist-
mill, all produce pleasant sensations in the mind,
sensations directly the reverse Of those produced
by the music of the city.
When first gazed upon this enchanting spot,
it Sabbath morn. The sun had half reach
ed his meridian height; not cloud intruded up
on the pure blue ofheaven, and not a sound dared
to break upon the holy stiffness. Did bird
wing ITS way from one resting place to
another, it was done in a reyerental man.
ner; even insect life seemed to have sus-
pended its usual operations in honor Of the day.
! gazed in silence enIaptured, in Imagination,
| almost fanced myselfn some brighter, purer
world. But nay revere was broken BY the mcr-
ry peal Of the church going bell calling from
their humble homes, the devout in heart. There
is tale connected with the spot, handed down
| by tradition and which was told me by one who
dwelt near. As it is entirely traditionary, can
not vouch for the truth of any part Of it, neither
can give the dates, which are so very impor-
tant in the stories of the present day therefore,
hoping the reader will excuse all discrepancies
that may appear, viii proceed with the story.
CHATTER !.
"'rwas night and on the mountains brown
The cold round moon shining down,
Blue lay the waters, blue the sky
Seem'd like an Ocean spread on high
Bespaneled with those isles oflght,
Seem'd almost spiritually bright.
Who ever gaz'd upon them shining,
And turn'd to earth without repining#'
"'Twas night, the moon had Just arisen, and
cast long golden vista of light upon the tran
quill waters of Casco Bay. Above, hung dark
lowering clouds, with here and there dim star
peepng through their interstices. Not a zephyr
gave music to the sensitive leaves not sound
intruded upon Nature 5 repose. She slept,-but
twas a sleep that BODIED fearful things. You
might read her purpose IN the deathiile stiffness,
in the dark clouds above you, in your own IN
stinctive feelings.
The moon had justlin her lower limb from its
wat'ry bed, when slight canoe, impelled by a
single indian, shot rapidly from behind head
land, and, swan-lke, cut its way to distant ISL
and, whose dark woodlands gave it an aspect Of
gloom and dreariness
The Indian, the sole occupant of this canoe,
was youth of slightest mould and farest form :
indeed, no one could have supposed that such a
being was formed to WELD the scalping-knfe, or
to delight in the blood and death groans of the
innocent and helpless. But his breast, unmanly
as it was, covered a lions heart Though but
eighteen summers had passed over his head, al
ready did his lodge show signs Of yaor. The
skins ofthe bear, the moose, and the wolf, were
lntermngled with those of the fox the otter, and
the deer: and in one corner, set aside as sacred
in the eyes ofthe youthful warrior, hung two
human scalps Upon these did his eyes turn and
glisten whenever he entered the hut, and upon
the deeds of daring whereby he won them, did
he often dwell, whilst conversing with his less
fortunate companions. An instructive hatred to
the pale faces held sway in his heart, and his on
ly imaginings, were the invention of means
whereby he might harass the common enemy.
Oflate, no opportunity had presented itself,
granting him license to revel in his native ele-
ment,--the white mans blood. 1t had been the
policy Of the few surrounding settlers to main