The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-09-30


forced to act the part of host whether he would or
not. The lawyer followed him, with shor. quick
step, casting n furve glance around on every
article in the apartment he was entering; actuatcd
by that intense and restless curiosity which was
one of his strongest characteristics.
"Snug cabin you have got here, MrWilson, very
snng cabin for squa,ter."
blush mounted to the forehead of William
Wilson at being thus uncourleously addressed
by the aPpellaion which he knew was generally
applied in the language Of The country, to persons
who like himself had settled OIL tho public lands
but he endeavered to suppress the emotion as he
answered
"fes, Mr. Facias, seven years of incessent toll
have collected some few comforts around me, and
enabled me to give some little appearance of snug
ness to the interior Of my hut. Sill, however,
am only squalter, without the means of render
ing any suitable accommodation to a person of
youl situation in life, and you will excuse me,
therefore, if do net press you to proong your
visit"
"Cerlainy, certainly" said the lawyer, who had
quietly seated himself in chair beside the open
ing that served for the purpose of u window. and
was already engaged in looking over bundle of
newspapers that he had drawn from his pocket
Let me see what news we have from the east
ward" continued he; and he KEEP, on hummins
over the contents of the papers, until his attention
became suddenly more deeply rveled by an ar,i-
Gle which seemed to possess particular interest,"
BLESS my eyes," exclaimed he, "wha, have we
here "A person taken up on suspicion of being
the murderer Of Thornton, about eight years ago
Aye, recollect the circumstances. ! passed
through the village few days after Woodvile
made his escape. 1t was the talk of the whole
country. lam glad they have got the villain. Bu,
lei me finish the paragraph" lilo then turned his
eyes again upon the passage and continued to read
along in humnng and half arliculang manner,
as follows: proved on examination not to be the
person. By certain circumstances which have re-
Gently trauspired, it Is believed tina, the real mur-
derer Is now living ir one Of the Western States,
under an assumed name. Measures have been
taken TO ascertain the truth of this superstition aud
the Governor has issued proclamation, doubling
the reward formerly offered for his apprehension
1t is thought lha, h, cannot much longer elude the
visence Of the defeated law"
The lawyer was here interrupted by shrek
from Eleanor, who trembling in every limb, and
pale as statue, had tainted in the urns Of the
Squat,er.
From the time that he CONNIE nced reading, her
attention had been fastened on him with lncreas-
ing agitation, until her overweight mind could no
longer endure the struggle Of her emotions, and
she had sunk insensble on the bosom of her hus.
band. From some cause or Other (prohaby anx-
e.y accustomed by the situation of his paltner.)
William seemed also laboring under deep emolon.
The blood had forsaken his lips, and drops of per-
spiratlon stood upon his forehead. His sister,
scarce less aslated, had rushed into the apartment,
when the faint scream of Eleanor reached her ear,
and as she cast rapid glance around on tho DIFF
eronl members of the group, m eye skilled in the
language Of the counlenancc might have detected
the struggle Of very complicated and contrary feel
mgs. The whole group presented scene Of con-
fusion and distress which words are not adequate
correctly To describe.
"Bless me' cried the as,onshed lawyer, bust
ling about and gathering up his papers, "lcss me!
wha, have donc'"
"No'hins!" siernly responded the quivcrns
voice Of the Squalcr 1t is a complain. to which
my wife is sometimes liable; she will shortly re.
cover"
Eleanor now opened her eyes, and casting them
wildly around, multered few incuherent words,
the purport of which the lawyers quick ears were
not able to CLEAN. Her senses, however, seemed
suddenly to return to her, ami rising from tho re-
cunIben, posture into which she had sunk, and vs.
Stunning lunsuld smile, she excused herself in
faint voice, to MIR facms, on the plea Of sudden
indisposi'ion, and retired from the apartment.
The lawyer now rose 70 depart. but not before he
had again unfoded the newspaper, aud cas-, anolh.
er glance over the passage which had created such
IL general sensation. His eyes wandered once OF
twice from the paper to the person Of the Squat
ter, and their lilIa blue and ever moyn. orbs
cleaned with something like sinister expression,
as il he were satisfied with the result Of his scru-
tiny.
"Mr Wilson," said he, rs the former followed
him 10 the door. "you have hcen in this country,
believe, about seven years"
Eyes, sir" responded the other, in tone Of
'oce meant to suppress further inquiry.
! "lon have negro man, named Mungo, who
came to This country Silh you -
"Nlr Facms," said the Squalier drawing up his
tall and handsome person TO it, full height, " do
no, choose to be Intercepted in relation to my pr.
waite circumstances From the sudden indispos.
ton of my wife. winch you have witnessed, you
must be aware that have no time 10 devote TO
the qualification Of idle curiosity; and If you have
any thing of Importance besides your inquiries, you
mnsi nnrsun ihnn inin a dilinrcnt cllnnel [ lid