The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-02-08

held over head, invited him into her rustic
home.
In a moment a gentleman of rather slight
stature, bearing a ~portmanteau in his hand
entered and gave the usual salutation. Mary
called her husband to attend the traveller, but
neither by word nor gesture did he exhibit
signs of having heard her, until the strangers
portmanteau on touching the floor, spoke to
his sordid soul of gold. The demon was, a.
reused, but he wore a smiling face.
"Welcome, stranger, welcomed" exclaimed
Gray, III SO hurried and strange a manner, that
the traveller started back a few PAGES in sur
prise, but quickly recovering himself, cXchan-
ged salutations, and seated himself on a rude
chair already placed for his convenience be-
fore the fire.
Conversation soon commenced, nor was it
interrupted until the night had far advanced
towards the dawn. George Somers was also,
rs he said a native of New York, and from
the neighborhood in which Gray had lived
He Informed Gray that he had seld his proper
ty at the east, and emigrated to the Ell Dora.
do TO speculate in lands, having with him a
large sum of money for that purpose.
AT last they all retired to rest. The trav-
eller to sleep Gray to brood over the wealth
VI Ao SuSSt. mat u tuOu2nlS pdSSCQ
through the brain of the wretch that night
How often did his eyes wander TO his hunting
knife. Once he was about leaving the bed,
when a slight motion of his wife in her sum-
bers deferred him from his murderous intent.
Whose but the pencil of a demon could paint
the fears-the hopes-the dark resolves of the
wretched Gray, while the wearied guest slept
but a few PAGES from him in that peace which
virtue alone can give.
The morning came, and glowing from his
ocean couch arose the sun, gliding the distant
bluff and surrounding forest with colors drawn
fiom the pellet of Heaven. His beams shone
down on the cottage yet unstained with blood
and aroused the s~leepers. Did the evil spirit
slumber in Gray's bosom
The simple breakfast was soon over, and
Somers asked Gray to set out with him
on the nearest road to NJ. With bland
nesg worthy Of the days when he stood a res.
pectable merchant behind a city desk, he in
formed Somers he would accompany him a
part of his journey, and under p~retence of Kill
ling some game, shouldered his rifle and led
the way. For some time they walked togeth-
er, whilst renewing boyhood membranes
which called TO mind many a spot hallowed by
childhood's sports and parental affection.
They had proceeded about three miles, and
arrived among those beautiful bluffs on the
Ohio, since rendered celebrated by a deed
which has given a name TO a small stream
which dashes over a precipicc some hundred
feet deep. A bird swept over their heads, and
wheeling upon its light wings. lit on the bough
Of a majestic oak, which bears the name of
many an ardent lover of nature. Gray asked
the traveller 10 move onward while he attempt
ed to bring down the game. Somers compli-
ed, and left Grey behind.
A sharp rifle crack rang through the woods,
and a shrek mingled in its echoes. The host
was a murderer murderer for money!
Blood may be shed for revenge. and our SYM
pathies exercised for the assassin, but who can
find a chord in his heart from which pity can
draw a note of feeling for him, who with blood
stained fingers, holds the glittcring coin before
his eager cyesl
Gray soon disposed Of the body by hurting
it over the precip;ce. As il went numbering
through the schrubs and Jagged rocks which
bu, for a moment With eager hands he OPEN
ed the portmanteau, and rolling out the shin
ing coin upon the leaves, for some minutes
gloated over over his wealth, for the country
was almost uninhahited, and his demon spirit
could rejoice in his riches undisturbed.
On returning home he deposited his ill-got-
ten gold in the chest. His wife heard the
singing of the coin, and her quick mind told
her that Charles Gray-her husband-he to
whom her whole heart had conided, was a
murderer. She tainted. The wretch needed
her not, but g~loomily seated himself at the
fire. From the floor on which she had fallen
Mary arose an altered woman. The rose fled
from her cheek, and a grave in the forest
marked by a simple stone, tells you where lies
the broken hearted wife. Peace to her men,
ory. She has gone where the pure streams
were never crimsoned with blood-where the
dagger never flashes over the devoted way
farer.
Charles Gray became a rich man. His
lands, broad fertile, bore luxuriant h~arvests. A
tall mansion arose among those old woods to
shelter the murderer's head, Strange to tell,
he lived unsupported. No one cared for the
emigrant in the country from which he came
Years rolled away. Villages arose on the
ruins of that mighty forest the steamer was
heard with its perpetual thunder and lightning,
ascending anu ueScehuinS TIC peduiiiui Onpo,
and lovely residences like gems summoned up
by the enchanter's wand from the earth's bo-
som, studded the banks of the silvery river -
The suspicious mind of Gray, (for the wicked
are always suspicious rendered him fearful OF
discovery. as emigrants were crowding into
the state, and entering the land at the most
unfrequen:ed spots. The bones of Somers
were still exposed; if they were found by any
one rambling through the bluffs, the daring af.
fair might be Investigated, and he meet with
his just deserts. SaIlying forth one evening,
| hn Sounht the wild nrecinice and descended