Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-11-18
ed: and the farmer, who seldom induleed

ca ana the farmer, who seldom INDUCED
in drink, from the conviction that II over.
came him, uttered words which no human
ear should have heard, for it was boast of
the value Of what the sea had cast I'D. His
rival paused, and fixed his eye full on the
changing countenance of the other, who felt
his fatal error, and then exchanged signifi-
cant glances with the rest Of the company
for confused and slight rumor had gone
abroad at the timo of the event, but had
died away again. The company quickly
after broke up. The curate was seated that
night in his chamber, when he heard the
rapid tread Of horses feet coming down the
glen: II was an unsual sound there and
quickly after the farmer entered; his look
was wild, and there was exquisite misery
craven on his features. 20 that my tongue
had been in the fire that is never quenched,"
ne said, 'ere those words we're spoken."-
10 the wild and earnest entreaties of the
minister he answered not, but continued to
talk in loud, mournful and broken tones |;
and the other ceased to interrupt him, for he
saw that the agony of his spirit was exceed
ing great. The burden that he must bear
was in truth fearful one, and he was crush
ed beneath it like an infant; for he was
proud mainland with the passing away Of
that night, would pass away like dream
also, the wealth, the dignity, the high res
portability of his character, Ear and vide
and he would be an outlawed man, and his
fair and loved daughters what would they
be fittings for the finger of scorn to be
pointed at 1t was never known what pas
sed between them but the cottagers SAID,
afterward, it was fearful night-tl,at the
wall of agony and despair rose louder at
times than the roar of the sea beneath and
that then there was heard the soft still voice
of the minister, as of an angel pleading for
the rescue of a lost spirit. 1t should seem
that at last it prevailed; for the sounds sunk
into low, deep means. and voices Of pity
and mercy-and, ere the morning broke, the
farmer again rode wildly from the door.
The next day passed calmy in the valley,
but on the second evening the feet of enc
mics came on the soil, and with them we're
the officers of justice. The rich man was
taxed with crime; his words at the inn were
quoted against him; he denied it firmly |;
but the house was searched, and the plum
der was at last discovered. There could be
no doubt whence it came or to whom it had
belonged. Ere he was conveyed away to
be examined at the town, his friends and re-
latives gathered round him in wonder and
Indignation at the charge the rumor ran
like wild fire, and his numerous tenants and
dependents came also, for he was popular
landlord, and the clamor and grief were
loud and general. The trial never came
for by the active and secret exertions of his
friends, he made his escape from prison, and
went into foreign country. On his family
the blow fell ruthlessly; it may be doubted
if the anguish of the daughters for the ruin
of an indulgent father was more bitter and
rending than that of the curate of Saint
kylas. Had the spectre of the drowned
stood before him, and lifted his accusing
hand, il could not have been more fearful
than the TEMPEST of scorn and malice, be-
fore which his gentle spirit shrank and
trembed. Not only his religion, but his
honesty was called in question. The world
said that he had shared the plumber of the
dead; he could not deny that he had been
privy to it, that he had seen it done; but
when he spoke of the horror and hatred of
the sin which he had really felt-and that
he would as soon have dyed his hand in
blood as touched the spoil of the lost-peo-
pie were slow of believing him. "A wolf
in sleeps clothing, a midnigh, spoler on the
wave," we're the terms that were heaped on
his head; it was said the daughter was the
price of secrecy, and part of the diamonds
were on her bosom on the wedding day.
He could have borne the loss of worldly
wealth, that now melted fast away for all
the possessions of the farmer were seized by
the government, because he had plundered
what were the rightful dues of the latter,
namely, the unclaimed property of the dead
or wrecked, cast up by the wave.
The sweet and luxurious home, and gar
den, and glebe Of land of the pastor were
part of these possessions and it was NOR
ming of sorrow and humbling, and tears,
even to agony, when he quilted, with his
beloved wife, their home, and bent his steps
toward the glen of Saint Kylas, to dwell in
the same lowly cottage that he had tenanted
in his days Of peace and obscurity. 1t was
all they could afford the poor fifty pounds
a year was now their only dependence, and
when they sat beside the hearth on the first
evening of their arrival, and thought of the
change, the subdued and stricken man lean
ed his head on the bosom of his sacrificed
wife, and wept bitterly. And now came the
triumph and the strength of woman! From
that moment she concealed her own feelings,
hushed her own complaints, and strove only
to comfort and sustain the dropping spirit Of
her husband. 1t is an easy task for young,
endeared. and attractive woman to do this
in a silent glen, in desolate isle, any where,
IN fact, on the wide surface of the earth
And the youthful and condemned pastor soon
felt and owned this; he was invited no more
to the tables of the rich and luxurious his
dwelling was seldom entered by the step OF
hatterers or friends; in his church on the
sabbath he saw that his congregation did no,
increase; that there was sometimes sneer
on the lips of those who had reverenced
him before; and that, when the service wa.
over, the few who were weather., ms tead
of stopping to give a kindly greeting, hur-
ried hastily away. But then, when he sa,
in the small shaded chamber that looked oul
on the glen, his wife was by his side some