Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1842-06-22


piety.-He had no wife nor children, but lived
with much hberality, and kept many servants.
He was constant in his attendance at church,
and gladdened the hearts of the neighboring
poor by The frequency of his amsgiving.
His fame among his neighbors was increas-
ed by his hospitality. Scarcely day passed
wilheu, entertaining some Of them with feast at
his house, when his conversation was admired,
his judgment appealed to as something more
than ordinary wise, his decisions considered
final, and his jokes received with hearty laugh
ter, according 10 the time allowed, and duiltul
practice of guests at the table Of rich men.
Nothing could exceed the costl!ness and rar-
ily Of this mans wines, the lavish proluslon Of
his plate, nor the splendor of his room-these
very rooms! which decorated with the richest
furniture, the most costly specimen Of the ltal-
ian and Flemish schools Of painting, and re-
sounded nightly with the harmony of dainty
madrigals.
One summer evening, after sumptuous din
ner had been enjoyed by himself and a numer-
Gus party, the weather being very sultry, pro-
posa was made by the host that the wine and
desert should be taken on the lawn, and that
the revelry should be prolonged under the
shade of The leafy elms which stood about the
garden in the groups, as you see them now
The company accordingly adjourned thither,
and great was the merriment beneath The green
boughs which hung over the table in heavy
rnasse, and loud the song in the sweet air Of
the evening.
Twilight came on, but still the happy revel-
! lers were 10th to leave the spot which seemed
sacred 10 wine and music, and indolent enjoy
menl The leaves which canopied them were
molionless; even those which hung on the ex-
ireme point of the tenderest sprays quivered
not. One shining star, poised in the clear ether
seemed TO look down with curious gaze on
the iocund scene and the soft west wind had
! brealhed its last drowsy evening hymn-so
calm, indeed, that the master OF the house or
dered lights TO be brought there were they sat-
that The out door carouse might still be enjoy
ed.
! "Hang care!" exclaimed he. "IThis is de-
licious evening; the wine has finer relish
! here than in the house, and the song Is more
melodious under the tranquil sky, Than n The
close room where sound is slifed. Come, let
Us have bacchanalian chant--let us, with old
Sir Toby, make the welkin dance. and rouse
the night owl with catch. | am right merry
| Pass The bolie, and tune your voIces-a catch,
catch! The lights will be here anon"
Thus he spoke; but his merriment seemed
forced and unnatural A grevous change
awaited him.
As one of the servants was proceeding from
the house with fambeau in his hand, 10 light
The tapers already placed on The table, he saw
in the walk leading to the outer gate, woman
of lofty bearing, in widows weeds, whose skin,
as the rays of the torch fell upon it, looked as
white as a monumental effigy, and made ghast-
Iv contrast with her black robe Her face was
like that of The grisly phantom, Death in Life
it was rigid and sunken; but her eyes glanced
about in ;helr hollow sockets with a restless
motion, and her brow was knit as if in anger
A corse-Iike infant was in her arms; and she
paced with proud and stately tread towards the
spot where the master of the house, apparently
"Merry in his heart and filed with swelling wine"
was sitting amongst his jovial friends.
The servant shuddered as he heheld the
strange intruder but he TOO had partaken Of the
good cheer and he felt bolder than usual
/ Mastering up courage, he faced the awful wo
man and demanded her crrand.
81 seek your MASTER" said she.
ole is engaged, and cannot be interrupted" !"
replied the man "Ugh turn your face from
mel like not your look You are enough to
freeze ones very blood"
Fool" returned the woman, "your master
must see me-" And she pushed the servant
aside.
The menial shivered under the touch Of he r
hand, which was heavy and cold like m9rbIe
He felt as if rooted to the spot; he could MI
move TO follow her as she walked on ic, the
scene Of the banquet.
On arriving at the spot she drew herself IN
beside the host without utterip ( word. He
saw her ard shook in every Ioinl The song
ceased; the guests were spcechle3s with amaze
ment and sat ike petrlactions, bending their
gaze one way towards the strange and solemn
figure which confronted them.
"Why contest thou here!" al length demand
ed the rich man in low gasping accents. Van
; ish! Who opened the vault and let thee forth?
!, Thou shoudst be hundred miles away. Sink
again into the earth! Hence, horrible thing!
Deluson ofhelI! Dead creature, ghost, hence!
What seekest thou? What can do 10 keep
thee in thy gravel ! will resign nv lands: 10