Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-03-17

great proportion oil thvee who proiessed them
selves unal 10 To see it. Finally, il was agreed
thai me names OF each party, those who did not
see, and those who saw the star should be written
down, ana delivered 10 the keeping of civilian
III Bombay, that the results of the Ahghanistan
expedition might decide the question of tho truth
OF The Star of Destiny
or The party of twenty-five, there were found
eighteen Of the former and only four of the lat
ter. The name OF William Howard was in the
hrst list. The spirits of those of the party who
hnd slight tlncture of superstition we're much
raised by finding that the proportion of nonseers
was so much tie larger. 1T far exceeded any pro.
portion OF British officers who had hiihero fallen
IN open warfare IN India, aud they too con-
hhent IN British power, to believe it could be re-
alized. The faith of the whole party in the proph
ecy much damped by this great dsproporuon,
which seemed to deprive ,he question to he resell
ved OF its probability and of ils zesl, the whole
group returned to The tent. just II. the door, Will
liam Howard looked back at the place where he
had endeavored in vain TO see the Star Of Desti
n.y.
1T is strange said he, but see the star now,
though could not before, yet there was cloud,
| see it clearly and steadily
write down what the young man says on the
sheet you leave in bombay said the stranger
'Ycur thread OF life will be bruised, but not bro
ken; rejoice in it,
But four months had passed from tho time |
bare spoken of, from the departure of this por-
lion Of the British troops for Cabul, when
wreched, solitary figure crawled in the almost
exhaustion into Jeabad. His limbs, torn by the
hardships otIhe road, bleeding from many wounds,
his clothes rent burned by the sun, aud blinded
by the snow he had passed through. William
Howard, the sole survivor OF the gallant band
who were cut to pieces at Jugdulluk rushed into
The arms of his feow-soders which were eager
y opened TO receive him. The first bearer of the
dreadful tidings of the fate of our arms in Aft
ghensian, he was eagerly questioned, but he could
only assure them OF The safety of four officers OF
his detachment, who had been given up hos,a-
ges before leaving Cabu, when the surgeon en-
joining silence, commenced the examination Of
his wounds.
i think none are very deep said poor Howard
the last ball ] received from an afghan would
have shot through my heart, but something hard
in my breast pocket, here Geudened IT,
How providentialn cried the surgeon, as he
drew out the Ahghan's ball from the singed and
Ibackened leaves OF a little red morocco book next
Howard's heart.
1t was the Bible his mother had given him. He
sank on his knees in prayer MS he kissed it. pages
Reader, more than double four months had clap
sed, wi Ell in n stately drawing room, looking on
10 such n landscape only Eng and offer Ia
The graiified eye, of wood, OF water mud that qui-
ct sky, which il luxury in itself after The glare in
India, increased rs It is by the Of every gaudy
ICOOr ny tle naUVcS a woman, tAll ana UeanlHu
still in the prime OF her life, and scarcely past tina
of her beauty, folded on her maternal bosom, with
inexpressbe iondness, the sinking ard fragile
form OF her lovely daughter, who lay half in he
mothers arms, halt on stool of Indian ivory n
her feet. Her black, soft HAIR covered her features
and fell around her on her mourning robe, in the
same IuXuriance in the halls OF Rossiug CHAN, as
Walter Courlenny had so often lwined into thou
sand graceful oriental forms IN her lost home ir
India.
The shades Of evening began 10 fall, Lady Cliff
ford bore her child into orel window, TO soctht
her with the beauty of tue landscape OF the park
for few nsiapIs, the last glow of he sun dis
appeared, and the siars began to glow brightly in
the summer sky. AS they moved Clara's copy oil
Walters miniature fell from her bosom.
AS they stood in The orie, Lady Clifford said,
Look over the north avenue dearest, how ex.
quisely brlgh, The STARS are.
Clara glanced her langud eye, she saw the
Star of Destiny and al instant aterward she
tainted upon her mothers neck.
Reader, for the ruth of the tale have related
with disguised names, appeal confidently 10 the
recollection OF many officers who have served IN
India in tue Aifghanslan war, and elsewhere be-
lore it commenced The tradition of the origir
Of the Afghan race and language is from thei
own lips: and the Indian belief in the Star o
Destiny is known from the natives by tnany Flu.
ropeans, though pnrposely forhear giving any
further clue 10 it. The party of twenty-five Off
GERS who agreed to test the truth OF the tale they
heard in their own persons, eighteen of WHOM
tued to it, just b. tore being called upon ne
tive service and tour distinctly saw it, the wriiin,
down of their names, the death OF those eighteen
ten by the sword, and eight Wy illness, the snrvi
val OF their four companons-aIl these are true.
NJ