Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-12-02
From the Rorer.
THE STORY OF THE CROSS
BONES.

..a,, in Ireland, stands house OF extreme
an;;onity. over the door of which are still
20 he seen a skull and cross-bones, remak-
ably we'll sculptured in black marble. This
house Is called "The Cross-Bones," and
its tragical history is as follows;
In the fifteenth century, James Lynch,
man of old family and great wealth, was
chosen MAYOR of Galway for life; an Of
flee which was then nearly equal 10 SOW
ereeu in power and influence. He was
reyerenced for his in1exible rectltude, and
loved for his condescension and mlldness.
But vet moIe beloved, the idol OF The
citizens and their fair wives, was his son,
according to the chronicle, one OF the most
distinguished young men Of the time. The
perfect manly beauty and tho most noble
mir. he united that cheerful temper, that
consderate familiarity, which subdues'
while it seems to fauer, that attaching
grace of manner which conquers all hearts
Without aa effort, by its mere natural
charm. On the other hand, his oft appfo'
we'd PATRIOTISM, his high-hearted generosl.
~. his romantic courage, and complete
mastery in all warlke exercises, forming
part of an education singular IN his age
and country, secured to him the permanent
CIV Of an esteem, which his first aspect IN
voluntarily bespoke.
So much light was not without shadow
Deep and burning passions, haugh'y
temper, jealousy Of all rival merit, renoer'
ed all his fine qualities only SO many sour
cos of danger so himself and others. vi,
ten had his stern father, although proud
of such son, cause for bitter reproof
and for yet more anxious solicitudo about
the future. But even he could not resist
the sweetness Of the youth, as quick to re-
pent as TO err, and who never for mo
ment failed in love and reverence to him
self. After his first dispeasure was pass
ed, the defects of his son appeared to him
as they did to all others, only spots on the
sun. He was soon still further tranquil
lied by the vehement and tender attach
ment which the young man appeared t
have conceived for Anna Blake, the daugh
ter of his best friend, and girl possess
ing every lovely and attaching quality. HI
10 ked forward to their union, as 10 The
fullhlment of his wishes. But fate hat
willed it otherwise.
While young Lynch found more Difficult
.y in conquering the heart Of the presen
object of his love, than he had ever expe
rienced before, his father was called b,
business to Cadiz; for tho great men o
Galway, like the other inhabitants of con
siderable sea ports in the middle ages, hel
trade on large scale 10 be an employ
ment nowise unworthy oven of men of no
Die birth. Galway was at that time 81
powerful and so widely known, that, as tn,
chronicle relates, an Arab merchant, VIII,
had long traded to these coasts from thu
East, once inquired I" in what part of Gal
way Ireland layl"
After James Lynch had delegated hi
authority 10 trusty hands, and prepare
every thing for distant journey, with al
OVERLOOKING heart, he blessed his son,wish
ed him the best issue to his suit, and sale
for his destination. Wherever he wen
success crowned his undertakings. Fo
this he was much Indebted to the iriendl.
services of Spanish merchant name
Gomez, towards whom his noble heart con
celved the liveliest gratitude.
hhappened that Gomez also had an onl
son, who, like Edward Lynch, was the idc
oil his family and the darling Of his na'iv
city, though in character as well as in eN
iernal appearance, entirely different fro
HIM. Both were handsome; but Edward
was the beauty Of the naughty and breatl
Ing Apollo: GonslIvo's Of the serene ar
mid st. John. The one appeared like
rock crowned with flowers; the other ill
fragrant rose. colored knoll, threaten,
Cy the storm. The pagan virtues adornc
'ne one; Christian genteness and humil
E'he other. Gonsalyo's graceful persc