The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1843-02-04
BH4ooMsBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA. SATURDAY, FEr

the gloomy nature of the conversation
and The cold indifference of the stranger,
and his wild forbidding air, seemed TO have
thrown chin on all about him. For as he
sat there, buried in deep thought, with his
eyebrows knit and his lips working, as
with suppressed emotions, those Who had
hitherto hugged the fire began slowly to
widen the distance between themselves and
their i'll omened visier. TO scan his person,
as il there were more in it than had met the
eye, and TO watch his tall shadow on the
wall as u there were something about il
more than appertained to shadows in gen.
eral. Still they spoke not, until the ob.
lec! OF their solicitude, as if concluding a
long mental discussion, drew a heavy
breath, and rising said,
well, lei him die; It's as well. OH.
ers have died in The same way
Turning TO sort of under.barkeeper,
who ofiiciated in the absence of Garret he
said. 'See to my horse, will you? And
now show me TO my loom, and wake me
at sunrise. shall not breafast here.
Those collected abou. the fire watched
him as he followed the attendant out of the
room, and shut the door after them.
What 10 you think of that man, Mr.
Tompkins'' said one of them to a small
man in an ample yes, and contracted small
clothes.
Come, come, none of that aad the
small man, with an air of suspicious stub.
5orness. Don't be trying TO make me
commit myself by asking questions As
he spoke he fixed his eyes obs,ina,ely on
his own finger nails--no. that they were
particularly clean or Ornamental,
Cant you SPEAK y our own mind, man
said the other pe,,ishly.
----.--'-s'.s
We'll them said his companion, sI'r
tell you wha! think. l think, said he
sinking his voice. and placing the back of
his hand 10 the corner of his mouth, by
way of indicating the extreme of conf.
dence. Il think he won't be drowned
Ah J said the small man, If that's all, |
think so myself.
And having settled this matter 10 their
mutual satisfaction. they rose 10 60, a mo-
tion in which they were followed by all
except Caleb Grayson, who, long after they
were go ne, and the room was silent and
desc tied, sat there, with heavy heart, a,
Inc part which the law had forced him to
lake in The legal murder which was to take
place ON the morrow. At last he started up
as II sudden thought had struck him, and
lnding his way TO the stable, saddIed HE
horse and rode off.
1t was dark night. Black clouds were
1rllilng across the sky, obscuring it, and 10.
yother with the tall trees and forests which
n places >overhung the road, rendering il
pitcby dark. In defiance of the thre aienipg
ook of the sky and the obscurity of ,he
foad' the cid man kept steadily on for sew.
7ral hours; neither pausing to rest his beas.
nor TO refresh himself. until it was broad
daylight, when he arrived at large wood
IN building. Stopping for the first time,
ne fastened his horse to The gate, and eros.
sing small yard, ascended flight of stems
md entered the hall.
A guard was pacing up and down there;
md under him, on a wooden bench sa, an
I'D man reading worn out Bible. !
'Can | see Blake?' demanded Gravson
If the old man.
Yes, yes, suppose you can,' replied
ie, putting aside his book; I've orders 10
admit his friends--a sad business-a sad
business and he the flower of the country !
ound. All, neighbor Grayson, who would
lave thought it!
Caleb Grayson made no reply to the re.
marks In which the old man INDUCED, un-
IL lie opened the door of The room or cell.
md pointed to Blake, seated at a small
wooden table within.
Blake rose as the old man entered. and
xtended his hand 10 him.
This is kind, Caleb said he, Il was