The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-07-24
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Olive Branch.
From the Olive Branch.
The snnuggler' Child;
BE patient, for the prize III bring thee to,
Shall hoodwink this mischance.'
TfmIest


Tempest.
In that part of the town of Lynn, Massachu-
sets, known as Wood End there is an i'm
mense pile of stone rising perpendicularly on
the side Of hill, fronting the ocean, which is
called High Rock This granite mass is
very peculiarly formed; the front rising alb
ruptly nearly an hundred feet, the back is
deeply imbedded in the rising ground, and
the summit forms PLAIN level with the height
of the hill. This spot has long been celebra-
ted for the extended and beautiful prospect
it affords. From its top, which overlooks
rock bound Nahant in a southerly direction,
with its long sea-washed beach, may be had
noble view, nearly thirty miles wide, of the
boupdless Atlantic, whose voice of thunder
even in the quiet mid-summer's day, is heard
at the base of the rock, having the calloused
beach. At the distance of about ten miles III
the southwest lies Boston; the eye of the Wis
tier first detects the dense smoke that always
enshrouds it, piercing which, loom up spires
of its numerous churches; towering above
them all the noble State House is distinctly
seen. Turn still more TO the West, and you
overlook the pretty little manufacturing town
of Lynn, with its neat and picturesque collec-
ton of white cottages and factories appearing
of miniature dimensions. Turn again towards
the Northwest, and few miles beyond the
town Of Lynn lies the thriving little village of
Sseus. A full Northern view is one woody
beauty, being a field of forest tops of bound
less extent. In the Northeast. the opening
hills and trees at a distance of some eight
miles, glimpse of Salem HarbOr may be
had. the city itself being hid from view by the
surrounding hills and forest. This, gentle
reader, is slight glance at the extended pros
pect to be enjoyed by visit to High Rock
at the present day; saying nothing OF the
pretty quiet fishing village of Swamscot, and
the Panorama of sailing craft that always Or
nament the sea view.
| have been thus minute in the description
of this spot, as always like 10 fix the locale
of nv story in the readers mind and though
my tale commences at time when the stur-
dy forest tree, grew free upon the very spot
now covered by thriving villages, yet | have
drawn picture of the present, andleave you,
kind reader, to realize the contrast between it
and the past. l have passed many an hour
upon the Rock in boyhood's days, thinking
over the legends that are told of it and the
vicinity.
Near its base until within few years, lived
the celebrated Fortune Teller, known by the
sobriuuet of Mol Pitcher She lived to
remarkable old age, and to the very day OF
her death, aside from her fortune telling
trade the yister to her cabin who crossed
her palm with broad pieces, was sure to re-
ceiye in return, some truthful or fictitious
legend of the neighborhood which abounds
in romantic spots. They we're told of Low
ers' Leap of the Pirates Cave where i'm
bedded in the solid rock by CONFUSION OF
nature. is hidden Pirates ill-gotten wealth /;
or of the last indian jewellers now extermIna-
e, I,
zens of Boston remember at this day, with
pleasure their visits to the strange old fortune
teller of Lynn. twas Oh a lovely June after
noon in the wear of I77O, that a young lad
might be seen sitting upon the extreme verge
of High Rock, his feet carelessly swinging
over the declivity, and his eyes fixed on the
sea, Ever and anon he raised TO his eye Z
small pocket eye glass and then again resum-
ed his careless air, humming some wild song
with a melodious voice and light heart. lie
was beautiful being, that brave boy, the
light breeze fresh from the sea, parted the IA,
ven hair from his fair forehead, as it hung IL
rich and girlish curls about his face, which
full of expression, bespoke soul OF purity
within. He was dressed in a sailors costume
with loose pants ofblue broadcloth, secured
about the waist by leathern belt, fastened
with a large silver buckle at the middle; {
little on the left side, was Turkish knife
the haft of which was tipped with gold, the
whole curiously wrought; the other side was
balanced by pair of pistols OF exquisite
workmanship,the whole covered by aPJack
ct of rakish cut, that descended lev
inches below the waist. gaily ornamentet
with silver buttons, setting offto great advan'
tage the fine youthful form 1t covered.
As the ripping waters, that kiss the rock
4. L. h9Hl
in golden hues the last rays of the setting sun
small clipper built craft hove in sight from
the seaward, her sails set wing and-wing, ano
saucy little streamer flying from her mas
head. At her first appearance in the horizon
when a mere speck. resembling the spread
wings of white sea gull. the lad of the lock
sprang ioyously to his feet, and hoisted on ;
stick the black kerchief taken from his neck
in answer to which the streamer which gail,
foated from the topmast of the vessel wa
lowered and flag made TO take its place bear
ing its surface the device OF pine tree
All right, said the boy, and snatchng u
his cap from the ground, he hastily descended
from the rock vending his way thro' tn
woods to the shore, yet so swiftly did the gal
liant craft bound over her native element that
hardly had he reached itbefore she had round
ed the mouth of the harbor and now lay an
chOred on us qulet BOSOM. Inc manner IL
which she was bro't to anchor, and her sail
furled. showed her to be strong handed, while
her hull, spars, and rigging were very pic
ture ofnautical beauty. The fairy lookin,
craft had hardly felt the check of her anchor
when a boat was lowered from the davits, AM
propelled by four sturdy Oarsmen was fas
nearing that part of the shore where the la
Stood In the stern, sat a weather-Deate
seamen distinguished from his comPanio1S !,
a silver band about the cap that confined h
raven hair and with buttons of the same me
al upon his coat. His dress resembled
every respect that worn by the boy, even !; :
10 the matter of weapons, save that IN add
ton, he wore heavy ships cutlass, sue
as was in use at that period. SPringin
to the shore the mariner clasped the DO
in his arms, saying, MY child, my braV
boy
i 'Ah! father said the boy, 'all's right ca
read ii in your ewes and here on shore hdv