The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-05
From the New York 'tirror.
THE WRECK ERS.
BY JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES.

pact sky, which is the sure forerunner
of storm. The night had been araw
and cold one-stoo cold to sleep with
comfort in the open air; yet such was
the chamber which peasant girl, a ma
tive of little fshing-hahet upon the
coast of Cornwall, had chosen for re-
pose. Hcrcouch was hard and fear
ful one! the verge of cliff that rose
nearly hundred feet perpendicular
from the sea-shore, and yet not the soft
est couch that ever was spread in llanl-
let, town or city, contained tenant,
in firm, for symmetry feature, for
beauty --the mistressofher who occu-
pied that strange, appalling place of
res! Her sluinbtrs were disturbed,
yet deep. Neither the full dawn could
break them; nor the tears that fell up
on her face from the eyes Of one who
was hanging.oler her-a young man
about her own age, or little older,
and who seemed to belong to the pro-
fession of the sea.
Sand hast thou slept out again all
nighl!' he murmured-his tears still
flowing. And does it grow worse with
thy poor wits and shall never see
the day when can make thee my
wife!. They will not let me marry
thee, because, as they say, thou art mad
and knowst not what thou dost; but
when thy mind was sound, was low
ed by thee. Had | married thee then,
thou still hadst been cherished and low
ed! Way must not marry thee now9
| could w2tch thee then, at night
Ny arms wculd enfold thee. then, and
prevent thee from stealing from thy
bed to sleep in such a place as this"
The attachment which united this
young man to the being whom he so
pathetically appostrophized, was OF
that pure and steadfast nature, which
can never take root, except in the un-
sophisticated heart. She had lost her
reason in consequence of having been
witness to a transaction of blood, which
made her an orphan. She was to have
been married to him; but, in the unior-
tunate state other intelects. no clergy
man would celebrate the rites. But
she did not the less enjoy his protec-
ton. Beneath his mothers roof she
lived as sacred as Il sister-the object
OF passion in which Illustration, and
almost hopeessness. had only produced
increase of strength.
"Kate! Kate!" he called. Grouse
thee Kate-rouse thee! Don't be fright
ened! IT'S only William! Get up,
and come home!"
He offered to raise her, but she check
ed him-looked round and fixed her
eyes. inquiringly, upon the sea.
"Where is itf' she excIaimed--her
voice tremulous with intense emotion
"Where is the storm! see the black
skv! but Iwant the thunder and the
wind! the white. white sea, and the
big ship, driving upon the reef! or is it
all ove.? No. she added; "'tis COM
ing-'twill be here! see itr'
She rose, and passively accompanied
her watchful lover to his mothers cot
tage; where, leaving her under the cl,s-
tody oft mistress, the Joung man re-
paired, on urgent business, to town
at some distance from the hamlet.
Thatmorning the storm came on; three
DAYS it continued--it was now the
third day. A lee shore, boiling sea,
and on the coast Of Cornwall! A wild
. and fearful offing Foam foam! foam!
which way soever you looked--nothing
but foam. Black reefs Of rocks, that
even in the highest spring tides were
never completely covered, discerna-
bic now only by spot here ald there;
so quick the breakers fell upon them!
The spray flying over the cliAs-f ty,
sixty, az, hundred feet and more,
above the level of the sea, and spread
ing over the land for acres! And all
above pitch black, though at noon-day!
Every thing seemed to cover before
the spirit OF the storm every thing ex-
ceptman. The shore-which consist
ed partly ofhuge masses Of rock, part
" Of shingle-was lined with human
beings some in groups some alone;
promiscuously furnished with boat
hooks, gatls, grapples. hatchets, and
knives; ready dispute with the waves
the plunder of the fated ship that might
be driven within the jaws of that IN
hospitable bay! Expectation gIisten-
ed in their eyes, that kept eagerly
prowling backward and forward, far
and near, over the waste Of waters--
they were wreckers. Not a few wo-
men, as well as children were among
them;, nor were these unprovded
against the approach Of the wished-for
prey;alI seemed TO have their pppro-