The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-10-08
SELECT TALE.
THE WIDOWED BRIDE.


clan to the Lunatc Asylum Music and dane
ing were laid aside, and all eyes were bent in ca
ger expectation on the doctor, who held in his
hand book containing several lovely portraits
"Did you indeed know the original of this?"
exclaimed one of the group, pointing to a beau
tiful girl, apparently about Is years, spenddy
attired in robe of white satin, ornamented with
pearls and orange flowers; 'but how strange that
black Grape veil looks over that elegant wreath
'Yes, my dear girl, knew her well, and hers,
alas! is sad, sad tale; and now recollect it was
twenty years ago this very day that | first became
acquainted with her.
pray tell us how, dear DR.. D. exclaimed
half dozen voices at once. And thus petition
ed, he began;--
well, then, it is just twenty years ago this We
ry evening" thatI was aroused from gentle sum
Der, into which had fallen in my easy chair, by
the entrance of servant with note, which
merely contained these words, 'Dr. D is en-
treated 10 lose no time in fastening to the -
Inn, to meet patient destined for the - A
sylum, but who is now too i'll to continue her
Journey unless it be under his care.'
This inn was about sixteen miles from my re-
sidence, situated on dreary moor many miles
in extent, TO reach which would have to ira
|
fore, in no very good humor that proceeded to
do the bidding of the unknown writer; for in his
haste (the note had evidently been hurried) he
had forgotten the signature. The rain was de-
scending in torrents, and the wind howed fear
fully; indeed, so terrific was the storm that at
first my horses refused to brave it, but by dnt of
spurring and Aogging we at last set Off Faster
and faster fell The rain, higher and higher rose
s11 rtsn
suddenly the progress ofthe carriage was arrest
ed, and the postilon informed me that the lights
were out and he could not see step. What
was TO be done? To return was useless, espe-
caly as with the numerous cross roads bv
which our path would be intersected, it would
scarcely be possible in the dark to take the right
one; and there we were, on the borders of wide
common, without light or guide, and my servant
totally ignorant of the country, having been in
my service only few weeks.
you must trust to the horses exclaimed; 4
remember bated at this inn once, though it is
now long time SINCE
Slowly and step by step, we proceeded; now
|splashing through what were once mere rivuets,
or at least but brawlng brooks, but which the
floods had swollen into torrents: then coming in
contact with branches of trees which the blast
had rlven, for the storm still ragged with una5ated
fury; and it must have been midnight when my
servant deserted light in the distance.
Make for it!' was my order, with what haste
he could he obeyed
'The light, which was al first very faint, gra.
dually became more distinct, and at last we dis
covered ourselves near cottage which my re-
collection told me was about five miles from my
destination. AS we drew near, sudden thought
darted across my mind-had not dark tales Of
darker things reached me about this very dwell
ing? would fain have passed on, but procure
= light we must; there was now no help for it, and
bade my servant rouse the inmates. A few
knocks, and mans voice gruffly asked
: sWho's there?'
FDr. - replied, thinking it better at once
to let them know who | was; 4 am on my way
TO patient, and if you will give my servant a
light shall be obliged to you, as my lamps are
Igone OUT
light was soon procured. and he babe us
surly good night but not before had discover
, ed the sturdy figures of two or three i'll looking
fellows peering through the half open door. Great
caution was necessary in crossing the heath, for
even in the day time it was dangerous 10 do so;
and slowly we proceeded on our dreary way
, Unwilling to alarm my servant, yet feeling how
necessary it was for him to be on his guard, was
just about to bid him keep good look out, when,
f amid the bowling of the storm, heard feint
) whistle, and in few seconds fancied il was re-
turned. Report, then, has not wronged these
, villains mentally exclaimed, and my first step
was to tell the poston to drive for his life, my
next TO bethlnk me Of some weapon of defence
had none but case of surgical instruments
which, by mere chance, | happened TO have
about me; but what were these against we'll arm
ed ruffians2 AT that instant the horses we're sud-
denly seized, the postillion knocked off, and two
men presented themselves with loaded pistols at
each door Of the carriage. Resistance, saw at
a. glance would be useless-nay madness; and
: felt the necessity of obeying their command to
deliver my purse, when the tramp of horses feet
: was heard, and the sound of voices reached us
nearer and nearer they came ;and my assailants,
fearful (or conscience makes towards of us all. !
hurried Oft, and left me to the mercy Of the new
! comers. Fortunately they proved to be two per
sons sent from the inn to expedite my arrival as
from the delay, they feared some accident had
: occurred, or that had lost my way. Under theil
guidance ! soon reached the inn, and was met al
. the door by venerable old man, whose slvered
locks fioated in the cold night wind, and whose
n furrowed cheeks were coursed by many tear.
Q 'My child oh! save my child broke from his
Y trembling lips as with convulsive grasp, he sci
zed my hand, and hurrying me into the house,
J, threw open the door of small room, where, re-
/ cining on sofa, was a being as beautiful as
I thought. Her Jet black tresses were scattered
in rich profusion over the humble pillow which
sustained her death-like form; and though tho
palor of death cast its marble hue over her coun
tenance, nought could surpass its loveliness.
'sayc, oh! save my childn again and again
7 groaned the old man, 'and will bless you; give
me back my loved, my only one.'
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