The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-01-30

ton ofthe grave, Mervale, taking care to
screen himself from observation, followed
aler them. How the hollow sounds Of
the falling sods as they struck upon the
coffin nd, smote upon his heart! His mus
cnar frame heaved with the strength of
his emotion, and tears followed each other
still more rapidly down his checks! He
heard the thanks of Van Loan 10 the friends
who assisted him. lie saw them all turn
and leave the vicinity of the grave and f.
naly disappear in the direction of their
homes. He waited few moments and
then entered the enclosure Of the dead
and seated himself beside the grave OF
Alice In tia: oneley spot he give full
. vent to his feelings, and wep, like a child.
1t seemed as if his heart would break
The storm of grief shook his soul as the
strong blast Of winter shakes the fragile
reed. After long time, however, the yio-
ence Of his grief in measure subsidized.
He still remained seated near the grave
with his head bowed down upon lis breast,
when three men leaped over the slight
fence which enclosed the graveyard, and
seizlng him roughly by The collar, eSclaim-
ed
We've got him at last! Hold him fast
my boys, and the reward and the honor is
all our own
Mervale made not the least resistance,
but was as passive in the hands Of his
captors, as an infant. His hands were
plnioned behind him, and one Of the trio
said,
Caught at last, old boy! You lodged
US well, but you see you are fast now
Come it will be necessary for you to
take up your line Of march Tor the settle:
ment. Your cabin IS burn, up, and We
will endeayor TO provide you with comfort:
able quarters at the expense Of the public.
| do not doubt in the least but that you
are very worthy man
Mervale arose to his feet, and melan-
choly followed his captors TO the settlez
ment. Arrived here, she news soon spread
tina, he was secured and as is usual in
such cases, large number of, men, wo-
men, and children were collected TO gaze
on him. Vulgar minds are entertained
with the sight Of individuals in distress;
but those who came to gaze on Mervas,
appeared to be more than delighted at his
iorlorn and woe BECOME appearance, They
almost danced with delight, for through
the nstrumeniality Of Van Loan they had
been led to believe that he was pirate, a
murderer, and in fact every thing that is
detestable and to be dreaded.
Meryae was conducted BY his leaders
through the gaping crowd, to the bar-room
Of the village inn, where he was permit
ted to take seat while his cap,ors RECALLED
themselves upon some Of the animal com.
forts afforded by the bar. After they had
concluded their polations, messenger was
despatched to Van Loan, to acquaint him
with the capture that had been made, and
with request that he would at once take
some steps to dispose of their prisoher.--.
The messenger found Van Loan still in his
library, where he had retired, as before
narrated. He was greatly astonished at
the news, and could hardly credit it. The
llldl uC IuSSt ulCdNtu uVOu SGItII
in his power, seemed to him to be the very
acme of all that was desirable.
Where was he caught! he eagerly in
CURED rubbing his hands with delight.
in the grave yard, replied The messen-
ger.
In the grave yardr repeated Van Loan
what was he doing there?
Weeping, l believe replied the settlerI
at least those who took him say So
Weeping, eh..' said Van Loan, his
countenance Frightening. We'll, you may
tell the villagers tina, will attend them
immediately he continued, turning 10 the
messenger with long face, and lock
of mock sorrow Tell them will attend
them, for public safety requires that this
fellow should be taken care Of, do not
however. since the melancholy demise Of
my niece, feel any desire for doing busl-
ness.
The man bowed and left the room, thhk:
ing to himself that Van Loan, was one ol
the public benefactors Of the age! As soon
as he was gone, that worthy turned to his
sun, NHilc su''o III up H'S dus'eCi iea-
lures, as single torch would !igh, upa
sepulchre, and he said,
Frederick, my boy, how nicely all
things work for US. This is capital
days work. Alice disposed Of, and the on
ly man we have augh to fear from entirely
in our power"
Frederick replied in similar vein. and
Van Loan set about making preparations
for his immediate departure 10 the Station:
Accompanied by his son, he was soon on
his way to sit in judgment upon the cuse Of
MervaIe. AS has been stated the distance
between the settlement and his home was
not great, and the journey was soon &C
complished. Arriving at the inn, he saw
that it was indeed Mervale, and without
deigning any notice to the prisoner, save
a repulsiye stare. he passed on to a private
apartment, which he usually occupied when
engaged in any OF his magis;eraI duties.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Not Bad.-A Methodist preacher, says an
exchange paper, eXpounding on his own