The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-12-27

. b. y
narrative proceeds: a| t- |
Langy sat evening in company with the good
minister, engaged in cheerful chat. Mary had
just finished exquisite little air. The lights
brightly illuminated the lorge and LOFTY apartment,ren
dered cool by the evening air steaug through the
closed jaouses. The minister was not oc those aus
tere spirits who dislike whatever savours of gOiOty
and enjoyment. The soul, he held, resembIed wax
in this-that an impression was surely and last
ingy stamped it when it was refused. lie some
times quietly told her that he had done more with the
planters in few words over game of chess, or a
hand at pcquet, than he could effect by his best
mons. He now sat keeping Langly company with an
excellent Havanuah.
The turn of conversation is often singular. mo-
ment before they discussing the flavor OF Sc
gars; now they spoke Of the consequences of sim
The captain curious to know if, with a new
course Of life, all past crimes and errors were truly
forgiven. Mary listened with more anxiety than
marked the tone in which the question put; for
the past had little the captan liked to look back
on, that he contrived to Danish it from his remem-
berance altogether The minister replied, undoubt,
cdly that TO the repelant sin forgiven shut he
marked that, in some way other, punishment
| was attached to tho original crime, from which it
| could not escape. "Sin is pardoned without doubt"
he said; ''but believe this that not guilty action
can be committed which will not meet with a strict
reckoning, and for which full and penalty will
! not be exacted in this world or the next-somenes
| by mental, sometimes by bodily agony. To
| is it permitted to greatly offend with mpunity.'
The captain thought this doctrine carried a great
dead TOO Far. lie was for scheme OF general am
nesty, such as is granted by lettering states which
confound weakness with mercy, giving out that it
fails to punish, not from impotence, but from
cess Of charity and good nature
| The scene and the conversation had hitherto been
common place enough, though the changes which
passed Mary's face as she listened to the argu-
nens threw in that touch OF poetic feeling which is
often found in the most ordinary occurrences, She
knew herself deeply interested in the topic; for there
passages in her fathers life, darkly limited at
sometimes by him, which chilled her blood when she
thought Of them.
The captain grew warm, and applied the argument
as heated persons viii do TO himself. "Look here
now, suppose that I, when wasn't so wise aa
at present, had a cargo OF slaves board? Well,
wen say the ship leaked, that she wanted tightening,
,hat,n matter howit was necessary turn them out;
\ do you mean 70 saynow, that shonld be punished
for that when / took them up with better noons7''
\ 81 should says repiedthe- minister regarding the
case quitelhy potheteay, "ha: in this world or the
snext there would be a. fearful punishment awarded
/ you.nlq 20 sIs0 ,i5d a z hoE &. awoH nof8ilr ,us
f., The captain grew little paler. AS for Mary,
she gave faint scream: it was not without great
difficulty that she could further suppress her feelings.
''Tush, mani said Langly, roughly, 81 have done
such things in my time, yet what am Idhs worse for
it now; where's my accuser?'' saals9fl oa.F
A voice that filed the room with terror, said dis
| tinctly, "Herei'' 900. ~ - s"ha2e9
All eyes were instantly turned to the spot whence
that voice issued. ,snog3nol{ oassss .a9bsW
The Nubian stood in the doorway, his figure dila-
led beyond the grand proportions Of nature For the
second time the glance of these two men met and
the captain though his unarmed felt that
he was lost man. .EoiaIi1laB g a1s
His courage did not desert him, though horror al
most froze his blood and deprived hin, of sense. He
rose to meet the Nubian's gaze. "With what he
said do you charge me?'' nosaA ,aao'aoaN
The black said, simply, "With murder:'
Langy advanced to grapple with HE accuser; but
Mary, quick as light, threw herself on the Nnban,
bcseeching him to withdraw at once, telling him that
he had accused her father-that he in error
that he knew not what he about.
Never had the Nubian seemed more calm as he
said-"Almost l would to God did not. Gentle
girl, YOU speak to me in vain. ] am but the agent
of Heaven. The cry Of the blood that wretched man
has wantonly split, has arisen to the almighty throne
The hour of relribution has Gomez ,r t..
Four mon entered the room at these words The
Nuban said to them, behold your prisoner
His terrible calmness carried conviction to Mary g
heart, She tried to struggle with her dread-o adj
dress the Nubian. In vain her faculties were para
lived; she sank senseless at his feet
He raised her with the mingled reverence and love
due to a divine being: with such tender care and no
. " awe must the Christians of old baVe touched the
body Of a martyred saint lie threw back the bright
masses Of hair from her paIid face and touched he'
temples with some water at hand.
Langy fereely graPpled with the men who held
him "Vilains.' he shouted, ''let me go;that fend
would kill father and daughter at one blow!"
The Nnban had lain the iainling form on couch
and kne, beside it, lie raised his eyes. and said IL
tones of deep pathos, ''lhou nearest, gracious Goo
!, ! thou nearest! still aur doomed to sutfer?'
n He was not answered. file saw in the FRIGHTENING