Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-07-09
NJ | S G Ell l. A NY.
THE INoAuTIous SPEECH
BY THE OLD MAN.


The following story which we cut from the Port
land Tribune, illustrates most forcibly and terribly
the danger and cruelty of remembering and repeat-
ing all the Ill you know, whether of the dead or the
living:
There was gentle rain falling, an April rain. as
| seated myself, many years ago, upon the stage
winch was ut that time the line of communication
between the interior of the State and one Of its
ports.
was pleased to see that in my situation as ont
sac passenger, was not doomed to be alone. Mel
lher TO endure the inflicon Of half DAYS ride with
companion whose topic of conversation would per-
maps extend no further than horses, the weather.
or the farming prospects of the countrywide forbid
young lady occupied one OF the seats which the
accommodations OF the coach presented took nos
session of second and the third the coachman in
formed me, was reserved for a gentleman, squire
somebody, who was to join us at the next town
remarked tiat 1t ralned, and as young man. pro-
tossing principles of gallantry, could not do other
wise than offer to share the capacious extent of nv
umbrella with my fair fellow traveller. | was
young, romantic and enthusiastic and althouUh my
feelings correspond with my dignied and venerable
appearance now-then any form of beauty CROSSING
my path, left deep, and was about to add. an
aoidlng impression, but not always. The one by
my side, was convinced, should circumstances
cause our paths to diverge, would visit me in
dreams, and often on thought wings in future years
always had a penchant for such face as hers
hotnng striking to attract attention, but something
which once seen, draws with mysterious nfluencethe
gaze oil the beholder, awakening bland, ever-in-
creasing pleasure, like that which the innocent feel
"hen viewing the calm, unclouded expanse of sum
er SKY II is before me now, with its pure heart-ex-
preston The upper eyelids bending down, seem
lngiy by the weight of the long silken ashes that
frlnged them, investing the eyes with peculiar
charm. and remIndiDn rfh i
caught through gently waving leaves
Inc coach stopped, and young gentleman of
agreeable and preposSesng appearance assembled the
SIDE OF the carriage, and the low whispered GOOD
morning, Sarah, the look far more expressive than
words, the reluctantly released hand and a sly.
meaning glance from the driver, told me that in the
new conner beheld the betrothed Of nv fair COM
Panion. thought to myself that it was .'too bad.
out upon reflection concluded to make the best of it.
reilnquish my office of umbrella bearer and adapt
myself TO circumstances
We were now passing through section of the
country, where, when boy, / had attended school,
and remarked that each spot was familiar, and as
sociated with many pleasant scenes in my life, and
lew dark, unpleasant ones. ''Heren added T. as
the ruins of a miserable hut glided into view from
behind clump of noble oaks, ''here have witness
ed scenes that young and experienced as was.
made my blood run chil.-Ah! the voice of old
Wiliett lifted in cursng, does not disturb these old
woods now;" and pointed to an unmarked mound
that could be seen in the distance among the low
underbrush The gentleman leaned forward and in
an earnest tone inquired ''who2"
1t has been said Of lawyers that there is II, de-
partment OF human life knowledge of which is not
riches to them. 1t is so, and it is by knowledge
OF the dark side, that men learn to move the multi
tude. Undoubtedly the Individual before me was
aware OF this, and in his earnest gaze fixed on me.
thought could discover an expression OF inousi-
tveness, which determined to satisfy
cold Willett, the drunken fisherman" replied
and then, in vivid coors, painted the picture of the
drunkard's home, the AFFECT poverty and wretched-
ness OF the filthy howell, its deep gloom, its sounds
OF strife and basphemy. The squalidness and de-
pravity of the children, all these | endeavored To
portray to the life, and well succeeded for nv lis
tener's gaze was still bent on me with an expression
OF deep interest. | enlarged in particular upon the
disposition and propensites of one OF that polluted
family, little girl, whose really beautiful features
often thought strange should be darkened by anger
or that such pretty lips should ever give utterance
to such language as had heard from them. Poor
thing! it was not wonderful that she should be the
creature she was-no other form Of language had
ever saluted her ear-the sunlight Of a mothers
love had never strown guiding gems in her path
way. But did not dwell upon this. | was to
paint night scene, with points visible only at in
tervas, by the crimson blaze of volcanic light, the
fire of passion and did it. And now came the
closing scene. All il was terrible one and she
saw 1t all for she bent nearer and seemed scarcely
20 breathe. The old man stretched out there on the
filthy floor, dark stream Of blood oozing from his
throat and trickling along the uneven floor until it
came to the body Of the little girl asleep on the
Tough boards, and then creeping round her head and