The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-01-02
An Gnctiicut.
--Ap me- hHiif GmgbiES
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he nominations district oil pennsylvania;
for days had oiered from the busy
world, among he hills and forests Of the
Alegbanies. now sdIHiermg along some
ravine or glen dat seemed o'promlse me,
from lis sNeller, some addition TO the box
of specimens carried at my back now
climbing the steep sides OF some rocky hill
whose peak, rising higher than lis neigh
bor,'. promised, in the view obtained,
ample payment for my toll seeking rest
and food amongst the poor but hospila-
bile cabins, here and there dottng the de-
pressed slntnts of the mountains. | en-
.joyed. for a lime, that uahqulllity and
mental satisfaction which have sought
in vain in crowds or in the haunls of
fashion. -" ..' ...
1t was with no small regre, left those
hills. and once more returned 10 the COM
mercial highway Of Pennsylvania
The night Of the lhird of June was
mild and still. All but the tclBsman
and myself, had retired 10 their shelves
in no. and crowded cabin, but prepar-
ed to sit alone upon the baggage Of our
canal boat, and watch the so(eniDg el.
lecls of the full moons light as i, fell
on the surrounding hills and forests or
was reflected in the Juniala flowing be.
low us. ...r hos. ..
At midnight, we arrived a, that point
well known TO travellers on this line
where, by walking across a neck of land
about one mile IN width, the passenger
arrives at point reached only by the
boat in six miles.
IavaIIed myselfuf an opportunity thus
offered to leave for while our snall.like
craft, and wrapped in my cloak, slrolled
Ieisurely along through woods and fields,
now loosing--now regaining path, too
blind 20 be OF much service 10 q stranger
The wildness of the scenery, the still
uess Of every thing around me, the soft
brightness Of the moonlight, and last bu,
not least, the solitude Of my situation all
Icoutrihuted 10 render my midnight walk
such a one as | sometimes love 10 take.
Arrived at tho point alluded to, and not
liking to remain still, strolled through
the village 10 the no small annoyance of
its faithful watch dogs | had no, passed
one house ere lis guardian announced by
a shFill bark the presence of a strangers
loOls,ep, no sooner had passed his beat
Than another took up the note Of warning
then another and another. and thus was
| marshal'd through the village meeting
no human form, hearing no sound bu, the
echo of my own ioolllll and the unwel-
come how of these faithful guardians.
The lock, where intended again to
lind the boat, is below the village nearly
a mile; lhilher | wandered on and all be-
hind me became once more silent as the
grave. The road here and there was
rough and broken by. the crossing OF a
mountain rill as it FASTENED to lend lis
puny aid 10 swell the stream beside ne :;
the country, dcsola,e and dreary. was
rendered more so by the thick fugs rising
from the nejghboring swamps, envelop-
ing all around in their proslra,ing vapor
ere their sovereign dispeller arose to re-
strain them in their Numbering course.
VIVA, other can they be than the breath.
ings Of Deaih--monopoizing. insaliate
Death
could no, but call TO mind, as walk
ed along. scenes of similar desola,ion tia,
had visited in Scotland, famed as the
scene Of manya witches incarnation or an
eva spirits revelry. II there he evil
spirits attendant, on the destiny of man.
surely this must be likely spot 10 find
them at their midnight council: thus
thought |, and my mind wandered back
passing in review the corses of bygone
hopes, the crushed and fallen castles Of
my boyhood dreams. Involan'arliy |
cried aloud Come on We eowardiy aud
malicious ilends, We who have so OF en-
crossed my path through lie and below
ed, how!'d, and screeched elernaly.-
Iail, fail. fail!' Stand up We foul devils
aud meet your victim. for he comes TO
seek you." had scarcely finished my
defiance when. lrom my very feet. came
up noise that broke the stiffness Of the
scene. making me start and hug my cloak
more closely round me,---ihe noise W as
sudden, loud aud momen,ary. | held my
breath and stood as if rivied,o the ground,
To await the issue--nor had | 10 wait
long. from the same spot, amidst a clus.
tering tdit of,he deadly uighl,shadc, came
up once mole. the sound, but this time il
brought its meaning with il--'twas a
cro0k-a long, loud, wilrh-llke croak.
| though, knew the sound--agaln lis.
tened and again it came--lhe croaking Of
large bnll.frog. .H0 -s udra5
] resumed my walk. revolving If |
we're pleased or disappointed a, the issue,
but soon another interruption to my soli-
tude made me start. A large dark object
with the speed of wind, leaped mo, ran)
across the road, and was lost among the
ro,'on timber lying round me-. OI'hc
quickncss of,he apparision'S movemen, EN-.
abIed me only 10 notice a large brIghi spo,
upon tic body, shining us diamond. |