The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-19

Vulnerable fears, Intensely painful forebo-
dings convulsed my soul. Delay was rack
ing torture; so ! spurred my horse, and
he galloped off with his swiftest speed
Nearing The spot, the truth burst upon me
with fearful reality. Here, piled in heaps
of blackest ruin, was the remains Of nv
loved dwelling. But where 0 where, is
Mary, the tender wife Of my hearth"
wildly exclaimed. What MY feelings were,
cannot describe /; for, losing my senses,
| fell from my horse, and remained totally
unconscious Of all that was passing until
the next morning, when found myself in
my brothers. house.
sHere,' said my landlord, sends the ac-
count of this tragical scene, as given by my
brother himself, the morning after its occur
renee, when memory revived and reason
yet was good. But my story is not yet f.
nished. Immediately on learning OF this
taffair, we made diligent search for the body
of his wife, supposing that she p-rished in
the flames. True to our surmse, deeply
buried in the ashes, we discovered the burnt
aud crisped body Of Mrs. D. but all Of our
efforts proved vain in finding the bones of
the child. What could have become of it,
we could not imagine. Collecting all that
remained of Mrs. Dalton, we carefully ar
ranged her for interment difficulty bere
arose that perplexed us greatly. Would it
be proper to allow my brother to behold
his consumed wife. He was, yet sensible
but would he remain SO. The matter was
soon settled by his demanding, under all
circumstances, to see his wife and child.
The child we. could say nothing Of, but
thought it time enough TO speak of it after
we had seen the effect that sight Of his
wife would produce upon his mind Con-
ducting him to the room where she lay,
stood opposite him to observe the conse-
quence. A moment he looked uron her
composedly, and but moment, for the fire
of madness darted from his eyes, he rushed
upon her corpse raving maniac. With the
greatest difficulty we tore him away from
her body, and long and loudly did he call
for Divine vengeance upon her destroyers.
Confinement became necessary, as the Com
plete proslration Of his intellect ensued. AT
times he is calm, and appears to have some
reason, hut all hope of his perfect restora-
ton to sense is lost. You now UNDER
stand, continued mne host, 'what few
hours ago proved mystery, and as you
seem interested in my brother, if you desire
il, on the morrow in company, we will pay
him visit
81 DO indeed feel concerned in this mat
ter replied |, and most gladly accept your
PROPOSAL
well then,' said my landlord, as it is
growing late, we will retire for the night,
and tomorrow you shall see my brother,
after which will finish my story
Reader, mayhap you will think that !
had strange fancy, in wishing to behold
an insane man! admit that you might So
consider it but to me there was always
something peculiarly interesting about
those whom the wisdom of Heaven had de-
prived Of reason. My rest was somewhat
disturbed, for 'balmy sleep fell not upon
my cyelids so long as thought of the poor
man whom was about to visit, agitated
my mind.
A cheerful good morning. welcomed
me into the breakfast room. After our re-
past, my landlord inquired if | was Of the
mind of the previous evening thinking,
perhaps, that little reflection on the sub
jpct, might have cooled my desire to see
the maniac.' answered positively, that
was; and would be disappointed were ]
compelled to pursue my journey without
seeing him.
81 am ready then, to set out with you"
said he
"To set out with me-" repeater |, with
not a little surprise, s" How far have we to
go -
"Not more than half mile and it will
be very pleasant walk for YOU" replied
| he.
From the distinct manner in which
had heard the voice, judged that the per-
son crying out was in the same house with
myself, and was somewhat disposed to
doubt my landlord but, remembering that
the wind blew strongly, ] gave credence
to his assertion. An agreeable walk it
proved for, suddenly stopping before a
large and beautiful stone dwelling, was
told that we were at our walks end.
Rather an inappropriate place for maniac,
thought ], but "keep quet," whispered
Judgment, "and you will learn more BY
observing than asking great many qurs-
tons Entering, for my landlord led the
woy, and appeared perfectly at home, we
came into n acommodjous parlor bandsomp-