The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-03-06
MISCELLANY.
THIS TIME TWO YEARS.
CONCLUDED.

TWO DcIOIG tuC dlulNCTSdTN I.
but various provoking casualties retarded my
arrival at the place Of embarkation, and /
reached it at last, only to undergo the mortif
cation Of seeing the packet for England Just
disappearing on the verge of the horizon To
await her return and next departure would
be to delay my arrival at Hardwood, till far
100 late to keep my pledge with Rosomond.
This, if avoidablc, was not TO be thought Of
Ny only chance was to freight a vessel for the
passage but the weather was most unfavora-
ble-so threatening, indeed, that it required
all the persuasive eloquence of high bribng
to prevail with the owner and crew of small
fishing craft to venture with me. But love of
Iucre outweighs even love Of life. 'ALons z
puisrue Monsieur lie rcm dtsoiument,' terminal
ed the captains deliberation, and Caesar and
his fortunes embarked in La gentile Su-
zette,' a cockle-shell of fifteen tons, manned
by two men and boy, in sea that ran hills
if not mountains high, with squally sidewind,
which gave little promise of blowing US to the
port we made for. A wild passage we had of
it in truth. So much so, that at one time
doubted whether had not incurred too fear
full responsibility in perilling-not my own
life only-but those of my servant and OF the
poor Frenchmen-(perhaps husbands and IA
thers)-and all to keep trust with my pretty
cousin at her birthday festival In vain we
tackled and tackled to make the wished-for ha-
ven and at last the sailors, giving up the fruit
less struggle, stood out little from the land,
in hopes of making more successful run for
landing place farther down the coast. To
which proposal / assented the more readily,
on making out with some difficulty, from their
foreign pronunciation. that the little harbor
they had in view was that of the small fishing
town Of Averton, in some sort dependency
of Hardwood, and not quite mile from the
old Hall. My Gallo crew proved themselves
so well acquainted with the coast, and all its
most snug and conrenient creeks and inlets,
that it was pretty evident such knowledge
could not have been acquired in the course of
their LatrfM and ostenSible calling; but that
was no business Of mine. and | felt | might
place full confidence in men who had often
riskel their lives Qor whatever purpose) in
making the shore we were nearing under some
what perious circumstances, rendered more so
b, the fast closing darkness of a starless, moon
less night
MY confidence was not misplaced La
GENTLE Suzet:e' proved herself capital sea-
boat, under most saior-like management,
and soon we were again standing in for
shore, and my heart danced with gladness,
when streaming through the now intense
darkness, appeared the scattered lights OF
Averton, and far above, on the DeIghhor-
ing height, more brilliant and conspicu-
Gus beacon, which proceeded | well knew,
from Hardwood, and doubtless from the
long windows of the new building, where,
thought I. Rose is dancing away at this mo-
meni loo surely blaming in her heart her
cousins iaithessness, little suspecling how
much he has veniured 10 keep his engage
menl But shall still lie in time for a dance
at The close. if not Inc beginning of The ewes
ming. and how shall surprise them all, max
ing my sudden appearance al such an
hourn
so bliIhely communing with my own
thoughts, when the little vessel ran in al last
close TO the snug Convenient lanGing-place
| sprang upon the hard beach with light
and grateful heart, full of affrciionale yearn-
ings toward the dear kindred group with
which was soon 10 mingle and giving di-
rections TO my servant ian old hdbitue of the
place) and one of the French sailors, 10 fol-
low with the must indispensable part of my
luggage, ran Oil faster than my loaded at
PENDANTS could follow up the Struggling street
where, though the church clock struck ten
only, as leapt ashore, all was buried in pro-
found repose, except tnata loud hammering
sound proceeded from the church. the great
door Of which stood open from whence,
and from the lancet windows on either side
a flood of light sireamed across The church
ward and street into the stable-y yard of the
Hardwood arms, where stood black and
huddled mass, which, as we passed close TO
il. was Just distinguishable as hearse and
its attendant mourning coaches.
Marvellous I--incomprehensibl thar
rot a single foreboding of evil shot through
nv heart at that lugubrious spectacle NOT
A ihouoht-uot fear-not the slightest
misgiving connecting the images Of the dear
ones was Fastening 10 with those ominous
objects, and the dark house Of kindred dead
appropriated 10 our family in the adjacent
church. 'Who can it be for ?'was my care
less mental query, as, without slackonipg my
pace, strobe across the lighted space, past
those funeral preparations, and plunged in
10 darkness That was no darkness 10 me IN
the wel-known road to Hardwood. Arriv-
ed at the great gale at no considerable dis
lance from the house, | slackened my pace
for moment, while gave directions 20 my
servant 10 proceed onward by the back en-
trance-to make his way as quietly and Sc
crely as might be TO my old apartment,
(Which was knew in readiness to receive
mel and prepare every thing for my toilet,
without Suffering the secret Of the wander
er's return 10 Iranspire beyond the officers;
for | was boyishIy set on surprising Roso-
nond with my sudden apparition. An alb
-upt turning in the drive brought me sud-
denly full in view of the seawaFd front TO-
ward which had been directed 10 look for
he recent add;tions-a nd there sure
enough, i: blazed upon me in dazzling
brightness.
sIs,ood still for moment and, as gazed'
, something strange nervous leeling crept
I'VE: me-and made me withhold my breath,
ana then draw il hard and quick, as with
orced laugh at nv own folly, was again
starting forward. But something stronger
han myself held me back, as il were TO gaze
to lisien-,o conjecture How strange
hat all should be so still on such a nitn'
So still one might have heard Leaf droP,
No hum OF voices. not a football, moi a moor
stamp, stabIing or office. No strain Of mus,
Nnaw n tai