Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-04-15
MISCELLANEOUS.
From The Louisville Literary Messenger
THE FOREST MURDER.
A TALE OF INDIANA.

The incidents which am about to relate are
not drawn from Imagination, but fact They
form an act of the never ending drama of hui
man villaiEy.
'This is indeed wild night,n said Charles
Gray to his vile as they sat before the blazing
hearth of an Indian log cabin, whilst the winds
walled around the roof and went sounding
through the forest.
"Wilder than ever l knew" observed his
wife, S'Charles how thankful we should be to
our Maker that he has given us this warm fire
and close cabin TO protect US from the rude ele-
rnentso
'sIhanklul," and Charles Gray assumed a
scowl, which of itself spoke the demon in his
heart. Thankful, wife you mock me. What
is this cabin to the luxurious comfort of the town
folks whom We used to see in New York, roll
ing through the Streets in their cushioned car
riages, Oh reclining on silk sofas and laughing at
the beggars that claimed their charity. Thank
full ~
Mary did not reply. She feared him when
IN these moods, and was too iudicious to irrtate
him even by words, though breathed from a
seraph's lutte, or syllabelled by angels lips, to
one whose soul has become absorbed in the un-
hallowed love Of wealth.
Charles Gray was native of New York, and
had been LETT handsome fortune-but prompt
ed by avarlce, and too impatient to continue in
the sale business which he began, joined others
OF an equally rapacious disposition in specu-
lation which at first proved promising
but entirely failed, and left many an ardent
dreamer ruined man. Charles in this mad
affair had embarked his all. He was left with
out house or friends, for friends are often bound
with golden chains alone He determined,
with his wife, to emigrate to Indiana, for whose
fertile soil, broad streams genial climate and
noble forest so much was said
With bitter spite he babe farewell 10 home,
and with small amount OF money, raised by
the sale OF his wife's jewels, sought the almost
untrodden wilds of the west. With a small a.
mount of cash, he purchased few acres of
ground on the Ohio river, where the beautiful
town ot--- is now standing. For a short
time he labored assiduously at his small farm,
and cheered by the smiles of a lovely and de-
voted wife, seemed to forget his misfortune. A
short time before our narrative opened, Charles
visited L --- as hand ON flat boat, the
only species OF water-craft then used to convey
goods and produce down the river. Whilst he
was there he met several of those who had fail
ed in the same speculation, which had ruined
himself. But whilst he had remained poor,
they had by some means revived their fortunes
and settled on the Ohio, where they were car
rying on a brisk business Charles returned
home an altered man. For whole days he
would sit idle and Disconnected. His sleep was
disturbed by dreams of gold in vain did the
beautiful and accomplishing wife endeavor to
brighten the fiend from his bosom. 1t was like
one solitary star trying to dissipate the darkness
OF the storm tossed ocean.
Wilder yet rolled the storm through the crack
ing woods and Charles was still brooding over
imaginary wrongs, when 'halo," was heard
out side the little enclosure which surrounded
the cabin.
Mary sprang to the door and after scrutiniz-
ing the traveller, for such the intruder was, by
the iicht of bark torch which she held over her
head, invited him into her rustic home.
In moment a gentleman of rather slight
stature, bearing portmanteau in his hand, en-
tered and gave the usual salutation. Mary
called for her husband to attend the traveller,
but neither by word or gesture did he exhibit
signs OF having heard her, until the strangers
portmantean touched the floor, spoke to his
sordid soul of gold. The demon was aroused,
but he wore smiling face.
"Welcome stranger, welcome,o exclaimed
Gray ia so horrid and strange manner that
the stranger started back few PAGES in surprise;
but quickly recovering himself, exchanged salu-
satlons and seated himself on rude chair, al
ready placed for his convenience before the
fire.
Conversation soon commenced, nor was it in
terrupted until the night had far advanced to-.
wards the dawn. George Somers was also, he
said, native of New York, and from the neigh
borhood in which Charles Gray had lived. He
informed Gray that he sold his property at the
east and emigrated to "EI Dorado,n to specu-
late in lands, having with him large amount
ofmoney for that purpose.
AT last they all retired to rest. The traveller
to sleep-Gray to brood over the wealth of his
guest. What fearful thOuphta nassed ,brouon
the brain of the wretch, thai night. How often