Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-04-15

from HIS numerous intent. VINO Dull Inc pencil
Of the demon could paint the fears-the hopes
Tho dark resolves of the wretched Gray, W lille
the wearied guest slept but few PAGES from
him, in that peace which virtue and WEAKNESS
alone can give.
The morning came and glowing from his
ocean couch, arose the sun, gliding the distant
bluffs and surrounding forest with colors drawn
alone from the pallet Of heaven. His beams
shown down upon the cottage yet unstained with
human blood, and aroused the sleepers..-
Did the evil spirit slumber in Grays bosom?
The simple breakfast was still over, and
Somers asked Gray to SET him on the nearest
ssay to M -. With the blandness worthy
ine days when he stood respectable merchant
behind a city desk, he informed Somers that he
would accompany him part Of his journey,
and under pretence of killing some game,
shouldered his rifle and led the way For some
time they walked together, whilst renewing
boyhood remembrance which called to mind
many spot hallowed by childhood sports and
parental affection.
They had thus proceeded about three miles,
and arrived among those beautiful bluffs on the
Ohio, since rendered celebrated by deed
which has given name to a small crystal
stream which dashes over precipce some hun
dred feet deep. A bird swept over their heads,
and wheeling on its light wing lighted on
ma estic oak-which bears the name of many
an ardent lover of nature. Gray asked the ira
Weller to move on while he attempted to bring
down his game. Somers complied, and unsus-
pecting left Gray behind
A sharp rife-crack ran through the woods and
shrek mingled with its echoes. The host
was murderer for money. Blood may be
shed for revenge, and our sympathies may be
| excited for the assassin. But who can find a
| chord in his hear: from which pity may draw
a note of feeling for him, who with blood-stain-
ed fingers holds the glitering coin before his
eyes?
Gray soon disposed of the body by hurting it
over the precipice As it went numbering
through the scrubbed and jagged rocks that
lined the chasm he perhaps felt remorse, and it
was only for a moment. With eager hands he
| opened the portmanteau, and rolling out the
| shining coin upon the leaves, for some minutes
he gloated over his wealth for the country was
almost uninhabted, and his demon spirit could
rejoice over its riches undisturbed.
On returning home, he deposited his ILL
gotten gold in the chest. His wife heard the
ringing Of the coin and her quick mind told her
that Charles Gray, her husband, he to whom her
heart had cOntided, was murderer She fain-
ted. This wretch needed her not, but gloomily
seated himself before the fire. From the floor
on which she had fallen, Mary rose an altered
woman. The rose fed from her cheek and
grave in the forest marked by single stone,
tells you where lies the broken hearted wife,
Peace to her memory! She is gone where the
blue streams are never crimsoned with blood
where the dagger never flashed over the head
of the devoted wayfarer.
Charles Gray became rich man. His lands,
broad and fertile, bore luxuriant harvests.
tall mansion rose among those old woods, to
shelter the murderer's head. Strange to say he
lived unsupported. No one cared for the emf
grant in the country from which he came
Years rolled away. Villages arose on the
ruins of that mighty forest. The steamer was
heard with its perpetual thunder and lightning
ascending the Ohio, lovely residences, like gems,
summoned up by the enchanters wand from the
earths bosom studded the banks of the silver
river. The suspicious mind Of Gray, flor the
wicked are always suspicious) rendered him
fearful OF discovery, as emigrants were crowd
ing into the State and entered the lands in the
most frequented spots. The bones OF Somets
were still exposed if they were found by any
one rambling through the bluffs, the dark affair
might be investigated and he meet with his lust
desert. Sallying forth one evening, he sought
the wild precipice and descended BY the aid of
moon burned in the midnight with the 1hstre
which she only wears on winter night when
the snow reflects its brightness, and earth SEEM
ed to wear the pearly robes of angels. One by
one the stars had appeared through the arch a.
bove, and around the hills that swept the river,
for nature is still lovely, though for few mo-
ments her beautiful form may bear the record
of crime placed there by man. A young gen.
tleman named Wilson, who was returning from
visit to his 'lady-love," passed by the prec-
pice, and observing the ropes attached to tree
which stood by his path, endeavored to trace
the spot where they ended. After narrow
search he found them hanging against the rock
that formed the basis of chasm round which
the waters swept their crystal current.
Tn a few moments the young man perceived
the form OF one whom he immediately recoe-
Eized as Gray, from his tall muscular figure
He was gathering up some white substances in
bag. At last he seemed to have completed his
task, and throwing the bag over his shoulder,
attached the strings to his neck and body, and
commenced the ascent. By grasping the rocks
with his hands whenever they afforded a suffi-
cient protruding surtace-and planting his foot
firmly in the assures, Gray had succeeded in
climbing half way up the chasm, when stop
ping to rest, the shelby rock crumbled under his
feet. The murderer made a violent struggle
to sustain his position, but losing his balance he
plunged into the gulf.
One wild shrek told that the wretch had
gone to judgment. 'Retribution" had pealed
forth from the throne of God and the spirit of
Gray stood before its Maker.