The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-07-18
From the Louisville Literary Messenger
THE FORREST DzUR DER.
4 TALE OF INDIANA.

The incidents which am about to relate .
are not drawn from imagination. but facts
They form an act in the never ending drama
of human YilIainy.
"This is indeed a wild night" said Charles
Gray to his wife as they sat before the blazing
hearth of an Indiana log cabin, whilst the
winds walled around the roof and went sound
ing through tie forest.
wilder than ever | knew" observed his
wife +" 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 elements.
/ "ThankfuI," and Charles Gray assumed
scowl, which of itself spoke the demon in his
heart "Thanklui, wife you mock me. What
is this cabin 10 the luxurious comfort Of the
town folks whom we used to see in New \ ork
rolling through the streets in their cushioned
carriages, or reclining on silk sofas and laugh
inc at beggars that claimed their charity
Thankful!'
Mary did not reply. She feared him
when in these moods and was too iudcious
to irritate him even by words, though
breathed from seraph's lutte, or syllabled
Iby angels lips to one whose soul had be-
come absorbed in the unhalloWed love Of
wealth.
Charles Gray was a native Of New 7 Ork.
and had been left handsome fortune-but
prompted by ayarce, and too impatient to
continue in the safe business which he began,
Joined others of an equally rapacious DISPOSE
ton in speculation which at first proved
promising, but entirely failed. and left many
an ardent dreamer q ruined man. Charles
in this mad affair had embarked his all He
was left without house or friends, for friends
are often bound with golden chains alone
lie determined with his wife, to emigrate to
Indiana, of whose fertile soil, broad streams,
genial climate and noble forests so much was
said.
With Il bitter spirit lie babe farewell to
home, and with Il small amount OF money,
raised by TIE sale Of his wife's Jewels, sought
the almost untrodden Wilds of the West
With a small amount of cash he purchased a
few acres of ground on the Ohio river, where
the beautiful town Of is now standing,
For a short time he labored assduously at
Yhis small farm, and cheered by the smiles Of a
7 lovely and devoted wife, seemed to forget bis
misfortune. A short time before our nara
tive opened. Charles visited l. as g
hand on hltboat, the only species of water
: craft then used TO convey goods down the
: lri,er. Whilst he was there he met several
of those VIII had failed in the same specula-
= ton. which had mined himself. But whilst
: he had remained poCr they had by some
means revived their fortuGes ana settled OF
the Ohio, where they were carrying on
brisk business. Charles returned nome al
/ altered man. For whole days he would 81
= idle and discontented. His sleep was US
2 turbed by dreams Of gold; in vain did the
c beautiful and accomplishing wife endeavol
to irighten the fend from his bosom. 1t was
If like one solitary star endeavoring to dssl
:. pate the darkness of the storm tossed ocean
II Wilder yet rolled the storm through The
u cracking woods and Charles was still brood
1fI ing over his imaginary wrongs when a "hal
is lo'' was heard outside the little enclosure
which surrounded the cabin.
Mary sprang to the door and after scrutin
% lzing the traveller, for such the intruder was
"a by the light OF bark torch which she hel(
Is over her head invited him into her rustt
home.
.of In moment a gentleman Of rather small
It stature, bearing portmauteau in his hand
g entered and gave the usual salutation. Ma
ry called for her husband toattend to the trav
eller. but neither by word or gesture did be
a exhibit signs cf having heard her until thu
a strangers portmanteau touched the floor
" spoke to his sordid soul Of gold. The demon
was aroused, but he wore a smiling face.
ig "Welcome stranger, welcome" exclaime,
in Gray in so horrid and strange manner tina
IS the stranger started back Il few PAGES in sur
prise; but quickly recovering himself ex
70 changed salutaions and seated himself o.
,s arude chair, already placed for his conven
fence before the fire.
Conversation soon commenced. nor was
OF interrupted until the night had far advance
toward the dawn. George Somers was al
III so, he said. d native Of New Y ork and lror
the neighborhood in which Charles Gray ha
lived. He informed Gray that he sold hi
- property ut the east and emgrated to II
Dorado to speculate in lands, having Iarg
pc amount Of money for that purpose.
At last they retired to rest. The travele
to sleep Gray to brood over the wealth c
his guest. What fearful thoughts passe
lie through the brain the wretch. that night
iy How often did his eyes wander to the hunting
lg knilei Once he was about leaving his bee
when single motion Of his wife in her Stun
S. Der deferred him from his murderous inten
Il Who but the pencil Of the demon could pain
q the iears-the hopes-the dark resolves
the Wretched Gray, while the WeaueG CUES
lot slept but few PAGES from him. in that peac
which virtue and WEAKNESS alone can give
The morning came and glowing from hi
~ ocean couch arose the sun, gliding the dis
: tant bluffs and surrounding forest with color
he drawn alone from the pallet Of heavens III
10 beams shOne down upon the cottage, yet u
STAINED with blood and aroused the slceper
Did the evil spirit slumber in Gray's bosom
The simple breakfast was still over, an
Somers asked Gray to set him on the neal
;, est way to M. With the bIandnes
:, worthy the day when he stood a respectabl
- merchant behind city desk, he inlorme
Somers that he would accompany him par
of his Journey, and under pretence OF kiln
0g some game shouIdered his rife and led tn
he way For some time they walked together
lis whilst renewing boyhood remembrance