Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-06-03
THE MURDERED COUSIN.
A Ghost Story.


round with grim with grim old portraits, AID
as was not sorry 10 see, containing, in its
ample CRATE, large and cheerful fire. Here
my cousin had leisure to talk more at her
ease; and from her learned something OF
the manners and habits OF the two remanin.
ing members of her family. whom | had not
| yet seen. On my arrival had known moth
ing OF the family among whom Twas come
to reside. except that it consisted of three
individuals, my uncle, and his son aud dau-
! ghter, Lady Tyrell having been long dead,
in addition TO this very scanty stock ofinfor-
nation, | shortly learned from my commu-
/ nicative companion, that my uncle was as
! had suspected, completely retired in his hab
| its, and besides that. having been, so far back
as she could well rccOlect, always rather
strict, as reformed rakes frequently become,
! he had latierly been growing more gloomly
and sternly religious than heretofore. Her
account Of her brother was far less favorable
though she did not say anything directly TO
his disadvantage. From all that | could
gather from her, | was led to suppose tha,
he was a specimen of the idle. coarse man
nered, prohigate "sqairedrchy result
which might naturally have followed fiom
the circumstance Of his being, as it were,
ouIawed from society, and driven for COM
panionship TO grades below his own-enjoy-
ing, too, the dangerous prerogativo of spen-
ding good deal Of money. However, you
may easily suppose that found nothing ir
my cousins communication TO bear me out
| in so very decided conclusion.
! awaited the arrival of my uncle, which
was every moment to be expected, with fee
| lings half of alarm, half of curiosity-a SEN
/ saton which have often since experienced.
though 20 a less degree, when upon the
! point Of standing for the first time in the pres
ence Of one ofwhom have long been in
the habit of hearing or thinking with inter
est. 1t was therefore, with some little per-
,urbation that heard, first slight hustle at
the outer door, then slow step traverse the
hall, and finally Witnessed the door open and
my uncle enterthe room Hewas striking
looking man, from peculiaiiues both of per
son and of dress, the whole effect of his ap-
pearance amounted to extreme singulatity.
He was tall, and when young his figure must
have been strlkiugly elegant; as it was, how
ever its effect was marred by a very decided
stoop; his dress was ofa sober color, and in
fashion anterior to anything which | could
remember. 1t was, however, handsome,
and by no means carelessly put on; bat what
completed the singulaity of his appearance
was his uncut, white hair, which hung in
long, but not at all negiecte curls, even so
fan as his shoulders, and WI ,h combined
with his regularly classic features, and fine
dark eyes TO bestow upon him an air Of ven.
erable dignity and pride, which have SCI
dom seen eGullled elsewhere. arose s he
entered, and met him about the middle Of
the room; he kissed my cheek and both my
hands, saying:
you are most wolcome, dear child. as
welcome as the command OF this poor place
and all that it contains can make YOU. ] am
rejoiced to see you-truy rejoiced. ] trust
thai you are not much iatigued; pray be seat q.
ed again. He led me TO my chair and con-
tinued, Il am glad to perceive you have
made acquaintance with Emily aheady:
sec, in your being thus brought together, the
foundation of lasting friendship. You are
borh innocent, ard both young. God bless
you-God bless you and make you all that
could wish"
II raised his eyes, and remained a few
momeHts silent, as If in secret prayer. felt
that i: was impossible that this man, with
feelings of friendship manifestly so ten
der, could be the wretch that public opin-
ion had represented, him to be. was more
than ever convinced Of his innocence. His
manners were, or appeared to me. most fas-
cinating. | know not how the lights of ex-
perence might have altered this estimate.-
But was then very young, AID beheld in
him perfect mngling Of the courtesy of
polished life with the gentlest and most gen.
ial virtues OF the heart.
A f. 4,
him began to spring up with me- the more
earnest that ! remembered how sorcly he
had suffered in fortune aud how cruelty in
fame. My uncle having given me fully to
understand that ! was most welcome, ard
might command Whatever was his own, pres
sed me to take some supper; and opmy refu-
sing, he observed thar, tefore biEling me
good night he had one duty further To per-
form, one in which he was convinced would
chcenulIy acqulesce. lie then proceeded
TO read a chapter from the Bibe after which
he took his leave with the same atfectonate
kindness with desire that | should consider
everything in his house as altogether at my
disposal. Ii is needless To say how much
was pleased with my uncle-it was impossi-
BILE to avoid being so; and could not help
saying to myself, # such man as this is not
safe from the assaults Of slander, who is!
felt much happier than had done since my
fathers death, and enjoyed that night the
hrst refreshing sleep which had visited me
since that calamity. Ny curiosity respecting
my male cousin did not long remain unsatis
fled; he appeared upon the next day at dinner.
His manners, though not so coarse as had ex-
pected. were exceedingly disag g'eeable: there
was an assurance and fDTwaTdness for which |
was not prepared; and less Of thev lgarIty Of
manner. and almost more Ofihat Of the mind,
than had anticipated. | felt quite uncom
Portable in his presence, there was just that
confidence in his look and tone, which would
read encouragement ever in mere disgust,
and annoyed at the coarse and exlravagant
compliments which he was pleased from time
10 time TO pay me, than perhaps the extent
Of the arociry might fully have warranted
ltwas, however, one consolation that he did
not often appear, being much engrosed by
pursuits about which neither knew nor cared
unN f..s L. l. 4.