Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-08-21
CITY OF HANNIBAL, MO-, AUGUST 81, 1851.

be superior to this either in point Of architec.
Itural design, or in beauty Of finish, or even in
magnitude, II we may judge from the traces Of
corresponding portions Of it which are still to
be seen.
MY tale, however, has little or no come xion
with this ancient Abbey, further than that the
scene Of ito lies within The manor that belonged
to II in the pamy days Of its original power
and spendor. The boundary of this manor is
some whst vaguely and curiously defined in the
royal charter under which it was helt, a copy
o: which has been preserved and handed down
10 Us. According to this singular document,
its limits extended IS far as the great bell Of
this very tower, that yet remains, would be
heard. And though the bell hes long since
ed to toll, other landmarks, Of a less du-
bious and indefinite character, have been estab
lishsd, and manorial rights over ,hi, immense
tract Of land have fallen into the profane hands
Of the hereto, who treats with utter neglect the
pre- cincts Of this once holy sanctuary.
The little brook, already mentione d, which
generally, in .oothing murmurs, like sof music,
winds its devious way through the intricate
maze. Of the hntasticslly shaped rocks, now
hiding and anon obstruo,ing its sparkling cur.
rent, on the melting Of the SHOWS upon the
mountain sides, or after heavy rains, changes
ito character into boisterous and uncohtrolla-
ble torrent that
"Bos, and Wheels and ioams, and tlunders through"
On such occasions, the ford across this brook,
a few miles lower down, Of place called Rose.
gill, becomes not only difficult, but dangerous,
unless particular attention be paid to the exact
path along a smooth ledge Of limestone rocks
~ even as q cut stone pavement; such caution
is the more nscessary,as this stratum dips up the
stream at q considerable angle with the horizon,
70 that when the water is in the tur bulent state
have mentioned, the slightest deviation in that
direction would carry horse beyond its depth;
while on the other hand. this ledge is abrupt
ly broken off forming the verge Of a fearful
cataract, down which any benighted traveller,
unfortunate enough to pass SO near tie ''torce. "
as i, 10 empha,ically termed in the locality, as TO
be caught within its sweeping influence. is
hurled wn to imme ediete and remediless de-
struction.
The ford was in this dangerous state one dark
and rather tempestuous night in the month Of
October, lS-, when Tom Smith, one Of the
boldest and most resoluts Of Lord L.
game keeper's, who had been more than ordi-
narily active in apprehending poachers, left his
house to 60 over ON horseback to on appointed
place of rendezvous, where few friends of his
as determined and resolute as himself, had a.
greed to meet him on the first suspicious look
ing night. The arrangement had been made fou
the purpose of apprehsndpe, The ALL .,
manor, one Of the most desperate gangs Of
part Of the country.
"Beware OF Rosegiil Ford, Thomas" said
his wife, as he vsuIted into his saddle at the
door shut you will see from Dobson's shop
windows 20 get safely through"
"Yes, il they are lighted" said the keeper,
carele,.ly, and to soothe her fears, which he
saw were much excited, he then added, 81
W. ould play at blind.man's buff in the middle o
it, if the force ragged with ten times the fury
it does tonight: this biting frOst has hushed
its roaring a little, or we should hear it more
distinctly" But he was addressing himself tc
u needless listener, for he had touched chor,
that thrilled with more fearful iorebodings
through her trembling frame.
"Ths flood is furious" she said to him, ant
her voice faltsred as she spoke "but oh be
ware Of those terrible Dobsons."
"They will have TO beware Of me- he re
piled, as his wife handed him his light fowing
piece, which he slung across his broad shoul-
dsrs; "they will have to beware Of me; for, !
the rascals are unearthed-and the bait Nv,
laid think will have brought them QUIT vii
be strange il the old fox and all his cubs shoult
regain their cover. And my name be Ton
Smith. but some on 'em shall have a hard
scratch for 1T"
, His head was turned little to one ide a
! he said this, and slight nod be:ok ened not on
ly the confidence he felt in his own proves
F., but the pleasure he anticipated in that night
|, adventure ; it was indeed esteemed by him lik
, life from the dead
"Goad-night. sweetheart!" he added in
} more affsc,ionate manner and a kindier tone
but not less gay wi'hal, as far, at least, as me
the eye and the ear ;-"good night thy brothe
and his wife will help thee to Seguils the lone
= ly hours till midnight. and II come not then
.. wsi. no longer for me, as it 10 quite uncertain
" hen | shall return" And he gallopsd of to
wards Rosegill Ford.