Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-09-09

N'lCe Wdt lost W tue NlolenCe OF the storm.
The heavy chill again struck through his
frame, and his blood seemed to stagnale be-
meath ii. He cooled himself up in projec-
ting doorway and tried to sleep.
But sleep had fled from his dull and gla-
zed eyes. HIS mlnd wandered strangely,
but he was awake aud conscious. The
well known shout of drunken mirlh sounded
IN his ear-the glass was at his lps-the
board was covered with rich fuod-they
were before hun, he could see them ail-hc
had but Ia reach his hand aud take them
aud thought the illusion was reality itself;
he knew that he was sitting alone IN the
deserted street, watching the rain drops as
they battered on the stones aud that there
were none to care for or help him.
Suddenly he started up in the extremity
Of terror lie had heard his own voice
shouting Ia the night ail, he knew not what
or why. Hirkl A groaul Another =
HIS senses we're leaving him-half formed
and lucohereut words burst from hls lips
aud has hands sought To tear aud lacer4le his
flesh. lie was gmng mad. aud he shreked
Tor help iill his voice failed HIM.
He raised his head. aud looked up the
long, dismal street lie rpcnllecjed that
oulcas,s like himself, condemned IL wander
day aud night IN those dreadful streets. had
sometimes gone distracted with their loueil-
ness He remembered to have heard, many
years beiore, that homeless wretch, had
once been found IN d SOLITARY corner, sharp
uenng rusty knife, 10 plunge INTO his own
heart, preerrIng death to hat endless, weary
wandering To aud fro. Ia an instant his
resolve was taken; his limbs received new
life he rau quickly from tie spot, aud paus-
ed not for breath until he reached the river
side
He crepi softly down the steep stone stairs
that lead from The commencement Of Wa
terioo bridge, down TO the waters level lie
crouched iaio a corner, aud held his breath
as the pitrul passed Never Dad prisoner
heart ,hrob "ith the hope of liberty and life
half SO eagerly as dad thtt Of the Wrelched
nlau 90 the prospect of death. The watch
passed close to hun, bat he remained un.b-
served aud AFTER waiting call the sound Of
footsteps bad died away IA the distance, he
cautiously descended aud stood beneath the
gloomy arch that forms the landing place
from the river
The tide WAS IN. aud the water flowed al
his feet. The ram had ceased, the wind
was IrlIed. aud all WAS for a mouen, still
anu quet-so quiet that the ripplmg Oft
water against the barges that were moored
there, was distinctly auhble To his ears
The stream <ole'languidly aud sluggishly on.
Strange aud fantastic forms rose to the sur
face, and beckoned him to approach dark
cleaning eyes peered from the water, aud
seemed 10 mock hIs hesitation, while hollow
mnrmefs from behndNirqed hlm onward.
lie Refreshed few paSss, took a short rom,
a desperate leap, and plunged into the river
Not five seconds had passed when he rose
to the waters surface, but, what a change
had taken place IA that short Time ia all hl,
thoughts aud feelings Life, hle, ia any
form poverty, misery, starvation, any thing
but death. He fought and struggled viii
the water that closed over his head, ans
screamed agouIes Of terror The curse @
his own son rang IN his ears The shore
bur one foot of dry ground he could almos
touch Ihe step. One hand breadth nearer
aud be was saved but the tide bore HIN
onward, under the dark arches of the brdg,
and he sank 20 the bottom.
Again he rose, and struggled lor life -
For one mstdut-lor one brief nstant-th'
buildings on the rivers bank, the lights OF
the bridge under which the current ha,
borne him, the black water aud the fast fly
Iug clouds, were distinctly vlsible-onc,
more he sunk, aud again be rose-hrigh
flames of fire shot up from earth to heaven
and reeled before his eyes, whilst the wate
numbered IN his ears, aud stunned hlm viii
ils furious roar.
a week afterwards the body was WASHED
ashore some mhes down The rser, swolei
aud disG- cured mass Unrecu1nlzed an,
It has long since mouldered aaay.