Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-02-15

there were some who thought otherwise
and many were the sly insinuations that
James v, the cousin before mention
ed, had hand in the matter; but the idea
was suppressed, and it was left for time to
disclose the tragedy Of his death.
1t was from this event that it came to be
! said that the glen was haunted, aud hence
its name.
Twenty years passed away, and the death
Of Harry Weston was spoken OF as an event
nearly forgotten, save in the immediate cir
Gle Of bis friends.
Alice, too, was almost forgotten; she had
long slept quietly by the side al Harry and
over their ashessthe winds have passed, and
the little birds sang sweety, all unconscious
of the drcamless sleep Of the lovers, They
were remembered only as beings Of others
days, when the folIowingaeyents made them
again the theme Of public conversation:
Towards the close of "a sultry day IN Au-
gust, ls--, a tired, way.worn traveller urg.
ed his faded horse up the steep hill in front
of the village tavern. With keen, quick
eve, he scanned the faces Of those who stood
lettering about the door, then disnounted,
gave the reins to the ostler, and entered the
house.
He requested room alone, and desired
that he might not he disturbed. His singu-
lar manner led to many conjectures as to
who could be, and what called him that
way; but these conjectures remained un-
answered
The approaching shades of night warned
the idlers to their homes. to which they has
tened, to recount the appearance of the
stranger.
A deep silence overspread the village, and
from the windows of the cottages the lights
disappeared one after another, till that in the
strangers room burned alone; nor did it
cease to keep its silent vigils till long after
the hour of midnight. Could any one have
looked into that little apartment, they might
have seen him seated at the table, clutching
in his thin fingers pen, and tracing on the
sheet before him-judging from his pale,
haggard brow and trembling manner
words Of mighty import.
At length he ceased, and, weariedwih his
task, extinguished his light aud threw him
self, undressed, upon the bed.
His non. appearance in the morning prompt
ed the landlord 20 enter his room, when, 10
his horror aud surprise, he found him dead,
and recognized him as James v.
YEARLY he had dragged himself home to
his native town to die 1t had been his ar
dent wish, in all his wanderings, that he
might once more reach NJ, and there lay
down the burden of his weary life. This
was clearly shown in the letter that lay un.
sealed upon the table; and would that this
were ALL
But, no; it revealed dark crime which
had embittered his whole life; it told Of guilt
and its fearful reward--the guilty spirit,
which could not rest day nor night, but like
"the troubled sea, cast up nlire and dirt con,
tinually."
He was indeed the murderer Of Harry
Weston!
When he left his uncle's house, it was with
the determination to be revcnged; and for
that purpose he fingered in the woods watch
ing every movement for the favorable op-
portunity to sa,iate his burning hate, which
at lsst presented itself
He saw him turn from the road to the
footpath, and thought it good. time to
wreak his vengeance on his hated rival
Hastily seizing the club which he had pre-
pared, lie concealed himself behind a tree
till bis unsuspecting victim was within hi:
reach; then, daring forward, with one blow
he felled him to the ground. Quick as
thought he pushed against the wall, and hi;
unofcnding cousin was buried beneath its
weight.
Now, for the first time, he paused in his
madness, and gazed upon his prostrate vic
tim. His desire for revenge was glutted
and deep sense OF his guilt rushed like ;
lava.tide over his soul. Frantically he call
ed upon him to awake to life; but in vain
The act had been committed, and no re
morse Of his, though it scorched his spirit t(
madness, could call him back to life.
"The wicked fee when no man pursu
eth" And thus it was with james; thu
rustling leaves above his head he construed
into sounds of approaching footsteps, ant
fled that hour from his native place, ;
wretched wanderer. His life was misera
BILE; everywhere the murdered form of hi
cousin followed him. Ii he slept, his dream
were filled with his image, and waking, hi
reproachful eye was ever fixed upon him.
At length, long years of toll and wander
ing, together with a guilty conscience, un
| dermiued his naturally strong constitution
and he resolved to retnrn home, and see
the forgiveness Of those he had SO cruell
; wronged, if they still lived.
/ Finding, upon his arrival Mt the tavern
that his strength would permit him to 60 n
s further, he stopped, called for a room, a
r has been related, and sat down to reveal tn
I. dark crime he had committed, as sma
y atonemeut for his guilt.
He stated the misery he had endured, hi
Q true repentance, and his earnest wish fc
: his uncle's forgiveness and closed with
d request that he might be laid by the side
S his victims.
e His request was granted; and now, afts
,, the lapse Of many years, their graves ma
o be seen side by side, and their story recour
r ted by the old, grey headed villagers, wh
still believe that their spirits linger round I'll
spot, and lament the scenes of other days.
a IT is easier to bring up dozen childre
9 right than to reform one grown blockhead.
~ ..-,-oa- ,,,.4 49, r., o,oj,