Eastern times., 1855-10-18

of the day, left my boarding-place and set ou
on foot. with staff in hand, upon a new route
which had not yet explored. So enchanting
was the scenery on every hand, and so fire.
quently did the views change into new, and j
possible, more pleasing combinations, at diff
ferent points along the road, that the sun hat
SINK far toward the western horizon, and ye
| had not thought of returning. The road now
led directly over the top of high hill, or range
of hills, upon arriving at the summit of which
and looking westward, perceived an immense
black thunder cloud rising! Already could
see the lightnings flash and dart from one
dense mass of cloud to another, and hear the
low mutterings of the distant thunder.
Believing that the shower would be upon
me before | could return far enough TO obtain
shelter, and thinking that the town of s.
could not be more than mile or two in ad-
vance, FASTENED on. But was mistaken in
the distance, for before had reached the town
or came in sight of any dwelling, the cloud
had come up and overspread the whole sky
making it almost as dark as night the con-
slant glare of the vivid lightning. and the
sharp, rapid peals of thunder almost blinded
and deafened me; and near at hand | could
hear the loud rushing of the rain, n,-already a
few large drops began 10 fall around me. Just
at this moment, while looking this way and
that to discover. if possible, any place that
would afford me the least shelter, | esped a
house or building of some kind In a valley at
my right. As my road seemed not 10 lead to-
wards the house, left it, and took straight
course down the hill towards the house. The
side of the hill was covered with young wood,
and such thick growth of underbrush, that
could see but few feet,in advance.
The declivity became quite steep as [ drew
near the foot of it, and rushing rapidly down,
| came suddenly upon the brink of precipce
some twenty-five or thirty feet in height
| made an effort to save myself by seizing hold
of small shrub, but such was the momentum
of my body, that the shrub came up, roots and
all, and over plunged. When / came to my
self again | was lying upon a bed in a small
room. 1t seemed to be morning, for the san
was shining brightly, and through the open
window Git was in the month of June could
hear the merry voices Of the brds-singing
with the fresh joyousness with which they
usually sing in the early part of the day. I
glanced about the room, and beheld a form,
which, in my, as yet partial unaonsciousness,
| almost fancied TO be that of an angel it was
young lady. She was standing at a short
distance from the bedside, with her face turned
partly from me, and with her eyes upIiftod as
If in prayer. Such a vision of wonderful
loveliness' methought had never before seen.
Could it be that | was dreaming Her form
was symmetrical her hair was of rich aH-
burn color; and her complexion was of the
most, transparent whiteness, except where the
sign of health was implanted upon her cheek.
She had dark blue eyes and her features,
which were of an intellectual cast, bore an ex-
preston of modesty, sensibility, and inexpres-
sible sweetness. She was dressed with SIM
plicity, neatness and taste. Her lips moved /,
was she praying for me! But | could bear
the suspense no longer.
Woman or angel said |, tell me where l
am, and how came | here 2
She was somewhat startled, and the color
left her cheeks, bdt it quickly returned, and
she looked towards me and smiled, and it was
such smile 1t was an intelligent, sympa-
thetc smil le, and such an one, as she would,
doubtless, have had for any person in
like circumstances TO those which was then
placed in, but it thrilled through my inmost
being like an electric shock, and I felt very
sure that she possessed kind and aflectionate
heart. She answered me by saying
sfhe doctor is here, will call him, and he
will tell you all about it, and then disappeared
through the halfopen door
In moment the doctor came in, followed
by another man-Mr. W, the owner Of
the premises. My situation was soon explained
to me ; after the shower of the previous even
ing had passed away, MIR. W went out to
look at tree which the lightning had struck
and coming near the foot of the precipice
down which had fallen, discovered me upon
the ground in state of insensibnIty. | was
taken Immediately to the house physician
was sent for, and during the whole night every
effort had been made to restore me to con
seriousness, but without avail. The physician
and others in attendance had left me for few
moments TO partake of some refreshments, ant
the young lady, of whom have spoken, wa.
watching by me during their absence, when
suddenly, as before mentioned, recovered the
use of my faculties.
Fortunately, none of my bones were broken
but was so Jared and bruised, that it was
nearly month before could walk about with
out great pain.
The family of Mr.. W, which consisted
of himself and wife, three young children, ant
the young lady-Clara E, who was
boarder, and teacher of the village school, wa
a pleasant one; and they were all very kline
to me, so that rapidly recovered. My frs
impressions of Clara were in no wise altered
(ufIess it was for the better,) upon becoming
acquainted with her; she was as lovely il
character as she was in form and FEATURE
1