Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-06-28
DAILY EMPTRE.= !
TRE BROKEN TELESCoPE.

IL was near this place, on the shore Of n i,,i
inlet otthe lake, that family with which 1 VA
most intimate dwelt. The residence was mos
btauhiul ceuntry seat spent tho sumtner there
and found IL perfect garden, Its beautiful mea
doWs and forests, uu0uating In the distance. los
themselves Ia Che clouds clustering and erowdin,
about the setting sun. Numerous were the wall
aud woodland PATHS on tho borders Of which 1 d
often eulled the roses or gathered the boouets a
wild flowers TO present to my hind hostoss or he
beautiful daughter; and how greatly was my pleas
ure enhanced when the fair girl would piaee m,
roses in her hair, where the long, dark braidsmad,
Tor them glossy drapery, amid which they mieh
hide their gentle bushes, or when she vo1ls
cherish my modest violet and lily on her pityips
breast. F''''s
Gathering flowers and roaming about the wood,
were my principal amusements, but when. in M
walks, found pleasant nook, / would sometime,
reperuse few pages Of my old college authors or
! ] would amuse myself with my teleaeone- ne 81
ued and cherished gift of dear friend. with tbis
instrument the incidents am about Co relate ars
intimately connected.
Fresh from college, with slight knwledgs Of
astronomy, and love for the study of those great
mysteries OF the planetary system, would amuse
myself the evenings, for hoursat time. within
telescope, till the moments would grow into mid.
| night l had sometimes a fair eompan niou in the
person OF the lovely daughter, to whom I would
make strange but true comparisons betweon tbo
bright oIbs Of the night and her own SPARKLING
eyes buJ L was generally nlOnet either n the
window OF my chamber or on the broad balcony
hidden amongst its evergreen curtains Of creeping
rOses aud houoysuckles.
1t was thus amused myself one nieht. wbilo
the hours were already stretching late Nv teIe-
scope happened to bring within its range the case
ment OF rural palace across the bay. was well
acquainted with its proprietor we had been to col.
lege together He was proud but generally an
agreeable and urbnne gentleman. Himself wealtbv
and gifted, he had espoused talented, accomplish
ed, and beautiful lady. 1 was vol acquainted
with her also and greatly admired her MANY vir.
tues and good qualities. What was my astopish-
mont, therefore, andsorrow to see lady and gentle
man embracing with the most ondearinR manner
towards each other. M first impulse was to turn
the instrument away: but was confident I had
seen my friends wife, and that the gentleman was
an entire stranger to me. With the knowIedg ge
that hex husband was gone to New Orleans knew
not how to act, If l should act at all. My indiR-
nation was aroused, so 1 determined to write TO
him l requested him, by letter, TO return, giving
him vague hints and praying him to call ON me be-
fore visiting his wife,
The next evening he was with me, Il was lato
and sat reading, except when would pause 10
listen to the soft voice oimy hosesss daughter as
1t hobted from her chamber along the gallery, in
modulatons low and sweet. She sang OF the inf
deity Of gay lady whose lord had gone to Pales-
tine, and she told how the weary palmer had come
home after his weary pilgrimage, exchanging his
glorious sabre for his humble staff and harp. She
told how he came home TO find that oil his homes of
happiness fed, and to diein griet for its oss
The romance was full of sadness; and she sang it so
gently, and told the bravo knights sorrow go
touchingly, that wept and thought of my absent
and unhappy friend. 1t was late, very late, when
heard the tread Of a horseman gallOpinR up tho
avenue leading to the house. As he merged from
the gloom recognized my impatieDtly expected
friend. hastened to meet him. His look was
Geld, and his hand remained passive In mine He |
accompanied me 10 my room without utterinR |
word or answering any ofmy questions. Hurt as |
was by his cold demeanor, silently pointed to A |
chair. He seated himself For a few moments
there was pause. He sat gazing upon the car
pet, and felt myself unable to disturb his reverie
Suddenly raising his eyes to mine, he gasped out
in hoarse whisper, while the blood rushed to his
face--
"About my wife,"
1t is difficult task to relate tc an injp ed man
the tale Of his own injuries. l four Il so. hut
knew. He sat for short tune with his eyes fixed
upon mine and silent, then arose and paced the
room, and finally mutterod, between his teeth:
"Where is the telescops?"
drew it from my desk and handed it to him.
Taking 1t, he advanced to the window, and quietly
-angedit. l saw his intention. There was a LIGHT
in his room, and the instrument was directed
hither. Several moments passed, and he still
stood gazing at the window us though irresolute
" hat to do. GsldVnly he rushaI F-,s~ tho -oo--
in moment his horses hoojs wore clattering on
he pavement, and tho wild horseman was intnedi-
ltely lost in the gloom. Greatly disturbed, /
Knew not how to act. l knew not what deeds the
nan might enact in his fury. l was satisfied be
had something to have disturbed him SO great.
y, and to have moved one SO usually cold and
proud.
l approached the Window and looked through
he instrument They were there, as had ex-
,ected-his wife and the stranger. had done
wrong to open the matter so suddenly and direotIv
N "a c.. a.
night bo tho result of my rashness determined
o watch the result. The few moments of short
lalf hour seemed to have been heightened into SO
many hours. But the two persons OF my glass
gere increased to three. saw tha husband raise
lis hand, armed with the heavy riding whip which
had before observed when he was in my chamber
The stranger fell beneath the heavy blow, and so
'alpable was the scene Of which l was witness
hat almost thought 1 heard the blow and the
rash Of the broken skull. At this moment his
Yife threw her arms around him. as though to pro-
ect tho fallen man. But what mystery is this1
] o who has stricken down this enemy-him who ,
las been, perhaps, the cause of his dishonor-is
low pending over the PROSTATE form Of the man,
pparently in the greatest distress, and attempting
0 sOothe his pain The woman is falling faintipr;
nd in my excitement the telescope is thrown from
he window, and is dashed into thousand pieces
n the gravel walk below. o
When / retired that night, it was but to dream
he horrid tragedy over and over gain and to toss
Dout IN my Deu, overcome by tho excitement of
he scene / had witnessed. / felt that had not
cted prudently. | knew not whether the ma n had
zen killed or not. If he was murdered, could !
ot inform against my friend; for felt that was =
he cause Of the deed; and yet my concience told
le that ii did not, should be particeps ori- =
ninis-G second in the hideous murder. Imag-
ne my feelings-the strange commotions which
lere stirred in my breast as thought on the in
idents Of the last night. On the same day de- '
ermined to return to New 0reans-to leave the
Gene Of that drama, in which 1 had acted so
TRANCE part. l took leave Of my kind hos.
ess, and heard the sweet daughters sigh of adieu
was soon lost 10 the labyrinth of socioty--in the
issipations of tho city, endeavoring to drown
very thought of tho whole transaction. ~
Five years passed away. l had sought a respite
verywhvre froIn my remorso. but in vain. had :
ever as yet, mot him whom ] considered a mur, 1
erer. At last by some strange attraction, de-
srmined to visit the scene Of my adventure. p
'hings we're scarcely changed. A residence had
prung up here and there, but the principal fea>
lres Of the place were the same. Here was the
ouse in which ! had sojourned during that event
nj sumner. Here was the house in which the
orrible tragedy had beon enacted, everything
ias unchanged. / met boy on tho road, from
ihom inquired who lived In the different houses.
nc names were familiar determines to call on
ny good former hostess.
As | rode up the avenue Of dark magnolias, the
rst person met coming from the house was tho
air daughter, pale as this wild lily, which nestled
n her breast ss in former times. She saw me and
tarted, her whole oountenanoe changed, and she
ank faintng to the ground, In a mOmont was
oing all could to restore her to consciousness.
he revived, and supported her she entered the
ouse. remained with her through the evening,
nd felt that she had loved me, aud had been
athful to her affection for so long a time.
iever suspected it before, and when / left that
yonng, it was but to return daily to her whom
lad learned 20 love and cherish forgetting every