Spirit of the age., 1861-06-12
Original Diapers.
A Legend of Yore.
FoR THE SPIRIT or THE AGE.


FOR THE SPIRIT or THE AGE.
A Legend of Yore.
There are many stories extant concorr,nc
INC robbcries and murders committed bv fbe
n neo men OF the forest upon solitary Travellers
heSe are transmitted from generation to
Een'rtlon, tn ough the medium of oral trl-
lo'. vi the many which are in circula-
Won, tue following is one Of the most thrillino.
ma'y years ago before the face Of our hap
~ country exhibited many Of the marks of
prosperity which now greet the eve of the
beholder every where and when lono ionrO
neys were performed with diflicnIty Mr.
- gent eman Of y enlih and inLe!ll-
&tnfe, who resided in one OF our Atlantic
states, having heard much Of the fertility of
the Western val eys, and believing that that
country presented much broader opening for
an active energetic mind determined to re-
move thither. Bot before removing his fam.
lly hc wisely concluded TO visit it and select
pleasant luc.tion. Well knowing tie dan
ge's TO which travellers were exposed in
nose days, he equipped himself with all
Kind OF weapons necessary for defence. -
Ihus prepared, he set out on his long and
lonely journey. The new objects of interest
which everywhere met the travellers gaze,
tended ln no small degree to begue the te-
dun OF the solitary hours. as he pursued his
Journey Having passed over the bro ID plains
OF wavingpinc that adorned his native State
he began to wcnd his way over the hills and
valleys which gradually rise into the Blue
h'age and AlIcghany Mountains Soon thoir
azure SUBMITS began to loom up o the dis
lance. Possessing sprightly vivid imagi
nation, and love for the sublime and beau
ht,Vp 81.
raptnrouS deli ght on the scenery around him.
= But knowing that lac was near where many
OF the irightful deeds, concerning which he
had so often heard, were committed. every
now and then on thinking Of the dangers which
might he near him, the pulsations Of his
brave heart would quicken, but soon Subside
again on thinking that he was ampIy pre-
pared 10 defend himself OCCASIONALLY neat
cottage, nestled down in tho midst Of Il grove
Of native oaks, beneath whose whispering
boughs groups Of children were squanderin0
away iu uninterrupted pleasure the sunny
days OF childhood, relieved his eve and pre-
yenlcl that surlcit and disgust which the
continual indulgence Of any one sense inva.
riably produces. Occasionally the cheerful
song OF the rustic, engaged in storing away
IN his small barn the bounty which his hon
est labors had earned, and which Providence
ever gives to the industrious, greeted his ear.
lie saw blooming around the humble cottage
happiness, that heavenly plant, in pursuit of
which all mankind was engaged. He asked
hiu,s',f how il was that m obscure. iUiterate
countrymaii, far removed from centres OF re-
fnemedt and seats of luxury could be in
possession Of that boohoi Providence, whose
soft cidcnccs are so seldom heard in the cost.
w palaces of the rich and great. But roa--
son heard the important question and came
to his relief. He unused this within himself
Most mems desires are regulated according
to their l,nONlcdge. Those whose wants arc
fewcSt, come nearest TO the enjoyment Of hap
piness Those who are beyond the reach oil
the spIendorsand luXuries Of the world, know
nothing of the wants and miseres produced
by their possession; honCs they are happy
Time sped on swiftly to the traveller alter
nately viewing the scenes around him, and
thinking Of the dangers which might uncon
sciorisly be near him. On a certain day, af
ter having travelled long distance, as the
sun began to decline in the west the tray
eler and his stced began to grow weary
Hence, lac was inStinctively on the look on
for some place where he might repose for tn,
night About the departing shades of twi
light the summit Of a magnificent mansion
met his eager eye. The sudden bursting q
. limpid fountain upon the gaze of a way.
worn traveller could not have been more re
Creshing than this
lie rode up to front gate and inquired {
the landlord c he could ba entertained 70
the night Ito was answered in the atlirma
tive. and, in q kind and at!abe mannC
invited 10 diSmount and walk in. Tn
external appearance Of the stately mans'O
much delighted him, but on entering he pei
ccivcd that hGt was only the mirrorcd r,
aectfIn Of its interior grandeur. lie saw rc
and splendid paintings, fine carpet and
centre table ,veyed with the choicest vo
umes Pcrceiying everything arranged wit
such taste his heat was indeed rericed -
lie doubted not but that he would enjoy a
the pleasures and receive all the attentiC
that ano social qualities and generous hear
could bestow. In this he was not diSappoin
cd Having hastily glanced at the splenGo
around him he seated himself on a gilt sol
where he continued for sometime musing
tho incidents Of his journey, and contastil
his present COMM tU 80 -~-,-l-tivr, with NNhat
wasan hour before Before proceeding farth,
IL may be proper to state that in Consequent
So OF rubberes aud murders, and the 1sngers
. which travellers were constantly exposed,
who attempted to perform journey Of a
distance were careful to arm them elves
any emergency As this was generally W
known, many were not particular to keep
concealed from those with whom they fell
on the road or lodged at night. Such y
the case with Mr. A. Seeing such
air of neatness and grandeur pervadng eve
thing and finding his host so agreeable
every respect, he qpprehended no more d
Cer than If he had been by his own fireSi
Consequently, he drew from his pockC
nair Of pistols, and with unaffected simple
i.id them OH the table near by. This he
not for the purpose either of gratifying
vanity or exhibiting bis host how well he
nrepared to defend himself but because Il
we're an cncumbTa2ee TO him while so M
OF ease in every other respect.
No mains were spared by his kind host
render him comfortable, Every effort
made by introducing agreeable topics Of {
versati6n, to prevent his thoughts from "
dering over the dreary road which he
been travelling apd dwelling with sadness
that happy spot where lived those most {
20 him on earth.
At the usual supper hour he was inv
into handsomely furnished dining roor
onpease his hunger and regale himself '
= rich repast, This being over, all repa
90 the magniGcently adorned parlor wi
10 night passed of swiftly. and peasai
4, host was found to4bs a man of fine,
cia. nalities, and sbleto converse with
ehey any subject which happened to
Inv .Eoy retiring having arrived,