The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-06

| lived Herman Blennerhassett, who, ac-
cording to Writ, was "a native of Ireland,
a man of letters, who had fled from the
storms of his own country to find quiet in
ours. His history shows that war was not
the natural element of his mind If it
had been he would never have exchanged
Ireland for America. Mr. Blen-
nerhassett on his arrival in America re-
tired even from the population of the At
lantic States, and sought quiet and soli-
tude in the bosom of the Western forest.
But he carried with him taste and science
and wealth, and, To- the desert smiled
Possessing himself of a beautiful island in
the Ohio, he rearS upon it palace and
decOrates it with every romantic embellish-
ment of fancy. A shrubbery that Shen-
stone might have envied blooms around
him. Music that might have charmed Ca
lypso and her nymphs is his. An extern
siye library spreads its treasures before
him. a philosophical apparatus offers to
him all the secrets and mysteries of ma
ture. Peace, tranquility and innocence
shed their mingled delights around him.
And to crown the enchantment Of the
scene, a wife, who is said to be lovely even
beyond her sex, and graced with every
accomplishment that can render it ire
sistible, bad blessed him with her love and
made him the father of several children
The evidence would convince you that this
the midst of al this peace, this innocent
simplicity and this tranquility, this feast of
the mind, this pure banquet of the heart, the
destroyer comes; he comes to change this
paradise into 4 hell. Yet the flowers do not
wither at his approach. No montory shud-
dering through the bosom of their unfor-
tunate pOssessOr warns him of the ruin that
is coming upon him. A stranger presents
himself
1t IS III the above fluent 9Ounding rheto-
ric that William Writ describes the arrival
of Aaron Burr at Blennerhassett's Island.
His speech is familiar to nearly every
school boy in the land. Burr's friends de
clare the picture overdrawn, but Mr.. Writ
mad all the evidence fresh before him when
he made IT, and being a lawyer and a gen
ueInhn, knew better than TO stretch Gre
dulity too far.
Harry Granger asked Burr why he was
going TO land at the island, when he saw
the boat pushing in toward the shore.
Merely out of curiosity" the conspira-
tor answered.
DO you know who lives here?"
Il heard that an eccentric foreigner
lives on the island, who is trying to make
it the paradise of the West"
What beautiful place it is. Let us
go up among those groves of tall trees.
and to the garden walls, from which the
sweet perfume of flowers comes even
here
Burr readily assented, while his wicked
hazel eye, with all the subtle, soothing fires
by which the serpent charms, seemed wan
derlng about in search of a victim.
On their way to the garden they met
one or the servants, Of whom Burr asked
for the lord of the isle, and was told that
ne was absent. They were quite near
enough to the house for Burr TO see n
Deautlful woman at one of the windows
watching them. Burr never lost an op-
poftunlty TO admire a beautiful face, for
he loved all women in his selfish, unholy
way.
That air, that face enchanted him. and
lie resolved to know her better. No CO.
quet ever better understood how to entrap
victim than did Aaron Burr. He was
tlrt even down to old age
IF the owner of this enchanting island
is not at home" he said, I'VE will trespass
no longer. Let us return to our boat"
Harry supposed that this would be the
last he would see or know of Blennerhas
sett Island, but was mistaken. As they
were slowly returning to their boat, daily
ing here and there TO examine some rare
plant, shrub or gem of the floral world, a
servant was seen coming from the house.
Here comes fellow said Burr. Il
wonder what he wants!'
IF you please, gentlemen" said the
servant with an ObsequiOus bow, Mrs.
Blcnnerhassett sent me 10 invite you to
the house, as her husband, she SAYS. will
return soon"
Burr, taking q card from his case and
giving II to the servant answered.
Give thiS with my regards to Mrs.
Blennerhassctt; tell her / thank her very
much, but We merely stopped out of curl
oslty, aud after looking about and admir-
ing her beautiful island / will return to m,
boat as her husband is not at home"