The Carolina Spartan. (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, July 30, 1857, Image 1
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by cavis & teimmier. Unrotrfo to Souttytvxi ttigfyt s,Politics, 3Uri culture, unit i-ttiscellnmi, $2 per aotuM.
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< VOL. xiv- SPARTANBURG, S. C., THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1857. NO. 23.
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THE CAROLINA SPARTAN.
BY OA VIS & TRIMMLEk
T- 0. P. VERNON Auooiata Editor.
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CAROLINA SPARTAN.
1^=' ' 1 , ' - ?: i- j
^ From Ru58olP8 Magazine.
JAY ? ATUUK S IxULUST.
Oa a stormy March evening, in the year
17?, I found myself benighted upon a
lonely road, which rau through oie of the
most sparcely settled districts of NorthEastern
Virginia. The clouds, which had
been lowering all the afternoon, gathered
at twilight iuto tempestuous masses, which
swept madly before an east wind, and soon
overspread the entire heavens with one imr
penetrable veil of gloom.
The rain rushed down in torrents and so
blinded was I by its force, that I literally
could not see the bead of my horse in whose
sagacity and sure-footedness, howover, I
was ready implicitly to confido. The storm
raged for three hours with uninterrupted
fury, and I began to despair of finding shelter
for the night, when a feeble glimmer on
the left, proceeding apparently from the
summit of a steep bill, apprized me of the
vicinity ot a human dwelling. At the
same moment, my animal quickened his
pace, and in a short time stood panting before
the entrance of a house, which, in the
imperfect light of a lantern that swung in
the front passage, seemed to bo of considerable
size and pretension. I dismounted,
and knocked loudly at the door. There
was no answer. After a pause I knocked
again. Still, no answer. Were the inmates
dead, or had they, like mysolf, lost
their way in the storm! For full five minutes
I pounded the panels of the heavy oak
door, shouting at intervals until I was quite
hoarso and exhausted. At last theie was
f a slir within. The stairway creaked under
the footsteps of some person descending to
the first story. The movements were slow
and cautious, as of one who anticipated
meeting a foe. In a moment 01 two they
cuaseu auogomer?everything wan ^ilenl abttfore.
I now grew impatient, ami inking
the butt of uVy riding whip, which wit*
bound will) iion, struck against tlio door
furiously and without intermission. "Who
bro you!" said a quavering voice from the
interior. - "What do you want! go away ?
go away. I've nothing to give you?go
row- i-y." Never befoia or si me have I
.listened to tones which denoted such an
abyss of abject terror. Here's sonto wretched
ntiser, thought 1, who fears an inroad
f. upon hi-? iron chest! ! explained my position,
and besought shelter and hospitality
until thoming. The bolls were slowly
withdrawn, nnd to my amazement there
stood before ine it hale and stalwart man of
about sixty, habited in a failed dressing
gown, anJ slippers, but whoso face, as revealed
by tho candle which he carried in
his trembling hand, was as pule as the face
of death.
"Sir," said he, with an evidently Ilercup
lean otl'ort to recover his composure, "I beg
your pardon?this is a wild neighborhood ,
?burirlaiitts arn common?an.l??n<t ? in I
short, I did not know I should havo to
^ deal with a gentleman. You'ro welcome,
sir, walk in."
I followed iny host, who, with a singular
uncertain gait, (net the gait of hu intoxicated
man,) led me up one flight of stairs to
au apartment which I presumed to be the
drawing room. If so, it had evidently not
been put to its legitimate uses for a long
period. Heavy layers of dust rested on the
chairs and ottomans, and the rich carpet
upon which we walked, defaced rather by
neglect than ago, gavo out a dry musky
odor, excessively pungent and disagreeable.
The mirrors, of which there were four of extraordinary
size, wuie completely mil-dewed,
and a huge chandelier depending from
the ceiling, aod enveloped by several thin
wrappers of gauze, looked wholly dim and
lustreless.
The ceiling itself was of most remarkable
construction. It was concave, very lofty in
the centre, and adorned in sovoral parts
with elaborato bas-reliefs by no meaua inartistically
conceived. Two tall wax
candles, in ponderous silvor candlesticks,
stood upon the mantle niece.
Hastening to light one of these, ray con-1
r duct or happened to stumble. The lamp '
foil from his hand, and was instantly extin-;
guished. This simple accident appeared
to give him the most intense concern. 11
could hear his teeth chatter in the dark, j
and he fumbled so long about tho floor attempting
to regain the lamp, that I was
forced to couio to his assistance. I had a
box of matches in my pocket, a few of which
wore dry, and with one of tbeso I succeeded
in illuminating tho room. Tho faco of
ray companion was even more ghastly than
it had boon before.
I triod to re assure him by nssuming a
gay and frank manner.
44What a noble old mansion, sir, yours
seems to be! I had not expected to find
such an establishment in the back-woods." ,
The man mumbled something in reply,
pullod the bell rope with violence, and then <,
fell languidly back into a seat.
I followed his example, and for five min- .
utes neither of us spoke. During this in- ,
terval, 1 repeatedly observed that my com ,
panion's eyes were fixed upon me in a fur- |
tive, suspioious manner. He wae dreadful- <
^ ly nervous and uneasy, shifting his po- i
y eition every moment, and looking from
time to time keenly towards the door. At
length, a brawny negro, bis servant, I pre- <
sutncd, entered, and to his charge I was if*'
staotly committed, The master slunk rather
than walked sway, simply honoring
me with a hasty bow as he left. My curiosity
was aroused, aud I addressed a few
leading questions to tho servant, who replied
in a manner which led mo to fancy
that tho fellow was idiotic. I could absolutely
extract but a single intelligible sentence
from him, and that embodied the information
that my horse had been carried
to the stable and comfortably provided for.
I observed that, having ridden thirty
miles in the course of the day, I was both
hungry and weary, and that, therefore, supCer
and a bed would be immediately acceptale.
The negro signified bis comprehension
of ray wishes by a grunt, left the room
with somo alacrity, and returnod in a short
time bearing a waiter loaded with cold
ham, and two decanters of wine.
I made a considerable meal, and was
then shown into a snugly furnished chamber,
enlivened with a roaring firo, and presenting
an appoaranco of comfort, aud even
luxury. '
Oppressed by fatigue as I was, it would
naturally bo supposed that sleep would have
visited me unbidden, lint uo sooner had
I thrown myself upon the bed than a
strange restlessness took possession of every
iiinb. The mattress on which I lay was
soft and downy, and yet I could not have
been more uneasy had I reclined upon a
couch of thorns. .Exhausted to the last degree,
but unable to close iny eyes for a moment,
I tossed and tossed for hours, until I
became aware by tho burning beat of my
hands and forehead and a parched feeling
in tho throat, that I had contracted a raging
fever. I was constitutionally liable to
this disease, which uevor failed soor.or or
later to affect the brain, and I now knew
by a ringing in my ears that I was about to
be attacked by delirium. Gradually, my
fancies grow fantastic. Unearthly faces
grinnod out from the embers. The flickering
shadows on the wall leaped up towards
me, waving what I imagined to bo tho
tawny arms of savages, performing a furious
war dance. Then, from amid this
motley group, there roso a low wailing
sound, which resembled the cry of somo
tortured victim, pleading for releaso and
mercy. Now, with regard to tho quicklyswavitlir
SUVAUfijl J?nd llirt > <-f
J O 3 -"--1 ~'
their wild movements, I entertained that
half consciousness of illusion which seldom
deserts us either in delirium or in dreams,
hut the waitings sound* I profundly felt lo
ho real. The dancing heeamo more rapid
and reckless; the weird figures increased
prodigiously in bulk ami outline, until suddenly
they seemed to dart towards the door,
through which thc-y disappeared, doubtless
in chase of their victim, who, as I thought,
was making a despeiato effort to esc-po,
nerding the air with sliiiek on shriek As he
retreated. In a state of unbounded excite-,
incut, 1 spiaug to my feet, and rushed
madly after the shadows. A light was still
burning dimly in the rccep'ioti rootn, which,
let me observe, was in immediate proximity
to my chamber. 1 dashed up and down
this apartment, crossing the tloor at every
possible angle, for the phantoms weie all
around me, and the victim still wailed more
pilably than ever. I have said that at the
very acme of my tuadncss I knew the
sounds of lamentation and terror lo be real.
Well, as I ran franticuily about the room, I
was arrested immediately beneath the muffled
"biillianU" of the chnndalier by a won
ueriui increase o! distinctness in these
sounds. Previously thoro hnd been no
dofiuile syllabification. but now I could catch
the meaning of words, pronounced in h
plaintive, beseeching manner, accompanied
by deep groans, and the occurrence at intervals
of wliat I took to be the blows of
somo dull and weighty instrument. Under
the instinctive couvicliou that 1 was About
to be brought in contact with what was actual
and tangible, the delirium which possessed
me became at once intensified and
systematic. I determined to penetrate the
mysteries by which I was surrounded, and
especially to decipher the riddle of the blows
and waitings, which grow louder and more
painful every instant. Evidently, they issued
from the room above me, and this
room I now determined to find. Stealing
cautiously into the corridor, I crept with a
swift and quiet pace up the stairway, and
speedily reached the door of ibo apartment
whence tho singular noise proceeded. I
was now enabled to hear everything which
passed within. There could be no doubt
that a cruel and personal chastisement was
being inflicted upon some ono. Groans of
deep anguish and hoarse petitions for pardon
were interrupted only by tho repealed apd
regular strokes.
Fever developed into frenzy as I listened.
It was easy to persuade myself that nothing
loss than murdor was hbout to be committed.
That, of courso, it was my duty as a
man and a r5Jiri??!an in nuuant O.-W I
seized tho handle of the door, wbicli, to my
surprise, yielded to the preaauro, and quickly
entorod the room.
The spectacle which met my oyo was
certainly most strango and startling. Grovelling
at the foot of a rough wooden imago
of the Virgin, lay the man whom I supposed
to be the master of tho house, gathered
up iuto a heap, with a leathorn thong
held loosely in his right hand, and tho
blood flowing freely from his aido and
shoulders, which were porfectly baro. He
was motionless, and I perceived upon approaching
noarer that he had fainted away.
A taper was burning on tho table beforo
him, in tho blazo of which lay a mysterious
looking scroll, marked at the top with a
cross, wrought, I imagined, with red ink.
No sooner had I perceived this scroll than
all care for tho condition of my host was superseded
by a burning desire to possess myself
of tho contents of tho pajter. I snatched
up die first page and glanced greedily
over it. Incapable of reading consecutive
ly, for I waa dizzy and dim of sight, the
Jocument before mo resolved itself somewhat
into tho following shape:
, August 20th, 17?.
This is tho confession of j. I hnvo
lone the He is d , and ?
by (be nrbor in , near the en<
sure marked . It was nil ?? ?
foot to foot , but his bwo i
sir . I knew that . What ?
say to Emi. Ob! God
confess confess die
Thus fnr hnd I deciphered tho scr
which was blotted, worn, and iu pnrts
most illegible, when I hoard a faiut ru
behind rue. My host had recovered, t
was slauding bolt upright by his ch
Ilis figure was as rigid as the figure o
corpse. Tho uiusclea of the raco w
drawn down, and his eyes rested with a:
ny glare not upon the scroll, which I it
in ray right band, but on the folds ol
cambric handkerchief, saturated with <
de cologne, which I hnd mechanically boi
r.round my forehead to soothe the rag!
headache of fever.
Into tho snbstnnco of this haudkercl
the initials of my name were distinctly ioc
ed in black and blue thread. The intent
of the man's gaze fettered mo as with
invisible chains. At length with a mo
not of pain or anger, but of deadly suspci
ho bounded up to me, tore the liandt
chief from my forehead, and staggered w
it to the light, lie held tho initials
every possible position, repeating them
himself iti a tone of abstracted inquiry,
at once his manner changed to an air of
wildest terror. Springing up like n in
man, bo waved mo off with outslrotcl
arras, shrieking out, "Uavo you come
torment me boforo the time? Fiend t
you are, would you drag me to a lower 1
than this? I will not go?no?no?l \
not f*o! I dofy you!" he shouted, apparer
gaining courage from tho very extremity
his despair. 4,I defy you," and then ii
lower key he muttered idiotically sorao
latin exorcism, "Conjuro te?scelentissimc
iniquissima? atqa tniserrima?conjuro
conjuro te! ! M
In one of thoso fantastic changes of m<
so common under tho influence of dolirii
I now grow heartily tired of the see
about which I thought there was a i
deal of mumnioty, so, tossing the scr
which I bad all aloug retained, scornfi
from me, 1 reeled back to my chaml
Towards morning I was visited by a dc
hut unrcfreshing slumber. It was late iu
day when I awoke, rational, hut greatly
hausted. My first impulse was to attrib
llio events of the night to disorder and
ciloiucnt of brain. I knew from experie
how startling and vivid a fever Urc
might be, but in the present instanc
trivial circumstance demonstrated tha
; hml not been inuring altogether in a reg
of phantasy.* The cambric hanJkorcl
no longer nveloped my bead, nor con I
tind il either heneaih the bod < Tub s -u
any quarter of the chamber. Now I '
abxolulily certain that 1 bad, ju-t
ter retiring, made nso of the buudkcrcl
for the purpose I have specified, and in c
Urination of this there stood tbo uncurl
bottle ?>f cologne upon a chair wit
reach of the bedstead. My specula! i
were distributed by the unceremonious
trance of tbe negro who bad seived me
tbe evening befoto. lie brought in an
cedent breakfast, which be Arranged ot
side lulde of mahogany, presenting at
same time bis master's compliments, ?
the hope that my fever bad subsided! II
I asked, did bis master know that I I
suffered from fever? Tbe fellow opened
eyes in the extremity of astonishment,
forming me that I had been sloop-walki
and had come nigh murdering my host
tho entry. The explanation satisfied
i I really then had committed certain
| travngances, which were materially exag
; rated by an inflamed imagination, A
] tho necessary apologies, and thanks wli
I I charged my attendant, (who, by the ?
was not the stupid creature I had suppc
him,) to convoy to his master, I part
sparingly of the meat and bread before
making up for this neglect of the subsl
hnla Ku rtnin/uio /lron??!.l j rs-C />< A
I ? (? ?? WT WJ/IUUC7 UUIU^II w \J 1 S.V7IUTU.
Somewhat refreshed, 1 sunk back u
my couch. l>y depress a strange let ha
ciopt ovor mo. Tho window curtains, i
red by a faint wind, and waving to and
! with a monotonous motion, stolo upon
senses with tho effect of luw, regular ,
' mournful music. Soon all conscculivei
of thought was lost, and I lapsed iut
J condition of absolute and ray less oblivic
' When next I woko to a sense of lift
wa9 with n feeling of awful depression
i sensation of almost suicidal gloom. L><
ness was all around mo?thick, palpj
darkness. The atmosphere was cold ,
i damp, chilling mo to the very soul. 1
tempted to move, hut imagine my hoi
and dismay, when the dull clank of chi
informed mo that I had been bound hi
i and foot. My brain was dizzy and vac:
j and tho effort to penetrate tho droa<
! mystery of uiy situation, resulted into a
I cond attack of delirium in which tho d;
i ness suddenly became luminous with I
and red meteors, mid winged serpents fly
towards ino with tongues of flame. T
occurred another spell of total unconscu
ness.
I was aroused at length by a slight hoi
' abovo my head. Upon glaucing upwai
! perceived a ray of light glimmering fi
the ceiling. It gradually increased ti
an aperture like that of a trap door
discernablo, and in the midst of it n pale
man face poering anxiously down into
dungeon. I recognised my host, and sav
the H.nno moment that a rough woo
ladder communicated with the aparlm
above. My first foolish impulse was to
for aid and delivoranco, but i instantly s
dued it, and determined to resort to slri
gem. I lay perfectly still, scarcely brei
ing. After the lapse of some minutes,
ladder commenced to creak, and i obsor
my host descending cautiously and pairs
on every round.
Having reached the floor, bo groped
wards the place whero, reclining at
length, I rested as one dead, lie fell
limbs, which wcro rigid and clammy, i
then vontured to stoop towards my f
With a quick, furious motion I threw
arms about his neck, and pulled hiin
clo-1 lontly down beside me. I bad expected A bleed
? aavago struggle, but the uian seemed par- thouj
ivos alizod with surprise and terror. I held him some
? iu the firm grasp of dosperation. restoi
? "Villnin, scoundrel! demon!" said I, tight- iu? cir
?. oning my fingers upon bis ibroat, until his difllc
oil, breathing changed into A short spasmodic cottaj
al- hiss, "I have you now! Hither rolease me 'i'li
ulo this moment, without one second's delay, vales*
md or, by the Eternal, I shall strangle you on ried.
air. the spot!" "Let me go!" he replied, "you ueigli
fa are killing iue?only let me go, and you and,(
ere are froe!" oblai
ito- 1 bounded to my feet, still retaining a Kngli
old strong, though less painful grasp upon my Agus
r a jailor, threatening to brain him without the inerci
:au slightest ado, if ho ventured to escape. yield
ind "Now, sir ! release me!1 Tho wretch Sonu
ing took a small iron key from the pocket of tus E
his waistcoat, and unlocked the manacles born,
lief with which I had been conFnod. as an
>rk- So soon as I felt myself nt liberty, I niajo
litj seized my companiou more fiercely than bo- vain I
in* fore, and, although bo was a person of pow- uieul
an, orful frame, draggod him bodily up from ginia
ise, tho wine-vault, as I afterwards discovered tour,
;cr- my placo of durance to be, at;d confronting curre
ilh him iu the honest daylight which flashed and i
* in cheerily upon tne, sternly demanded an ex- dor tl
to planalion of the treatment to which I had me, I
All been subjected. Tho man's answer was reaasi
the strange enough. whon
ad "Is that your property!" ho inquired, pul- slain
led ling a cambric haukerchiuf from his bosom, Ev
i to and extending it townrds me. picioi
bat "It is my property," I replied. uaiu(
tell "And the initials?the initials! what do could
vill they signify? Your name, sir, for God's tastrt
itly sake your name!" have
r of "My name is La Kocho?Augustus Ed- I can
i a ward La Roche!" vagai
old Tho effect of this announcement seemed A
i? to me miraculous. The tsll, athletic man, died.
It! to whom I had mado so natural a coinniu- from
nicatioli, started back with m indescribable ed u<
aod gesture of fear and loathing, and uttering or, w
jn) one sharp shriek of anguish, fell at my feet, j ed vi
me. r'K'd?iuaniuiatc?dead. I lertni
r?st H'0 explanation of this mysterious nar- I vielii
ol^ rative, which, let mo assure the reader, is kinsr
,j|y not a Jictioii, for I have it in my power to to bo
jer- demonstrate the truth of every word of it, of a ]
,Cp( was revealed to ms soino days subsequent wliic
t*10 to the singular catastrophe which I have ro- tials.
ex. corded. Tho explanation is briefly as fol- It
ute lows: more
ex. Many years before tho data of my story, speri,
nee a gentleman of French extraction owned vario
am l'10 gloomy old mansion in which I agpi- wher
0 a dentally sought shelter on tho tempestuous consi
1 I ' March evening of 170?. 'i ll? proprietor's I \
(on father was a ccrtnin Monsieur August? La that
,jcf Roche, who had left his country upon tho unch
(j | revocation of the edict of Nantes. any r
jr, Riirt?'?ng wi-Ii a *en-o ' tho tyranny satial
ivn? from which ho had escaped, M. La Roche, tliev
af with a reckless desire to leave the despo- care
liicf dons of convention, and (so called) legili- box
on. | male monarchy far behind hiui, penetrated he h
|j0j | into tho hack woods, and with tho remains infor
hin of a r<gal fortune, settled moodily down
uns | aiuid tire solitude of a remote and savage <s?urt?
e?.; wilderness. His family consisted of twin ; "? ^
ou children, both of them hoys, and the infant ; ^
cx daughter of a dear Iriend, who had perishr
a ed in the civil wars of that unhappy pc ,
the riod.
illi Madame La Roche had died some months V. y{
ow, before her husbattd's departure from France, "the
jad The young La Roches' grow up, tall, vigo- rjfe(J
his rous, and manly, well skilled in woodcraft, tiire?
in- and with considerable general information joe3
ng, derived from their father, who, himself, a
; in scholar, faithfully grounded them in the whet
me. "humanities," auJ whatever else was then 177c
ex- contidred necessary to the education of a tj0|0
;go genileiuou. ringr
fter j Emily Montaign, the old man's ward, cejVc
licit matured, as the years passed, into a maiden sejZt
ray, of exquisite beauty. Louis and his brother ^jie c
>&cd ' Augustus Edward La Roche both very uatu- p|0 \
00k rally fell in love with her. In the courso j i|lC ,
me,1 of time what had been a mere boyish fancy derft
tau-! assumed tho most passionate strength and ajgtii
earnestness. Tho brothers became deadly pictu
pon | rivals, and the hatred which grew up be- the r
r,iy tween them, it was terrible to witness. As eac|,
jtir. 1 for the fair Emily, she could not conceal her jmin
fro ] preference for Augustus, an J that tho girl's the 1
my j love was sincere will at once bo conceded j whic
and when 1 locution that i.?ouift, being by a few migr
less hours the senior, was looked upon as (bo ^
o n heir of bis father's estate. Upon the death 1 wj|j
;Q> of his parent which occurred about tbo po- ! s>
1 riod to which I now refer, Ivouia formally
Jf it f ofl'ored his hand to Kmily Montaign, and jt
?n was respectfully, hut firmly, refused. reX)
irk- ^ extorted from her a haughty confession of
thlo | bor attachment to Augustus, whoso chain- slruc
anj - bcr he iiistaully sought, subjecting biin to jf
K(. au unheard of indignity. j|nj
rror "Were you fifty times my brother," ex- jn
tins claimed the insulted party, snatching his jj.4r|
and r?p'or from tho wall, MjoU should answer
mt, I ^ur this!?Como with me, sir, if you bo a conJ!
jfu|' man!" And Augustus rushed out of tho ne
80. house like a maniac. Ixjuis followed him J i
jrk. j more calmly, but with a deadly purpose in j(J CJ|
>luo his soul. Tliey met in an adjacent garden, com|
j?g and a ferocious contliet took place. At rj|ljQ
lion ! length, Augustus fell, pierced through the i tj()n
)Us- body, and apparently quite .dead. 11 or ri - jjnjt
(led by the crimo ho bad committed, tho #
and | survivor tied from the scene. He abandonr,j
j cd bis homo for months, and wiieu with jjrov
roin partially disordered reason, ho ventured to ^wo0
?lj| return, it was only t<> find that Kmily liad ^ RJ
was disappeared, and that his "houss was left ' q<|
I... lililo liim (iMinlnta "
4IU- j ? ?."IV. (|
I ho 1.0 J on by a resistless fascination lie J0|,r
v at sought tho garden in which the fatal con- $|,ur
den fliet had occurred, and there tho tender pwj?
ent , grass just sprouting upon tho mound, he tjon<
call behold a new-made grave, with a rudo ,?(>v
ub- head stono of wood, bearing tho familiar ,,1^
uta-; initials A. K. !i., deeply carved, and colored, RS c|
?th- i as ho thought, with the dead man's blood. nR(e
tho Thenceforth, I-ouis bocamo a misanthrope. uf R;
vod A inoro utterly wretched creaturo existod (lec0
ling not upon tho faco of tho earth. 11o re- com,
nounced his father's faith, and espoused tho t|10
to- slrictost tonols of Uomanism. In vain hu an(j
full *o?ght to exorcise tho fiend within him by e|jal
my fasts, vigils, uud cruel bodily torturo. that
and What, meanwhile, had become of Krniiy of tli
aco. Montaign.' Impelled by ft presentment of of ra
my evil, aho aought tho gardon not long after od w
vio tho encounter, and there discovoteJ hot orat<
ing and senseless lover. Augustus, atjh
desperately wounded, still retained
signs of life, She used certain siuiplo
ratives, staunched his wounds as well
cumslances admitted, and alter great
ulty succeeded in conveying hiin to a
go which was near at hand,
ero, she nursed him until ho was cou:ont,
when they were privately niarA
day or two after they left the
iborhood, south the uoarest seaport,
phiefly by the sale of the wife's jewels,
ncd money sufficient to carry theui to
snd. They settled in Liverpool, whore
tus, by great good fortuno, obtained a
untile position sufficiently profitable to
a support to himself aud his wife,
slime in the aulutnu of 173-, I, Angusdward
La ltoche, the younger, was
At my own request, I was educated
engineer, and had just attained my
rily whou both my parents died. Aftel'
y trying to obtain any lucrative employ,
in my native land, I sailed for Vir,
and was engaged in a professional
when the events of this narrative ocd.
I was strikingly like my father,
I cannot therefore bo a matter of wonliat
Louis La lloche should have taken
lis nephew, for the ghost (permitted to
unto its mortal body) of the brother,
it it was bis firm belief that lie bad
thirty years bofore.
erylhing tended to ntrenghten bis bubus,
and when at length I revealed my
> to his urgent questioning, nothing
! have been more natural than tho ca>pho
which ensued. Why I should
boon dragged, and then incarcerated,
not divine. Who can account for the
rics of a madman?
few more points remain to bo unridMy
father never wholly recovered
his wound. It left him with shatterjrves
and a morbid dread of his brothhorn
he now looked upon as a hardenllain
capable of any atrocity. lie dcincd
to let him live in the awful con
>u that lie had murdered his nearest
nan, and therefore he caused a mound
erected, resembling the packed earth
jrave, headed by the wooden cross
h I have described as bearing his ini*
is not necessary that I should enter
i minutely into my family history, or
ally refer to the sources whence these
us startling facts have been derived, and
eby they were finally combined into a
slant record.
would merely observe, in conclusion,
/ am now tho solo proprietor of my
?'a once gloomy mansion, and that if
of my readers would like furtbor to
fy thomsclvr* of tho tr'lth of this story,
have only to address a letter to mo,
of Geo. Washington Skittleflint, Ks?j.,
8,903, 1' h, P. O., amd I shall
nppy to giro them nil tho additional
million in my power.*
'o arc indebted fur the preceding ?tory to the
>un nlten'tion of A. li. I<a It'k-he, a grandf
the gentleman who w.-ib mistaken for his fa
ghost. Mr. L. in now residing in I'urtsi,
\'a.? Rusxrli* Mtijr isiiu.
The Declaration ol Independence.
any popular impreessions concerning
Declaration of Independence," are de1
from foufth of July orations and pici,
both of which aro apt to mislead as
the picture of "the First Prayer in Ooni.M
Nine out of ten suppose that some
e about noon on tho fourth of July,
>, Congress passed the vote allituing tho
tries independent, and that the old bell;r
iu the steeple of tho State House, re- J
d the intelligence of this event, wa3
i.l Willi a sucMTm enthusiasm to**wing
dd bell, lo i^g out the uews to the poon
such a loud joyous manner as put
piiet citizens of Philadelphia in a wonil
exciteiueut. Tlieu there was the
ng of tho Declaration, we have a
ire of that too, which teaches us how
eprosentatives of the Colonies vied with
other in putting their names to the
ortal instrument, so that beforo night
amous parchment, the original pa(>or,
h now is seen in the Patent Ollice, was
ossed. and .signed as we now havo it!
few facts gleaned from various sources
he interesting as rectifying these imions
about this famous transaction ?
crisis in human affairs. On tho 10th
iuo, 1770, Mr. Harrison, of Virginia,
rled a resolution, part of which is said
tve beeu a literal transcript of the intion
given by tho Convention of \'iri
to their Representatives iti Congre>s,
which was moved on the 7th of June
engross by Richard Henry Loo. Mr.
isous resolution embodying Mr. Leo's
i these words: "Resolved, That tho
idoration of tho first resolution be postid
to Monday, the first day of July next;
in the meanwhile, that uo lime he lost,
iso tho Congiess agree thereto, that a
nitteo be appointed to prepare a decla*
nr to the etFect of the said first resoluwbicb
is in these words: 'That these
ed States are, and of right ought to bo
and independent States; that they are
Ivud from all allegianco to the Rritish
vn: and that all political connexion be
i) tliem ami Iho Stale of Great Britain
it) ought to he, totally dissolved.'"
lis resolution was adopted.
ii the 11 ih of .luue, Thomas Jefforsoo,
i Ad aura, Benjamin Franklin, Roger
man, and II. It. Livingston, wero apted
a commilteo to draft the I >cclaraRichard
Henry Lee, as the original
erof the resolution for declaring thot'oloindependent,
would liavo been rained
lairtnan of the committee, but, unfortuly
for himself, he received intelligence
cknoss in his family, which made it
ssary for him to ho absent before that
mitteo was appointod. .fotferson had
reputation of being a brilliant writer,
succeodod to the placo of honor. The
r Adams, in his auto-biography, says
he saw and read the original draft
10 declaration, and he speaks in terms
plurou9 admiration ofit: "1 was delightrith
its high tone, and the flights of
jry with which it abounded, especially
that concerning negro slavery," &c.
further sb)s of the Committee, inlimat
that Jefferson's paper had not been read
all tho members. "We were all in Ha
Congress was impatient, and the inslrum
was reported, as I believe, in Jetfer?<
haudwriting.
On the 28th of June, the committee
ported the original declaration, which
read for the first lime in Congress,
the 1st of July, this declaration was ay
read and discussed in committee of
whole. It was carried in tho committee
vote of the States; Pennsylvania and So
Carolina voting against it. John Adi
says, that in the discussion July 1st, D
inson of Pennsylvania, opposed the de
ration, "in a speech of great length. * 4
Lie conducted the debate not only with g
ingenuity and eloquence, but with equal
lilouess and candor, and was answeret
the same spirit."
Dickinson, a brother of Oen. Phili
Dickinson, of New Jersey, an officer wl
Washington frequently mentions with li
or, was a strong debater and a sincere
riot, acknowledging the grievances ?
plained of, but lacking that stern and In
ic spirit that animated such men as Ada
Witherspoon and Leo. licnce he stir,
froiu an open rupture with Great Brit
ascertain to end not only in greater c
to the country, but to individuals pro
neut in the rebellion. In this feeling
other representatives from Pennsylvr
shared. But of this more in another pi
Dickinson's speech produced a profo
impression, and this is not to be wond<
at w hen wo consider tho nature of the <
test which it was tho object of that spc
to show. John Adams, one of tbo n
fluent and powerful speakers, answ<
Dickinson, and it cannot be too much
gretted that not a scrap of that speech
mains, except perhaps the tradition ou
which Mr. Webster made one of his n
splendid paragraphs. It was on the li
July that the newly elected delegates fi
New Jersey, of whom Dr. Witherspoon
one, took their seats and voted a solid i
for the declaration.
The next day, July 2d, the paper
again rend and subjected to a severe
cess, which sifted out some pAragra
Some wcro thought too disres(>eclful
wards the cnffliah uconlc. some too hn<
O 4 - 1 "? ~
to the king personally and somo wero
condemnatory (indirectly) of the institu
of slavery, During this eliminating
cess, Jefferson was greatly excitod at ti
showing his cliagrin; which state of n
Franklin greatly relieved by telling to
Jefferson the criticism made on tho i
which a hatter in Philadelphia had <
his store. About one quarter, accordin
the elder Adams, or one-third, accordin
Jefferson, of the original paper, was stf
en out, leaving tho document as we
have it. The adoption of this paper
warmly debated through the second, t
and fourth days of July, and towards
| close of tho latter day, the motion to a<
prevailed. It was then signed by ne
every member present, except Mr. Die
son, who refused to sign. Willing
Humphreys, two delegates from Pennsj
nia, purposely absented themselves to a
signing. These three gentlemen wore
capitated forthwith by the Conventio
Pennsylvania, then in session, nnd
elected in their place who would sign,
the other Pennsylvania delegates, Kr
i lit), John Morton and James Wilson, ?
ed the declaration at once, and Robert 1
ris, the remaining delegate was abseu
j public business and hud permission to
I afterwards.
it is a fact worth knowing, thnt tho <
gates front New Y'ork wore willing to r
but waited for instructions from homo, w
; they received and put their names to
! declaration on tho 15th of Jul v.
Matthew Thornton did not take his
in 0ongre*9 until the 4th of November,
at that lime ho signed the declaration.
The original paper, as interlined
amended was given to the Secretary of <
! gross to -bo engrossed on parchment,
this engrossed copy, tho one in the Pa
Office, was again signed by most of
members on tho second of August, an
different intervals afterwards bv tho
Can any one tell whet leer the real orir,
. is yet in existence*
These facta are gleamed principally I
the Journals of Congress, Tucker's Lil
JetTorson and the work of John Adams
The passage on negro slavery, w hich
J erased from Jefferson's original draft, b
published in books accessibly to the r
j That passage is as follows: "lie, the 1
has waged cruel war against human rtf
itself, violating its most sacred rights o
| and liberty in ibe persons of a distant
pie who never offended him, captive
and carrying them into slavery in anc
hemisphere, or to incur miserable deal
their transportation thither. This prnc
, warfare, the opprobrium of lutidel ual
i? ill., w irf.-ir.i ..r .?.? ru.,;-.;-.* u?s~
(.treat Britain. Determined to keep oj
market whero men should l>o bought
sold, ho has prostituted his negative for
pressing overy legislative attempt to
hihit or to restrain this oxocrablo comm
And that this assemblage of horrors ti:
; want no fact of distinguished dye, he is
exciting those vety people to rise in
among us, and to purchase that liberl
which he has deprived them, by uiurdi
these people on whom ho has oblr
them; thus paying oil" former crimes
milled against the liberties of one pi
with the crimes which tie urges ihci
commit against tho lives of another."
Tucker, in his life of Jetfcrsou suf
this remarkable passage, together wit
the change* made iu tho original dra
tho declaration.
Gordon, in his history of the Revolt
says the reason why tho firtl of July
not become Independent* Day, whs
"neither the colonies nor members t
unanimous, it was postponed till tho
day."
But when did tho venerable bell;
preserved in Independence Hall, pea
I tho uotoa of liberty! Gordon baa lb
He lowing answer: "July 8tb. This day, ai
ing 12 o'clock, the Declaration of Independence
I by was proclaimed at the Stale House in Philasle.
delphia, amidst the greatest acclamations,
lent The name evening the equestrian statue of
^ti's the king was laid prostrate on the ground.
The lead of which it is made ia to be rati
re into bullets." ? Bockaway.
was [iVirta York Obterver.
;aiu Marshal Marmoiit. * 7 " ?
lJ'? lu the Memows of the Duke of Bagusa;
! ^ belter known as Marshal Mar moot? writul
1 ten by himself, it recited, the following id- v*V"*
teresting anecdote. It occurred in -1798|
lc. and illustrates Marmont's firmuess and selfrespect.
An invasion of Eogland was then
meditated. Bonaparte, wlio then won liM *
r0:U first Italian laurels, was named "Cora iuany?
der-in-Ohief of the array of England." Mar1,1
mont was attached to him as Aid-Je Camp:
Bonapaite wishing to have accurate infor"""
mat ion concerning the defensive prepare- *
lo,n lions of the English, was turning over id
"J"' his mind the means of procuring it. The
" story says:
J,u "A. M. Gallois, a man of respectability
, r" and distinction, had a mission to Englaud,
m?' for the purpose of exchanging prisoners.
,in Before setting off, he came with M. TalleyR'";
rand to General Bouapnrte's house, Hue de
IT''.8 la Victoire. Suddenly the doors of the
cabinet opened; the General called me, ana
wo no sooner did 1 find myself the fourth id
1111,1 this cabinet than be said to me, 'Mariuool;
,iC?' M. Gallois is about to go to England with
u" . a commission to treat for the exchange of
re' prisoners; you will accompany him; yod
will leave behind your uiform; you will pasrf
ec 1 as his secretary, and you will procure iufor><>s.
ination of such and such a nature; you will
ire make such and such observations, dec. Ana <
rt" he detailed to mo my instructions. I listened
ro" to him without interrupting him; but wheri
1 ? ho had finished, I answered, 'General, I ri\
fuse to go.' 'How! you refuse to go!' said
lie. '1 ea, UeuornI, I continued: 'you gire
?ni me tbo commission of a spy, aud it neitbef
w,la belongs to iuy duties nor accords with my
fuiv tastes. M. Gallois fulfils a mission wbicb
is openly recognised; mine would lie beyond
tbo sphere of houorable recognition;
'\ro My departure with hi in would bo knowd
to all Paris, and it would be known in
.. England tbat bis pretended secretary is one
* 'o? of tbo principal officer* of your statf?your
^ confidential aid-de camp. Unprotected b*
the law of nAlions. 1 should be arretted;
''r _ and either hanged or sent back with iofa*
li d m^? ^ ** a s0^'er l>el?ngs lo J00!
'^"r but it is only as a soldier that I am bouna
r' to lose iu Send mo with twenty fire hus"^n
sars to attack a fortress, 1 would go without
murmuring, though certain of falling, bw?
^ cause that is my profession. The present
? case is different! He was confounded by
my answer, and dismissed me, saying, 'I
u shall find other officers more xealous and . .
bird more slocilo.' Tbis bold contest with a mad
^ so powerful, this decided answer in oppoei.
lion to his wishes, made a great impressiotj
' on M. Talleyrand, who was not acquainted
?j(* with mo then, and who has often spoked
of it to me since. When M. Talleyrand
,|vr and Gallois were gone, the General called
j mo and said, 'What were you thinking of,
to answer uie in that way before strangers?
_ e, 'General.' I answered. 'I am aware of th?
men Pa'n Rnswar must have caused you, and
of its apparent impropriety; but permit roe
to tel! yon, you had rendered it necessary;
you had not hesitated to make an offensive
dor ProP?-s'tion to me in their pibsdnce, and I
t on could only wipe out the stain by also repelsi
liug it in their presence with indignation:
' ? If you had spoken to me of it en tele a-taUj
, i 1 should have discussed it with you in a
man nor accordant tfilh the respect I bear
lifch uU s0nl'ruenls I owe 10 you-' II?
understood me, but for a long while after
lieated me with great coldness. Duroc, to
se;il whom I had narrated this scene said, 'I am *
and thankful th;U it didn't happen to ine, for L
should never have Jtirfed id refuse him.1
and Sulkowsky, who witnessed the explanation,
r, dreading lest the mission should devolve
L/On* o t m
?l)(j on him, hastened to prevent it by saying;
itent '^enera'? n?l ono u* would havo acceptthe
^ 'l*' Nothing more was said on the sub
J a? j001' ftn^ cvery one WRS frora ?b*
rest.
Novkl Bequest.?At a recent sitting of
. the Scnalus of the University of London,'
r,M:f the assembly was congratulated on a recent
? decision of ono of the higher courts, by .
which the University became entitled to a
was bequest of $ 100,000, under the will of the
i not |rtle ^fr. Thomas Hrowrt, of Dublin, to found
uost. a hospital for the investigation and cure of
?,l,g? diseases of quadrupeds and birds uieful td
dure man. Angular, and perhaps atitre as thirf
flifo dhaiitable legacy may be, we have no
Pe?- doubt but, indirectly, it Will prove of great
ding benefit to the community al large. Wheif
ither wo corYsider bow much we are dependent
h'iu on the lower animals?-as they are called?
ilical ! for f.Hid. clotbiny, and irian) of the com
ions, | forts of life, who shall say that every im-'
S u' pruvement on their physical condition must
?en a noi benefit the lords of the creation? In thi4
and locality, we are sorry to say that the con9,T
dition of the quadrupedal slave* sadly need*
Pro" the watchful care of the philauthopist and
erco. ; ilte legislator. We lear, however, that it
"t?'11 will be some time ere this sanitary refonrf
now ( vvi|j obtain the attention it requires,
arms ' ??
y ot Bkoclarlt Sot.n.?Tho New York corM'"i?
respondent of the Boston Journal stated in
uded rt letter, a short time since, that a Urge
com party of Irieh Catholics had attacked and
?oplo demolished tho wall* of a Presbyterian
11 1? Church in Now York, in the presence of an
immense crowd, attracted to the spot by
plies the deed, and that no arrost were made,
h all drc. A clergyman of Lawrence, Mass.,
ft of wrote to the Mayor on the subject, and received
a reply denying the truth of the'
ition, statement. "Had any attempt of the kind
r did been made," says his Honor, "I should have
that used every resource in my power to prevent
>eing such disgraceful oroceedings, and to preuext
serve the peace a4l protect the property of
our citizens. The Church referred to wa?
still of courso "The Old Brick Church," then in
I out process <>f demolition, principally by
o fol Oatbolirs."