The Daily Cincinnati Republican, And Commercial Register

A LEGEND OF NEW ENGLAND.

A clear September moon, rolling high in a serene sky of the purest azure, shed a flood of light upon a sweet sequestered Green Mountain Village. It consisted of two or three irregular streets, situated in a basin formed by high conical and fantastically shaped mountains, jutting into each other. A noisy, sparkling river, foaming and tossing over an irregular bed of rocks, ran through the village. Several light bridges were thrown across this stream, which added much to the beauty of the scene.

The summits of the mountains and the deep evergreens upon their irregular slopes, were tinged with the bright radiance of the queen of night. Magnificent elms, the pride of New England, threw the shadows of their gigantic arms across the principal streets. A light breeze, the harbinger of the coming autumn, gently moved the leaves, and imparted a balmy and delicious freshness to the evening.

Near the centre of one of these rustic bridges, stood a young couple, apparently in deep meditation. At last the gentleman, recovering from his abstraction, turned to the young lady, and said, in a tone of great sadness,

"Is it possible, my dear Mary, that your father can really entertain so strange, so useless a prejudice? How many instances have I observed where persons have suffered reverses of fortune, and have again rendered themselves independent."

"It is but too truly the case," said she, "and no arguments will have any weight with him. To attempt to convince him, is as useless as preaching to the winds."

They passed slowly and despondingly across the bridge, and entered a retired path, shaded by several large elms.

"And if I go to the west and retrieve my fortune," said he, "think you that he will then consent to our marriage?"

"He never will consent, William: he has the most unconquerable antipathy to broken merchants, as he calls them. My mother is even more obstinate than my father, and keeps his feelings alive by her ungenerous remarks and insinuations."

"Strange obstinacy and infatuation!" said he; and musing for some time, then turning to the young lady, "Mary," said he, "you solemnly promise to be mine whenever I come to claim you, which will be as soon as I am able to support you."

"I solemnly promise," said she, "and I also declare, that I will be married only in my father's house!"

"Dear girl," said he, folding her to his bosom, "I shall leave this place, between twelve and one to-night, in the mail-stage. I shall go to the west-probably to Cincinnati--my arrangements are all made. I shall write to you, under cover to Charles D., who I believe will be a faithful friend."

Overcome with surprise, she fell upon his bosom; and some moments elapsed ere she seemed conscious of the presence of her lover.

"Do not distress yourself," said he; "all will yet be well-let us trust in him who directs all things."

He then uncovered his head and raised his eyes to Heaven with a look of confidence. They turned, and passing quickly across the bridge and into one of the principal streets, separated near an ancient and respectable mansion.

"All ready ma'am-all ready gentlemen?"

"Is my trunk safe, driver?-let me look at it."

All safe ma'am—will you step in? said the driver, holding the door open for me.

"Now hand me the cage."

"Here it is ma'am--perhaps you can hang it up in the coach, so that you need not be troubled with it."

"Thank you, driver, I think I can manage it very well."

"Shall I assist you, madam," said a person at my elbow, whom in my hurry and confusion I had not before noticed.

"Thank you, sir-if you will hold my bird-cage -until I have adjusted my cloak."

"That will do--much obliged to you sir," said I, reaching out my hand for the cage; and for the first time regarding the person who had addressed me.

"A pair of fine canaries you have there, madam," said he, as he returned the cages to me.

"Yes sir, and I prize them the more highly because they were presented to me by a friend."

I had now leisure to survey my companion. He appeared to be under thirty years of age--was tall and finely formed--his countenance was noble and serious, with a great mixture of sweetness; and his air and manners were decidedly of that independent character which marks the American gentleman.

In less than an hour, I felt perfectly at ease with him, and as the coach flew rapidly along, we were soon earnestly engaged in an interesting conversation.

It has been ascertained that immense swarms of Locusts appear in this country once in seventeen years. The last visitation was in 1817, and they will probably make their re-appearance this month.

I soon learned that he had been a traveller in our own country; and he described, in glowing colors, the far West, the illimitable, the boundless West, with its magnificent prairies and noble rivers; he spoke of the enterprize and energy of the inhabitants; of the towns and villages rising, like fairy fabrics, almost in a day.

It was one of the finest days of our beautiful June. All nature was laden with sweets, and our senses were often regaled with the perfume of thousands of flowers. Our route was upon the banks of a noisy, brawling river, and seemed to ascend, gradually as we plunged into the ravines and paths of the Green Mountains. These mountains, which seem in some places to touch the clouds, and of whose height we can form no possible conception, so astonished are we at their grandeur and magnificence are mostly clothed to their very summits,-with beautiful pines, intermixed with other forest trees. and their tender and varied tints contrast finely with the dark and sombre green of the pine. We continued to follow the windings of the pure and sparkling river that seemed to gambol along, and smiling at the sun-beams, and receiving gladly into its bosom a thousand little rills that throw themselves from the rocky heights on each side. In the space of fourteen or fifteen miles, we crossed and recrossed the river as many times upon little rustic bridges thrown across it; and as we plunged further and further into the forests, the scenery became more wild and savage. In some instances we found that the wood cutter had been busy in these sequestered regions; and the bald green summits of those hills which had been despoiled of their magnificent attire, seemed to lament that the hand of the destroyer had come among them. Now and then a little valley opened before us; where the hardy and industrious yeoman had located himself. Here he had erected a small dwelling and barn; his meadow was covered with a green and lively verdure and near the base of the mountain lay his fields almost ready for the sickle. At length we began to ascend a steep mountain, and the river, in size now a mere brook. was no more to be seen. After a toilsome ascent, we gained the summit, and our driver stopping to rest his wearied animals, said "We are upon the top of the mountain; we shall go down easily upon the other side." And we did indeed, most rapidly, for we soon came in sight of villages and plains and cultivated fields. And as the last rays of the sun glided the summits of the western hills, we were set down at a comfortable and respectable hotel in the village of R

My companion supped with me, and as we found that we should no longer travel together, our place of destination being widely apart, we bade each other adieu--first however, exchanging cards.— When he put his card into my hand, he said, very emphatically, "You'll probably hear of me again, madam." On casting my eyes upon the card, I saw the address was "William Jones, merchant, Cincinnati."

"Julia my dear, will you give me that bundle?— that must go in-now pray help me to stow these things down more closely. What! crying dear Julia? you laugh and weep at the same time."

"I cannot help it, sister Mary," said the other; at the same time throwing her arms about the neck of her sister. "I laughed a few minutes ago to think how astonished our good mother will be to-morrow morning. And do you really think you shall be married to morrow? and do you really suppose William Jones will be here-I cannot part with you--how lonely I shall be! and there is no wedding cake. What a queer wedding it will be! and father and mother to know nothing about it until he arrives with the minister!"

"I cannot help it," said Mary, kissing her sister very affectionately. "You know they will not consent to our marriage. I will not jump out of the window, and I am resolved to be married in this house. Do not be so sorrowful, little mad cap you shall come to Cincinnati and see me. Come, look up, and smile as you used to."

"I shall never smile again, you will never call me mad cap any more," said Julia. What a naughty girl I have been to you, when I used to teaze you and William Jones! will you ever forgive me."

"You have done nothing that requires forgiveness; do not look so woe begone. I should think you had lost your best friend."

"And so I shall when you are gone," sobbing as if her heart would break.

"Come," said Mary, "undress yourself and go to bed, and I will do the same, I shall have time enough in the morning to finish my packing."

The sisters went to bed, but they conversed a long time, and concerted plans for the future, until weariness and sleep overcame them.

With the first dawn of morning, Mary arose and was bustling about her chamber. "Poor Julia! Alas, how sorrowful was she when she was fully awakened, and recollected that this was the morning of her sister's marriage. She dressed herself without a single word; and then trying to compose herself, began to assist in the business of packing the trunks; although ever and anon a tear would find its way down her cheek.

"I will leave those things in my drawer for you," said Mary; 'they will put you in mind of me once in awhile."

"I shall not need them to remember you," said Julia, weeping bitterly.

At this moment a domestic tapped at the door, and handed a note to Mary.

"Is it from William?" said Julia, as her sister opened it.

"It is," replied she turning pale and red alternately, "and I must hasten-the stage will go out at eight o'clock. I must put on my riding dress instantly-there is no time to be lost; my trunks are all ready--there, that will do. Now let us go down to breakfast."

"I shall not go down," said Julia.

Mary went down and seated herself at the breakfast table with her parents.

"You are unusually dressed this morning," said Mrs. H. very coldly, as she handed her a cup of coffee.

"Do you expect to take a ride?"

"Perhaps I may," replied Mary, swallowing her breakfast as hastily as possible.

They were soon interrupted by a loud rap at the door. Mary started, and became pale and red again, as her lover entered, accompanied by a clergyman -Mr and Mrs. H. gazed with astonishment and saluted them with the most freezing civility

"My good young lady," said the clergyman, advancing and taking her hand with an air of the greatest benevolence, "I regret that you are compelled to leave your parents under such circumstances, and nothing will reconcile them to your marriage.- But we have no time to lose."

William had already taken his place by his bride; and the good clergyman, raising his hands, began an invocation to Heaven. The parents were struck dumb with amazement, and stood silent spectators of the scene before them. Julia slid softly in, and stood by her sister, striving in vain to suppress her sobs. The rattling of the stage was soon heard; and scarcely had the clergyman concluded the ceremony, when it drew up at the door. The baggage was soon brought down and put upon the stage.

"Good bye all," said Mary, as William led her out. Julia clung to her to the last moment. "The blessing of Heaven attend you, my young friends," said the good clergyman, as he shook hands with them after they were seated. "All ready," said the driver, scrambling into his seat, and gathering up the reins; and they were out of sight in a moment.

AL.C