ALONZO AND MELlSSA.





OR


THE UNFEELING FATHER,
AN
AMERICAN TALE.
In every varied posture, plara, and hour,
How widowed every thought of every joy!
~            YoUNG
BY DANIEL JACKSON, JR.
PHILADELPHIA:
[EARY        &   OETZ)
138 NORTH SECOND STREET.










PREFACE.
WHETHER the story of Alonzo and Me.
lissa will generally please, the writer knows
not; if, however, he is not mistaken, it is
not unfriendly to religion and to virtue.One thing was aimed t'j be shown, that a
firm reliance on Providence, however the
affections might be at war with its dispensations, is the only source of consolation in
the gloomy hours of affliction; and that generally such dependence, though crossed by
difficulties and perplexities, will be crowned
with victory at last.
It is also believed that the story contains
no indecorous stimulants; nor is it filled
with unmeaning and inexplicated incidents
sounding upon the sense, but imperceptible
to the understanding.  When anxietier
have been excited by involved and doubtfu
events, they are afterwards elucidated b
the consequences.





J'REFACIN.
The writer believes that generally bie
has copied nature. In the ardent prospects
raised in youthful bosoms, the almost consummation of their wishes, their sudden and
unexpected disappointment, the sorrows of
separation, the joyous and unlooked for
meeting-in the poignant feelings of Alonzo, when, at the grave of Melissa, he poured
the feelings of his anguished soul over her
miniature by the "moon's pale ray;"when Melissa, sinking on her knees before
her father, was received, to' his bosom as a
beloved daughter risen from the dead.
If these scenes are not imperfectly drawn,
they will not fail to interest the refined sen.
sibilities of the reader.





ALONZO AND MELISSA,
IN the time of the late revolution, two
young gentlemen of Connecticut, who had
formed an indissoluble friendship, graduated
at Yale College in New-Haven: their names
were Edgar and Alonzo. Edgar was the
son of a respectable farmer. Alonzo's father
was an eminent merchant. Edgar was designed for the desk, Alonzo for the bar; but
as they were allowed some vacant time after
their graduation before they entered upon
their professional studies, they improved this
interim in mutual, friendly visits, mingling
with select parties in the amusements of the
day, and in travelling through some parts of
the United States.
Edgar had a sister who, for some time,
had resided with her cousin at New-London. She was now about to return, and it
was designed that Edgar should go and attend her home.   Previous to the day on
which he was to set out, he was unfortunately thrown from his horse, which so
much injured him as to prevent his proseI,





6        ALONZO AND MELISSA.
cuting his intended journey: he therefore
invited Alonzo to supply his place which
invitation he readily accepted, and on the
day appointed set out for New-London,
where he arrived, delivered his introductory
letters to Edgar's cousin, and was received
with the most friendly politeness.
Melissa, the sister of Edgar, was about sixteen years of age. She was not what is esteemed a striking beauty, but her appearance
was pleasingly interesting. Her figure was
elegant; her aspect was attempered with a
pensive mildness, which in her cheerful
moments would light up into sprightliness
and vivacity. Though on first impression,
her countenance was marked by a sweet and
thoughtful screnity, yet she emipently possessed the power to
" Call round her laughing eyes, in playful turns,
The glance that lightens, and the smile that burns."
Her mind was adorned with those delicate
graces which are the first ornaments of female excellence. Her manners were graceful without affectation, and her taste had been
properly directed by a suitable education.
Aloizo was about twenty-one years old;
he had been esteemed an excellent student.
His appearance was manly, open and free.
His eye indicated a nobleness of soul; although his aspect was tinged with melancholy, yet he was naturally cheerful. His
disposition was of the romantic cast;





ALONZO AND MELISSA.              7
For far beyond the pride and pomp of power,
He lov'd the realms of nature to explore;
With lingering gaze Edinian spring survey'd;
Morn's fairy splendours; night's gay curtained shade,
The high hoar cliff, the grove's benighting gloom,
The wild rose, widowed o'er the mouldering tomb;
The heaven embosom'd sun; the rainbow's dye,
Where lucid forms disport to fancy's eye;
The vernal flower, mild autumn's purpling glow,
The summer's thunder and the winter's snow."
It was evening when Alonzo arrived at
the house of Edgar's cousin. Melissa was
at a ball which had been given on a matrimonial occasion in the town.     Her cousin
waited on Alonzo to the ball, and introduced him to Melissa, who received him with
politeness. She was dressed in white, em
broidered and spangled with rich silver lace;
a silk girdle, enwrought and tasseled with
gold, surrounded her waist; her hair was
unadorned except by a wreath of artificial
flowers, studded by a?ingle diamond.
After the ball closed, they returned to the
house of Edgar's cousin. Melissa's partner at the ball was the son of a gentleman
of independent fortune' in     New-London.
re was a gay young man, aged about twenty-five.  His address was easy, his manners
rather voluptuous than refined; confident,
but not ungraceful.     He led the ton in
fashionable circles; gave taste its zest, and
was quite a favorite with the ladies generally. His name was Beauman.
Edgar's cousin proposed to detain Alonzo
and Melissa a few days, during which time
--- ~----~-- ----~  --r~ ---0 -




S        ALONZO AND MELISSA.
they passed in visitrng select friends and socia,
parties. Beauman was an assiduous altendant upon Melissa. He came one afternoon
to invite her to ride out;-she was indisposed and excused herself. At evening she
proposed walking out with her cousia and
his lady; but they were prevented from
attending her by unexpected company.
Alonzo offered to accompany her. It was
one of those beautiful evenings in the month
of June, when nature in those parts of America is arrayed in her richest dress. They
left the town and walked through fields
adjoining the harbour.-The moon shone
in full lustre, her white beams trembling
upon the glassy main, where skiffs and sails
of various descriptidns were passing and
repassing. The shores of Long-Island and
the other islands in the harbour, appeared
dimly to float among the waves. The air
was adorned with the fragrance of surrounding flowers; the sound of instrumental music
wafted from the town, rendered sweeter by
distance, while the whippoorwill's sprightly
song echoed along the adjacent groves. Far
it the eastern horizon hung a pile of brazen clouds, which had passed from the north,
over which, the crinkling red lightning momentarily darted, and at times, long peals.u
thunder were faintly heard. They walked,to a point of the beach, where stood a large





ALQNZO AND MELISSA.         9
rock whose base was washed by every tide.
On this rock they seated themselves, and enjoyed a while the splendours of the scenethe drapery of nature. " To this place, said
Melissa, have I taken many a solitary walk,
on such an evening as this, and seated on
this rock, have I experienced more pleasing
sensations than I ever received in the most
splendid ball-room." The idea impressed
the mind of Alonzo; it was congenial with
the feeling of his soul.
They returned at a late hour, and the
next day set out for home. Beauman handed Melissa into the carriage, and he, with
Edgar's cousin and his lady, attended them
on their first day's journey. They put up
at night at the house of an acquaintance in
Branford. The next morning they parted
Melissa's cousin, his lady and Beauman,
returned to New-London; Alonzo and Melissa pursued their journey, and at evening
arrived at her father's house, which was in
the westerly part of the state.
Melissa was received with joyful tenderness by her friends. Edgar soon recovered
from his fall, and cheerfulness again assumed its most pleasing aspect in the family.Edgar's father was a plain Connecticut farmer. He was rich, and his riches had been
acquired by his diligent attention to business. He had loaned money, and taken





10       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
mortgages on lands and houses f6r securities; and as payment frequently failed, he
often had opportunities of purchasing the
involved premises at his own price.  He
well knew the worth of a shilling, and how
to apply it to its best use; and in casting
interest, he was sure never to lose a farthing.  He had no other children except
Edgar and Melissa, on whom he doated.Destitute of literature himself, he had provided the means of obtaining it for his son,
anid as he was a rigid presbyterian, he considered that Edgar could no where figure so
well, or gain more eminence, than in the
sacred desk.
The time now arrived when Edgar and
Alonzo were to part. The former repaired
to New-York, where he was to enter upon
his professional studies. The latter entered in the office of an eminent attorney in
his native town, which was about twenty
miles distant from the village in which lived the family of Edgar and Melissa. Alonzo was the frequent guest of this family;
for tliough Edgar was absent, there was still
a charm which attracted him hither. If he
had admired the manly virtues of the brother, could he fail to adore the sublimer
graces of the sister? If all the sympathies
of the most ardent friendship had been drawn
forth towards the former, must not the most





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


11


tender passions of the soul be attracted by
the milder and more refined excellencies of
the other?
Beauman had become the suitor of Melissa; but the distance of residence rendered it inconvenient to visit her often. He
came regiularly once in two or three months;
of course Alonzo and he sometimes met.
Beauman had made no serious pretensions,
but his particularity indicated something
more than fashionable politeness.
His manners, his independent situation,
his family, entitled him to respect. " It is
not probable therefore that he will be objectionable to Melissa's friends or to Melissa
herself," said Alonzo, with an involuntary
sigh.
But as Beauman's visits to Melissa became
more frequent, an increasing anxiety took
place in Alonzo's bosom. He wished her
to remain single; the idea of losing her by
marriage, gave him inexpressible regret.
What substitute could supply the happy
hours he h3ba passed in her company? What
charm could wing the lingering moments
when she was gone? In the recess of his
studies, he could, in a few hours, be at the
seat of her father: there his cares were
dissipated, and the troubles of life, real or
imaginary, on light pinions, fleeted away.How different would be the scene when





12       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
iebarred from the unreserved friendship ana
conversation of Melissa; And unreserved
it could not be, were she not exclusively
mistress of herself.  But was there not
something of a more refined texture than
friendship in his predilection for the company of Melissa? If so, why not avow it?
His prospects, his family, and of course his
pretensions might not be inferior to those
of Beauman. But perhaps Beauman was
preferred.  His opportunities had been
greater; he had formed an acquaintance
with her.  Distance proved no barrier to
his addresses. His visits became more and
more frequent.  Was it not then highly
probable that he had secured her affections?
Thus reasoned Alonzo, but the reasoning
tended not to allay the tempest which was
gathering in his bosom.  He ordered his
horse, and was in a short time at the seat
of Melissa's father.
It was summer, and towards evening
when he arrived.  Melissa was sitting by
the window when he entered the hall. She
arose and received him with a smile. "I
have just been thinking of an evening's
walk, said she, but had no one to attend
me, and you have come just in time to perform that office. I will order tea immediately, while you rest from the fatigues of
your journey."





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


13


When tea was served up, a servant entered the room with a letter which he had
found in the yard. Melissa received it."'Tis a letter, said she, which I sent by
Beauman, to a lady in New-London, and
the careless man has lost it."  Turning to
Alonzo, "I forgot to tell you that your
friend Beauman has been with us a few
days; he left us this morning."
" My friend!" replied Alonzo, hastily.
"Is he not your friend?" enquired Melissa.
"I beg pardon, madam," answered he,
"my mind was absent."
" He requested us to present his respects
to his friend Alonzo," said she.  Alonzo
bowed and turned the conversation.
They walked out and took a winding
path which led along pleasant fields by a
gliding stream, through a little grove and
up a sloping eminence, which commanded
an extensive prospect of the surrounding
country; Long Island, and the sound between that and the main land, and the
opening thereof to the distant ocean.
A soft and silent shower had descended;.'
a thousand transitory gems trembled upon
the foliage glittering the western ray.--A
bright rainbow sat upon a southern cloud;
the lightgales whispered among the branches, agitated the young harvest to billowy
motion, or waved the tops of the distant
2





14       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
Jeep green forest with majestic grandeur.
Flocks, herds, and cottages were scattered
over the vqfiegated landscape.
Hills piled on hills, receding, faded from
the pursuing eye, mingling with the blue
mist which hovered around the extreme
verge of the horizon. "1This is a most delightful scene," said Melissa.
"It is indeed, replied Alonzo; can Ne wLondon boast so charming a prospect P"
Melissa. No-'yes; indeed 1. can hardly
say. 1You know, Alonzo, how I am charm..
ed with the rock at the" point of the beach.Alonzo. You told. me of the happy hours
yoti had passed at that place. Perhaps the
rompany which attended you there, gave
the scenery its highest embellishment.
Melissa. I know not how it happened;
but yo-u are th e only person who ever attended me there.
AlJouzo.. That is a little surprising.
Mel. Why surprising?
Al. Where was Beauman?
Mel. Perhaps he was not fond of soli'.
tude. Besides he was not always nm Beau-.
man.
Al. Sometimes.
Mel. Yes, sometimes.
Al. And now always.
Mel. Not this evening.
SAl. He formerly





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


15


Me. Well.
Al. And will soon claim the exclusive
privilege so to do.
Mel. That does not follow of course.
Al. Of course, if his intentions are sincere, and the wishes of another should accord therewith.
Mel. Who am I to understand by another?
Al. Melissa. [A pause ensued.]
Mel. See that ship, Alonzo, coming up
the sound; how she ploughs through the
white foam, while the breezes flutter among
the sails, varying with the beams of the sun.
Al. Yes, it is almost down.
Mel. What is almost down?
Al. The sun. Was not you speaking of
the sun, madam?
Mel. Your mind is absent, Alonzo; I
was speaking of yonder ship.
Al. I beg pardon, madam. 0 yes-the
ship-it-it bounds with rapid motion over
the waves.
A pause ensued. They walked leisurely
around the hill, and moved toward home.
The sun sunk behind the western hills.Twilight arose in the east, and floated along
the air. Darkness began to hover around
the woodlands and vallies. The beauties
of the landscape slowly receded  "This
reminds me of our walk at New-London,"





16      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
said Melissa. "Do you remember it " en.
quired Alonzo. " Certainly I do," she replied, (' I shall never forget the sweet pensive scenery of my favourite rock."  "Nor
I neither," said Alonzo with a deep drawn
sigh.
The next day Alonzo returned to his
studies; but, different from his former visits
to Melissa, instead of exhilarating his spirits,
this had tended to depress them. He doubted whether Melissa was not already engaged to Beauman. His hopes would persuade him that this was not the case; but
his fears declared otherwise.
It was some time before Alonzo renewed
his visit. In the interim he received a letter
from a friend in the neighbourhood of Melissa's father; an extract from which follows:
"We are soon to have a wedding here;
you are acquainted with the parties-Melissa D-    and Beauman. Such at least
is our opinion from appearances, as Beauman is now here more than half his time.You will undoubtedly be a guest. We had
expected that you would have put in your
claims, from your particular attention to the
lady. She is a fine girl, Alonzo."
" I shall never be a guest at Melissa's
wedding," said Alonzo, as he hastily paced
the room; " but I must once again see her
before that event takes place, when I lose





ALONZO AND MTELISSA.


17


her forever"' The next day he repaired
to 'her father's. He enqi iired for Melissu~
she was gone with a party to the shores iaf
the sound, attended by Beauman. At even.
ing; thcy retuined. Beauman and Alonzo
addressed each other with much seeming
cordiality. "You have deceived uLs, Alon.
zo, saidl Melissa. We concluded you hadl
forgotten the road to this place."
"1Was not that a hasty conclusion P" replied Alonzo. "I think not, she answered,
if your long absence should be construed
into, neglect. But we wvill hear your ex
Cluse, said she, smiling, by and by, and per-.
liaps pardon you." He thanked her. for
her condescension.
The next morning Beauman set out for
New-London. "Alonzo observed that he
took a t..nmder leave of Melissa, telling her,
in a low voice, that he should have the happiness of seeing her again within two or
three weeks. After he was gone, as Metissa and Alonzo were sitting in a room alone, "Well, said she, am I to hear youg
excuses?"1
Alonzo. For what, madam?
Mel. For neglecting your friends.
Alonzo. I hope it is not so considered,
madam.
MVel.  Seriously, then, why have yo'a
2 *           A





18  ALONZO AND..MEILISSA.
s.tayed away so long?  Has this place Po
charms in the absence of my brother?
Al. Would my presence have added to
your felicities,, Melissa?
Mel. 'You never came an unwelcome
visiter here.
Al. PerhAps I might be sometimes int:usive.
MNel. What times?
Al. When Beauman is your guest.
Mel. I have supposed you were on friendly terms.
Al. We are..Mel. Why then intrusive?
Al. There are seasons when friendship
must yvield its pr etensions to a superior
claim.
Mel. Perhaps I do not rightly comprehend the force of that- remark.
Al. Was Beauman here, my position
might be demonstrated.
Mel'. 1 think I understand you.
Al. And. acknowledge my observation
tobe just?
Mtel. (hesitating.) Yes- I believe I must.
Al. And appropriate?
Melissa was silent.
Al. You hesitate, Melissa.
She was still silenit
Aiil. Will you, Melissa, answer me one
question.





ALONZO AND MELISSA..19


Mfel. (con1fus9'ed.)  If it b6 a g-roper one
you are entitled to candour.
Al. Are you -engaged to Beauman?
Mlel. (blushing.) He has asked me the
same question concerning you.
Al. Do you prefer him to any other?
Mel. (deeply blush'ing, her eyes cast upon the floor.) He has made the same enquiry respecting you
Al. Has he asked your father's permission to address you?
Mel. That I have not suffered him yet
to do.
Al. Yet!
Mlel.. I assure you I have not.
Al. (taking her hand with anxiety.) Melissa, I beg you will deal candidly. I am
entitled to no claims, but you' know what
my heart would ask. I will bow to your
decision. Beauman or Alonzo must relinquislh their pretensions. We cannot share
the blessing.
Mel. (her cheeks suffused with a varying
glow, her lips pale, her voi --e tremulous, her
eyes still) cast down.) My parents have informed me that it is improper to receive the
pdrticular addresses of more than one. I
amn conscious of my iradvertency, and that
thie reproof is Just.' One thierefore must be
dismissed. But-(she hesitated.)'
A considerable pause en ued. At lengtb





20      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
Alonzo arose-" I will not press you farther," said he; " I know the delicacy of your
feeling, I know your sincerity; I will not
therefore insist on your performing the painiul task of deciding against me. Your con
Juct in every point of view has been discreet.
I could have no just claims, or if I had, your
heart must sanction them, or they would be
unhallowed and unjustifiable. I shall ever
pray for your felicity.-Our affections are not
under our direction; our happiness depends
on our obedience to their mandates. Whatever, then, may be my sufferings, you are unblameable and irreproachable." He took
his hat in extreme agitation, and prepared
to take his leave.
Melissa had recovered in some degree
from her embarrassment, and collected her
scattered spirits. " Your conduct, Alonzo,
said she, is generous and noble. Will you
give yourself the trouble, and do me the
honour to see me once more?"  "I will,
said he, at any time you shall appoint.""Four weeks then, she said, from this day,
honour me with a visit, and you shall have
my decision, and receive my final answer."
"1 will be punctual to the day," he replied,
and bade her adieu.
Alonzo's hours now winged heavily away.
His wonted cheerfulness fled; he wooed the
silent and solitary haunts of " musing, mop




ALONZO 4ND MELISSA.


21


ing melancholy."  He loved to wander
through lonely fields, or along the verge of
some lingering stream, "when dewy twilight
rob'd the evening mild," or " to trace the
forest glen, through which the moon darted
her silvery intercepted ray."
He was fondly indulging a tender passion
which preyed upon his peace, and deeply
disturbed his repose. He looked anxiously
to the hour when Melissa was to make her
decision.  He wished, yet dreaded the
event. In that he foresaw, or, thought he
foresaw, a withering blight to his budding
hopes, and a final consummation to his foreboding fears. He had pressed Melissa, perhaps too urgently, to a declaration.-Had
her predilection been in his favour, would
she have hesitated to avow it? Her parents had advised her to relinquish, and had
permitted her to retain one suitor, nor had
they attempted to influence or direct her
choice. Was it not evident, then, from her
confused hesitation and embarrassment,
when solicited to discriminate upon the subject, that her ultimate decision would be in
favour of Beauman?
While Alonzo's mind was thus agitated,
he received a second letter from his friend
in the neighbourhood of Melissa. He read
the following clause therein with emotions
more easily to be conceived than expressed:





22        ALONZO AND MELISSA.
"Melissa's wedding day is appointed. I
need not tell you that Beauman is to be the
happy deity of the hymeneal sacrifice.  I
had this from his own declaration. He did
not name the positive day, but it is certainly
tobe soon. You will undoubtedly, however,
have timely notice, as a guest. We must
pour a liberal libation upon the mystic altar,
Alonzo, and twine the nuptial garland with
wreaths of joy. Beauman ought to devote
a rich offering to so valuable a prize. He
has been here for a week, and departed for
New-London yesterday, but is shortly to
return."
" And why have I ever doubted this event? said Alonzo. What infatuation hath
thus led me on the pursuit of fantastic and
unreal bliss? I have had, it is true, no positive assurance that Melissa would favour my
addresses. But why did she ever receive
them? Why did she enchantingly smile
upon me? Why fascinate the tender powers
of my soul by that winning mildness, acd
the favourable display of those complicated
and superior attractions which she must have
known were irresistible?- Why did she not
spurn me from her confidence, and plainly
tell me that my attentions were untimely
and improper? And now she would have
me dance attendance to her decision in fAvour of Beauman--Insulting! Let Beauman





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


23


and she make, as they have formed, this
farcical decision; I absolutely will never
attend it.-But stop: I have engaged to see
her at an appointed time; my honour is
therefore pledged for an interview; it must
take place. I shall support it with becoming dignity, and I will convince Melissa and
Beauman that I am not the dupe of their
caprices. But let me consider-What has
Melissa done to deserve censure or reproach?
Her brother was my early friend: she has
treated me as a friend to her brother. She
was unconscious of the flame which her
charms had kindled in my bosom.-Her
evident embarrassment and confusion on receiving my declaration, witnessed her surprise and prior attachment. What could
she do? To save herself the pain of a direct
denial, she had appointed a day when her
refusal may come in a more delicate and
formal manner-and I must meet it."
At the appointed day, Alonzo proceeded
to the house of Melissa's father, where he
arrived late in the afternoon. Melissa had
retired to a little summer house at the end.
of the garden; a servant conducted Alonzo
thither. She was dressed in a flowing robe
of white muslin, embroidered with a deep
fringe lace. Her hair hung loosely upon
her shoulders; she was contemplating a
bouquet of flowers which she held in her





24       ALONZO AND MELISSA4
nand. Alonzo fancied she never appeared
so lovely. She arose to receive him. "We
have been expecting you some time, said
Melissa; we were anxious to inform you,
that we have just received a letter from my
brother, in which he desires us to present
you his most friendly respects, and complains
of your not writing to him lately so frequently as usual." Alonzo thanked her for
the information; said that business prevented him; he esteemed him as his most valuable friend, and would be more particular
in future.
"We have been thronged with company
for several days, said Melissa. Once a year
my father celebrates his birth day, when we
are honoured with so numerous a company
ofuncles, aunts,cousins, nephews and nieces,
that were you present, you would suppose we
were connected with half the families in Connecticut. The last of this company took
their departure yesterday, and I have only
to regret, that I have for nearly a week, been
prevented from visiting my favourite hill, to
which you attended me when you was last
here. It is much improved since then: I
have had a little albour built under the large
tree on its summit: you will have no objection to view it, Alonzo?"  He assured
her he accepted the invitation with pleasure.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


25,and towards evening they resorted to the
place and seated themselves in the arbour.
It was the beginning of autumn, and a
yellow hue was spread over the fading
charms of nature. The withering forest began to shed its decaying foliage, which the
light gales pursued along the russet fields.
The low sun extended the lengthening
shadows; curling smoke ascended from the
surrounding cottages. A thick fog crept along the vallies; a gray mist hovered over
the tops of the mountains. The glassy surface of the sound glittered to the sun's departing ray. The solemn herds lowed in
monotonous symphony. The autumnal insects in sympathetic wafting, plaintively
predicted their approaching fate. "The
scene is changed since we last visited this
place, said Melissa; the gay charms of summer are beginning to decay, and must soon
yield their splendors to the rude despoiling hand of winter."
"That will be the case, said Alonzo, before I shall have the pleasure of your company here again."
Mel. That probably may be, though it
is nearly two months yet to winter.
Al. Great changes may take place within that time.
Mel. Yes, changes must take place; but
3





26      AL^NXO AND MELISSA.
nothing, I hope, to embitter present prospects.
Al. (peevishly.) As it respects yourself, I trust not, madam.
Mel. (tenderly.) And I sincerely hope
not, as it respects you, Alonzo.
Al. That wish, I believe, is vain.
AMel. Why so ominous a prediction?
Al. The premises, from which it is
drawn, are correct.
Mel. Your feelings accord with the season, Alonzo; you are melancholy. Shall
we return?
Al. I ask your pardon, madam; I know
I am unsociable. You speak of returning:
You know the occasion of my being here.
Mel. For the purpose of visiting your
friends, I presume.
Al. And no other?
She made no reply.
Al. You cannot have forgotten your own
appointment, and consequent engagement?
She made no answer.
Al. I know, Melissa, that you are incapable of duplicity or evasion. I have promised, and now repeat the declaration, that
I will silently submit to your decision. This
you have engaged to make, and this is the
time you have appointed. The pains of present suspense can scarcely be surpassed by
the pangs of disappointment. On your part





ALONZO AND MELISSA.:


27


you have nothing to fear. I trust you have
candidly determined, and will decide explicitly.
Mel. (sighing.) I am placed in an exceedingly delicate situation.
Al. I know you are; but your own honour, your own peace, require that you should
extricate yourself from the perplexing embarrassment.
Mel. I am sensible they do. It mustit shall be done.
Al. And the sooner it is done the better.
Mel. That I am convinced of. I now
know that I have been inadvertently indiscreet. I have admitted the addresses of
Beauman and yourself, without calculating
or expecting the consequences. You have
both treated me honourably, and with respect. You are both on equal grounds as to
your character and standing in life. With
Beauman I became first acquainted. As it
relates to him, some new arrangements
have taken place since you were here,
which-.
Al. (interrupting her, with emotion.) Ot
those arrangements I am acquainted.
Mel. (surprised.) By what means were
you informed thereof?
Al. I received it from a friend in your
neighbourhood.
A considerable pause ensued.





28      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
Al. You see, Melissa, I am prepared for
the event.-She was silent.
Al. I have mentioned before, that, whatever be your decision, no impropriety can
attach to you. I might not, indeed, from
various circumstances, and from the information I possess, I perhaps should not, have
given you farther trouble on the occasion,
had it not been from your own direction
and appointment. And I am now willing
to retire without further explanation, without giving you the pain of an express decision, if you think the measure expedient.
Your declaration can only be a matter of
form, the consequence of which I know,
and my proposition may save your feelings.
Mel. No, Alonzo; my reputation depends on my adherence to my first determination; justice to yourself and to Beauman also demand it. After what has passed, I should be considered as acting caprieiously and inconsistently, should I depart
from it. Beauman will be here to-morrow,
andAl. To-morrow, madam?
Mel. He will be here to-morrow, and
you must consent to stay with us until that
time; the matter shall then be decided.
Al. I-yes-it shall be as you say, madam.   Make your arrangements as you
please.





AJONZO AND MELISSA.


29


Evening had now spread her dusky mantle over the face of nature. The stars glistened in the sky.  The breeze's rustling
wing was in the tree. The "slitty sound"
of the low murmuring brook, and the far off
water-fall, were faintly heard. The twinkling fire-fly arose from the surrounding verdure and illuminated the air with a thousand transient gleams. The mingling discordance of curs and watch-dogs echoed in
the distant village, from whence the frequent lights darted their palely lustre thro'
the gloom. The solitary whippoorwills stationed themselves along the woody glens,
the groves and rocky pastures, and sung a
requiem to departed summer. A dark cloud
was rising in the west, across whose gloomy
front the vivid lightning bent its forky spires.
Alonzo and Melissa moved slowly to the
village; she appeared enraptured with the
melancholy splendours of the evening, but
the other subject engaged the mental attention of Alonzo.
Beauman arri*d the next day. He gave
his hand to Alonzo with seeming warmth of
friendship. If it was reciprocated, it must
have been affected. There was no alteration in the manners and conversation of
Melissa: her conversation, as usual, was
sprightly and interesting. After dinner she
retired, and her father requested Alonzo
3*





30       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
and Beauman to withdraw with him to a
private room. After they were seated, the
old gentlemen thus addressed them:
" I have called you here, gentlemen, to
perform my duty as a parent to my daughter, and as a friend to you. You are both
suitors to Melissa; while your addresses
were merely formal, they were innocent;
but when they became serious they were
dangerous.  Your pretensions I consider
equal, and between honourable pretenders,
who are worthy of my daughter, I shall not
attempt to influence her choice.  That
choice, however, can rest only on one: she
has engaged to decide between you. I am
come to make, in her name, this decision.
The following are my terms:-No quarrel
or difficulty shall arise between you, gentlemen, in consequence of her determination. Nothing shall go abroad respecting
the affair; it shall be ended under my roof.
As soon as I have pronounced her declaration, you shall both depart and absent my
house for at least two weeks, as it would be
improper for my daughter to see either of
you at present: after that period I shall be
appy to receive your visits. "-Alonzo and
Beauman pledged their honour to abide implicitly by these injunctions. Her father
then observed-"This, gentlemen, is all I
require. ILhave observed that 1 considered





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


31


your pretensions equal: so has my daughter treated them.  You have both made
professions to her; she has appointed a
time to answer you. That time has arrived, and I now inform you that she has decided in favour of-Alonzo."
The declaration of Melissa's father burst
upon the mental powers of Beauman, like
a sudden and tremendous clap of thunder
on the deep and solemn silence of night.
Unaccustomed to disappointment, he had
calculated on success. His addresses to the
ladies had ever been honourably received.
Melissa was the first whose charms were
capable of rendering them sincere. He was
not ignorant of Alonzo's attention to her:
it gave him however but little uneasiness.
He believed that his superior qualifications
would eclipse the pretensions of his rival.
He considered himself a connoisseur in
character, especially in the character of the
ladies.  He conformed to their taste; he
flattered their foibles, and obsequiously
bowed to the minutia of female volatility.
He considered himself skilled in the language of the heart; and he trusted that from
his pre-eminent powers in the science of
affection, he had only to see, to sue and to
conquer. He had frankly offered his hand
to Melissa, and pressed her for a decisive answer. This from time to time she suspen




32        ALONZO AND MELISSA.
ded, and finally appointed a day to give
him and Alonzo a determinate answer,
though neither knew the arrangements
made with the other.
Finding, however, the dilemma in which
she was placed, she had previously consulted her parents. Her father had no objection to her choosing between two persons
of equal claims to affluence and reputation;
this choice she had made, and her father
was considered the most proper person to
pronounce it.
When Beauman had urged his suit to
Melissa, he supposed that her hesitations,
delays and suspensions, were only the effects of maiden diffidence and timidity. He
had no suspicions of her ultimately rejecting it; and when she finally named the day
of decision, he was confident she would
decide in his favour. These sentiments he
had communicated to the person who had
written to Alonzo, intimating that Melissa
had fixed a time which was to crown his
happiest wishes.
He had listened therefore attentively to
the words of Melissa's father, momentarily
expecting to hear himself declared the favourite choice of the fair.
What then must have been his disappointment when the name of Alonzo was pronounced instead of his own! The highly fin




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


33


ished scene of pleasure and future prosperity which his ardent imagination had depicted, had vanished in a moment. The rainbow glories which gilded his youthful horizon, had faded in an instant-the bright sun
of his early hopes had set in mournful darkness. The summons of death would not
have been more unexpected, or more shocking to his imagination.
Very different were the sensations which
inspired the bosom of Alonzo. He had not
even calculated on a decision in his own favour. He believed that Beaumnan would be
the choice of Melissa. She had told him
that the form of decision was necessary to
save appearances: with this form he complied because she desired it, not because he
expected the result would be in his favour.
He had not therefore attended to the words
of Melissa's father with that eagerness which
favourable anticipations commonly produce.
But when his name was mentioned; when
he found he was the choice-the happy
favourite of Melissa's affection, every tender
passion of his soul became interested, and
was suddenly aroused to the refinements of
sensibility. Like an electric shock, it reanimated his whole frame, and vibrated every
nerve of his heart. The glooms which
hung about his mind were dissipated, and
B





34       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
the bright morning of joy broke in upon his
soul.
Thus were the expectations of Alonzo
and Beauman disappointed-how differently, the sequel has shown.
Melissa's father retired immediately after
pronouncing the declaration; the two young
gentlemen also soon after withdrew. Alonzo saw the tempest which tore the bosom
of his rival, and he pitied him from his heart.
A fortnight passed, and Alonzo felt all
that anxiety and impatience which a separation from a beloved object can produce.
He framed a thousand excuses to visit Melissa, yet he feared a visit might be premature. He was, however, necessitated to'
make a journey to a distant part of the country, after which he resolved to see Melissa.
He performed his business, and was returning. It was toward evening, and the day
had been uncommonly sultry for the autumnal season. A rising shower blackened the
western hemisphere; the dark vapour ascended in folding ridges, and the thunder
rolled at a distance. Alonzo saw he should
be overtaken. He discovered an elegant
seat about one hundred yards distant from
the road; thither he hastened to gain shelter from the approaching storm. The owner of the mansion met him at the door, politely invited him to alight and walk in,





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


35~


while a servant stood ready to, take his horse.
He was ushered into a large room neatly
furnished, where the family and several
young ladies were sitting. As Alonzo glancýed his eyes hastily around the room, h(
thought he recognized a familiar countenance. A hurried succession of confused
ideas for a moment crossed his recollection.
In a moment he discovered that it was Me-.
lissa.  By this unexpected meeting they
were both completely embarrassed. Melissa, however, arose, and in rather a confused
manner, introduced Alonzo, as the class-..mate -of her brother, to the family of Mr.
Simpson and the company.
The ra~in continued most part of the afternoon. Alonzo was invited, and consented
to stay all night. A moon-.ight evening
succeeded the shower, -which invited- the
-young people to walk in an adjoining garden. -'Melissa told Alonzo that Mr. Simp-.
son was a distant relative of her father,; his
family consisted of his wife,' two amiable
daughters, not far from Melissa's age, and
one son, named William, ab~t seventeen
years old. -She had been invited there to
pass a week, and expected to return within
two days. And she adde.1, smiling, "per-.
haps, Alonzo, we m~ay have an opportunity
once more to visit the6 bower on my- prospect hill, before winter entirely destroys the





36       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
remaining beauties of the summer."  Alonzo felt all the force of the remark. He recollected the conversation when they were
last at the place she mentioned; and he
well remembered his feelings on that occasion.
" Great changes, indeed, he replied, have
taken place since we were last there: that
they are productive of unexpected and unexampled happiness to me, is due, Melissa, to
you alone."   Alonzo departed the next
morning, appointing the next week to visit
Melissa at her father's house.
Thus were the obstacles removed which
presented a barrier to the united wishes of
Alonzo and Melissa&  They Lad not, it is
true, been separated by wide seas, unfeeling
parents, or the rigorous laws of war; but
troubles, vexations, doubts and difficulties,
had thus far attended them, which had now
disappeared, and they calculated on no unpropitious event which might thwart their
future union. All the time that Alonzo
could spare from his studies was devoted to
Melissa, andktheir parents began to calculate
on joining their hands as soon as Alonzo's
professional term of study was completed.
The troubles which gave rise to the disseveration of England from America had already commenced, which broke out the ensuing spring into actual hostilities, by the





ALONZO AND MEL'SSA.


37


battle at Lexington, followed soon after by
the battle at Bunker Hill. The panic and
general bustle which took place in America on these events, is yet well remembered
by many. They were not calculated to impress the mind of Melissa with the most
pleasing sensations. She foresaw that the
burden of the war must rest on the American youth, and she trembled in anticipation
for the fate of Alonzo. He, with others,
should the war continue, must take the field,
in defence of his country. The effects of
such a separation were dubious and gloomy. Alonzo and she frequently discoursed,
and they agreed to form the mystic union
previous to any wide separation.
One event tended to hasten this resolution. The attorney in whose office Alonzo
was clerk, received a commission in the
new raised American army, and marched to
the lines near Boston. His business was
therefore suspended, and Alonzo returned to
the house of his father. He considered that
he could not long remain a nWere spectator
of the contest, and that it might soon be his
duty to take the field; he therefore concluded it best to hasten his marriage with
Melissa. She consented to the proposition,
and their parents made the necessary arrangements for the event. They had even
fixed upon the place which was to be the
4





38       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
future residence of this happy couple. It
was a pleasantly situated village, surrounded by rugged elevations, which gave an air
of serenity and seclusion to the valley they
encircled. On the south arose a spacious
hill, which was ascended by a gradual acclivity; its sides and summit interspersed
with orchards, arbours, and cultivated fields.
On the west, forests unevenly lifted their
rude heads, with here and there a solitary
field, newly cleared, and thinly scattered
with cottages. To the east, the eye extended over a soil, at one time swelling into
craggy elevations, and at another spreading
itself into vales of the most enchanting verdure. To the north it extended over a vast
succession of mountains, wooded to their
summits, and throwing their shadows over
intervales of equal wilderness, till at length
it was arrested in its excursions by the blue
mists which hovered over mountains more
grand, majestic and lofty,* A rivulet which
rushed from the hills, formed a little lake
on the borders of the village, which beautifully reflected the cottages from its transparent bosom. Amidst a cluster of locusts and
weeping willows, rose the spire of the church,
in the ungarnished decency of Sunday neat
ness. Fields, gardens, meadows, and pasSome who read this doesoription will readily  recognize the
village here described.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


3.9


ti a were spread around the valley, and on
the sides of the declivities, yielding in
therr season the rich flowers, fruits and foli.
age of spring, summer and autumn. The
inhabitants of this modern Auvernum were
mostly farmers. They were mild, sociable,
moral and diligent. The produce of their
own flocks and fields gave them most of
their food and clothing.  To dissipation
they were strangers, and the luxuries of
their tables were few.
Such was the place for the residence of
Alonzo and Melissa. They had visited the
spot, and were enraptured with its pensive,
romantic beauties. A site was marked out
whereon to erect their family mansion. It
was on a little eminence which sloped gradually to the lake, in the most pleasant part
of the village. " Here, said Alonzo one
day to Melissa, will we pass our days in all
that felicity of mind which the chequered
scenes of life admit. In the spring we will
rove among the flowers. In summer, we
will gather strawberries in yonder fields, or
whortleberries from the adjacent shrubbery.
1 he breezes of fragrant morning, and the
sighs of the evening gale, will be mingled,
with the songs of the thousand various bird
which frequent the surrounding groves.
We will gather the bending fruits of autumn,
and we will listen to the hoarse voice of





49       ALONZO AND MELISSA,
winter, its whistling winds, its driving
snow, and rattling hail, with delight."
The bright gems of joy glistened in the
eyes of Melissa. With Alonzo she anticipated approaching happiness, and her bosom beat in rapturous unison.
Winter came on; it rapidly passed away.
Spring advanced, and the marriage day was
appointed.
The spring opened with the din of preparation throughout America for defensive
war. It now was found that vigorous measures must be pursued to oppose the torrent which was preparing to overwhelm the
colonies, which had now been dissevered
from the British empire, by the declaration
of independence.   The continental army
was now raising, and great numbers of American youth volunteered in the service
of their country. A  large army of reinforcements was soon expected from England
to land on our shores, and " the confused
noise of the warriors, and garments rolled
in blood," were already anticipated.
Alonzo had received a commission in a
regiment of militia, and was pressed by several young gentlemen of his acquaintance,
who had entered the army, to join it also.
He had an excuse. His father was a man
in extensive business, was considerably past
the prime of life, had a number of agents





ALONZO AND MIELISSA 4


41


and clerks under him, but began to grow
unlable to attend to the various and burthensome duties and demands of a mercantile life.
Alonzo was his only son; his assistance
therefore became necessary until, at least,
his father could bring his business to a close,
which hie was now about to effect. Alonzo
stated these facts to his frienids; told- them
that on every occasion hie should be ready
to fly, to the post of dangrer when his country was invaded, and that as soon as his father's affairs should be settled, lie would, if
necessary, willingly join the army.
rfThe day niow rapidly approached when
Alonzo wvas to make Melissa his own. Pre-.
parations for the hymeneal ceremony wvere
na(,king, anid invitations had already grone
abroad.   Edgar,- the brother of MNelissa.,
had entered the army in the capacity of
chiaplain. He wvas soon expected hiome,,
where hie intended to tarry until the consummation of the nuptials, before he set out
for the camp). Letters recently received
from him, informed that hie expected to be
at his father's in three or four (lays.
About three weeks prviu     to the appointcd marriage (lay, Alonzo and Melissa
one afternoon rodle ovit to the village w%' hich
had been chosen for their future residence.
Their carri-age stop~ped at the only inn in the
4:4





42         ALONZO AND MELISSA.
place, and from thence they walked around
this modern Vaucluse, charmed with the secluded beauties of its situation. They passed a little time at the spot selected for their
habitation; they projected the structure of
the buildings, planned the gardens, the artificial groves, the walks, the mead, the
fountains, and the green retreat of the summer house, and they already saw, in anticipation, the various domestic blessings and
felicities with which they were to be surrounded.
They took tea at the inn, and prepared to
return. It was at the latter end of the
month of May, and nature was adorned in
the bridal ornaments of spring; the sun was
sunk behind the groves, which cast their
sombre shades over the valley, while the
retiring beams of day adorned the distant
eastern eminences with yellow lustre.
The birds sung melodiously in the groves,
the air was freshened by light western breezes, bearing upon their wings all the entrancing odours of the season. Around the
horizon, electric clouds raised their brazen
summits, based in the black vapour of approaching night.
They slowly ascended the hill south of
the town, where they paused a few moments to enjoy the splendours of the evening scene. This hill, which co maaanded a





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


43


prospect of all the surrounding country, the
distant sound, and the adjacent towns and
villages, presented to the eye, on a single
view, perhaps one of the most picturesque
draperies painted by nature. Alonzo attended Melissa to her father's, and the next
day returned home.
His father had been absent for three or
four days to one of the commercial seaports,
on business with some merchants with whom
he was connected in trade. He returned
the next day after Alonzo got home:-his
aspect and hiB conversation were marked
with an assumed and unmeaning cheerfulness. At supper he ate nothing, discoursed much, but in an unconnected and hurried manner, interrupted by long pauses, in
which he appeared to be buried in conteimplation.
After supper, he asked Alonzo if it were
not possible that his marriage with Melissa
could be consummated within a few days.
Alonzo, startled at so unexpected a question, replied, that such a proposal would be
considered extraordinary, perhaps improper.
besides, when Melissa had fixed the day
she mentioned that she had an uncle who
lived near Charleston, in South Carolina,
whose daughter was to pass the summer
with Melissa, and was expected to arrive before the appointed day. It would he said,





44       ALONZO AND MELISSA,
be a delicate point for him to requ.st her to
anticipate the nuptials, unless he could give
some cogent reasons for so doing; and at
present he was not apprised that any such
existed. His father, after a few moments
hesitation, answered, "I have reasons,
which, when told"-'here he stopped, suddenly arose, hastily walked the room in
much vissible agony of mind, and then retired to his chamber.
Alonzo and his mother were much amazed at so strange a proceeding. They could
form no coniecture of its cause or its consequence. Alonzo passed a sleepless night
His father's slumbers were interrupted. He
would frequently start up in the bed, then
sink in restless sleep, with incoherent mutterings, and plaintive moans. In the morn.
ing, when he appeared at breakfast, his
countenance wore the marks of dejection
and anguish.
He scarcely spoke a word, and after thl
table was removed, he ordered all to with.*
draw except his wife and Alonzo; when,
with emotions that spoke the painful feelings of his bos)m, he thus addressed them:
" For more than forty years I have toiled
early and late to acquire independence and
ease for myself and my family. To accomplish this, I became connected with some
English importing mer 1hants in a seaport





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


45


town, and went largely into the English
trade. Success crowned our endeavours;
on balancing our accounts two years ago,
we found that our expectations were answered, and that we were now sufficiently
wealthy to close business, which some proposed to do.; it was, however, agreed to
make one effort more, as some favourable
circumstances appeared to offer, in which
we adveiitured very largely, on a fair calculation of liberal and extensive proceeds.
"Before returns could be made, the war
came on, embarrassments ensued, and by
indubitable intelligence lately received, we
tind that our property in England has been
sequestered; five of our ships, laden with
English goods, lying in English harbours,
and just ready to sail for America, have been
seized as lawful prizes.  Added to this,
three vessels from the Indies, laden with island produce, have been taken on their
homeward bound voyage, and one lost on
her return from Holland. This wreck of
fortune I might have survived, had I to sustain only my equal dividend of the loss: but
of the merchants with whom I have been
connected, not one remains to share the fate
of the event; all have absconded or secreted themselves.  To attempt to compound
with my creditors would be of little avail;
my whole fortune will not pay one fourth





46       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
of the debts; so that, compound or not, the
consequence to me is inevitable ruin.
" To abscond would not secure me, as
most of my remaining property is vested in
real estate. And even if it would, I could
not consent to it: I could not consent to banish myself from my country; to flee like a
felon; to skulk from society with the base
view of defrauding my creditors. No, I
have lived honestly, and honestly will 1 die.
By fair application and long industry my
wealth has been obtained; and it shall never justly be said, that the reputation of my
latter days was stained with acts of baseness and meanness. I have notified and
procured a meeting of the creditors, and
have laid the matters before them. Some
appeared favourable to me; others insinuated that we were all connected in frhudulent designs, to swindle our creditors. This
I repelled with becoming spirit, and was in
consequence threatened with immediate
prosecution. Whatever may be the event,
I had some hopes that your happiness, Alonzo, might yet be secured. Hence I proposed your union with Melissa, before our
misfortunes should be promulgated. Your
parents are old; a little will serve the residue of their days. With your acquirements
you may make your way in life. I shall
have no property to give you; but I wouk





AL$NZO AND MELISSA.


47


still wish yo i to secure that which you prize
far above, and without which, both honours
and emoluments are unimportan4 and worthless."
At this moment a loud rap at the door
interrupted the discourse, and three men
were ushered in, which proved to be the
sheriff and his attendants, sent by the more
inexorable creditors of Alonzo's father and
company, to level on the pioperty of the former, which orders they faithfully executed,
by seizing the lands, tenements and furniture, and finally arresting the body of the
old gentleman, which was soon released by
his friendly neighbours becoming bail for
his appearance; but the property was soon
after sold at public vendue, at less than half
its value, and Alonzo's father and mother
were compelled to abandon the premises,
and take shelter in a little hut, belonging
to a neighbouring farmer, illy and temporarily furnished by the gratuitous liberality of
a few friends.
We will not stop the reader to moralize
on this disastrous event. The feelings of
the family can better be conceived than detailed. Hurled in a moment from the lofty
summit of affluence to the low and barren
vale of poverty! Philosophy came to the
aid of the parents, but who can realise the
feelirgs of the son!  Thus suddenly cut





48       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
short of his prospects, not only of future
independence, but even of support, what
would be the event of his suit to Melissa,
and stipulated marriage? Was it not probable that her father Would now cancel the
contract?  Could she consent to be his
wife in his present penurious situation?And indeed, could he himself consent to
make her his wife, to make her miserable?
In this agitated frame of mind he received a letter from his friend in Melissa's
neighbourhood, requesting him to come immediately to his house, whither he repaired the following day. This person had ever
been the unchanging friend of Aionzo; he
had heard of the misfortunes of his family, and he deeply sympathized in his distress. He had lately married and settled
in life: his name was Vincent.
When Alonzo arrived at the house of his
friend, he was received with the same disinterested ardour he ever had been in the
day of his most unbounded prosperity.After being seated, Vincent told him that
the occasion of his sending for him was to
propose the adoption of certain measures
which he doubted not might be considered
highly beneficial as it respected his future
peace and happiness. " Your family misfortunes, continued Vincent, I ave reached
the ears of Melissa's father. I know the





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


49


old gentleman too well to believe he will
consent to receive you as his son-in-law,
under your present embarrassments. Money is the god to which he implicitly bows.
The case is difficult, but not insurmountable. You must first see Melissa; she is now
in the next room. I will introduce you in;
converse with her, after which 1 will lay
my plan before you."
Alonzo entered the room; Melissa was
sitting by a window which looked into a
pleasant garden, and over verdant meadows
whose tall grass waved to the evening
breeze. Farther on, low vallies spread their
umbrageous thickets, where the dusky shadows of night had begun to assemble.
On high hills beyond, the tops of lofty
forests, majestically moved by the billowy
gales, caught the sun's last ray. Fleecy
summer clouds hovered around the verge of
the western horizon, spangled with silvery
tints or fringed with the gold of evening.
A mournfully murmuring rivulet purled
at a little distance from the garden, on the
borders of a small grove, from whence the
American wild dove wafted her sympathetic moaning to the ear of Melissa. She sat
leaning on a small table by the window,
which was thrown up. Her attention was
fixed. She did not perceive Vincent and
Alonzo as they egtered. They advanced
5               C





50      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
towards her. She turned, started, and arose. With a melancholy smile, and tremulous voice, " I supposed, she said, that it
was Mrs. Vincent who was approaching, as
she has just left the room." Her countenance appeared dejected, which, on seeing
Alonzo, lighted up into a languid sprightliness. It was evident she had been weeping.
Vincent retired, and Alonzo and Melissa
seated themselves by the window., I have
broken in upon your solitude, perhaps, too
unseasonably, said Alonzo. It is however,
the fault of Vincent:-he invited me to
walk into the room, but did not inform me
that you were alone." "Your presence was
sudden and unexpected, but not unseasonable, replied Melissa. I hope that you did
not consider any formality necessary in your
visits, Alonzo."
Alonzo. I once did not think so. Now
I know not what to think-I know not how
to act. Ycu have heard of the misfortunes
of my father's family, Melissa?
Mel. Yes; I have heard the circumstances attending that event-an event in
which no one could be more deeply interested, except the immediate sufferers, than
myself.
Al. Your father is also acquainted with
my present situation?
Mel. He is.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


'51


AL. How did he receive the intelligence?
Mel. With deep regret.    #
Al. And forbade you to admit my ad-.
dresses any longer?
Mel. No, not absolutely.
Al. If even in -an unqualified or indirect
manner, it is proper I should know it.
Mel. It certainly is. Soon after we received the intelligence of your family misfortunes, my father came into! the ro~om
where I was sitting; "1Melissa, said he,
your conduct has ever been that of a dutiful
child; mine, of an indulgent parent.-My
first, my ultimate wish, is to see my children, when settled in life, happy and honourably respected. 'For this purpose, I have
Vestowed on them. a proper education, and
design suitably to apportion my property between them. On their part, it is expected
they will act prudently and discreetly, especially in those things which concern their
futudre peace and welfare.-The principal
requisite to ensure this is a proper connexion in marriage.71 Here my father pauced
a considerable time, and then continued-.
"I1 know, my child, that your situation is a
very delicate one. Your marriage day is
appointed; it was appointed unider the fairest prospects; by the failure of Alonzio's
father, those prospects have become deeply
darkened, if not totally obliterated.





52       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
" To commit your fortune through life, to
a person unable to support you, would be
hazardous in the extieme. The marriage
day can at least be suspended; perhaps
something more favourable iay appear.At any rate, I have too much confidence in
your discretion, to suppose that you will, by
any rash act, bring either poverty or reproach upon yourself or your connexions."
Thus spake my father, and immediately
withdrew.
" In our present dilemma, said Alonzq
what is proper to be done?"
It is difficult to determine, replied Melissa. Should my father expressly forbid
our union, he will go all lengths to carry his
commands into effect. Although a tender
parent, he is violent in his prejudices, and
resolute in his purposes. I would advise
you to call at my father's house tomorrow,
with your usual freedom. Whatever may
be the event, I shall deal sincerely with you.
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent are now my only
confidants. From them you will be enable to obtain information, should I be debarred from seeing you. I am frequently
here; they told me they expected you, but
at what day was not known. Mrs. Vincent
has been my friend and associate from my
earliest years. Vincent you know.   In





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


53


In them we can place the utmost confidence.   My reliance on Providence, I
trust, will never be shaken; but my future prospects, at present, are dark and
gloomy."
"Let us not despair, answered Alonzo;
perhaps those gloomy clouds which now hover around us, will yet be dissipated by the
bright beams of joy. Innocence and virtue are the cares of Heaven. There lies my
hope. To-morrow, as you propose, I will
call at you father's."
Melissa now prepared to return home; a
whippoorwill tuned its nightly song at a
tittle distance; but the sound, late so cheerfiul and sprightly, now passed heavily over
their hearts.
When Alonzo returned, Vincent unfolded the plan he had projected. "No sooner,
said he, was I informed of your misfortunes,
than I was convinced that Melissa's father
would endeavour to dissolve your intended
union with his daughter. I have known
him many years, and however he may dote
on his children, or value their happiness,
he will not hesitate to sacrifice his other
feelings to the acquirement of riches. It
appeared that you had but one resource left.
You aL d Melissa ar. now  united by the
most solemn ties-by every rite except those
which are merely ceremonial. These I
5*





54       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
would advise you to enter into, and trust to
the consequences. Mrs. Vincent has proposed the scheme to Melissa; but implicitly
accustomed to filial obedience, she shudders
at the idea of a clandestine marriage. But
when her father shall proceed to rigorous
measures, she will, I think, consent to the
alternative. And this measure, once adopted, her father must consent also; or, it not,
you secure your own happiness, and, what
you esteem more, that of Melissa."
"But you must be sensible of my inability to support her as she deserves, replied
Alonzo, even should she consent to it."
The world is before you, answered Vin
cent; you have friends, you have acquirements which will not fail you. In a country like this, you can hardly fail of obtaining a competency, which, with the other
requisites, will ensure your independence
and felicity."
Alonzo informed Vincent what had been
agreed upon between Melissa and himself,
respecting his visiting hpr on the morrow;
" after which, he said, we will discourse further on the subject."
The next day Alonzo repaired to the
house of Melissa's father. As he approached he saw Melissa sitting in a shady recess
at one end of the garden near which the
road passed. She was leaning with her





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


55


head upon her hand, in a pensive posture;
a deep dejection was depicted upon her features, which enlivened into a transient glow
as soon as she saw Alonzo. She arose, met
him, and invited him into the house.
Alonzo was received with a cool reserve
by all except Melissa. Her father saluted
him with a distant and retiring bow, as he
passed with Melissa to her room. As soon
as they were seated, a maiden aunt, who
had doubled her teens, outlived many of her
suiers, and who had lately come to reside
with the family, entered, and seated Lerself
by the window, alternately humming a tune.
and impudently staring at Alonzo, withou4
speaking a word, except snappishly, to contra
dict Melissa in any thing she advanced, which
the latter passed off.with only a faint smile.
This interruption was not of long continuance. Melissa's father entered, and requested the two ladies to withdraw, which
was instantly done. He then addressed Alonzo as follows:- "When I gave consent
for you to marry my daughter, it was on
the conviction that your future resources
would be adequate to support her honourably and independently.   Circumstances
have since taken place, which render this
point extremely doubtful. Parental duty
and affection demand that I should know
your means and prospects before I sanction





56       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
a proceeding which may reduce my child
to penury and to want."
He paused for a reply, but Alonzo was
silent. He continued-" You yourself must
acknowledge, that to burthen yourself with
the expense of a family; to transfer a woman from affluence to poverty, without even an object in view to provide for either,
would be the height of folly and extravagance." Again he paused, but Alonzo was
still silent. He proceeded-1" Could you,
Alonzo, suffer life, when you see the wife
of your bosom, probably your infant children, pining in misery for want of bread?
And what else have you to expect if you
marry in your present situation?  You
have friends and well wishers; but which
of them will advance you four or five thousand pounds, as a gratuity? My daughter
must be supported according to her rank
and standing in life. Are you enabled to
do this?  If not, you cannot reasonably
suppose that I shall consent to your marrying her. You may say that your acquirements, your prudence, and your industry,
will procure you a handsome support. This
well may do in single life; but to depend
on these for the future exigencies of a family, is hazarding peace, honour and reputation, at a single game of chance. If, therefore, you have no resources or expectation





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


57


but such as these, your own judgment will
teach you the necessity of immediately relinquishing all pretensions to the hand of
Melissa"-and immediately left the room.
Why was Alonzo speechless through the
whole of this discourse?-What reply could
he have made? What were the prospects
before him but penury, want, misery, and
woe! Where, indeed, were the means by
which Melissa was to be shielded from poverty, if connected with his fortunes. The
idea was not new, but it came upon him
with redoubled anguish.  He arose and
looked around for Melissa, but she was not
to be seen. He left the house, and walked
slowly towards Vincent's. At a little distance he met Melissa. who had been strolling in an adjoining avenue. He informed
her of all that had passed; it was no more
than they both expected, yet it was a shock
their fortitude could scarcely sustain. Disappointment seidom finds her votaries prepared to receive her.
Melissa told Alonzo, that her father's determinations were unchangeable; that his
sister (the before mentioned maiden lady)
held a considerable influence over him, and
dictated the concerns of the family; and
that from her, there was nothing to hope in
their favour. Her mother, she said, was
her ariend, but could not contradict the





58       ALONZO AND MELISSA&
will of her father. Her brother would be'
at home in a few days; how he would act
on this occasion she was unable to say: but
were he even their friend he would have
but feeble influence with her father and
aunt.  "What is to be the end of these
troubles, continued Melissa, it is impossible
to foresee. Let us trust in the mercy of
heaven and submit to its dispensations.11
Aionzo and Melissa,7 in their happier days,
had, when absent, corresponded by letters.
This method it was now thought best to
relinquish.  It was agreed that Alonzo
should come frequently to Vincent's, where
Melissa would meet him as she could find
opportunities. Having concluded on this,
Melissa returned home, and Alonzo to the
house of his friend.
Vincent, after Alonzo had related the
manner of his reception at Melissa's father's, urged the plan. he had projected of
a private marriage.  Alonzo replied,, that
even should Melissa consent to it, which he
much doubted, it muist be a measure of the
last resort, and adopted only when all others became fruitless.
The'next morning Alonzo returned to the
hut where his aged parents now dwelt. His
bosom throbbed with keen anguish. His
-own fate, unconnected with that of Melissa,
he considered of little consequence. But





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


59


their united situation tortured his soul.What was to become of Melissa, what of
himself, what of his parents!-"Alas, said
Alonzo, I now perceive what it is to want
the good things of this life."
Alonzo's father was absent when he arrived, but returned soon after. A beam of
joy gleamed upon his withered countenance
as he entered the house. "Were it not,
Alonzo, for your unhappy situation, said he,
we should once more be restored to peace
and comfort. A few persons who were indebted to me, finding that I was to be sacrificed by my unfeeling creditors, reserved
those debts in their hands, and have n.Jw
paid me, amounting to something more
than five hundred pounds.  With this I
have purchased a small, but well cultivated
farm, with convenient tenements. I have
enough left to purchase what stock and
other materials I need; and to spare some
for your present exigencies, Alonzo."
Alonzo thanked his father for his kindness, but told him that from his former
liberality he had yet sufficient for his wants,
and that he should soon find business which
would amply support him. " But your affair with Melissa, asked his father, how is
that likely to terminate?" " Favourably, I
hove, sir," answered Alonzo. He could not





60          ALONZO AND MELISSA.
consent to disturb the tranquiliity of his parents by reciting his own wretchedness.
A week passed away.      Alonzo saw    hi?
parents removed to their little farm, which
was to be managed by his father and a hir
ed man. He saw them comfortably seated;
he saw them serenely blest in the calm
pleasures of returning peace, and a ray of
joy illuminated his troubled bosom.
"' Again the youth his wonted life regain'd,
A transient sparkle in his eye obtain'd,
A bright, impassion'd cheering glow, express'd
The pleas'd sensation of his tender breast
But soon dark glooms the feeble smiles o'erspread
Like morn's gay hues, the fading splendours fled
Returning anguish froze his feeling soul,
Deep sighs burst forth, and tears began to roll."
He thought of Melissa, from     whom   he
had heard nothing since he last saw her.He thought of the difficulties which surrounded him. He thought of the barriers
which were opposed to his happiness and
the felicity of Melissa, and he set out for
the house of Vincent.
Alonzo arrived at the residence of Vincent near the close of the day. Vinccnt
and his lady were at tea with several young
ladies who had passed the afternoon with
Mrs. Vincent.     Alonzo    cast an   active
glance around the company, in hopes to
find Melissa, but she was not there. He
was invited and accepted a,seat at table.
After tea Vincent led him into an adjoining





ALONZO AND MIELISSA.


61


room.   "You have come in good time,
said he. Something must speedily be done,
or you lose Melissa forever.  The day
after you were here, her father received a
letter from Beauman, in which, after mentioning the circumstance of your father's
insolvency, he hinted that the consequence
would probably be a failure of her proposed
marriage with you, which might essentially
injure the reputation of a lady of her standing in life; to prevent which, and to place
her beyond the reach of calumny, he offered to marry her at any appointed day, provided he had her free consent.
<" As Beauman, by the recent death of
his father, had been put in possession of a
splendid fortune, the proposition allured her
father, who wrote him a complaisant answer, with an invitation to his house.He then strove to extort a promise from
Melissa, that she would break off all connexion with you, see you no more, and admit the addresses of Beauman.
"To this she could not consent. She urged, that by the consent of her parents she
was engaged to you by the most sacred'ties,
That to her father's will she had hitherto
yielded implicit obedience, but that hastily
to break the most solemn obligation, formed
and sanctioned by his approbation and direction, was what her conscience would not
6





62       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
permit her to do. Were he to command
her to live single, life might be endured;
but to give her hand to any except you,
would be to perjure those principles of truth
and justice which he himself had ever
taught her to hold most inviolable.-Her
father grew outrageous; charged her with
disobedience, with a blind inconsiderate
perverseness, by which she would bring
ruin upon herself, and indelible disgrace upon her family. She answered only with
her tears. Her mother interposed, and endeavoured to appease his anger; but he
spurned her from him, and rushed out of
the room, uttering a threat that force should
succeed persuasion, if his commands were
not obeyed. To add to Melissa's distress,
Beauman arrived at hedfather's yesteiday;
and I hope, in some measure to alleviate it.
Edgar, her brother, came this morning.Mrs. Vincent has dispatched a message to
inform Melissa of your arrival, and to desire
her to come here immediately. She will
undoubtedly comply with the invitation, if
not prevented by something extraordinary.
I should have written you had I not hourly
expected you."
Mrs. Vincent now came to the door of
the room and beckoned to her husband,
who went out, but immediately returned,
leading i! Melissa after which he retired.





ALONZO AND MELISSA*


633


4"Oh, Alonzo!" was all she could say, awl,
burst into tears. Alonzo led her to a seat,
gently pressed her hand, and mingled his
tears with hers, but was unable to speak.Recovering at length, he begged her to moderate her grief. "1Where, said he, is your
fortitude and your firmness, M elissa, which
I have so often seen triumphing over afflic-.
tion?"1 Her extreme anguish prevented a
reply, Deeply affected and alarmed at the
storm of distress which raged in her bosom,
he endeavoured to console her, though consolation was a stranger to his own breast.
"Let us not, Melissa, said he, increase our
flood of affliction by a tide of useless sorrow.
Perhaps more prosperous days are yet in
reserve'for us --happiness may yet be ous.
"1Never, never! s& exclaimed. Oh, what
wvill become of me!"1 "Heaven cannot desert you, said Alonzo; as well might it desert its angels. This thorny and gloomy
path may lead to fair fields of light and verdure. Tempests are succeeded by calms;
wars end in peace; the splendours of the
brightest morning arise on the wings Of
blackest midnight.-Troubles will not always last. Life at most is short. Death
comes to the relief of the virtuous wretched, and transports them to another and better world, where sighing and sorrows cease,





64       ALONZO AND MELISSAo
and the tempestuous passions of life are
known no more."
The rage of grief which had overwhelmed Melissa began now to subside, as the
waves of the ocean gradually cease their
tumultuous commotion, after the turbulent
winds are laid asleep. Deep sobs and long
drawn sighs succeeded to a suffocation of
tears. The irritation of her feelings had
caused a more than usual glow upon her
cheek, which faded away as she became
composed, until a livid paleness spread itself over her features. Alonzo feared that
the delicacy of her constitution would fall
a sacrifice to the sorrow which preyed upon
her heart, if not speedily alleviated;-but
alas! where were the means of alleviation?
She informed him that her father had
that evening ordered her to become the
wife of Beauman. He told her that her
disobedience was no longer to be borne." No longer, said he, will I tamper with
your perverseness: you are determined to
be poor, wretched and contemptible. I will
compel you to be rich, happy, and respected. You suffer the Jack-a-lantern fancy to
lead you into swamps and quagmires, when,
did you but follow the fair light of reason,
it would conduct you to honour and real
felicity. There are happiness and misery
at your choice.





ALOW2O AND' MELISSA*.


65


"4Marry Beauman, and you will roll in
your coach, flaunt in your silks; your furnita~re and your equipage are splendid, your
associates are of the first character, and
your father rejoices in your prosperity.
"Marry Alonzo, you sink into obscurity,
are condemned to drudgery, poorly fed,
worse clothed, and your. relations and acquaintances shun and despise you. The
comparison I have h 'ere drawn between
Beauman and Alonzo Iis A correct one; for
even the wardrobe of the former is of more
value than the whole fortune of the latter.
" I give. you now two days to consider
the matter; at the end of that time I shall
kxpect your decision, and hope you will decide discrpetely. But remember that you
become the wife of Beauman, or you are
no longer acknowledged as my daughter."
"1Thus, said Melissa, did my father pronlounce his determination, which sho okmy
frame, and chilled with horror every. nerve
of my heart, and immediately left me.
"1My aunt added her taunts to his severities, and Beauman interfered with his ill-~
timed consolation. My mother and Edgar,
irdently strove to allay the fever of my
soul, ind mitigate my distress.  But the
stroke was almost too severe for my nature.
Habituated only to the smiles of my father)
how could I support his frowns?-Accus60        D





66       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
tomed to receive his blessings alone, how
could I endure his sudden malediction."
Description would fail in painting the sen
sations of Alonzo's bosom, at this recital of
woe. But he endeavoured to mitigate her
sorrows by the consolation of more cheering prospects and happier hours.
Vincent and his lady now came into the
room. They strenuously urged the propriety
and the necessity of Alonzo and Melissa's
entering into the bands of wedlock immediately. "The measure would be hazardous,"
remarked Melissa. "My circumstances"--
said Alonzo. "Not on that account, inter.
rupted Melissa, but my father's displeasure-   "  " Will be the same, whether
you marry Alonzo, or refuse to marry Beauman," replied Vincent. Her resolution appeared to be staggered.
" Come here, Melissa, to-morrow evening, said Mrs. Vincent; mean time you
will consider the matter, and then determine." To this Melissa assented, and prepared to return home.
Alonzo walked with her to the gate which
opened into the yard surrounding her father's house. It was dangerous for him to
go farther. Should he be discovered with
Vlelissa, even by a domestic of the family,
t must increase the persecutions against her.
They parted. Alonzo stood at the gate,





ALONZO AND ME.LIS.SA.       67'
gazing anxiously After Melissa as she walked up the long winding a venue, bordered
with the odour-flowing lilac, and lofty elm,
her white robes now invisible, now dimly
Been as she turned the angles of the walk,
until they were tot 'al-ly obscured, mingling
with the gloom and darkness of the -night.
"cThus, said Alonzo, thus fades the angel of
peace from 'the visionary eyes of the warworn soldier, when it ascends in the dusky
clouds of early morning, while he slumbers
on th 'e field of recent battle.'1-With 'mournful forebodings he returned to the house of
Vincent. He arose after a sleopless nights
and walked into an adjoining field. He
stood leaning in deep contemplation against
a tree, when he heard quick footsteps behind him..He turned, and. saw Edgar approaching: in a mioment they were in each
other's armas, and mingled tears. They returned to Vincent's and conversed largely
on present affairs. "I1 have discoursed with
my. father on the. subject,. said Edgar. I
have urged him with every possible argu--
ment to relinquish hi 's determination: I fear,
however, he is inflexible.
"To assuage the tempest of grief which
rent Melissa's b 'osom, was my next object,
and in. this I trust I have not been unsuc-w
cessful. You will. see her this evening, and
will find her more calm, and resigned. You,





68       ALONZO AND MEi9SSA.
Alonzo, must exert your fortitude.  The
ways of Heaven are inscrutable, but they
are right., We must acquiesce in its dealings. We
cannot alter its decrees.  Resignation to
its will, whether merciful or afflictive, is one
of those eminent virtues which adorn the
good man's character, and ever find a brilliant reward in the regions of unsullied
splendour, far beyond trouble and the tomb.'
Edgar told Alonzo that circumstances
compelled him that day to depart for the
army. I would advise you, said he, to remain here until your affair comes to some
final issue. It must, I think, ere long, be
terminated.  Perhaps you and my sister
may yet be happy."
Alonzo feelingly expressed his gratitude
to Edgar. He found in him that disinterested friendship, which his early youth had
experienced. Edgar the same day departed for the army.
In the afternoon Alonzo received a note
from Melissa's father, requesting his immediate attendance.  Surprised at the incident, he repaired there immediately. The
servant introduced him into a room where
Melissa's father and aunt were sitting.---
" Hearing you were in the neighbourhood,
sad her father, I have sent for you, to make
a proposition, which after what has taken





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


69


place, I think you cannot hesitate to comply
with. The occurrence of previous circumstances may lead you to suppose that my
daughter is under obligations to you, which
may render it improper for her to form
marriage connections with any other. Whatever embarrassments your addresses to her
may have produced, it is in your power to
remove them; and if you are a man of honour you will remove them. You cannot
wish to involve Melissa in your present penurious condition, unless you wish to make
her wretched. It therefore only remains for
you to give me a writing, voluntarily resign-.ing all pretensions to the hand of my daughter; and if you wish her to be happy, honourable, and respected in this life, this I say
you will not hesitate to do."
A considerable pause ensued. Alonzo at
length replied, "I cannot perceive any particular advantage that can accrue from such
a measure. It will neither add nor diminish the power you possess to command obedience to your will, if you are determined
to command it, either from your daughter,
or your servant."" There, brother," bawled the old maid,
half squeaking through her nose, which was
well charged with rappee, " did' nt I tell you
so? I knew the fellow would not come to
terms no more than will your refractory





70       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
daughter. This love fairly bewitches such
foolish, crack-brained youngsters. But say
Mr. -, what's your name, addressing
herself to Alonzo, will love heat the oven?
will love boil the pot? will love clothe the
back? will love--"
" You will not, interrupted Melissa's
father, speaking to Alonzo, it seems, consent
to my proposition? I have then, one demand to make, which of right you cannot
deny. Promise me that you will never see
my daughter again, unless by my permission."
"At the present moment I shall promise
you nothing," replied Alonzo, with some
warmth.
"There again, said the old maid, just so
Melissa told you this morning, when you
requested her to see him no more. The
fellow has fairly betwattled her. I wish I
had him to deal with.  Things wasn't so
when I was a girl; I kept the rogues at a
distance, I'll warrant you. I always told
you, brother, what would come of your indulgence to your daughter.  And I should
not wonder if you should soon find the girl
had eloped, and your desk robbed in the
bargain."'
Alonzo hastily arose: " I suppose, said
he, my presence can be dispensed with."
"Well, young man, said Melissa's father,





ALONZO AN~   MELISSA.      71
smnce youwill not comply with any pvertures I make; since you will not accede to
any terms I-propose, remember, sir, I now
warn you to break off all communication
and correspondence with my daughter, and
to relinquish all expectations concerning
her. I shall never consent to marry my
daughter to a beggar."
" Beggar!" involuntarily exclaimed Alonzo, and his eyes flashed in resentment.--But
he recollected that it was the father of Melissa who had thus insulted him, and he suppressed his anger. He rushed out of the
house, and returned to Vincent's. He had
neither heard nor seen any thing of Melissa
or Beauman.
Night came on, and he ardently and impatiently expected Melissa. He anticipated the consolation her presence would bestow. Edgar had told him she was more
composed. He doubted whether it were
proper to excite anew her distress by relating his interview with her father, unless she
was app raised of it. The evening passed
on, but Melissa came not. Alonzo grew
restless and uneasy. He looked out, then
at his watch. Vincent and his lady assured
him that she would soon be there. He paced the room. Still he became more impatient. He walked out on the way wlere
she was expected to come. Sometimes he





72       ALONZO ATYD MELISSA.
advainced hastily; at others he moved slowly; then stood motionless, listening in breath-~
less silence, momentarily expecting to dis-.
c-ov~er her white form approaching.through
the gloom, or to hear the sound of her foot.steps advancing amidst the darkness.. Shape-.
less objects, either real or -imaginary, fre.quently crossed his sight, but, like the unre0d phantoms of night, they suddenly passed
away, and were seen no more. At length
he,perceived a dusky, white form advancing
in'the distant dim obscurity. It drew near;
his. heart beat in qluick succession; his fond
hopes told him it was Melissa. The object
came up, and hastily passed him, with a
"cgood night, sir."1
It was a stranger in a white surtout. A-.
lonzo hesitated -whether to advance or to
eturn. It was possible, though not proba-.
ble, that Melissa might have come some. ther way. He hastened back to Vincent's."She had not arrived. "Something extraordinary, said Mrs. Vincent, has prevented
her coming. Perhaps she is ill."-Alonzo
shuddered at the suggestion. He looked at
his watch; it was half past eleven o'clock.
Again he hastily sallied out, and'took the
road to her father's.
The night was exceedingly dark, and illuminated only by the feeble glimmering of
the twinkling stars. When he came with.




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


73


in sight of the house, and as he drew near
no lights were visible-all was still and silent. He entered the yard, walked up the
avenue, and approached the door. The familiar watch-dog, which lay near the threshold, fawned upon him, joyfully whining and
wagging his tail. "Thou still knowest me,
Curlow, said Alonzo; thou hast known me
in better days; I am now poor and wretched, but thy friendship is the same." A solemn stillness prevailed all around, interrupted only by the discordance of the nightly
insects, and the hooting of the moping owl
from the neighbouring forest.-The dwelling was shrouded in darkness. In Melissa's room no gleam of light appeared. "They
are all buried in sleep, said Alonzo, deeply
sighing, and I have only to retrrt'in idisappointment.1"
He turned and walked towaer.e s~treet;
casting his eyes back, the blaze of a candle
caught his sight. It passed rapidly along
through the lower looms, now gleaming,
now intercepted, as the walls or the windows intervened, and suddenly disappeared.
Alonzo gazed earnestly a few moments, and
hastily returned back. No noise was to be
heard, no new objects were discernible.He clambered over the garden wall, and
went around to the back side of the house.
Here all wa solemn and silent as in front.
7





74       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
1mmediately a faint light appeared through
one of the chamber windows; it grew brighter; a candle entered the chamber;- the sash
was flung up, and Melissa seated herself at
the window."
The weather was sultry, she held a fan in
her hand; her countenance, though stamp-~
ed with deep dejection, was marked with
serenity, but pale as the droopi,ng lily of the
valley. Alonzo placed himself directly under the window, and in a low voice called
her by name. She started wildly, looked
out, and fai. tly cried, "1Who's there?"1 He
answered, 11 Alno" Good heavens,
she exclaimed, is it you, Alonzo? I was
disappointe,a in meeting you at Vincent's this
evening; my father will not sliffer me to
go out without attendants. I ama now constantly watched and guarded."
"1Watched and guarded! replied Alonzo:
At the risque of my life I will deliver you
from. the tyranny with which you are oppressed.-"
"1Be calm, Alonzo, said she, I think it
pvill not last long. B eauman will soon depart, after which there will undoubtedly be,
some alteration. Desire Mrs. Vincent to
come here to-morrow; I believe they will
let me see her. I can, from timne to time,
inform you of passing events, so that you
way know what changes take place. I amx





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


75


placed under the care of my aunt, who suffers me not to step out of her sight. We
pass the night in an adjoining chamber--
from whence, after she had fallen asleep, I
stole out, and went down with a design of
walking in the garden, but found the doors
all locked and the keys taken out. I returned and raised this window for fresh air.
Hark! said she; my aunt calls me. She
has waked and misses me. I must fly to
her chamber. You shall hear more from
me to-morrow by Mrs. Vincent, Alonzo."
So saying, she let down the window sash,
and retired.
Alonzo withdrew slowly from the place,
and repassed the way he came. As he
jumped back over the garden wall, he found
a man standing at its foot, very, near him:
after a moment's scrutiny he perceived it to
be Beauman. " What, my chevalier, said
he to Alonzo, such an adept in the amorous science already? Hast thou then eluded the watchful eyes of Argus, and the
vigilance of the dragon!"
" Unfeeling and impertinent intruder?
retorted Alonzo, seizing hold of him; is it
not enough that an innocent daughter must
endure a merciless parent's persecuting
hand, but must thou add to her misery by
thy disgusting interference!p
"Quit thy hold, tarquin, said Beauman.





76      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
Art thou determined, after storming the fortress, to murder the garrison?"
" Go, said Alonzo, quitting him; go sir,
you are unworthy of my anger. Pursue thy
grovelling schemes. Strive to force to your
arms a lady who abh3rs you, and were it
not on one account, must ever continue t6
despise and hate you."
"Alonzo, replied Beauman, I perceive thou
kriowest me not. You and I were rivals
in our pursuit-the hand of Melissa. Whether from freak or fortune, the preference
was given to you, and I retired in silence.
From coincide)ce of circumstances, her
father has.now been induced to give the
preference to me.  My belief was, that
Melissa would comply with her father's will,
especially after her prospects of connecting with you were cut off by the events
which ruined your fortune. You, Alonzo,
have yet, I find, to learn the character of
women. It has been my particular study.
Melissa, now ardently impassioned by first
impressions, irritated by recent disappointment, her passions delicate and vivid, her
affections animated and unmixed, it would
be strange, if she could suddenly relinquish
primitive attachments founded on such premises, without a struggle.  But remove
her from your presence for one year, with
only distant and uncertain prospects of see




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


77


ing you again, admit me as the substitute in
your absence, and she accepts my hand as
f.ely as she would now receive yours. I
hac no design-it was never my wish to
marry her without her consent. That I
believe I shall yet obtain. Under existing
circumstances, it is impossible but that you
must be separated for some considerable
time. Then, when cool deliberation succeeds to the wild vagaries, the. electric fire
of frolic fancy, she will discover the dangerous precipice, the deadly abyss to which
her present conduct and inclinations lead.
She will see that the blandishments, with-.
out the possessions of life, must fade and
die. She will discriminate between the
shreds and the trappings of taste. She will
prefer indifference and splendour to love
and a cottage.
"At present I relinquish all further persuit; to-morrow I return to New-London.
When Melissa, from calm deliberation and
the advice of friends, shall freely consent
to yield me her hand, 1 shall return to receive i't. I came from my lodgings thie
evening to declare these intentions to her
father: but it being later than I was aware
of, the family had gone to rest. I was about to return, when I saw alight from the
chamber window, which soon withdrew. I
stood a moment by the garden wall, when
7 *





78       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
you approached and discovered me."  So
Paying, he bade Alonzo good night, and
walked hastily away. " I find he knows
not the character of Melissa," said Alonzo,
and returned to Vincent's.
The next day Alonzo told the Vincents
of all that had passed, and it was agreed
that Mrs. Vincent should visit at Melissa's
father's that afternoon. She went at a.i
early hour. Alonzo's feelings were on the
rack until she returned, which happened
much sooner than was expected; when she
gave him and Vincent the following information:
"When I arrived there, said she, I found
Melissa's father and mother alone, her mother was in tears, which she endeavoured
to conceal. Her father soon withdrew. After
same conversation I enquired for Melissa.
The old lady burst into tears, and informed
me that this morning Melissa's aunt (the
old maid) had invited her to ride out with
her. A carriage was provided, which, after a large trunk had been placed therein,
drove off with Melissa and her aunt; that
Melissa's father had just been informing
her that he had sent their daughter to a
distant part of the country, where she was
to reside with a friend until Alonzo should
depart from the neighbourhood. The reason of this sudden resolution was his being





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


79


informed by Beauman, that notwithstanding his precaution, Melissa and Alonzo had
an interview the last evening. Where she
was sent to, the old lady could not tell, but
she was convinced that Melissa was not apprised of the design when she consented to
go. Her aunt had heretofore been living
with the relatives of the family in various
parts of the state."
Alonzo listened to Mrs. Vincent's relation with inexpressible agitation. He sat
silent a few moments; then suddenly starting up, " I will find her if she be on the
earth!" said ne, and in spite of Vincent's
attempts to prevent him, rushed out of the
house, flew to the road, and was soon out
of sight.
Melissa had not, indeed, the most distant
suspicion of the designs of her father and
aunt.  The latter informed her that she
was going to take a morning's ride, and invited Melissa to accompany her, to which
she consented. She did not even perceive
the trunk which was fastened on behind the
carriage. They were attended by a single
servant.  They drove to a neighbouring
town, where Melissa had frequently attended her father and mother to purchase articles of dress, &c. where they alighted at
a friend's house, and lingered away the
time until dinner; after which, they pre




80       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
pared, as Melissa supposed, to return, but
found, to her surprise, after they had entered the carriage, that her aunt oriered the
driver to proceed a different way. She asked her aunt if they were not going home.
" Not yet," said she. Melissa grew uneasy; she knew she was to see Mrs. Vincent
that afternoon; she knew the disappointment which Alonzo must experience, if she
was absent. She begged her aunt to return, as she expected the company of some
ladies that afternoon. " Then they must
be disappointed, child," said her aunt.Melissa knew it was in vain to remonstrate;
she supposed her aunt was bent on visiting
some of her acquaintance, and she remained silent.
They arrived at another village, and alighted at an inn, where Melissa and hei
aunt tarried, while the servaift was ordered
out by the latter on some business unknown
to Melissa. When they again got into the
carriage she perceived several large packages and bundles, which had been deposited
there since they left it. She enquired of
her aunt what they contained. "Articles
for family use, child," she replied, and ordered the driver to proceed.
They passed along winding and solitary
paths, into a bye road which led through
an unfrequented wood, that opened into a





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


81


rocky part of the country bordering on the
Sound. Here they stopped at the only
house in view. It was a miserable hut,
built of logs, and boarded with slabs.
They alighted from the carriage, and Melissa's aunt, handing the driver a large bunch
of keys, " remember to do as I have told
you," said she, and he drove rapidly away.
It was with some difficulty they got into the
hut, as a meagre cow, with a long yoke on
her neck, a board before her eyes, and a
cross piece on her horns, stood with her
head in the door. On one side of her were
four or five half starved squeaking pigs, on
the other a flock of gaggling geese.
As they entered the door, a woman who
sat carding wool jumped up, " La me! she
cried, here is Miss D-, welcome here
again. How does madam do?" dropping
a low curtsey. She was dressed in a linsey
woolsey short gown, a petticoat of the same,
her hair hanging about her ears, and barefoot. Three dirty, ragged children were
playing about the floor, and the furniture
was of a piece with the building. "Is my
room in order?" enquired Melissa's aunt.
" It hasn't been touched since madam was
here," answered the woman, and immediately stalked away to a little back apartment, which Melissa and her aunt entered.
It was small, but neatly furnished, and conE





82       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
tained a single bed. This appendage had
been concealed from Melissa's view, as it
was the opposite side of the house from
whence she alighted. "Where is John?"
asked Melissa's aunt. " My husband is in
the garden, replied the woman; I will call
him," and out she scampered. John soon
appeared, and exhibited an exact counter
part of his wife.  "'What does madam
please to want?" said he, bowing three or
four times. "I want you John," she answered, and immediately stepped into the
other room, and gave some directions, in a
low voice, to him and his wife. "La me!
said the woman, madam a'nt a going to
live in that doleful place?" Melissa could
not understand her aunt's reply, but heard
her give directions to "first hang on the teakettle."  This done, while John and his
wife went out, Melissa's aunt prepared tea
in her own room. In about an hour John
and his wife returned, and gave the same
bunch of keys to Melissa's aunt, which she
had given to the servant who drove the
carriage.
Melissa was involved in inscrutable mystery respecting these extraordinary proceedings. She conjectured that they boded her no good, but she could not penetrate into her aunt's designs.  She frequently looked out, hoping to see the car




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


83


riage return, but was disappointed. When
tea was made ready, she could neither eat
nor drink. After her aunt had disposed of
a dozen cups of tea, and an adequate proportion of biscuit, butter and dried beef,
she directed Melissa to prepare to take a
walk. The sun was low; they proceeded
through fields, in a foot path, over rough
and uneven   ways, directly towards the
Sound. They walked about a mile, when
they came to alarge, old fashioned, castlelike building, surrounded by a high, thick
wall, and almost totally concealed on all
sides from the sight, by irregular rows of
large locusts and elm trees, dry prim* hedges, and green shrubbery. The gate which
opened into the yard, was made of strong
hard wood, thickly crossed on the outside
with iron bars, and filled with old iron
spikes. Melissa's aunt unlocked the gate,
and they entered the yard, which was overgrown with rank grass and rushes: the avenue which led to the house was almost in
the same condition. The house was of real Gothic architecture, built of rude stone,
with battlements.
The doors were constructed in the same
*Tle botanical name of this shrub is not recollected.  Tbsre
were formerly a great number of prim htdges in New-Eingliaid,
and other parts )f America. What is mo t temarkhble is, that
they all died the year previous to the connmmlcemenc of th, A
merican war.





34       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
manner as the gate at which they entered
the yard. They unlocked the door, which
creaked heavily on its hinges, and went in.
They ascended a flight of stairs, wound
through several dark and empty rooms, till
they came to one which was handsomely
furnished, with a fire burning on the hearth.
Two beds were in the room, with tables
and chairs, and other conveniences for
house keeping. " Here we are safe, said
Melissa's aunt, as I have taken care to lock
all the doors and gates after me; and here,
Melissa, you are in the mansion of your ancestors.  Your great grand father, who
came over from England, built this house in
the earliest settlements of the country, and
here he resided until his death. The reason why so high and thick a wall was built
round it, and the doors and gates so strongly fortified, was to secure it against the Indians, who frequently committed depredations on the early settlers. Your grandfather came in possession of this estate after
his father's death: it fell to me by will,
with the lands surrounding it. The house
has sometimes been tenanted,, at others not
It has now been vacant for a few years.
The lands are rented yearly.. John, the
person from whose house we last came, is
my overseer and tenant. I, had a small
room built, adjoining that hut, where I geno





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


85


erally i aside for a week when I come to receive my rents. I have thought frequently
of fitting up this place for my future residence, but circumstances have hitherto hindered my carrying the scheme into effect,
and now, perhaps, it will never take place.
"Your perverseness, Melissa, in refusing
to comply with the wishes of your friends,
has induced us to adopt the method of
bringing you here, where you are to remain
until Alonzo leaves your neighbourhood, at
least.  Notwithstanding ycur father's injunctions and my vigilance, you had a clandestine interview with him last night. So
we were told by Beauman this morning,
before he set off for New London, who discovered him at your window. It therefore
became necessary to remove you immediately. You will want for nothing. John
is to supply us with whatever is needful.You will not be long here; Alonzo will soon
be gone. You will think differently; return home, marry Beauman, and become a
lady."
1" My God! exclaimed Melissa, is it possible my father can be so cruel! Is he so
unfeeling as to banish me from his house,
and confine me within the walls of a prison,
like a common malefactor?"  She flung
herself on the bed in a state little inferior
to distraction.  Her aunt told her it was
8





86       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
ail owing to her own obstinacy, and because
she refused to be made happy-and went
to preparing supper.
Melissa heard none of her aunt's observations; she lay in a stupifying agony, in
sensible to all that passed. When supper
was ready, her aunt endeavoured to arouse
her.  She started up, stared around her
with a wild agonizing countenance, but
spoke not a word. Her aunt became alarmed. She applied stimulants to her temples and forehead, and persuaded her to
take some cordials. She remained seemingly insensible through the night: just at
morning, she fell into a slumber, interrupted by incoherent moanings, convulsive startings, long drawn sighs, intermitting sobs,
and by frequent, sudden and restless turnings from side to side. At length she appeared to be in a calm and quiet sleep for
about an hour. About sunrise she awokeher aunt sat by her bed side. She gazed
languidly about the room, and burst into
tears. She wept a long time; her aunt
strove to console her, for she truly began
to tremble, lest Melissa's distress should
produce her immediate dissolution.  Towards night, however, she became more
calm and resigned; but a slight fever succeeded, which kept her confined for several
days, afte: which she slowly recovered.





A.LONZO AND MELISSA.


87


John came frequently to the house to receive the commands of Melissa's aunt, and
brought such things as they wanted. Her
aunt also sometimes went home with him,
leaving the keys of the house with Melissa,
but locking the gate and taking the key of
that with her. She generally returned before sulset. When Melissa was so far recovered as to walk out, she found that the
house was situated on an eminence, about
one hundred yards from the Sound. The
yard was large and extensive. Within the
enclosure was a spacious garden, now overrun with brambles and weeds. A few medinic'al and odoriferous herbs were scattered
here and there, and a few solitary flowers
overtopped the tangling briars below; but
there was plenty of fruit on the shrubbery
and trees. The out buildings were generally in a ruinous situation. The cemetery
was the most perfect, as it was built of
hewn stone and marble, and had best withstood the ravages of time. The rooms in
the house were mostly empty and decaying:
the main building was firm and strong, as
was also the extended wall which enclosed
the whole.  She found that although her
aunt, when they first arrived, had led her
through several upper rooms to the chamber they inhabited, yet there was from
thence a direct passage to the hal.





88       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
The prospect was not disagreeable.
West, all was wilderness, from which a
brook wound along a little distance from
the garden wall. North, were the uneven
grounds she had crossed when she came
there, bounded by distant groves and hills.
East, beautiful meadows and fields, arrayed
in flowery green, sloped to salt marshes or
sandy banks of the Sound, or ended in the
long white beaches which extended far into
the sea. South, was the Sound of Long
Island.
Melissa passed much of her time in tracing the ruins of this antiquated place, in
viewing the white sails as they passed up
and down the Sound, and in listening to the
songs of the thousand various birds which
frequented the garden and the forest. She
could have been contented here to have
buried her afflictions, and for ever to retire
from the world, could Alonzo but have resided within those walls. " What will he
think has become of me," she would say,
while the disconsolate tear glittered in her
eye. Her aunt had frequently urged her to
yield to her father's injunctions, regain her
liberty, and marry Beauman; and she every day became more solicitous and impertinent. A subject so hateful to Melissa sometimes provoked her to tears; at other her
keen resentment. She therefore, when the





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


89


weather was fair, passed much of her time
in the garden and adjoining walks, wishing
to be as much out of her aunt's company as
possible.
One day John came there early in the
morning, and Melissa's aunt went home
with him. The day passed away, but she
did not return. Melissa sat up until a late
hour of the night, expecting her; she went
to the gate, and found it was fast locked,
returned, locked and bolted the doors of the
house, went to bed and slept as soundly as
she had done since her residence in the old
mansion. " I have at least, she said, escaped the disgusting curtain-lecture about
marrying Beauman."
The next day her aunt returned. " I was
quite concerned about you, child, said she;
how did you sleep?"  "Never better, she
answered, since I have been here." "I had
forgotten, said her aunt, that my rents become due this week. I was detained until
late by some of my tenants; John was out,
and I dare not return in the night alone. I
must go back to-day. It will take me a
week to settle my business. If I am obliged to stay out again I will send one of
John's daughters to sleep with you.""You need not give yourself that trouble,
replied Melissa; I am under no apprehension of staying here alone; nothing can get
8*





90         ALONZO AND MELISSA.
into or out of these premises."-- Well,
thou hast wonderful courage, child, said her
aunt; but I shall be as frequently here as
possible, and as soon as my business is settled, I shrll be absent no more." So saying, she bade Melissa good morning, and set
off for her residence at the dwelling of John.
She did not return in two days. The
second night of her absence, Melissa was
sitting in her chamber reading, when she
heard a noise as of several people trampling
in the yard below. She arose, cautiously
raised the window, and looked out. It was
extremely dark; she thought she might
have been discovered.
Her aunt came the next day, and told hei
she was obliged to go into the country to
collect some debts of those to whom she
had rented lands: she should be gone a few
days, and as soon as she returned should
come there. " The keys of the house, said
she, I shall leave with you. The gate I
shall lock, and leave that key with John,
who will come here as often as necessary,
to assist you, and see if you want any thing."
She then went off, leaving Melissa not dissatisfied with the prospect of her absence.
Melissa amused herself in evenings by
reading in the few books her aunt had
brought there, and in the day, in walking
around the yard and garden, or in travers




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


91


ing the rooms of the antique building. In
some, were the remains of ancient furniture,
others were entirely empty. Cobwebs and
mouldering walls were the principal ornaments left.
One evening as she was about retiring to
rest, she thought she heard the same trampling noise in the yard, as on a former occasion. She stepped softly to the window,
suddenly raised it, and held out the candle.
She listened and gazed with anxious solicitude, but discovered nothing more.  All
was silent; she shut the window, and in a
short time went to bed.
Some time in the night she was suddenly
awakened by a sharp sound, apparently
near her. She started in a trembling panic, but endeavoured to compose herself
with the idea, that something had fallen
from the shelves. As she lay musing upon
the incident, she heard loud noises in the
rooms below, succeeded by an irregular and
confused number of voices, and presently
after, footsteps ascending the stairs which
led to her chamber. She trembled; a cold
chilly sweat run down her face. Directly
the doors below opened and shut with a
quick and violent motion. And soon after
she was convinced that she distinctly heard
a whispering in her room. She raised herself up in the bed and cast in quisitive eyes





%,2     ALONZO AND MELISSl.,
towards her chamber door. All was darkness-no new object was visible-no sounA
was heard, and she again lay down.
Her mind was too much agitated and alarmed to sleep. She had evidently heard
sounds, footsteps and voices in the house,
and whisperings which vtppeared to be in
her room. The yard gate was locked, of
which John had the key. She was confident that no person could ascend or get
aver the wall of the enclosure. But if that
were practicable, how was it possible that
any human being could enter the house?
She had the key of every door, and they
were all fast locked, and yet she had heard
them furiously open and shut. A thought
darted into her mind,-was it not a plan
which her aunt had contrived in order to
frighten her to a compliance with her wishes?  But then how could she enter the
house without keys? This might be done
with the use of a false key.  But from
whence did the whisperings proceed, which
appeared close to her bedside?  Possibly
it might be conveyed through the key-hole
of her chamber door. These thoughts tended in some degree, to allay her fears;they were possibilities, at least, however
improbable.
As she lay thus musing, a hand, cold as
the icy fingers of death, grasped her arm,





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


93


which lay on the outside of the bed clothes.
She screamed convulsively, and sprang up
in the bed. Nothing was to be seen-no
noise was heard. She had not time to reflect. She flew out of the bed, ran to the
fire, and lighted a candle. Her heart beat
rapidly. She cast timid glances around the
room, cautiously searching every corner,
and examining the door. All things were
in the same state she had left them when
she went to bed. Her door was locked in
the same manner; no visible being was in
the room except herself.  She sat down,
pondering on these strange events. Was
it not probable that she was right in her
first conjectures respecting their being the
works of her aunt, and effected by her agents and instrumentality? All were possible, except the cold hand which had grasped her arm. Might not this be the effect
of a terrified and heated imagination? Or'
if false keys had been made use of to enter
the rooms below, might they not also be
used to enter her chamber? But could her
room be unlocked, persons enter, approach
her bed, depart and re-lock the door, while
she was awake, without her hearing them?
She knew she could not go to sleep, and
she determined not to go to bed again that
night. She took up a book, but her spirits
had been too much disoraered by the past





94       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
scenes to permit her to read. She looked
out of the window. The moon had arisen
and cast a pale lustre over the landscape.
She recollected the opening and shutting of
the door-perhaps they were still open
The thought was alarming-She opened
her chamber door, and with the candle in
her hand, cautiously descended the stairs,
casting an inquisitive eye in every direction,
and stopping frequently to listen.-She advanced to the door; it was locked. She
examined the others; they were in the same
situation. She turned to go up stairs, when
a loud whisper echoed through the hall expressing "away! away!"   She flew like
lightning to her chamber, relocked the door
and flung herself, almost breathless, into a
chair.
As soon as her scattered senses collected,
she concluded that whatever had been in
the house was there still. She resolved tc
go out no more until day, which soon began to discolour the east with a fainter blue,
then purple streaks, intermingled with a
dusky whiteness, ascended in pyramidical
columns the zenith; these fading slowly
away, the eastern hdtizon became fringed
with the golden spangles of early morn, A
spot of ineffable brightness succeeded, and
immediately tbr sun burst over the verge





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


95


of creation, deluging the world in a flood of
unbounded light and glory.
As soon as the morning had a little advanced, Melissa ventured out. She proceeded with hesitating steps, carefully scrutinizing every object which met her sight.
She examined every door; they were al.
fast. She critically searched every room,
closet, &c. above and below. She then
took a light and descended into the cellar
-here her inquisition was the same. Thus
did she thoroughly and strictly examine and
search every part of the house fr9m the garret to the cellar, but could find nothing altered, changed, or removed; no outlet, no
signs of there having been any being in the
nouse the evening before, except herself.
She then unlocked the outer door and
proceeded to the gate, which she found
locked as usual. She next examined the
yard, the garden, and all the out houses.
Nothing could be discovered of any person having been recently there. She next
walked around by the wall, the whole circle of the enclosure. She was convinced
that the unusual height of the wall rendered
it impossible for any one to get over it. It
was constructed of several tier of hewed
timbers, and both sides of it were as smooth
as glass. On the top, long spikes were
thickly driven in, sharpened at both ends.
9





96       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
It was surrounded on the outside by a deep
wide moat, which was nearly filled with
water. Over this moat was a draw-bridge,
on the road leading to the gate, which was
drawn up, and John had the key.
The events of the past night, therefore,
remained inscrutable. It must be that her
aunt was the agent who had managed this
extraordinary machinery.
She found John at the house when she
returned. " Does madam want any thing
to-day?" asked he. "Has my aunt returned?" enquired Melissa. "Not yet," he
replied. " How long has she been gone?"
she asked. "Four days, replied Jonn, after
counting his fingers, and she will not be
back under four or five more." " Has the
key of the gate been constantly in your
possession?" asked she. " The key of the
gate and draw-bridge, he replied, have not
been out of my possession for a moment
since your aunt has been gone."  "Has any
person been to enquire for me or my aunt,
she enquired, since I have been here?"" No, madam, said he, not a single person."
Melissa knew not what to think; she could
not give up the idea of false keys-perhaps
her aunt had returned to her father's.-Perhaps the draw-bridge had been let down,
the gate opened, and the house entered by
means of false keys. Her father would as





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


97


soon do this as to confine her in this solitary place; and he would go all lengths to
induce her, either by terror, persuasion or
threats, to relinquish Alonzo and marry
Beauman.
A thought impressed her mind which
gave her some consolation. It was possible
to secure the premises so that no person could enter even by the aid of false
keys. She asked John if he would assist
her that day. " In anything you wish, madam," he replied. She then directed him
to go to work. Staples and iron bars were
found in different parts of the building, with
which he secured the doors and windows,
so that they could be opened only on the
inside. The gate, which swung in, was secured in the same manner. She then asked John if he was willing to leave the key
of the gate and the draw-bridge with her.
"Perhaps I may as well," said he; " for if
you bar the gate and let down the bridge, I
cannot get in myself until you let me in."
John handed her the keys. "When I
come," said he, " I will halloo, and you must
let me in." This she promised to do, and
John departed.*
That night Melissa let down the bridge,
SOfthe place where Melissa was confined, as described in the
foregoing pages, scarce a trace now remains. By the events of
the revolution, the premises fell into other hands.  The mansion, out houses and walls were torn down, the cemetery level9           F





98        ALONZO AND MELISSA.
locked and barred the gate, and the doors
and windows of the house: she also went
again over all parts of the building, strictly
searchivg every place, though she was well,onvinced she should find nothing extraorAinary.  She then retired to her chamber,
seated herself at a western window, and
watched the slow declining sun, as it leisurely sunk behind the lofty groves. Pensive
twilight spread her misty mantle over the
landscape;    the western horizon    glowed
with the spangles of evening. Deepening
glooms advanced. The last beam of day
faded from the view, and the world was enveloped in night. The owl hooted solemnly in the forest, and the whippoorwill sung
cheerfully in the   garden.    Innumerable
stars glittered in the firmament, intermingling their quivering lustre with the pale
splendours of the milky way.
Melissa did not retire from the window
until late; she then shut it and withdrew
within the room. She determined not to
go to bed that night. If she was to be visited by beings, material or immaterial, she
chose not again to encounter them in darkness, or to be surprised when she was aItd, the moat filled up; the locusts and elm trees were cut down;
all obstructions were removed, and the yard and garden converted into a beautiful meadow. An elegant farm-house is now
erected on the place where John's hut then stood and the
neighbourhood is thinly settled.





ALONZO AND MELISSA,


99


sleep.  But why should she fear? She
knew of none she had displeased except her
father, her aunt and Beauman. If by any
of those the late terrifying scenes had been
wrought, she had now effectually precluded
a recurrence thereof, for she was well convinced that no human being could now enter the enclosure without her permission.
But if supernatural agents had been the actors, what had she to fear from them? The
night passed away without any alarming
circumstances, and when daylight appeared
she flung herself upon the bed, and slept
until the morning was considerably advanced. She now felt convinced that her former conjectures were right; that it was
her aunt, her father, or both, who had: caused the alarming sounds she had heard, a
repetition of which had only been prevent.
ed by the precautions she had taken.
When she awoke, the horizon was overtlouded, and it began to rain. It continu-ed to rain until towards evening, when it
cleared away. She went to the gate, and
tound all things as she had left them: She
returned, fastened the doors as usual, examined all parts of the house, and again went
ing very drowsy, and convinced that she
Ivas safe and secure, she went to bed; leav




100      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
ing, however, two candles burning in the
room. As she, for tvo nights, had been deprived of her usual rest, she soon fell into a
slumber.
She had not long been asleep before she
was suddenly aroused by the apparent report of a pistol, seemingly discharged close
to her heed. Awakened so instantaneously, her recollection, for a time, was confused and imperfect. She was only sensible
of a strong, sulphureous scent: but she soon
remembered that she had left two candles
burning, and every object was now shrouded in darkness. This alarmed her exceedingly. What could have become of the
candles? They must have been blown out
or taken away. What was the sound she
had just heard?- What the sulphureous
stench which had pervaded the room?While she was thus musing in perplexity, a
broad flash like lightning, transiently illuminated the chamber, followed by a long,
loud, and deep roar, which seemed t9 shake
the building to its centre. It did not appear like thunder; the sounds seemed to
be in the rooms directly over her head.
Perhaps, however, it was thunder.
Perhaps a preceding clap had struck near
the building, broken the windows, put out
the lights, and filled the house with the
electric effluvium. She listened for a rep




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


101


etition of the thunder-but a very different
sound soon grated on her ear. A hollow,
horrible groan echoed through her apartment, passing off in a faint dying murmur.
It was evident that the groan proceeded
from some person in the chamber. Melissa raised herself up in the bed; a tall white
form moved from the upper end of the room,
glided slowly by her bed, and seemed to
pass off near the foot. She then heard the
doors below alternately open  and shut,
slapping furiously, and in quick succession,
followed by violent noises in the rooms below, like the falling of heavy bodies and
the crash of furniture. Clamorous voices
succeeded, among which she could distinguish boisterous menaces and threatenings,
and the plaintive tone of expostulation.A momentary silence ensued, when the cry
of "Murder! murder! murder!!" echoed
through the building, followed by the report of a pistol, and shortly after, the groans
of a person apparently in the agonies of
death, which grew fainter and fainter until it died away in a seemingly expiring
gasp.  A dead silence prevailed for a few
minutes, to which a loud hoarse peal of
ghastly laughter succeeded--then again all
was still. But she soon heard heavy footsteps ascending the stairs to her chamber
door. It was now she became terrified and
9





102     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
alarmed beyond any former example.---
" Gracious heaven, defend me! she exclaimed; what am I coming to!"     Knowing
that every avenue to the enclosure was efectiually secured; knowing that all the
doors and windows of the house, as also that
which opened into her chamber, were fast
locked, strictly bolted and barred; aind
knowing that all the keys were in her possession, she could not entertain the least
doubt but the noises she had heard were
produced by supernatural beings, and, she
had reason to believe, of the most mischievous nature. She was now convinced that
her father or her aunt could have no agency in
the business. She even wished her aunt
had returned. It must be exceedingly difficult to cross the moat, as the draw bridge
was up; it must be still more difficult to
surpass the wall of the enclosure; it was
impossible for any human being to enter
the house, and still more impossible to enter her chamber.
While ' she lay thus ruminating in extreme agitation, momentarily expecting to
have her ears' assailed with some terrific
sound, a pale light dimly illuminated her
chamber. It grew brighter. She raised
nerself up to look towards the door;-the
first object which met her eye, was a most
horrible form, standing at a little distance





ULONZO AND MELISSA.


103


from her bedside. Its appearance was tall
nd robust, wrapped in a tattered white.obe, spotted with blood. The hair of its
head was matted with clotted gore. A
deep wound appeared to have pierced its
breast, from which fresh blood flowed down
its garment. Its pale face was gashed and
gory! its eyes fixed, glazed, and glaring;its lips open, its teeth set, and in its hand
was a bloody dagger.
Melissa, uttering a shriek of terror,
shrunk into the bed, and in an instant tie
room was involved in pitchy darkness. 'A
freezing ague seized her limbs, and drops of
chilling sweat stood upon her face. Immediately a horrid hoarse voice burst from amidst the gloom of her apartment, " Begone!
begone from this house!" The bed on
which she lay then seemed to be agitated,
and directly she perceived some person
crawling on its foot. Every consideration,
except present safety, was relinquishedI instantaneously she sprang from the bed to
the floor-with convulsed grasp, seized the
candle, flew to the fire and lighted it. She
gazed wildly around the room-Ao new object was visible. With timid step she approached the bed; she strictly searched all
around and under it, but nothing strange
could be found. A thought darted into her
mind to leave the house immediately and





104      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
fly to John's: this was easy, as the keys of
the gate and draw-bridge were in her possession. She stopped not to reconsider her
determination, but seizing the keys, with
the candle in her hand, she unlocked her
chambe- dorr and proceeded cautiously
down stairs, fearfully oasting her eyes on
each side, as she tremblingiy advanced to
the outer door. She hesitated a moment.
To what perils was she about to expose
herself, by thus venturing out at the dead
of the night, and proceeding such a distance
alone? Her situation she thought could
become no more hazardous, and she was about to unbar the door, when she was alarmed by a deep, hollow sigh. She looked
around and saw, stretched on one side of
the hall, the same ghastly form which had
so recently appeared standing by her bedside. The same haggard countenance, the
same awful appearance of murderous death.
A faintness came upon her; she turned to
flee to her chamber-the candle dropped
from her trembling hand, and she was
shrouded in impenetrable darkness. She
groped to find the stairs: as she came near
their foot, a black object, appareLtly in human shape, stood before her, with eyes
which seemed to burn like coals of fire, and
red flames issuing from its mouth. As she
stood fixed a moment in inexpressible tre




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


105


pidation, a large ball of fire rolled along the
all, towards the door, and burst with an
explosion which seemed to rock the building to its deepest foundation. Melissa closed her eyes and sunk senseless to the floor.
She revived and got to her chamber, she
hardly knew how; locked her door, lighted
another candle, and after again searching
the room, flung herself into a chair, in a
state of mind which almost deprived her
of reason.
Daylight soon appeared, and the cheerful
sun darting its enlivening rays through the
crevices and windows of the antique mansion, recovered her exhausted spirits, and
dissipated, in some degree, the terrors which
hovered about her mind. She endeavoured to reason coolly on the everdts of the
past night, but reason could not elucidate
them. Not the least noise had been heard
since shle last returned to her chamber:
she therefore expected to discover no traits
which might tend to a disclosure of those
mysteries. She consoled herself only with
a fixed determination to leave the desolate
mansion.  Should John come there that
day, he might be prevailed on to permit
her to remain at her aunt's apartment in
his house until her aunt should return.  If
he should not come before sunset, she resolved to leave the mansion and proceed there.





106      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
She took some refreshment and went
down stairs: she found the doors and windows all fast as she had left them. She
then again searched every room in the
house, both above and below, and the cellar; but she discovered no appearance of
there having been any person there. Not
the smallest article was displaced; every
thing appeared as it had formerly been.She then went to the gate; it was locked
as usual, and the draw-bridge was up. She
again traversed the circuit of the wall, but
found no alteration, or any place where it
was possible the enclosure might be entered. Again she visited the outer buildings,
and even entered the cemetery, but discovered not the least circumstance which
could conduce to explain the surprising
transactions of the preceding night. She
however returned to her room in a more
composed frame of spirit, confident that she
should not remain alone another night in that
gloomy, desolate, and dangerous solitude.
Towards evening Melissa took her usual
walk around the enclosure. It was that
season of the year when weary summer is
lapsing into the arms of fallow autumn.The day had been warm, and the light gales
bore revigorating coolness on their wings as
they tremulously agitated the foliage of the
western forest, or fluttered  among the





ALONZO AND MELISSA'.107


branches of the trees surrounding the mansion. The green splendours of spring had
begun to fade into a yellow lustre, the
flowery verdure ofthe fields was changed
to a russet hue. A robin chirped on a neighbouring oak, a wren chattered beneath,
swallows twittered around the decayed buildings, the ludicrous mocking bird sung
sportively from the top of the highest elm.
and the surrounding groves rung with vary
ing, artless melody; while deep  in the
adjacent wilderness the woodcock, hammering on some dry and blasted trees, filled the
woods with   reverberant echoes.   The
Sound was only ruffled by the lingering
breezes, as they idly wandered over its surface. Long Island, now in possession of
the British troops, was thinly enveloped in
smoky vapour; scattered along its shores
lay the numerous small craft and larger
ships of the hostile fleet. A few skiffs were
passing and repassing the Sound, and several American gun-boats lay off a point which
jutted out fromn the main land, far to the
eastward.   Numberless summer insects
mingled their discordant strains amidst the
weedy herbage. A heavy black cloud was
rising in the north west, which seemed to
portend a shower, as the sonorous, distant
thunder was at long intervals distinctly
heard.





108     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
Melissa walked around the yard, contemplating the varying beauties of the scene:
the images of departed joys-the days when
Alonzo had participated with her in admiring the splendours of rural prospects, raised
in her bosom the sigh of deep regret. She
entered the garden and traversed the alleys, now overgrown with weeds and tufted
knot-grass. The flower beds were choaked
with the low running bramble and tangling
five-finger; tall, rank rushes, mullens and
daisies, had usurped the empire of the
kitchen garden. The viny arbour was broken, and principally gone to decay; yet
the " lonely wild rose" blushed mournfully
amidst the ruins. As she passed from the
garden she involuntarily stopped at the cemetery: she paused in serious reflection:
-" Here, said she, in this house of gloom
rest, in undisturbed silence, my honourable
ancestors, once the active tenants of yonder mansion. Then, throughout these solitary demesnes, the busy occurrences of life
glided in cheerful circles. Then, these now
moss-clad alleys, and this wild weedy garden, were the resort of the fashionable and
the gay. Then, evening music floated -over
the fields, while yonder halls and apartments shone in brilliant illumination. Now
all is sad, solitary and dreary, the haunt of
spirits and spectres of nameless terror. All





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


109


that now remains of the head that. formed,
the hand that executed, and the bosom that
relished this once happy scenery, is now,
alas, only a heap of dust."
She seated herself on a little hillock, under a weeping willow, which stood near the
cemetery, and watched the rising shower,
which ascended in gloomy pomp, half hidden behind the western groves, shrouding
the low sun in. black vapour, while coming
thunders more nearly and more awfully rolled. The shrieking night hawk* soared
high into the air, mingling with the lurid
van of the approaching storm, which widening, nore rapidly advanced, until "the heav*
ens were arrayed in blackness."
The lightning broader and brighter flashes, hurling down its forky streaming bolts
far in the wilderness, its flaming path followed by the vollying artillery of the skies.
Now bending its long, crinkling spires over
the vallies, now glimmering along the summit of the hills. Convolving clouds poured smoky volumes through the expansion a deep, hollow, distant roar, announced the approach of" summoned winds."
The whole forest bowed in awful grandeur,
as from its dark bosom rushed the impetuous hurricane, twisting off, or tearing up
'Supposed to be the male whippoorwill; well known in the
New-Englani staLtea nd Waswering to the above peculiaitwy.
10





110      ALONZO AND MELISSA.D
by the roots, the stoutest trees, whirling.the heaviest branches through the air with
irresistible fury. It dashed upon the sea,
tossed it into irregular mountains, or mingled its white foamy spray with the gloom
of the turbid skies. Slant-wise, th~e large
heavy drops of rain began to desce~nd. Melissa hastened to the mansion; as she reached the door a very brilliant flash of lightning, accompanied by a tremendous explosion, alarmed her. A thunder bolt had entered a large elm tree -within the enclosure,
-and with a horrible crash, had shivered it
from 'top to bottom.  She unlocked the
door and hurried io her chamber.  Deep
night now filled the atmosphere; the rain
poured in torrents, the wind rocked the
building, and bellowed 'in th-e adjacent
groves: the sea raged and roared, fierce
lightnings rent the heavens, alternately involving the world in the sheeted flame of
its many coloured fires; thunders ' rolled
awfully around the firmament, or burst
with horrid din, bounding and reverberating aLmong the surrounding woods, hills and
vallies.  It seemed nothing less than the
crash of worlds sounding through the universe.
Melissa walked her room, listening to the
wild commotion of the elements. She feared that if the. storm continued, she should





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


111


be compelled to pass another night in the
lone mansion: if so, she resolved not to
go to bed. She now suddenly recollected
that in her haste to regain her chamber, she
had forgotten to lock the outer door. The
shock she had received when the lightning
demolished the elm tree, was the cause of
this neglect.  She took the candle, ran
hastily down, and fastened the door. As
she was returning, she heard footsteps, and
imperfectly saw the glance of something
coming out of an adjoining room into the
hall. Supposing some ghastly object was
approaching, she averted her eyes and flew
to the stairs. As she was ascending them,
a voice behind her exclaimed, " Gracious
heaven! Melissa!"  The voice agitated
her frame with a confused, sympathetic
sensation. She turned, fixed her eyes upon
the person who had spoken; unconnected
ideas floated a moment in her imagination:
" Eternal powers! she cried, it is Alonzo."
Alonzo and Melissa were equally surprised at so unexpected a meeting.  They
could scarcely credit their own senses.How he had discovered her solitude-what
led him to that lonely place-how he had
got over the wall-were queries which first
arose in her mind. He likewise could not
conceive by what miracle he should find
her in a remote, desolate building, which





112      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
he had supposed to be uninhabited. With
rapture he took her trembling hand; tears
of joy choaked their utterance. "You are
wet, Alonzo, said Melissa at length; we
will go up to my chamber; I have a fire
there, where you can dry your clothes."-" Your chamber; replied Alonzo    who
then inhabits this house?"  " No one ex
eept myself, she answered; I am here a
lone, Alonzo."  " Alone! he exclaimed--
here alone, Melissa! Good God! tell me
how-why-by what means are you here alone?"  "Let us go up to my chamber,
she replied, and I will tell you all."
He followed her to her apartment and
seated himself by the fire.  ' You want refreshment," said Melissa--which was indeed the case, as he had been long without
any, and was wet, hungry and weary.
She immediately set about preparing tea.
and soon had it ready, and a comfortable
repast was spread for his entertainment.And now, reader, if thou art a child of nature, if thy bosom is susceptible of refined
sensibility, contemplate for a moment, Melissa and Alonzo seated at the same table, a
table prepared by her own hand, in a lonely mansion, separated from society, and no
one to interrupt them. After innumerable
difficulties, troubles and perplexities; after
vexing embarrassments, and a cruel sopara




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


113


tion, they were once more together, and
for some time every other consideration
was lost. The violence of the storm  had
not abated. The lightning still blazed, the
thunder bellowed, the wind roared, the sea
raged, the rain poured, mingled with heavy
hail: Alonzo and Melissa heard a little of it.
She told him all that had happened to her
since they parted, except the strange noises
and awful sights which had terrified her
during her confinement in that solitary
building: this she considered unnecessary
and untimely, in her present situation.
Alonzo informed her, that as soon as he
had learned the manner in which she had
been sent away, he left the house of Vincent"and went to her father's to see if he
could not find out by some of the domestics what course her aunt had taken. None
of them knew any thing about it. He did
not put himself in the way of her fAther, as
he was apprehensive of ill treatment thereby. He then went to several places among
the ielatives of the family where he had
heretofore visited with Melissa, most of
whom received him with a cautious coldness. At length he came to the house of
Mr. Simpson, the gentleman to whose seat
Alonzo was once driven by a shower, where
he accidentally found Melissa on a visit, as,mentioned before. Here he was admitted
10 *           G





114     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
with the ardour of friendship. They had
heard his story: Melissa had kept up a correspondence with one of the young ladies;
they were therefore informed of all, except
Melissa's removal from her father's house:
of this they knew nothing until told thereof by Alonzo.
" I am surprised at the conduct of my
kinsman, said Mr. Simpson; for though his
determinations are, like the laws of the
Medes and Persians, unalterable, yet I have
ever believed that the welfare of his children lay nearest his heart. In the present
instance he is certainly pursuing a mista
ken policy. I will go and see him."  He
then ordered his horse, desiring Alonzo to
remain at his house until he returned.
Alonzo was treated with the most friendly politeness by the family; he found that
they were deeply interested in his favour
and the welfare of Melissa. At evening
Mr. Simpson returned. " It is in vain, said
he, to reason with my kinsman; he is determined that his daughter shall marry your
rival. He will not even inform me to what
place he has sent Melissa, Her aunt however is with her, and they ntust be at the
residence of som i of the faai ly relatives.I will dispatch my,on WV Aiam among our
eonnections, to see it ne can find her out."
The next morning William departed, and





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


115


was gone two days; but could not obtain
the least intelligence either of Melissa or
her aunt, although he had been the rounds
among the relations of the family.
"There is some mystery in this affair,
said Mr. Simpson. I am very little acquainted with Melissa's aunt. I have understood that she draws a decent support
from her patrimonial resources, which, it is
said, are pretty large, and that she resides
alternately with her different relatives. I
have understood also that my kinsman expects her fortune to come into his family,
in case she never marries, which, in all
probability, she now will not, and that she,
in consequence, holds considerable influence over him. It is not possible but that
Melissa is yet concealed at some place of
her aunt's residence, and that the family
are in the secret.  I think it cannot be
long before they will disclose themselves:
You, Alonzo, are welcome to make my
house your home; and if Melissa can be
found, she shall be treated as my daughter."
Alonzo thanked him for his friendship
and fatherly kindness. " I must continue,
said he, my researches for Melissa; the result you shall know."
He then departed, and travelled through
the neighbouring villages and- adjoining





116


ALONZO AND MELISSA,


neighbourhoods, making, at almost every
house, such enquiries as he considered necessary on the occasion. He at. length arrived at the inn in the last little village
where Melissa and her aunt had stopped
the day they came to the mansion. Here
the inn-keeper informed him that two i'adies, answering his description, had been at
his house: he named the time, which was
the day in which Melissa, with her uunt,
left her father's house. The inn-keeper
told him that they purchased some articles
in the village, and drove off to the south.
Alonzo then traversed the country adj-oining the Sound, far to the westward, and
was returning eastward, when he was overtaken by the shower.   No house being
within sight, be betook himself to the forest for shelter. From a little hilly glade
in the wilderness, he discovered the lonely
mansion which, from its appearance, he very naturally supposed to be uninhabited.--
The tempest soon becoming severe, he
thought he would endeavour to reach the
house.
When he arrived at the moat, he found
It impossible to cross it, or ascend the wall;
and h.e stood in momentary jeopardy of his
life, from the falling timber, some of which
was broken and torn up by the tornado, and
some splintered by the fiery bolts of hea




ALONZO AND MELISA       11


117


ven. At length a large tree, which.stood
near him, on the verge of the mooat, or rather in that. place, was hurled from its foun-.
dation, and fell, with a hideous crash, across
the moat, its top lodging on the wall. He
scrambled up on the trunk, and made his
way on the wall. By the incessant glare
of lighatning he was able. to see distinctly.
The top of the tree was partly broken by
the force of its fall, and hung down the other side of the wall. By these branches he
let himself down into the yard, proceeded
to the house, found the door open, which
Melissa had left in'her fright, and entered
into one of the rooms, where he proposed
to stay until at least the shower was over,
still supposing the house unoccupied, until
the noise of locking the door, and the light
of the candle, drew him from the room,
when, to his infin'ite surprise, he discovered
Mielissa, as before related.
Melissa listened to Alonzo with varied emotion. The fixed obduracy of her father,
the generous conduct ot- the Sin-psons, the
constancy of.A1I~nzo, filled her heart with
inexpressible sensations. She foresaw that
her sufferings were not sh(,rtly to endshe knew not when her sorrows were to
close.
Alon'zo was shoc' ked at the alteration
which appeared in the features of Mleissa.





118     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
The rose had faded from her cheek, except
when it was transiently suffused with a hectic flush. A livid paleness sat upon her
countenance, and her fine form was rapidly
wasting. It was easy to be foreseen that
the grief which preyed upon her heart
would soon destroy her, unless speedily allayed.
The storm had now passed into the regions of the east; the wind and rain had
ceased, the lightning more unfrequendy
4lashed, and the thunder rolled at a distance.  The hours passed hastily;-day
would soon appear.   Hitherto they had
been absorbed in the present moment; it
was time to think of the future. After the
troubles they had experienced; after so
fortunate a meeting, they could not endure
the idea of another and immediate separation. And yet immediately separated they
must be. It would not be safe for Alonzo
to stay even until the rising sun, unless he
was concealed; and of what use could it
be for him to remain there in concealment?
In this dilemma there was but one expedient. "Suffer me, said Alonzo to Melissa,
to remove yout from this solitary confinement. Your health is impaired. To you,
your father is no more a father; he has
steeled his bosom to paternal affection; he





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


119


has banished you from his house, placed
you under the tyranny of others, and confined you in a lonely, desolate dwelling, far
from the sweets of society; and this only
because you cannot heedlessly renounce a
most solemn contract, formed under his
eye, and sanctioned by his immediate consent and approbation. Pardon me, Melissa,
I would not censure your father; but permit me to say, that after such treatment,
you are absolved from implicit obedience to
his rigorous, cruel, and stern commands.It will therefore be considered a duty you
owe to your preservation, if you suffer me
to remove you from the tyrannical severity
with which you are oppressed."
Melissa sighed, wiping a tear which fell
from her eye. "Unqualified obedience to
my parents, said she, I have ever considered the first of duties, and have religiously
practised thereon-- but where, Alonzo,
would you remove me?" "To any place
you shall appoint," he answered. "I have
no where to go," she replied.
If you will allow me to name the place,
said he, I will mention Mr. Simpson's. He
will espouse your cause and be a father to
you, and, if conciliation is possible, will reconcile you to your father. This can be
done without my being known to have any
agency in the business. It can seem as if





120      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
Mr. Simpson had found you out. He will
go any just lengths to serve us. It was his
desire, if you could be found, to have you
brought to his house. There you can remain either in secret or openly, as you shall
choose. Be governed by me in this, Melissa, and in all things I will obey you
thereafter. I will then submit to the future events of fate; but I cannot MelissaI cannot leave you in this doleful place."
Melissa arose and walked the room in
extreme.agitation. What could she do?
She had, indeed, determined to leave the
house, for reasons which Alonzo knew nothing of. But should she leave it in the
way she had proposed, she was not sure but
she would be immediately remanded back,
more strictly guarded, and more severely
treated. To continue there, under existing
circumstances, would be impossible, long to
exist. She therefore came to a determination
-" I will go, she said, to Mr. Simpson's."
It was then agreed that Alonzo should
proceed to Vincent's, interest them in the
plan, procure a carriage, and return at eleven o'clock the next night.  Melissa was
to havethe draw-bridge down, and the gate
open. If John should come to the house
the succeeding day, she would persuade
him to let her still keep the keys. But it
was possible her aunt might return. This





ALONZO' AND MELISSA.


1G1


would render the execution of the scheme
more hazardous and difficult. A signal was
therefore agreed on; if her aunt should be
there, a candle was to be placed at the
window fronting the gate, in the room
above; if not, it was to be placed against a
similar window in the room below. In the
first case Alonzo was to rap loudly at the
door. Melissa was to run down, under pretence of seeing who was there, fly with Alonzo to the carriage, and leave her aunt
to scrape acquaintance with the ghosts and
goblins of the old mansion. For even if
her aunt should return, which was extremely doubtful, she thought she could contrive
to let down the bridge and unlock the gate
in the evening without her knowledge. At
any rate she was determined not to let the
keys go out of her hands, unless they were
forced from her, until she had escaped from
that horrid and dreary place.
Daylight began to break from the east,
and Alonzo prepared to depart. Melissa
accompanied him to the gate and the
bridge, which was let down: he passed
over, and she slowly withdrew, both frequently turning to look back. When she
came to the gate, she stopped;-Alonzo
stopped also. She waved a white handkerchief she had in her hand, and Alonzo bowed in answer to the sign. She then leis




122     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
urely entered and slowly shut the gate.Alonzo could not forbear climbing up into
a tree to catch another glimpse of her as
she passed up the avenue. With lingering
step he saw her move along, soon receding
from his view in the gray twilight of misty
morning. He then descended, and hastily
proceeded on his journey.
Traits of glory now painted the eastern
skies. The glittering day-star, having unbarred the portals of light, began to transmit its retrocessive lustre. Thin scuds flew
swiftly over the moon's decrescent form.
Low, hollow winds, murmured among the
bushes, or brushed the limpid drops from
intermingling foliage. The fire-fly* sunk,
feebly twinkling, amidst the herbage of the
fields. The dusky shadows of night fled to
the deep glens, and rocky caverns of the
wilderness. The American lark soared high
in the air, consecrating its matin lay to
morn's approaching splendours. The woodlands began to ring with native melody-.
the forest tops, on high mountains, caught
the sun's first ray, which, widening and extending, soon gem'd the landscape with
brilliants of a thousand various dies.
As Alonzo came out of the fields near
the road, he saw two persons passing in an
open chair. They suddenly stopped, earn*The Amercan laupyrip, vulgarly called thelightning-bui.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


123


ea y gazing at him. They were wrapped
in long riding cloaks, and it could not be
distinguished from their dress whether they
were men or women. He stood not to notice them, but made the best of his way to
Vincent's, where he arrived about noon.
--Rejoiced to find that he had discovered
Melissa, they applauded the plan of her removal, and assisted him in obtaining a carriage. A sedan was procured, and he sat
out to return, promising to see Vincent again, as soon as he had removed Melissa to
Mr. Simpson's. He made such use of his
time as to arrive at the mansion at the
hour appointed. He found the draw-bridge
down, the gate open, and saw, as had been
agreed upon, the light at the lower window,
glimmering through the branches of trees.
He was therefore assured that Melissa was
alone.  His heart beat   a joyful tremor
seized his frame; Melissa was soon to be
under his care, for a short time at least.He drove up to the house, sprang out of
the carriage, and fastened his horse to a locust tiee: The door was open; he went
in, flew lightly up stairs, entered her chamber-Melissa was not there! A small fire
was blazing on the hearth, a candle was
burning on the table. He stood petrified
with amazement, then gazed around in
anxious solicitude. What could have be




124     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
come of her? It was impossible, he tho't,
but that sl,. must still be there..
Had she been removed by fraud or force,
the signal candle would not have been at
the window.   Perhaps, in a freakish moment, she had' concealed herself for no
other purpose than to cause him a little
perplexity. He therefore took the candle
and searched every corner of the chamber,
and every room of the house, not even missing the garret and the cellar. He then
placed the candle in a lantern, and went
out and examined the out-houses: he next
went round the garden and the yard, strictly exploring and investigating every place;
but he found her not. He repeatedly and
loudly called her by name; he was answered
only by the solitary echoes of the wilderness.
Again he returned to the house, traversed
the rooms, there also calling on, the name
of Melissa: his voice reverberated from the
walls, dying away in solemn murmurs in the
distant empty apartments.  Thus did he
continue his anxious scrutiny, alternately,
in the house and the enclosure, until day--
but no traces could be discovered, nothing
seen or heard of Melissa. What had become of her he could not form the most
distant conjecture. Nothing was removed
from the house; the beds, the chairs, the
table, all the furniture remained in the





ALONZO AND METLISSA.


125


same condition as when he was there the
night before;-the candle, as had been agreed upon, was at the window, aud a
nother was burning on the table:-it was
therefore evident that she could not have
been long gone when he arrived. By what
means she had thus suddenly disappeared,
was a most deep and inscrutable mystery.
When the sun had arisen, he once more
repeated his inquisitive search, but with
the same effect. He then, in extreme vexation and disappointment, flung himself into the sedan, and drove from the mansion.
Frequently did he look back at the building, anxiously did he scrutinize every surrounding and receding object. A thrill of
pensive recollection vibrated through his
frame as he passed the gate, and the keen
agonizing pangs of blasted hope, pierced his
heart, as his carriage rolled over the bridge.
Once more he cast a "longing, lingering
look" upon the premises behind, sacred only for the treasure they lately possessed;
then sunk backward in his seat, and was
dragged slowly away.
Alonzo had understood from Melissa, that
John's hut was situated about one mile
north from the mansion where she had been
confined.  When he came out near the
road, he left his horse and carriage, after
securing them, an.d went in search of it.1I *





126     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
He soon discovered it, and knew it from
the description given thereof by Melissa.
--He went up and knocked at the door,
which was opened by John, whom Alonzo
also knew, from the portrait Melissa had
drawn of him.
John started in amazement. "Understanding, said Alonzo, that you have the
charge of the old mansion in yonder field, I
have come to know if you can inform me
what has become of the young lady who has
been confined there."
"Confined! answered John, I did not
know she was confined."
Recollecting himself, "I mean the young
lady who has lately resided theie with her
aunt," replied Alonzo.
"She was there last night, answered
John; her aunt is gone into the country
and has not returned."
Aloazo then told him the situation of the
mansion, and that she was not there. John
informed him that she was there about sunset, and according to her request he had
left the keys of the gate and bridge with
her: he desired Alonzo to tarry there until he ran to the mansion.
He returned in about half an hour. "She
is gone, sure enough, said John; but how,
or where, it is impossible for me 0o guess."
--Convinced that he knew nothing of the





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


127


matter, Alonzo left him and returned to
Vincent's.
Vincent and his lady were much surprised at Alonzo's account of Melissa's sudden
disappearance, and they wished to ascertain whether her father's family knew any
thing of the circumstance.  Social intercourse had become suspended between the
families of Vincent and Melissa's father, as
the latter had taxed the former of improperly endeavouring to promote the views of
Alonzo. They therefore procured a neighbouring woman to visit Melissa's mother,
to see if any information could be obtained
concerning Melissa; but the old lady had
heard nothing of her since her departure
with her aunt, who had never yet returned.
-Alonzo left Vincent's and went to Mr.
Simpson's. Hie told them all that had happened since he was there, of which, before,
they had heard nothing. At the houses of
Mr. Simpson and Vincent he resided some
time, while they made the most dilligent
search to discover Melissa; but nothing
could be learned of her fate.
Alonzo then travelled into various parts
of the country, making such enquiries as
caution dictated of all whom he thought
likely to give him information;-but he
found none who could give him the least
intelligence of his.ost Melissa.





128     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
In the course of his wanderings he passed near the old mansion house where Melissa had been confined. He felt an inclination once more to visit it: he proceeded
over the bridge, which was down, but he
found the gate locked. He therefore hurried back and went to John's, whom he
found at home. On enquiring of John whether he had yet heard any thing of the
young lady and her aunt; "All I know of
the matter, said John, is, that two days after you were here, her aunt came back with
a strange gentleman, and ordered me to go
and fetch the furniture away from the room
they had occupied in the old mansion. I
asked her what had become of young madam. She told me that young madam had
behaved very indiscreetly, and she found
fault with me for leaving the keys in her
possession, though I did not know that any
harm could arise from it. From the discourse which my wife and I afterwards
overheard between madam and the strange
gentleman, I understood that young madam
had been sent to reside with some friend or
relation at a great distance, because her
father wanted her to marry a man, and she
wishes to marry somebody else." From
John's plain and simple narrative, Alonzo
concluded that Melissa had been removed
by her father's order, or through the agen




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


129


cy, or instigation of her aunt. Whether his
visit to the old mansion had been somehow
discovered or suspected, or whether she was
removed by some preconcerted or antecedent plan, he could not conjecture.--Still, the
situation in which he found the mansion the
night he went to convey her away, left an
inexplicable impression on his mind. He
could in no manner account how the candle
could be placed at the window according to
agreement, unless it had been done by herself; and if so, how had she so suddenly
been conveyed away?
Alonzo asked John where Melissa's aunt
now was.
"She left here yesterday morning, he answered, with the strange gentleman I mentioned, on a visit to some of her friends."
"Was the strange gentleman you speak
of her brother?" asked Alonzo.
"I believe not, replied John, smiling and
winking to his wife;-I know not who he
was; somebody that madam seems to like
pretty well."
"Have you the care of the old mansion?"
said Alonzo.
"Yes, answered John, I have the keys;
I will accompany you thither, perhaps you
would like to purchase it; madam said yesterday she thought she should sell it."
Alonzo told him he had no thoghts of
XI





130      ALONZO AND'MELISSA.
purchasing, thanked him for his information,
andl departed.
Convinced nowVthat Meli-*ssa was removed by the agency of her persecutors, he
compared the circumstances of John's relation. "She had been sent to reside with
some friend or relation at a great distance."
This great distance, he believed to be New
Lonidon, and her friend or relation, her cousin, at whose house Alonzo first saw her,
under whose care she would be safe, and
lBeauman would have an opportunity of renewing his addresses. Under these impressions, Alonzo did not long hesitate what
course to pursue--he determiniied to repair
to New London immediately.    I
In pursuance of his design he -went to his
father's. He found the old gentleman with
his man contentedly tilling his farrn# and
his mother cheerfully attending to household affairs, as their noarrow circumstances
would not admit her to keep a maid without embarrassment. Alonzo's soul sickened on comparing the pres-ent state of his
family with it-s former affluence; but it was
an unspeakable consolatioga to see his aged
parents contented and happy in their humble situation; and though the idea could
not pluck the thorn from his own bosom, yet
it tended temqporarily to assuage the anguishi
af the wound.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


131


"You have been long gone, my son, said
his father; I scarcely knew what had become of you. Since I have become a farmer I know little of what is going forward
in the world; and indeed we were never
happier in our lives. After stocking and
paying for my farm, and purchasing the requisites for my business, I have got considerable money at command: we live frugally, and realize the blessings of health, comfort, and contentment. Our only disquietude is on your account, Alonzo. Your affair with Melissa, I suppose, is not so favourable as you could wish. But despair
not, my son; hope is the harbinger of fairer prospects: rely on Providence, which
never deserts those who submissively bow
to the justice of its dispensations."
Unwilling to disturb the serenity of his
parents, Alonzo did not tell them his troules. He answered, that perhaps all might
yet come right; but that, as in the present
state of his mind he thought a change of
situation might be of advantage, he asked
liberty of his father to travel for some little
time. To this his father consented, and
offered him a part of the money he had on
hand, which Alonzo refused, saying he did
not expect to be long gone, and his resources had not failed him.
He then sold off his books, his horses,





132      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
his carriages, &c. the insignia of his better
days, but now useless appendages, from
which he raised no inconsiderable sum.He then took a tender and affectionate
leave of his parents, and set out for New
London.
Alonzo journeyed along with a heavy
heart and in an enfeebled frame of spirits.
Through disappointment, vexation, and the
fatigues he had undergone in wandering about, for a long time, in search of Melissa,
despondency had seized upon his mind, and
indisposition upon his body.  He put up
the first night within a few miles of New
Haven, and as he passed through that town
the next morning, the scenes of early life
in which he had there been an actor, moved in melancholy succession over his mind.
That day he grew more indisposed; he experienced an unusual languor, listlessness
and debility; chills, followed by hot flashes,
heavy pains in the head and back, with inccssant and intolerable thirst. It was near
night when he reached Killingsworth, where
he halted, as he felt unable to go farther:
he called for a bed, and through the night
was racked with severe pain, and scorched
wihh a burning fever.
The next morning he requested that the
physician of the town might be sent for;he came and ordered a prescription which





AL(NZO AND MELISSA.


133


gave his patient some relief; and by strict
attention, in about ten days Alonzo was
able to pursue his journey. He arrived at
New London, and took lodgings with a private family of the name of Wyllis, in a retired part of the town.
The first object was to ascertain whether
Melissa was at her cousin's.  But how
should he obtain this information?  He
knew no person in the town except it was
those whom he had reason to suppose were
leagued against him. Should he go to the
house of her cousin, it might prove an injury to her if she were there, and could answer no valuable purpose if she were not.
-The evening after he arrived there he
wrapped himself up in his cloak and took
the street which led to the house of Melissa's cousin: he stopped when he came against it, to see if he could make any discoveries. As people were passing and repassing the street, he got over into a small
enclosure which adjoined the house, and
stood under a tree, about thirty yards from
the house: he had not long occupied this
station, before a lady came to the chamber
window, which was flung up, opposite to
the place where he stood; she leaned out,
looked earnestly around for a few minutes,
then shut it and retired. She had brought
a candle into the room, but did not bring it
12





134     ALONZO AND MELrSSA*
to the window; of course he could not dis.
tinguish her features so as to identify them.
He knew it was not the wife of Melissa's
cousin, and from her appearance he believed it to be Melissa.  Again the window
opened, again the same lady appeared;--
she took a seat at a little distance within
the room; she reclined with her head upon
her hand, and her arm appeared to be supported by a stand or table. Alonzo's heart
beat violently; he now had a side view of
her face, and was more than ever convinced that it was Melissa. Her delicate features, though more pale and dejected than
when last he saw her;-her brown hair,
which fell in artless circles around her lily
neck; her arched eye-brows and command.
ing aspect.  Alonzo moved towards the
house, with a design, if possible, to draw
her attention, and should it really prove to
be Melissa, to discover himself. He had
proceeded but a few steps before she arose,
shut the window, retired, and the light disappeared. Alonzo waited a considerable
time, but she appeared no more. Suppo*
sing she had retired for the night, he slowe
ly withdrew, chagrined at this disappointment, yet pleased at the discovery he had
made.
The family with whom Alonzo had tam
ken lodgings were fashionable and respecta.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


135


ble. The following afternoon they had appointed to visit a friend, and they invited
Alonzo to accompany them. When they
named the family where their visit was intended, he found it to be Melissa's cousin.
Alonzo therefore declined going under pretence of business.  He however waited
with anxiety for their return, hoping he
should be able to learn by their conversation, whether Melissa was there or not.When they returned he made some enquiries concerning the families in town, until
the conversation turned upon the family
they had visited.  " The young lady who
resides there, said Mrs. Wyllis, is undoubtedly in a confirmed decline; she will never
recover."
Alonzo started, deeply agitated. "Who
is the young lady?" he asked. " She is
sister to the gentleman's wife where we visited, answered Mr. Wyllis;-her father
lives in Newport, and she has come here
for her health."  " Do you not think, said
Mrs. Wyllis, that she resembles their cousin Melissa, who resided there some time
ago?"  "Very much indeed, replied her
husband, only she is not quite so handsome."
Again was Alonzo disappointed, and again
did he experience a melancholy pleasure:
\e had the last night hoped that he had
~iscovered Melissa; but to find her in a





136      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
hopeless decline, was worse than that she
should remain undiscovered.
" It is reported, said Mrs. Wyllis, that
Melissa has been upon the verge of matrimony, but that the treaty was somehow
broken off; perhaps Beauman will renew
his addresses again, should this be the case."
" Beauman has other business besides addressing the ladies, answered Mr. Wyllis.
He has marched to the lines near NewYork with his new raised company of volunteers."*
From this discourse, Alonzo was convinced that Melissa was not the person he had
seen at her cousin's the preceding evening,
and that she was not there. He also found
that Beauman was not in town. Where to
search next, or what course to pursue, he
was at a loss to determine.
The next morning he rose early and wan
dered about the town. As he passed by
the house of Melissa's cousin, he saw the
lady, who had appeared at the window,
walking in the garden. Her air, her figure,
had very much the appearance of Melissa;
but the lineaments of her countenance were,
when viewed by the light of day, widely
dissimilar. Alonzo felt no strong curiosity
farther to examine her features, but passing
on, returned to his lodgings.
*New-York was then in possession of the British troops.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


137


How he was now to proceed, Alonzo
could not readily decide. To return to his
native place, appeared to be as useless as
to tarry where he was. For many weeks
had he travelle' and seaIcrhed every place
where he thought it probable Melissa might
be found, both among her relatives and
elsewhere. He had made every effort to
obtain some clue to her removal from the
old mansion, but he could learn nothing but
what he had been told by John. If his
friends should ever hear of her, they could
not inform him thereof, as no one knew
where he was. Would it not, therefore, be
best for him to return back, and consult
with his friends, and if nothing had been
heard of hei, pursue some other mode of
enquiry? He might, at least, leave directions where his friends might write to him,
in case they should have any thing whereof
to apprise him.
An incident tended to confirm this resolution. He one night dreamed that he was
sitting in a strange house, contemplating on
his present situation, when Melissa suddenly entered the room. Her appearance was
more pale, sickly and dejected, than when
he last saw her. Her elegant form had
wasted away, her eyes were sunk, her
cheeks fallen, her lips livid. He fancied it
to be night, she held a candle in her hand,
12 *





138      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
smiling languidly upon him;-she turned
and went out of the room, beckoning him
to follow: he thought he immediately arose
and followed her. She glided through sev-1
eral winding rooms, and at length he lost
sight of her, and the light gradually fading
away, he was involved in deep darkness.He groped along, and at length saw a faint
distant glimmer, the course of which he
pursued, until he came into a large room,
hung with black tapestry, and illuminated
by a number of bright tapers. On one side
of the room appeared a hearse, on which
some person was laid: he went up to itthe first object that arrested his attention
was the lovely form of Melissa, shrouded in
the sable vestments of death! Cold and
lifeless, she lay stretched upon the hearse,
beautiful even in dissolution; the dying
smile of complacency had not yet deserted
her cheek. The music of her voice had
ceased; her fine eyes had closed for ever.
Insensible to objects in which she once delighted; to afflictions which had blasted
her blooming prospects, an.l drained the
streams of life, she lay like blossomed trees
of spring, overthrown by rude and boisterous winds. The deep groans which convulsed the distracted bosom, and shocked
the trembling frame of Alonzo, broke the
Qelusive charm: he awoke, rejoiced to find





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


139


it but a dream, though it impressed his mind
with doleful and portentous forebodings.
It was a long time before he could again
close his eyes to sleep; he at length fell
into a slumber, and again he dreamed. He
fancied himself with Melissa, at the house
of her father, who had consented to their
union, and that the marriage ceremony between them   was there performed.   He
thought that Melissa appeared as she had
done in her most fortunate and sprightly
days, before the darts of adversity, and the
thorns of affliction, had wounded her heart.
Her father seemed to be divested of all his
awful sternness, and gave her to Alonzo
with cheerful freedom. He awoke, and the
horrors of his former dream were dissipated
by the happy influences of the last.
" Who knows, he said, but that this may
finally be the case; but that the sun of
peace may yet dispel the glooms of these
distressful hours!" He arose, determined
to return home in a few days.  He went
out and enjoyed his morning walk in a more
composed frame of spirits than he had for
some time experienced. He returned, and
as he was entering tne door he saw the
weekly newspaper of the town, which had
been published that morning, and which the
carrier had just flung into the hall.- The
family had not yet arisen. He took up the





140      ALONZO AND MXLIBSs
paper, carried it to his chamber, anrd open-.
ed it to read the news of the day. He ran
his eye hastily over it, and was about to lay
it aside, wheln the death list arrested his attention, by a display of broad black lines.
The first article he read therein was as
follows:
"Died, of a consumption, on the 26th
ult. at the seat of her uncle. Col. W. D-,
near Charleston, South Carolina, whither
she had repaired for her health, Miss Melissa D-, the amiable daughter of J--
D-, Esq. of *******, Connecticut, in the
eighteenth year of her age."
The paper fell from the palsied hand-a
sudden faintness came upon him-the room
grew dark-he staggered, and fell senseless
upon the floor.
The incidents of our story will here produce a pause.-  The fanciful part of our
readers may cast it aside in chagrin and disappointment   " Such an event," may they
say, "we were not prepared to expect.After so many, and such various trials of
heart; after innumerable difficulties surmounted; almost invincible objects overcome, and insuperable barriers removedafter attending the hero and heroine of your
tale through the diversified scenes of anxiety, suspense, bope, disappointment, expectation, joy, sorrow, anticipated bliss, uud




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


141


den and disastrous woe--  after elevating
them to the threshold of happiness, by the
premature death of one, to plunge the other,
instantaneously, in deep and irretrievable
despair, must not, cannot be right.-Your
story will hereafter become languid and
spiritless; the subject will be uninteresting,
the theme unerigaging, since the genius
which animated and enlivened it is gone for
ever."
Reader of sensibility, stop. Are we not
detailing facts?  Shall we gloss them over
with false colouring?  Shall we describe
things as they are, or as they are not?
Shall we draw with the pencil of nature, o0
of art? Do we indeed paiht life as it is, or
as it is not? Cast thine eyes, reader, over
the ephemeral circle of passing and fortuitous events; view the change of contingencies; mark well the varied and shifting scenery in the great drama of time;-seriously
contemplate nature in her operations; minutely examine the entrance, the action,
and the exit of characters on the stage of
existence-then say, if disappointment, distress, misery and calamitous woe, are not
the inalienable portion of the susceptible
bosom. Say, if the possession of refined
feeling is enviable- the lot of Nature's
children covetable-whether to such, through
life, the sprinklings of comfort are sufficient





142


ALONZO AND MELISSA.


to give a zest to the bitter banquets of ad.
versity-whether, indeed, sorrow, sighing,
and tears, are not the inseparable attendants of all those whose hearts are the repositories of tender affections and pathetic
sympathies.   *
But what says the moralist?-" Portray
life as it is. Delude not the senses by deceptive appearances. Arouse your hero?
call to his aid stern philosophy and sober
reason. They will dissipate the rainbowglories of unreal pleasure, and banish the
glittering meteors of unsubstantial happiness. Or if these fail, lead him to the holy
fane of religion: she will regulate the fires
of fancy, and assuage the tempest of the
passions: she will illuminate the dark wilderness, and smooth the thorny paths of life;
she will point him to joys beyond the tomb
-to another and a better world; and pour
the balm of consolation and serenity over
his wounded soul."
Shall we indeed arouse Alonzo? Alas! to
what paths of grief and wretchedness shall
we arouse him! To a world to him void
and cheerless-a world desolate, sad and
dreary.
Alonzo revived. "< Why am I, he exclaimed, recalled to this dungeon of torment?
Why was not my spirit permitted to take
its flight to regions where my guardian is





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


143


gone? Why am I cursed with memory? 0
that I might be blessed with forgetfulness!
But why do I talk of blessings?-Heaven
never had one in store for me. Where are
fled my anticipated joys? To the bosorn
the dark bosom of the oblivious tomb! There
lie all the graces worthy of love in life-all
the virtues worthy of lamentation in death!
There lies perfection; perfection has here
been found. Was she not all that even
heaven could demand?--Fair, lovely, holy
and virtuous. Her tender solicitudes, her
enrapturing endearments, her soul-inspiring
blandishments,-gone, gone for ever? That
heavenly form, that discriminate mind-all
lovely as light, all pure as a seraph's-a
prey to worms-mingled with incorporeal
shadows, regardless of former inquietudes
or delights, regardless of the keen anguish
which now wrings tears of blood from my
despairing heart!
" Eternal Disposer of events! if virtue
be thy special care, why is the fairest flower in the garden of innocence and purity
blasted like a noxious weed? Why is the
bright gem of excellence trampled in the
dust like a worthless pebble?-Why is Melissa hurried to the tomb?"
Thus raved Alonzo. It was evident thai
delirium had partially seized his brain. He
arose and flung himself on the bed in un




144      ALONZO AND MELISSA,
speakable agony. "And what,. Alas! he
again exclaimed, now remains for me? Existence and unparalleled misery. The consolation even of death is denied me.  But
Melissa! she-ah, where is she! Oh, reflection insupportable! insufferable consideration! Must that heavenly frame putrify,
moulder, and crumble into dust? Must the
loathsome spider nestle on her lily bosom?
the odious reptile riot on her delicate limbs?
the worm revel amid the roses of her cheek,
fatten on her temples, and bask in the lustre of her eyes? Alas! the lustre has become dimmed in death; the rose and the
lily are withered; the harmony of her voice
has ceased; the graces, the elegancies of
form, the innumerable delicacies of air, all
are gone, and I am left in a state of misery
which defies mitigation or comparison."
Exhausted by excess of grief, he now lay
in a stupifying anguish, until the servant
summoned him to breakfast. He told the
servant he was indisposed and requested he
might not be disturbed. Mr. Wyllis and
his lady came up, anxious to yield him any
assistance in their power, and advised him
to call a physician. He thanked them, but
told them itwas unnecessary; he only want.
ed rest.  His extreme distress of mind
brought on a relapse of fever, from which
hehad but imperfectly recovered. For seve,





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


145


ral days he lay in a very dangerous and
doubtful state. A physician was called, contrary to his choice or knowledge, as for most
part of the time his mind was delirious and
sensation imperfect. This was, probably
the cause of baffling the disorder. He was
in a measure insensible to hqs woes. He did
not oppose the prescriptions of the physician. The fe7er abated; nature triumphed
over disease of body, and he slowly recoved, but the malady of his mind was not
removed.
He contemplated on the past.   I fear,
said he, I have murmured against the wisdom of Providence. Forgive, 0 merciful
Creator! Forgive the frenzies of distraction!" He now recollected that Melissa
once told him that she had an uncle who
resided near Charleston in South Carolina;
thither he supposed she had been sent by
her father, when she was removed from the
old mansion, in order to prevent his having
access to her, and with a view to compel
her to marry Beauman. Her appearance
had indicated a deep decline when he last
saw her. " There, said he, far removed
from triends and acquaintance, there did she
languish, there did she die-a victim to excessive grief, and cruel parental persecution."
As soon as he was able to leave his room,
13           I





146       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
he walked out one evening, and in deep
contemplation roved, he knew not where.
The moon shone brilliantly from her lofty
throne; the chill, heavy dews of autumn
glittered on the decaying verdure.     The
tadeat* croaked hoarsely among the trees;
the dirclet sung mournfully on the grass.Alonzo heard them not; he was insensible
to all external objects, until he had imperceptibly wandered to the rock on the point
of the beach, verging the Sound, to which
he had attended Melissa the first time he
saw her at her cousin's.    Had the whole
artillery of Heaven burst, in sheeted flame,
from the skies-had raging winds mingled
the roaring waves with the mountainshad an instantaneous earthquake burst beneath his feet, his frame would not have
been so shocked, his soul so agitated!Sudden as the blaze darts from the electric
cloud was he aroused to a lively sense of
blessings entombed! The memory of departed joys passed with rapidity over his
imagination; his first meeting with Melisýa; the evening he had attended her to
*t Local names given to certain American insects, from their
sound. They are well known in various parts of the United
tato~t; generally make their appearance about the latter end
ef August, and continae until destroyed by the frost. The
notes of the first are hoarse, sprightly, and discordant; of the
last, solemn and mournfully pleasing.
I See page 8. See also allusions to this scene in several naib
sequert parts of the story.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


147


that place; her frequent allusions to the
scenery there displayed, when they had
traversed the fields, or reclined in the bower on her favourite hill; in fine, all the vicissitudes through which they had passed,
were called to his mind. His fancy saw
her-felt her ge~ntly leaning on his arm,
while he tremblingly pressed her hand.Again he saw smiling health crimsoning the
lilies of her cheek; again he saw the bright
soul of sy mpathetic feelings sparkling in.
her eye; the air of ease; the graces of attitude; her bDrown locks circling the borders of her snowy robe. Again he was enraptured by the melody of her voice.Once more would he b ave been happy, had
riot fancy changed the scene.  But, alas!
she shifted the curtain. He saw Melissa
istretched on the sable hearse, wrapped in
the dreary vestments of the grave; the roses withered; the lilies faded; motionless;
the graces fled; her eyes fixed, and sealed
in the glaze of death!  Spontaneously he
fell upon his knees, and thus poured forth
the overcharged burden of his anguished
bosom.
"Infinite Ruler of all cevents! Great Sovereign of this ever changing world! Omnipotent Contiroler of vicibsitudes! Omniscient dipenser of destiaies! The beginning,
the progression, the end is thine.  Un.





148


ALONZO AND MELISSA.


searchable ate thy purposes!  mysterious
thy movements! inscrutable thy operations!
An atom of thy creation, wildered in the
mazes of ignorance and woe, would bow to
thy decrees. Surrounded with impenetrable gloom, unable to scrutinize the past, incompetent to explore the future - fain
would he say, THY WILL BE DONE! And
Oh, that it might be consistent with that
HIGH WILL to call this atom from a dungeon of wretchedness, to worlds of light and
glory, where his only CONSOLATION is gone."
Thus prayed the heart-broken Alouzo.
It was indeed a worldly prayer; but perhaps as pure and as acceptable as many of
our modern professors would have made on
a similar occasion. He arose and repaired
to his lodgings.  One determination only
he had now fallen upon-to bury himself
and his griefs from all with whom he had
formerly been acquainted. Why should he
return to the scenes of his former bliss and
anxiety, where every countenance would
tend to renew his mourning; where every
door would be inscribed with a memento
mori, and where every object would he
shrouded in crape?  He therefore thrned
his attention to the army; but the army
was far distant, and he was too feeble to
prosecute a journey of such an extent.
There were at that time preparations





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


149


for fitting out a convoy, at private expense,
from various parts of the United States, for
the protection of our European trade; they
were to rendezvous at a certain station,
and thence proceed with the merchantmen
under their care to the ports ot France and
Holland, where our trade principally centered, and return as convoy to some other
mercantile fleet.
One of these ships of war was then nearly fitted out at New-London. Alonzo offered himself to the captain, who, pleased
with nis appearance, gave him the station
of commander of marines.
Alonzo prepared himself with all speed
for the voyage. He sought, he wished no
acquaintance.  His only place of resort,
except to his lodgings and the ship, was to
Melissa's favourite rock: there he bowed
as to the shrine of her spirit, and there he
consecrated his de, otions.
As he was one day passing through the
town, a gentleman stepped out of an adjoining house and accosted him. Alonzo immediately recognized him to be the cousin
of Melissa, at whose house he had first seen
her. He was dressed in full mourning,
which was a sufficient indication that he
-ws apprised of hei death. He invited Alonzo to his house, and he could not complaisantly refuse the invitation. He there13 *





150      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
fore accepted it, and passed an hour with
him, from whom he learnt that Melissa had
been sent to her uncle's at Charleston, for
the recovery of her health, where she died.
" Her premature death, said her cousin, has
borne so heavily upon her aged father, that
it is feared he will not long survive."" Well may it wring his bosom, thought Alonzo;--his conscience can never be at
peace." Whether Melissa's cousin had been
informed of the particulars of Alonzo's unfortunate attachment, was not known, as he
instituted, no conversation on the suiject.
Oeither did he enquire into Alonzo's prospects; he only invited him to call again.
Alonzo thanked him, but replied it would
be doubtful, as hb. should shortly leave town.
He made no one acquainted with his intentions.
The day at length arrived when the ship
was to sail, and Alonzo to leave the shores
of America. They spread their canvass to
propitious gales; the breezes rushed from
their woody coverts, and majestically wafted them from the harbour.
Slowly the land receded; fields, forests,
hills, mountains, towns and villages leisurely withdrew, until they were mingled in one
common mass. The ocean opening, erpanded and widened, presenting to the astonished eyes of the untried mariner its





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


151


wilderness ofwaters. Near sunset,.lonzo
ascended the mast to take a last view of a
country once so dear, but whose charms
were now lost forever. The land still appeared like a simicircular border of dark
green velvet on the edge of a convex mirror. The sun sunk in fleecy golden vapours
behind it. It now dwindled to discoloured
and irregular spots, which appeared like objects floating, amidst the blue mists of distance, on the verge of the main, and immediately all was lost beneath the spherical,
watery surface.
Alonzo had fixed his eyes, as near as his
judgment could direct, towards Melissa's favourite rock, till nothing but sea was discoverable.  With a heart-parting sigh he
then descended. They had now launched
into the illimitable world of billows, and the
sable wings of night brooded over the boundless deep.
A new scene was now opened to Alonzo
in the wonders of the mighty deep. The
sun rising from and setting in the ocean; the
wide-spread region of watery waste, now
snooth as polished glass, now urged into iiregular rolling hillocks, then swelled to
Blue trembling billows, topp'd with foam,"
or gradually arising into mountainous waves.
Often would he traverse the deck amid the
still hours of midnight, when the moon sil




152      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
vered over the liquid surface: " Bright lu.
minary of the lonely hour, he would ray,
that now sheddest thy mild and placid ray
on the woe-worm head of fortune's fugitive,
dost thou not also pensively shine on the
sacred and silent grave of my Melissa?
Favourable breezes wafted them for many days over the bosom of the Atlantic.At length they were overtaken by a violent
storm. The wind began to blow strongly
from the southwest, which soon increased
to a violent gale. The dirgy scud first flew
swiftly along the sky; then dark and heavy
clouds filled the atmosphere, mingling with
the top-gallant streamers of the ship. Night
hovered over the ocean, rendered horrible
by the intermitting blaze of lightnings, the
awful crash of thunder, and the deafening
roar of winds and waves. The sea was rolled
into mountains, capped with foaming fire.
Now the ship was soaring among the thunders of heaven, now sunk in the abyss of
waters.
The storm dispersed the fleet, so that
when it abated, the ship in which Alonzo
sailed was found alone; they, however, kept
on their course of destination, after repairing their rigging, which had been considerably disordered by the violence of the gale.
The next morning they discovered a sail
which they fondly hoped might prove to be





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


153


one of their own fleet, and accordingly made
for it. The ship they were in pursuit of
shortened sail, and towards noon wore round
and bore down upon them, when they discovered that it was not a ship belonging to
their convoy. It appeared to be of equal
force and dimensions with that of their own;
they therefore, in order to prepare for the
worst, got ready with all speed for action.
They slowly approached each other, manoeuvering for the advantage, till the strange
ship ran up British colours, and fired a gun,
which was immediately answered by the
other, under the flag of the United States.
It was not long before a close and severe
action took place, which continued for three
hours, when both ships were in so shattered
a condition that they were unable to manage a gun.* The British had lost their captain, and one half their crew, most of the
remainder being wounded.-   The Americans had lost their second officer, and their
loss in men, both killed and wounded, was
nearly equal to that of the enemy.
While they lay in this condition, unable
either to annoy each other more, or to get
away, a large sail appeared, bearing down
upon them, which soon came up and proved
to be an English frigate, and which imme*The particular- of this action, in the ea fy stago of the Aerican war, are yet remembered by many





154     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
diately took the American ship in tow, after remIoving the crew into the hold of the
frigate. The crew of the British ship were
also taken on board of the frigate, which
was no sooner done than the ship went down
and was for ever buried beneath mountains
of ponderous waves. The frigate then, with
the American ship in tow, made sail, and in
e feýv days reached England. -The wounded pri-joners were sent to a hospital, but the
(others were confined -in a strong prison within the precincts of London.
The American prisoners were huddled into an apartment with British convicts. of various descriptions. Among these Aionzo
observed one wvhose demeanor arrested his
attention. A deep melancholy was impressed upon his features; his eye was wild and
despairing; his figure was interesting, tall,
elegant and handsome. He appeared to be
about twenty-five years of age. He seldom
conversed, but when he did, it was readily
discovered that his education had been above
the common cast, and he, possessed a 'n enlightened and discriminating mind. Alonzo
sympathetically sought his acquaintance,,
and -liscovered therein a unison of woe.
One evening, when the prisoners were retired to rest, the stranger, upon Alonzo's
request, rehearsed the fcilowing incidents
of his life.





Al ONZO AND MELISSA'.


155


" You express, said he, some surprise at
finding a man of my appearance in so degraded a situation; and you wish to learn
the events which have plunged me in this
abject state. These, when I briefly relate,
your wonder will cease.
" IMy name is Henry Malcomb; my fath-,
er was a clergyman in the west of England,
and descended from one of the most respecable families in those parts. I received a
classical education, and then entered the
military school, as I was designed for the
army, to which my earliest inclinations led.
As soon as my education was considered
complete, an ensign's commission was procured for me in one of the regiments destined for the West Indies. Previous to its
departure for those islands, I became acquainted with a Miss Vernon, who was a
few years younger than myself, and the
daughter of a gentleman farmer, who had
recently purchased and removed to an estate in my father's parish. Every thing
that was graceful and lovely appeared centered in her person; every thing that was
virtuous and excellent in her mind. I sought
her hand. Our souls sooni became united
by the indissoluble bonds of sinterest love,
and as there were no parental or other implediments to our union, it was agreed that
as soon as I returned from the Indies, where





156      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
it was expected that my stay would be short,
the marriage solemnities should be performed., Solemn oaths of constancy passed be-,
tween us, and I sailed, with my regiment,
for the Indies.
" While there, I received from her, and,eturned letters filled with the tenderest expressions of anxiety and regret of absence.
At length the time came when we were to
embark for England, where we arrived after an absence of about eighteen months.
The moment I got on land I hastened to the
house of Mr. Vernon, to see the charmer of
my soul. She received me with all the ardency of affection, and even shed tears of
joy in my presence. I pressed her to name
the day which was to perfect our union and
happiness, and the next Sunday, four (lays
only distant, was agreed upon for me to
lead her to the altar. How did my heart
bound at the prospect of making Miss Vernon my own!-of possessing in her all that
could render life agreeable; I hastened home
to my family and informed them of my approaching bliss, who all sympathized in the
anticipated joy which swelled my bosom.
" I had a sister some years older than myself, who had been the friend and inmate of
my angel in my absence. They were now
almost every day together, so that I had
frequent opportunities of her company,





ALONZO AND MEL1SSA.


157


one day she had been with my sister at my
father's, and I attended her home. On my
return, my sister requested me to attend her
in a private room. We therefore retired,
and when we were seated she thus addressed me
Henry, you know that to promote your
peace, your welfare, and your happiness,
has ever been the pride of my heart. Nothing except this could extort the secret
which I shall now disclose, and which has
yet remained deposited in my own bosom:
my duty to a brother whom I esteem dear
as life, forbids me to remain silent. As an
affectionate sister, I cannot tacitly see yo'u
thus imposed upon; I cannot see you the
dupe and slave of an artful and insidious
woman, who does not sincerely return your
love, nor can I bear to see your marriage
consummated with one whose soul and affections are placed upon another object."
" Here she hesitated-while I, with insufferable anguish of mind, begged her to
proceed.
" About six or eight months after your
departure, she continued, it was reported
to Mliss Vernon that she had a rival in the
Indies; that you had there found an American beauty, on whom you lavished those
endearments which belonged of right to her
alone. This news made, at first, a deep
14





158      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
impression on her mind, but it soon wore
away; and whether from this cause, from
fickleness of disposition, or that she never
sincerely loved you, I know not; but this
I do know, that a youth has been for some
time past her almost constant companion.
To convince you of this, you need only tomorrow evening, about sunset, conceal yourself near the long avenue by the side of the
rivulet, back of Mr. Vernon's country-house,
where you will undoubtedly surprise Miss
Vernon and her companion in their usual
evening's walk. If I should be mistaken I
will submit to your censure; but should you
find it as I have predicted, you have only
to rush from your concealment, charge her
with her perfidy, and renounce her forever."
" Of all the plagues, of all the torments,
of all the curses which torture the soul, jealousy of arival in love is the worst. Enraged,
confounded and astonished, it seemed as if
my bosom would have instantaneously burst.
To conceal my emotions, I left my sister's
apartment, after having thanked her for her
information, and proceeded to obey her injunctions. I retired to my own room, and
there poured out my execrations.
"Cursed woman! I exclaimed, is it thus
you requite my tender love! Could a vague
report of my inconstancy drive you to infide:ity! Did not my continual letters breathe





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


159


constant adoration?  And did not yours
portray the same sincerity of affection?
No, it was not that which caused you tq
perjure yout plighted vows.  It was that
damnable passion for novelty, which more
or less holds a predominancy over your whole
sex. To a new coat, a new face, a new
rover, you will sacrifice honour, principle
and virtue. And to those, backed by splendid power and splendid property, you will
forfeit your most sacred engagements, though
made in the presence of heaven.-Thus did
I rave through a sleepless night.
" The next day I walked into the fields,
and before the time my sister appointed had
arrived, I had worked up my feelings almost
to the frenzy of distraction.  I repaired,
however, to the spot, and concealed myself
in the place she had named, which was a
tuft of laurels by the side of the walk. I
soon perceived Miss Vernon strolling down
the avenue, arm in arm with a young man
elegantly dressed, and of singular, delicate
appearance. They were earnestly conversing in a low tone of voice; the hand of my
false fair one was gently pressed in the hand
of the stranger. As soon as they had passed the place of my concealment, they turned aside and seated themselves in a little
arbour, a few yards distant from where I
sat. The stranger claoped Miss Vernon





160      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
in his arms: " Dearest angel! he exclaimed, what an interruption to our bliss by the
return of my hated rival!" With fond caresses and endearing blandishments, " fear
nothing, she replied; I have promised and
must yield him my hand, but you shall never be excluded from my heart; we shall
find sufficient opportunities for private conference." I could contain myself no longer
-my brain was on fire. Quick as lightning I sprang from my covert, and presenting a pistol which I had concealed under my
robe,-" Die! said I, thou false and perjured wretch, by the hand thou hast dishonoured, a death too mild for so foul a crime P!
and immediately shot Miss Vernon through
the head, who fell lifeless at my feet! Then
suddenly drawing my sword, "And thou,
perfidious contaminator and destroyer of
my bliss! cried I-go! attend thy companion in iniquity to the black regions of everlasting torment!" So saying, I plunged my
sword into his bosom. A screech of agony,
attended by the exclamation, " Henry, your
wife! your sister!" awoke me, too late, to
terrors unutterable, to anguish unspeakable,
to woes irretrievable, and insupportable despair! It was indeed my betrothed wife, it was
indeed my affectionate sister, arrayed in
man's habit. The one lay dead before me, the
other weltering in her blood! With a feeble





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


161


and expiring voice, my sister informed mre,
that in a gay and inconsiderate moment they
had concerted this plan, to try my jealousy,
determining to discover themselves as soon
as they had made the experiment. "I forgive you, Henry, she said, I forgive your
mistake," and closed her eyes for ever in
death! What a scene for sensibilities like
mine! To paint or describe it, exceeds the
power of language or imagination.  I instantly turned the sword against my own
bosom; an unknown hand arrested it, and
prevented its entering my heart. The report of the pistol, and the dying screech of
my sister, had alarmed Mr. Vernon's family, who arrived at that moment, one of whom
had seized my arm, and thus hindered me
from destroying my own life. I submitted
to be bound and conveyed to prison. My
trial came on at th.e last assizes. I made no
defence; and was condemned to death. My
execution will take place in eight weeks
from to-morrow. I shall cheerfully meet
my fate; for who would endure life when
rendered so peculiarly miserable!"
The wretched Malcomb here ended his
tale of woe. No tear moistened his eyehis grief was too despairing for tears; it
preyed upon his heart, drank the vital
streams of life, and burst in convulsive sighsfrom his burning bosom.      K
14*





162      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
Alonzo seriously contemplated on the in
cidents and events of this tragical story.
Conscience whispered him, are not Mal-.
comb's miseries superior to thine? Candour
and correct reasoa must have answcred yes
"Melissa perished, said Alonzo, but not by
the hand of her lover: she expired, but not
through the mistaken frenzy of him who
adored her. She died, conscious of the unfeigned love I bore her."
Alonzo and his fellow prisoners had been
robbed, when. they were captured, of every
thing except the clothes they wore. Their
allowance of provisions was scanty and poor.
They were confined in the third story of a
lofty prison. Time rolled away; no pros..
pects appeared of their liberation, either by
exchange or parole. Some of the prisoners
were removed, as new ones were introduced, to other places of confinement, until not
one American was left except Alonzo.
Meantime the day appointed for. the execution of Malcomb drew near. His past
an-d approaching fate filled the breast of Alonzo with sympathetic sorrow. He saw
his venerable father, his mother, his friends
and acquaintance, with several pious clergymen, frequently enter the prison to console and comfort him, and to prepare -him
for the unchangeable state on which he was
goon to enter. He saw his mind softened





163


ALONZO AND MELISSA.


by their advice and counsel;-frequntly
would he burst into tears;-often in the sol<
itary hours of night was he heard addressing
the throne of grace for mercy and forgivness. But the grief that preyed at his heart
had wasted him to a mere skeleton; a slow
but deleterious fever had consequently implanted itself in his constitution. Exhausted nature could make but a weak struggle
against disease and affliction like his, and
about a week previous to the day appointed
for his execution, he expired in peace and
penitence, trusting in the mercy of his Creator through the sufferings of a Redeemer,
Soon after this event, orders came for removing some of the prisoners to a most
loathsome place of confinement in the suburbs of the' city. It fell to Alonzo's lot to
be one. He therefore formed a project for
escaping. He had observed that the gratings in one of the windows of the apartment
were loose and could be easily removed.
One night when the prisoners were asleep
he stripped off his clothes, every article of
which he cut into narrow strips, tied them
together, fastened one end to one of the
strongest gratings, removed the others until
he had made on opening large enough to get
out, and then, by the rope he had made of
his clothes, let himself down into the yard
of the pris(n. There he found a long





164     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
piece of timber, which he dragged to
the wall, clambered up thereon, and sprang
over into the street. His shoes and hat he
had left in the prison, as a useless encumbrance without his clothes, all which he
had converted into the means of escape, so
that he was now literally stark naked. He
stood a moment to reflect:--" Here am I,
said he, freed from my local prison indeed,
but in the midst of an enemy's country,
without a friend, without the means of obtaining one day's subsistence, surrounded by
the darkness of night, destitute of a single
article of clothing, and even unable to form
a resolution what step next to take. The
ways of heaven are marvellous-may I silently bow to its dispensations!"
Alonzo passed along the street in this
forlorn condition, not knowing where to
proceed, or what course to take. It was
about three o'clock in the morning, the
street was illuminated by lamps, und he
feared falling into the hands of the watch.
For some time he saw no person; at length
a voice from the other side of the street
called out,-  Hallo, messmate! what, scudding under bare poles? You mast have experienced a severe gale indeed thus to have
carried away every rag of sail!"
Alonzo turned, and saw the person who
spoke. He was a decent looking man, of





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


165


middle age, dressed in a sailor'shabit, Alonzo nad often heard of the generosity and
honourable conduct of the British tars: he
therefore approached him and told him his
real case, not even concealing his being taken in actual hostility to the British government, and his escape from prison. The
sailor mused a few minutes. " Thy case
said he, is a little critical, but do not despair. Had I met thee as an enemy, I
should have fought thee; but as it is, compassion is the first consideration. Perhaps
I may be in as bad a situation before the
war is ended." Then slipping off his coat
and giving it to Alonzo, " follow me," he
said, and turning, walked hastily along the
street, followed by Alonzo; he passed, into
a bye-lane, entered a small house, and taking Alonzo into a back room, opened a
trunk, and handed out a shirt: " there, said
he, pointing to a bed, you can sleep till
morning, when we will see what can be done.'
The next morning the sailor brought in a
very decent suit of clothes and presented
them to Alonzo.   "You will make this
place your home, said he, until more favorable prospects appear. In this great city
you will be safe, for even your late ga-Ier
would not recognize you in this dress. And
perhaps some opportunity may offer by
which you may return to your own county "





166      ALONZO AND MLLISSA.
He told Alonzo that his name was Jack
Brown; that he was a midshipman on
board the Severn; that he had a wit>e and
four children, and owned the house in which
they then were. " In order to prevent suspicion or discovery, said he, I shall consider you as a relation from the country until
you are better provided for." Alonzo was
then introduced to the sailor's wife, an amiable woman, and here he remained for
several weeks.
One day Alonzo was informed that a
number of American prisoners were brought
in. He went to the place where they were
landed, and saw several led away to prison,
and some who were sick or disabled, carried to the hospital. As the hospital was
near at hand, Alonzo entered it to see
how the sick and disabled prisoners were
treated.
He found that they received as much
attention as could reasonably be expected.*  As he passed along the different apartments he was surprised at hearing his
name called by a faint voice. He turned
to the place from whence it proceeded, and
saw stretched on a mattress, a person who
appeared on the point of expiring. His vi*Tle Americans who were imprisoned in Englaud, in the time
of war, were treated with much more hGmaunity than aluse s ao
were impriasoed in America.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


167


sage was pale and emaciated, his countenance haggard and ghastly, his eyes inexpressive and glazy. He held out his withered hand, and feebly beckoned to Alonzo,
who immediately approached him.   His
features appeared not unfamiliar to Alonzo,
but for a moment he could not recollect
him. "You do not know me," said the
apparently dying stranger.  'Beauman! "
exclaimed Alonzo, in surprise. "Yes, replied the sick man, it is Beauman; you behold me on the verge of eternity; I have
but a short time to continue in this world."
Alonzo.enquired how he came in the power
of the enemy. "By the fate of wa, he replied; I was taken in an action on York
Island, carried on board a prison-ship in
New-York, and sent with a number of others for England. I had received a wound
in my thigh, from a musket ball, during the
action; the wound mortified, and my thigh
was amputated on the voyage; since which
I have been rapidly wasting away, and I
now feel that the cold hand of death is laid
upon me."  Here he became exhausted,
and for some time remained silent. Alonzo had not before discovered that he had
lost his leg: he now found that it had been
taken off close to his body, and that he was
worn to skeleton. When Beauman revived, he enquired into Alonzo's affairs. A-.





168      ALONZO AND MELISSA.'
lonzo related all thtit had happened to him
after leaving New London.."You are unhappy, Alonzo, said Beauman, in the death of your Melissa, to which
it is possible. I have been, undesignedly accessory. 1 could say much on the subject,
would my strength permit; but it is needless. She is gone, and I must soon go also.
She was sent to her uncle's at Charleston,
by her father, -where I was soon to follow
her. It was supposed that thus widely removed from all access to your company,
she would yield to the persuasion of her
friends to renounce you: her unexpected
death, however, frustrated every design of
this nature, and overwhelmed her father
and family in inexpressible woe."~
Here Beauman ceased.    Alonzo found
he wanted rest: he enquired whether he
was in want of any thing to render him
more comfortable. Beauman replied that
he was not: "For the comforts of this life,
said he, 1 have no relish; medical aid is
applied, but without effect."  Alonzo then
left him, promising to call again in the morning.
When Alonzo called the next morning,
hie perceived an alarming alteration in Beauman. His extremities 'were cold, a chilling, clammy sweat stood upon his face, his
respiration was short and- interrupted, his





ALONZO, AND MELISSA.


169


pulse weak and intermitting. He took the
hand of Alonzo, and feebly pressing it,- "I
am dying, said he in a faint voice. If ever
you return to America, inform my friends
of my fate."  This Alonzo readily engaged to do, and told him also that he would
not leave him.
Bea-uman soon fell into a stupor; sensation became suspended; his eyes rolled up
and fixed.  Sometimes a partial revival
would take place, when he would fall into
incoherent muttering, calling on the names
of his deceased father, his mother and Melissa; his voice dying away in imperfect
moanings, till his lips continued to move
without sound. Towards night he lay silent, and only continued to breathe with
difficulty, till a slight convulsion gave the
freed spirit to the unknown regions of immaterial existence.  Alonzo followed his
remains to the grave: a natural stone was
placed at its head, on which Alonzo, unobserved, carved the initials of the deceased's name, with the date of his death, and
left him to moulder with his native dust.
A few days after this event, Jack Brown
informed Alonzo that he had procured the
means of his escape. A person with whom
I am acquainted, said he, and whom I suppose to be a smuggler, has agreed to carry
you to France. There, by application to
15





170      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
the American minister, you will be enabled
to get to your own country, if that is your
object. About midnight I will pilot you on
board, and by to-morrow's sun you may be
in France."
At the time appointed, Jack set out,
bearing a large trunk on his shoulder, and
directed Alonzo to follow him. They pro-.:eeded down to a quay, and went on board
a small skiff. " Here, said Jack to the captain, is the gentleman I spoke to you about," and delivered him the trunk. Then
taking Alonzo aside, " in that trunk, said
he, are a few changes of linen, and here is
something to help you till you can help
yourself." So saying, he slipped ten guineas into his hand. Alonzo expressed his
gratitude with tears. " Say nothing, said
Jack, we were born to help each other in
distress, and may Jack never weather a
storm or splice a rope, if he permits a fellow creature to suffer with want while he
has a luncheon on board."  He then shook
Alonzo by the hand, wishing him a good
voyage, and went whistling away.  The
skiff soon sailed, and the next morning Alonzo was landed in France. Alonzo proteeded immediately to Paris, not with a
<iew of returning to America; he had yet,ao relish for revisiting the land of his sorrows, the scenes where at every step his





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


171


heart must bleed afresh, though to bleed it
had never ceased. But he was friendless
in a strange land: perhaps, through the aid
of the American minister, Dr. Franklin, to
whose fame Alonzo was no stranger, he
might be placed in a situation to procure
bread, which was all he at present hoped or
wished.
He therefore presented himself before
the doctor, whom he found in his study.To be informed that he was an American
and unfortunate, was sufficient to arouse
the feelings of Franklin. He desired Alonzo to be seated, and to recite his history.
This he readily complied with, not concealing his attachment to Melissa, her father's
barbarity, her death in consequence, his
own father's failure, with all the particulars of his leaving America, his capture, escape from prison, and arrival in France; as
also the town of his nativity, the name of
his father, and the particular circumstances
of his family; concluding by expressing his
unconquerable reluctance to return to his
native country, which now would be to him
only a gloomy wilderness, and that his present object was only some means of support.
The doctor enquired of Alonzo the particular circumstances and time of his fa-,her's failure. Of this Alonzo gave him a
minute account. Franklin then sat in deep





172      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
contemplation for the space of fifteen minates, without speaking a word.  He then
took his pen, wrote a short pote, directed
it, and gave it to Alonzo: " Deliver this,
said he, to the person to whom it is directed; he will find you employment, urntil
something more favourable may offer."
Alonzo took the note, thanked the doctor, and went in search of the person to
whom it was addressed. He soon found
the house, which was situated in one of the
most popular streets in Paris. He knocked tt the door, which was opened by an
elderly looking man: Alonzo enquired for
the name to whom the note was addressed.
The gentleman informed him that he was
the man. Alonzo presented him the note,
which having read, he desired him to walk
in, and ordered supper. After supper he
informed Alonzo that he was an English
bookseller; that he should employ him as
a clerk, and desired to know what wages he
demanded. Alonzo replied that he should
submit that to him, being unacquainted with
the customary salary of clerks in that line.of business. The gentleman told him that
the matter should be arranged the next day.
His name was Grafton.
The next morning Mr. Grafton took Alonzo into his bookstore, and gave him his
instructions. His business was to sell the





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


173


books to customers, and a list of prices was
given him for that purpose. Mr. Grafton
counted out twenty crowns and gave them
to Alonzo: " You may want some necessaries, said he; and as you have set no prict
on your services, we shall not differ about
the wages if you are attentive and faithful."
Alonzo gave his employer no room to
complain; nor had he any reason to be discontented with his situation.  Mr. Grafton regularly advanced him twenty crowns
at the commencement of every month, and
boarded him in his family. Alonzo dressed
himself in deep mourning. He sought no
company; he found consolation only in solitude, if consolation it could be called.
As he was walking out early one morning, he discovered something lying in the
street, which he at first supposed to be a
small piece of silk: he took it up and found
it to be a curiously wrought purse, containing a few guineas with some small pieces of
silver, and something at the bottom carefully wrapped in a piece of paper; he unfolded it, and was thunderstruck at beholding an elegant miniature of Melissa! Hel
sweetly pensive features, her expressive
countenance, her soul-enlivening eye! The
shock was almost too powerful for' his
senses. Wildered in a maze of wonders, he
knew not what to conjecture.  Melissa's
15 *





174     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
miniature found in the streets of Paris, af'cr she had some time been dead! He
viewed it, he clasped it to his bosom." Such, said he, did she appear, ere the corroding cankers of grief had blighted her
heavenly charms! By what providential
miracle am I possessed of the likeness,
when the original is no more? What benevolent angel has taken pity on my sufferings,
ýnd conveyed to me this inestimable prize?"
But though he had thus become possessed of what he esteemed most valuable,
what right had he to withhold it from the
lawful owner, could the owner indeed bg
found? Perhaps the person who had lost
it would part with it; perhaps the money
contained in the purse was of more value
to that person than the miniature. At any
rate, justice required that he should endeavour to find to whom it belonged: this he
might do by advertising, which he immediately concluded upon, resolving, should the
owner appear, to purchase the miniature,
Spossibly within his power.
Passing into another street, he saw several
hand-bills stuck up on the walls of houses:
stepping up to one, he read as follows:
" Lost, between the hours of nine and
ten last evening, in the Rue de Loir, a small
silk purse, containing a few pieces of money,
and a lady's miniature.  One hundred





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


175


crowns will be given to the person who
may have found it, and will restore it to the
owner at the.Ameriean Hotel, near the
Louvre, Room No. 4. "
It was printed both in the French and
English languages. By the reward here offered, Alonzo was convinced hat the miniature belonged to some person who set a
value upon it.  Determined to explicate
the mystery, he proceeded immediately to
the place, found the room mentioned in the
bill, and knocked at the door. A servant
appeared, of whom Alonzo enquired for the
lodger.  The servant answered him in
French, which Alonzo did not understand:
he replied in his own language, but found
it was unintelligible to the servaut.  A
grave middle aged gentleman then came
to the door from within the room and ended their jabbering at each other: he, in
the English language, desired Alonzo to
walk in. It was an apartment neatly furnished; no person was therin except the
gentleman and servant before mentioned,
and a person who sat writing in a corner of
the room, with his back towards them.
Alonzo informed the gentleman that he
had called according to the direction in a
bill of advertisement to enquire for the
person who the preceding night, had lost a
purse and miniature. The person who was





176      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
writing had hitherto taken no notice of
what had passed; but at the sound of Alonzo's voice, after he had entered the
roofm, he started and turned about, and at
mention of the miniature, he rose up. Alonzo fixed his eyes upon him: they both
stood for a few moments silent: for a short
time their recollection was confused and
imperfect, but the mists of doubt were soon
dissipated.  " Edgar!"-" Alonzo!" they
alternately exclaimed. It was indeed Edgar, the early friend and fellow student of
Alonzo-the brother of M1elissa! In an instant they were in each others arms.
Edgar and Alonzo retired to a separate
room.   Edgar informed Alonzo that the
news of Melissa's death reached him, by a
letter from his father, while with the army;
that he immediately procured a furlough,
and visited his father, whom, with his mother, he found in inconsolable distress.-"The
letter which my uncle had written, said Edgar, announcing her death, mentioned with
what patience and placidity she endured her
malady, and with what calmness and resignation she met tne approach of death. Her
last nmoments, like her whole life, were unruffled and serene. She is in heaven Alonzo-she is an angel!'  Swelling grief here
choaked the utterance of Edgar; for some





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


17T


time he could proceed ro farther, and Alohzo, with bursting bosom, mingled his tears.
"My father, resumed Edgar, bent on
uniting her to Beauman or at least of preventing her union with you, had removed her
to a desolate family mansion, and placed
her under the care of an aunt. At that
place, he either suspected, on really discovered that you had recourse to her while my
aunt was absent on business. She was therefore no longer entrusted to the care of her
aunt, but my father immediately formed and
executed the plan of sending her to his
brother in South Carolina, under pretence
of restoring her to health by change of climate, as her health in reality had began
rapidly to decay. There it was designed
that Beauman should shortly follow her,
with recommendations from my father to
her uncle, urging him to use all possible
means which might tend to persuade her to
become the wife of Beauman. But change
of climate only encreased the load of sorrows, and she soon sunk beneath them.
The letter mentioned nothing of her troubles: possibly my  uncle's family  knew
nothing of them: to them, probably,
--  She never told her love,
But sat like Patience on a monument
Smiling at grief; while sad concealment,
Like a worm in the bua,
Fed on her damasj cheek.  L





178      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
"1 My father's distress was excessive: of
ten did he accuse himself of barbarity, and
he once earnestly expressed a wish that he
had consented to her union with you. My
father, I know, is parsimonious, but he sincerely loved his children. Inflexible as is
his nature, the untimely death of a truly affectionate and only daughter will, I much
fear, precipitate him, and perhaps my mother also, to a speedy grave.
"As soon as my feelings would permit, I
repaired to your father's, and made enquiry
concerning you. I f>und your parents content in their humble state, except that your
father had been ill, but was recovering. Of
you they had heard nothing since your departure, and they deeply lamented your absence. And from Vincent I could obtain
no farther information.
" Sick of the world, I returned to the army. An American consul was soon to sail
for Holland:--I solicited and obtained the
appointment of secretary. I hoped by visiting distant countries, in sbme measure to
relieve my minid from the deep melancholy
with vhich it was oppressed. We were to
proceed first to Paris, where we have been
a few days; to-morrow we are to depart
for Holland. The consul is the man who
introduced vou into the room where you
found me.





ALONZO AND MELISSA,


179


"Last evening I lost the miniature whiclh
I suppose you have found: the chain to
which it was suspended around my neck,
had broken while I was walking the street
I carefully wrapped it in paper and deposit
ed it in my purse, which I probably drop.
ped on replacing it in my pocket, and did
not discover the loss until this morning. I
immediately made diligent search, but not
finding it, I put up bills of advertisement.
The likeness was taken in my sister's happiest days. After I had entered upon my
professional studies in New-York, I became
acquainted with a miniature painter, who
took my likenees. He afterwards went into the country, and as I found he was to
pass near my father's, I engaged him to call
there and take my sister's likeness also.
We exchanged them soon after. It was
dear to me, even while the original remained; but since she is gone it has become a
most precious and valuable relique."
All the tender powers of Alonzon's soul
were called into action by Edgar's recital.
The " days of other years"-the ghosts of
sepulchered blessings, passed in painful review. Added to these, the penurious condition of his parents, his father's recent illness, and his probable inability to procure
the bread of his family, all tended more
deeply to sink his spirits in the gulf of mel




180       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
ancholy and misery. He however informed
Edgar of all that had hapened since they
parted at Vincent's-respecting the old mansion Melissa's extraordinary disappearance
therefrom, the manner in which he was informed of her death, his departure from Ameica, capture, escape, Beauman's death,
arrival in France, and his finding the miniature. To Edgar as well as Alonzo, Melissa sudden and unaccountable removal
from the mansion was mysterious and inexplicable.
As Edgar was to depart early the next
morning, they neither slept nor separated
that night.
" If it were not for your reluctance to revisit your native country, said Edgar, I
should urge you to accompany me to Holland, and thence return with me to America. Necessity and duty require that I
should not be long absent, as my parents want
my assistance, and they are now childless."
" Suffer me, answered Alonzo, to bury
myself in this city for the present: should
I ever again awake to real life, I will seek
you out if you are on the earth;-but now,
I can only be a companion to my miseries."
The next morning as they were about to
depart, Alonzo took Melissa's miniature
from his bosom, contemplated the picture
a few moments with ardent emotion, and





ALONZO AND MELISSA.         181
presented it to Edgar. " Keep it, said Edgar, it is thine. I bestow it upon thee as I
would the original, had not death become
the rival of thy love, anid my affection.Suffer not the sacred symbol too tenderly
to renew your sorrows. How swiftly, Alo.zo, does this restless life fleet away!How soon shall we pass the barriers of terrestrial existence! Let us live worthy of
ourselves, of our holy religion, of MelissaMelissa, whom, when a few more suns
have arisen and set, we shall meet in regions where all tears shall be eternally wiped from every eye.7"
With what unspeakable sensibilities wmt
it returned to Alonzo's bosom! Edgar offered Alonzo pecuniary assistance, which
the latter refused: " I am in business, said
he, which brings me a decent support, and
that is sufficient." They agreed to write
each other as frequently as possible, and
tLen affectionately parted: Edgar' sailed for
Holland, and Alonzo returned to his business at Mr. Grafton'.o
Some time after this Alonzo received a
message from Dr. Franklin, requiring his
attendance at his house, which summons he
immediately obeyed. The doctor introduced him into his study, and after being seated, he earnestly viewed Alonzo for some
time, and thus addressed him:
16





182     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
"Young man, your views, your resolutions, and your present conduct, are totally
wrong. Disappointment, you say, has driven you from your native country. Disappointment in what? In obtaining the object
on which you most doated. And suppose
this object had been obtained, would your
happiness have been complete? Your own
reason, if you coolly consult it, will convince
you of the contrary. Do you not remember when an infant, how you cried, and
teazed your nurse, or your parents, for a
rattle, or some gay, trinket?-Your whole
soul was fixed upon the enchanting bauble;
but when obtained, you soon cast it awvay,
and sighed as earnestly for some other trifle, some new toy. Thus it is through life;
the fancied value of an object ceases with
the attainment; it becomes familiar, and
its charm is lost.
" Was it the splendours of beauty which
enraptured you? Sickness may, and age
must destroy the symmetry of the most finished form-the brilliancy of the finest feauires. Was it the graces of the mind? I
tell you, that by familiarity, these allurements are lost, and the mind, left vacant
turns to some other source to supply vaewm.
" Stripped of all their intrinsic value, how
poor how vain, and how worthless, are th.ose.
things we name pleasures, and enjoyments.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


183


" Besides, the attainment of your wishes
might have been the death of your hopes.
If my reasoning is correct, the ardency of
your passion might have closed with the
pursuit. An every day suit, however rich
and costly the texture, is soon worn threadbare. On your part, indifference would consequently succeed: on the part of your
partner, disappointment, jealousy, and disgust. What might follow is needless for me
to name;-your soul must shudder at the
idea of conjugal infidelity!
" But admitting the most favourable consequences; turn the brightest side of the
picture; admitting as much happiness as
the connubial state will allow: how might
your bosom have been wounded by the sickness and death of your children, or their
disorderly and disobedient conduct! You
must know also, that the warmth of youthful passion must soon cease, and it is merely a hazardous chance whether friendship
will supply the absence of affection.
"After all, my young friend, it will be
well for you to consider, whether the allwise dispensing hand of Providence, has not
directed this matter wh.ic.h you esteem so
great an affliction, 'or your greatest good,
and most issential advantage. And suffer
me to tell you, that in all my observations
on life, I have always found.that those con




184     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
nections which were formed from inordinate passion, or what some would call pure
affection, have been ever the most unhappy. Examine the varied circles of society,
you will there see this axiom demonstrated; you will there see how few among the
sentimentally refined are even apparently
at ease; while those, insusceptible of what
you name tender attachments, or who receive them only as things of course, plod on
through life, without even experiencing the
least inconvenience from a want of the
pleasures they are supposed to bestow, or
the pains they are sure to create. Beware,
then, my son, beware of yielding the
heart to the effeminacies of passion. Exquisite sensibilities are ever subject to exquisite inquietudes.  Counsel with correct
reason, place entire dependence on the
SUPREME, and the triumph of fortitude and
resignation will be yours."
Franklin paused. His reasonings, however they convinced  the understanding,
could not heal the wounds of Alonzo's
bosom.-In Melissa he looked for as much
happiness as earth could afford, nor could
he see any prospect in life which could
repair the loss he had sustained.
"1 You have, resumed the philosopher, deserted an indulgent father, a fond and tender mother, who must want your aid; now,





ALONZO AND MELISSA.        lbb
perhaps, unable to toil for bread; now, possibly laid upon the bed of sickness, calling,
in anguish or delirium, for the filial hand of
their only son to administer relief."-A-- l
the parental feelings of Alonzo were now
called into poignant action.-- " You have
left a country, bleeding at every pore, desolated by the ravages of war, wrecked by
the thunders of battle, her heroes slain, her
children captured. This country asks-she
demands-you owe her your services: God
and nature call upon you to defend her,
while here you bury yourself in inglorious
inactivity, pining for a hapless object, which,
by all your lamentations, you can never
bring back to the regions of mortality."
This aroused the patriotic flame in the
bosom o. Alonzo, and he voluntarily exclaimed, " I will go to the relief of my parents--I will fly to the defence of my country!"
"In former days, continued Franklin, I
was well acquainted with your father. As
soon as you informed me of his failure, I
wrote to my correspondent in England, and
found, as I expected, that he had been overreached by swindlers and sharpers.- The
pretended failure of the merchants with
whom he was in company, was all a sham,
as, also the reported loss of the ships in their
employ. The merchants fled to England:
16 *





186     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
I have had them arrested, and they have
given up their effects to much more than
the amount of their debts. I have therefore procured a reversion of your father's
losses, which, with costs, damages, and interests, when legally stated, he will receive
of my agent in Philadelphia, to whom I shall
transmit sufficient documents by you, and I
shall advance you a sum equal to the expenses of your voyage, which will be liquidated by the said agent. A ship sails in a
few days from Havre, for Savannah in
Georgia: it would, indeed, be more convenient were she bound to some more north.
ern port, but I know of no other which will
sail for any part of America for some time.
In her therefore I would advise you to take
passage: it is not very material on what
part of the continent you are landed; you
will soon reach Philadelphia, transact your
business, restore your father to his property,
and be ready to serve your country."
If any thing could have given Alonzo consolation, it must have been this noble, generous and disinterested conduct of the great
Franklin in favour of his father, by which
his family were restored to ease and to independence. Ah! had this but have happened ai time to save a life far dearer than
is own! The reflection was too painful.
The idea, howev.er, of giving joy to his aged





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


187


parents, hastened his departure. Furnished
with proper documents and credentials from
Franklin, his benefactor, he took leave of
him, with the warmest expressions of gratitude, as also of Mr. Grafton, and sailed for
Savannah, where he arrived in about eight
weeks.
Intent on his purpose, he immediately
purchased a carriage and proceeded on for
Philadelphia. As he approached Charleston, his bosom swelled with mournful recollections. He arrived in that city in the afternoon, and at evening he walked out, and
entered a little ale house, which stoo4 near
the large burial ground. An elderly woman
and two small children were the only persons in the house, except himself. After
calling for a pint of ale, he enquired of the
old lady, if Col D--, (Melissa's uncle)
did not live near the city. She informed
him that he resided about a mile from the
town, where he had an elegant seat, and
that he was very rich.
" Was there not a young lady, asked Alonzo, who died there about eighteen
months ago?"
" La me! said she, did you know her?
Yes; and a sweeter or,more handsome l.ady the sun never shined on. And then she
was so good, so patient in her sickness.Poer, dear distressed Oirl, she pined away





188     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
to skin and bones before she died. She
was not Col. D-   's daughter, only somehow related: she came here in bhpes that
a change of air might do her good.  She
came from-la me! I cannot think of the
name of the place; it is a crabbed name
though."
"Connecticut, was it not?" said Alonzo.
" 0 yes, that was it, replied she. Dear
me! then you knew her, did you, sir?Well, we have not her like left in Charleston, that we han't;-and then there was
such ado at her funeral; five hundred people, I dare say, with eight young ladies for
pall-bearers, all dressed in white, with black
ribbons, and all the bells tolling."
" Where was she buried?" enquired Alonzo.
" In the church-yard right before our
door, she answered. My husband is the
sexton; he put up her large white marble
tomb-stones;--they are the largest and
whitest in the whole burying-ground; and
so, indeed, they ought to be, for never was
there a person who deserved them more."
Tired with the old woman's garrulity,
and with a bosom bursting with anguish,
Alonzo paid for his ale without drinking it,
bade her good night, and slowly proceeded
to the church-yard. The moon, in full lustre, shone with solemn, silvery ray, on the





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


189


sacred piles, and funeral monuments of the
sacred dead; the wind murmured mournfully among the weeping willows; a solitary nightingale* sang plaintively in the distant forest; and a whippoorwill, Melissa's
favourite bird, whistled near the portico of
the church. The large white tomb-stones
soon caught the eye of Alouzo.    He approached them with tremulous step, and
with feelings too agitated for description.
On the head-stone he read as follows:
SACRED
To the Memory of inestimable departed
WORTH;
To unrivalled Excellence and Virtue.
Miss MELISSA D---,
Whose remains are deposited here, and
whose ethereal part became a seraph,
October 26, 1776,
In the 18th year of her age.
Alonzo bent, kneeled, he prostrated himself, he clasped the green turf which enclosed her grave, he watered it with his tears,
he warmed it with his sighs. "Where art
thou, bright beam  of heavenly light! he
said. Come to my troubled soul, blessed
spirit! Come, holy shade! come in all
thy native loveliness, and cheer the bosom
*This bird, though not an inhabitant of the northern states, is
frequently to be umet with in Georgia and the Carohnas.





190      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
of wretchedness, by thy grie~f dispersing
smile! Oin the ray of yon evening star descend.  One moment leave the celestial
regions of glory-leave, o.4e moment, thy
sis'Cr beatitudes, and glkide, in entranciing
beauty, before me: wave, benignly wave
thy white hand, and assuage the anguish of
despairing sorrow! Alasl in vain my invocaf on! A cutrtain, impenetrable, is drawn
betwixt me and thee, only to be daisclosed
by the dissolution of nature."1
He arose and walked away: suddenly he
stopped. "Yet, said hie, if spirits departed lose not the power of recollection --if
they have knowledge of present eveiits on
earth, Melissa cannot have forgotten meshe must pity mip."  He returned to the
grave; he took her miniature from his hosorn; he held it up, and earnestly -viewed
it by tne moon's pale ray.
"Ah, Franklin! he exclaimed, how ten-.
de~rly does she beam her lovely eye upon
me! How often have I drank delicious exr
tacy from the delicacy of those 'unrivalled
charms! How often have they taught me
to anticipate superlatLive and uninterrupted
bltiss! Mistake-a and delusive hope'! [re-.
turning the miniatw-e to his bosom. J Vain
and jjwesumptous assurance. Then Lrpoin-.
tiny to the grcavej there- behold how my
dearest wishes, my fondest expectations are





ALONZO AND MELISSA.        191
realized!- Hallowed turf! lie lightly on
her bosom!-Sacred willows! sprinkle the
dews gently over her grave, while the mourning breezes sigh sadly amid your branches!
Here may the "widowed wild rose love to
bloom!" Here may the first placid beams
of morning delight to linger; from hence,
the evening ray reluctantly withdraw!And when the final trump shall renovate
and' arouse the sleeping saint;-when on
"buoyant step" she soars to glory, may our
meeting spirits join in beatifick transport!
May my enraptured ear catch the first holy whisper of her consecrated lips."
Alonzo having thus poured out the effusions of an overcharged heart, pensively returned to the inn, which he entered and
seated himself in the common room, in deep
contemplation. As usual at public inns, a
number of people were in the room, among
whom were several officers of the American army. Alonzo was too deeply absorbed in melancholy reflection, to notice passing incidents, until a young officer came,
seated himself by him, and entered into
conversation respecting the events of the
war. He appeared to be about Alonzo's
age; his person was interesting, his nmnners sprightly, his observations correct.Alonzo was, in some degree, aroused from
his abstractedness;-the manners of the





192      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
stranger pleased him. His frankness, his
ease, his understanding, his urbanity, void
of vanity or sophistication, sympathetically
caught the feelings of Alonzo, and he even
felt a sort of solemn regret when the stranger departed. He soon retired to bed, determining to proceed early in the morning.
He arose about daylight; the horizon
was overcast, and it had begun to rain,
which before sunrise had encreased to a violent storm. He found therefore that he
must content himself to stay until it was
over, which did not happen till near night,
and too late to pursue his journey. He
wai informed by the inn-keeper, that the
theatre, which had been closed since the
commencement of the war, was to be opened that night only, with the tragedy of Gustvilus, and close with a representation of
Burgoyne's capture, and some other recent
events of the American war. To " wing
the hours with swifter speed," Alonzo determined to go to the theatre, and at the
hour appointed he repaired thither.
As he was proceeding it take his seat,
he passed the box where sat the young officer, whose manners had so prepossessed
him the preceding evening at the inn. He
immediately arose: they exchanged salutatiols, and Alonzo walked on and took his
seat.  The evening was warm, and the





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


193


house exceedingly crowded. After the traw
gedy was through, and before the afterpiece commenced, the young officer came
to Alonzo's box, and made some remarks
on the merit of the actors. While they
were discoursing, a bustle took place in one
part of the house, and several people gathered around a box, at a little distance from
them. The officer turned, left Alonzo, and
hastened to the place. To the general enquiry, " what's the matter?" it was answered, that "a lady had fainted." She was
led out, and the tumult subsided.
As soon as the after-piece was closed,
Alonzo returned to the inn. As he passed
along he cast his eyes toward the churchyard, where lay the " wither'd blessings of
his richest joys." Affection, passion, inclination, urged him to go and breathe a
farewell sigh, to drop a final tear over the
grave of Melissa. Discretion, 'reason, wisdom forbade it-forbade that he re-pierce
the ten thousand wounds of his bosom, by
the acute revival of unavailing sorrows
He hurried to hischamber.
As he prepared to retire to rest, he saw
a book lying on the table near b;s bed. On
taking it up he found it to be Yong's Night
Thoughts, a book which, in happier days,
had been the solace of many a gloomy, many a lucid hour. He took it up and the
17             M





194       ALONZO AND MELISSA.
first lines he cast his eyes upon were the
following:
"Song, beauty, youth, love, virtue, joy: this group
Of bright ideas-flowers of Paradise,
As yet unforfeit! in one blaze we bind.
Kneel, and present it to the skies; as all
We guess of Heaven! And these were all her ows~
And she was mine, and I was-was most blestLike blossom'd trees o'erturn'd by vernal storm,
Lovely in death the beauteous ruin layYe that e'er lost an angel, pity me."
His tears fell fast upon the book! He replaced it and flung himself into bed. Sleep
was far from him; he closed not his eyes
till the portals of light were unbarred in the
east, when he fell into interrupted slumbers.
When he awoke, the morning was considerably advanced.   He arose.    One consolation was yet left-to see his parents
happy. He went down to order his carriage; his favourite stranger, the young officer, was in waiting, and requested a private
interview.   They immediately retired to a
separate room, when the stranger thus addressed Alonzo:
" From our short acquaintance, you may,
sir, consider it singular that I should attempt to scrutinize your private concerns,
and more extraordinary you may esteem it,
when I inform you of my reasons for so doing.  Judging, however, from appearances,
I have no doubt of your candour. If my





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


195


questions should be deemed improper, you
will tell me so."
Alonzo assured him he would treat him
candidly. "1 This I believe, said the young
officer; I take the liberty therefore to ask
if you are an American?  ---  I am," answered Alonzo. "I presume, said the stranger-the question is a delicate one-I presume your family is respectable?  " Sacredly so," replied Alonzo. " Are you married, sir?"  "I am  not, and have ever
been single."  " Have you any prospects
of connecting in marriage?"  " I have not,
sir."  " I may then safely proceed, said the
stranger; I trust you will hear me attentively; you will judge maturely; you will
decide correctly, and I am confident that
you will answer me sincerely.
" A young lady of this city, with whom I
am well acquainted, and to whom, indeed,
I am distantly related, whose father is affluent, whose connections are eminently
respectable, whose manners are engaging,
whose mind is virtue, whose elegance of
form and personal beauty defy competition.
is the cause, sir, of this mission.-Early in
troduced into the higher walks of life, she
has passed the rounds of fashionable company; numberless suitors sighed for her hand,
whom she complaisantly dismissed without
disobliging, as her heart had not yet been





196      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
touched by the tender passion of love. Surprising as it may, however, seem, it is now
about six months since she saw in her dream
the youth who possessed the power to inspire her with this passion. In her dream
she saw a young gentleman whose interesting manners and appearance, impressed her
so deeply that she found she must be unhappy without him. She thought it was in
a mixed company she saw him, but that she
could not get an opportunity to speak to
him. It seemed that if she could but speak
with him, all difficulties would at once be removed. At length he approached her, and;ust ashe was about to address her, ske awoke.
-' This extraordinary dream she had communicated to several of her acquaintance.-.
Confident that she should some time or
ether behold the real person whose semblance she had seen in her dream, she. has
never since been perfectly at ease in her
mind. Her father, who has but two children, one beside herself, being dotingly fond
of her, has promised that if ever she mneets
this unknown stranger, he will not oppose
their union, provided he is respectable, and
that) if worthy of her hand, he will make.
him independent.
On my return frpm the inn the eveningI first saw you, I told my sister-I beg pardon, sir-I was wandering from my sub




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


197


ject--a:ter I first met you at the inr, I fell
in company with the lady, and in a rallying
way told her that I had seen her invisible
beau, as we used to call the gentleman o'
the dream. I superficially described you,
person, and descanted a little on the embellishments of your mind. She listened
with some curiosity and attention; but I
had so often jested with her in this manner,
that she thought little of it. At the play
last night, I had just been speaking to her
when I came to your box: her eyes fillowed me, but no sooner had they rested on
you, than she fainted! This was the cause
of my leaving )ou so abruptly, and not returning. We conveyed her home, when
she informed me that you was the person
she had seen in her dieam!
"To me only, she preferred disclosing the
circumstance at present, for reasons which
must be obvious to your understanding.Even her father and mother are not infcimed of it, and should my mission piove unsuccessful, none except you, sir, she and
myself, I hope and trust, will ever know any
thing of the matter.
" Now, sir, it is necessary for me fartner
to explain. As singular as the circumstances which I have related may appear to
you, to me they must appear as strange. -
rane valuable purpose is, however, answer17 *





198      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
ed thereby; it will exclude the imputation
of capriciousness--the freakish whim of
love at first sight, which exists only in novels and romances. You, sir, are young,
unmarried, unaffianced, your affections free:
such is the condition of the lady. She enquires not into the state of your property!
she asks not riches:-If she obtains the
object of her choice, on him, as I have told
you, will her father bestow affluence.Whatever, sir, may be your pretensions to
eminence, and they may be many, the lady
is not your inferior. Her education also is
such as would do honour to a gentleman of
taste.
"I will not extend my remarks; you
perfectly understand me-what answer shall
I return?"
Alonzo sighed: for a few moments he
was silent.
" Perhaps, said the stranger, you may
consider the mode of this message as bearing the appearance of indecorum. If so, I
presume, on reviewing the incidents which
to-which enforced it, as the most safe, the
only means of sure communication, you will
change your opinion. Probably you would
not wish finally to decide until you have
visited the lady.  This was my expectation, and I am, therefore, ready to intro.
duce yKu to her presence."





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


199


"CNo, sir, said Alonzo, so far from considering the message indecorous, I esteem it:
a peculiar honour, both as respects the lady,
and yourself. Nor is it necessary that I
should visit the lady, to confirm the truth
of what you have related. You will not,
sir, receive it as an adulatory compliment,
when I say, that although our acquaintance
is short, yet my confidence in your integrity -s such as to require no corroborating
facts to establish your declaration.  But,
sir, there are obstacles, insuperable obstacles, to the execution of the measures you
would propose.
"Ycur frankness to me, demands, on my
part, equal candour. I assured you that I
was unmarried, and had no prospect of entaring into matrimonial engagements; this
is indeed the fact: but it is also true that
my affections-my first, my eafliest affections were engaged, unalienably engaged, to
an object which is now no more. Perhaps
you may esteem it singular; peahaps you
will consider it enthusiasm; but, sir, it is
impossible that my heart should admit a
second r.nd similar impression,"
The stranger paused.   "Recent disappointments of this nature, he replied, commonly leave the mind under such gloomy
influences. Time, however, the soother of
severest woes, will, though slowly, yet





200


ALONZO AND MELISSA.


surely. disperse the clouds of anguish, and
the rays of comfort and consolation will
beam upon the soul. I wish not to be considered importunate, but the day may arrive when you may change your present determination, and then will you not regret
that you refused so advantageous an overture?"
"That day will never arrive, sir answered Alonzo: I have had time for deliberate
reflection since the melancholy event took
place.  I have experienced a sufficient
change of objects and country; the effect
is the same. The wound is still recent,
and so it will ever remain: indeed I cannot wish it otherwise. There is a rich and
sacred solemnity in my sorrows, sir,which
I would not exchange for the most splendid
acquirements of wealth, or the most dignified titles 8f fame."
The young officer sat for some time silent. "Well, sir, he said, since it is thus,
seeing that these things are so, I will urge
you no farther. You will pardon me respecting the part I have taken in this business, since it was with the purest designs.
May coDsolation, comfort, and happiness,
yet be yours."
"To you and your fair friend, said Alonz.o, I consider myself under the highest obligations. The gratitude I feel I can but





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


201


feebly expiess. Believe me, sir, when I
tell you, (and it is all I can say,) that your
ingenucus conduct has left impressions in my
bosom which can never be obliterated..
The stranger held out his hand, which
Alonzo ardently grasped. They were silent, but their eyes spoke sympathy, and
they parted
Alonzo immediately 'prepared, and wvas
soon ready to depart. As he was stepping
into his carriage, he saw the young officer
returming. As he came up, "I must detain
you a few moments longer, he said, and I
will give you no farther trouble. You will
recollect that the lady about whom I have
so much teazed you, when she became ac-.
quainted with you in her dream, believed
that if she could speak with you, all difficulties would be removed. Conscious that
this may be the case, (for with all her accomplishments she is a little superstitious,)
she desires to see you. You have nothing
to fear, sir; she would not for the world
yield you her hand, unless in return you
could give her your heart. Ncor was she
w:lling you should know that she made this
request, but wished me to introdiuce you,
as it were by stratagem. Confident, however, that you would thus far yield to the
caprice of a lady, I chose to tell you the





202      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
truth. She resides near by, and it will not
hinder you long."
"It is capriciousness in the extreme,"
thought Alonzo; but he told the stranger
he would accompany him-who immediately stepped into the carriage, and they
drove, by his direction, to an elegant house
in a street at a little distance, and alighted. As they entered the house, a servant
handed the stranger a note, which he hastily looked over: " Tell the gentleman I will
wait on him in a moment," said he to the
servant, who instantly withdrew. Turning
to Alonzo, " a person is in waiting, said he,
on urgent business; excuse me, therefore,
if it is with reluctance I retire a few moments, after I have announced you; I will
soon again be with you."
They then ascended a flight of stairs: the
stranger opened the door of a chamber"The gentleman I mentioned to you madam," he said. Alonzo entered; the stranger closed the door and retired. The laly
was sitting by a window at the lower end of
the room, but arose as Alonzo was announced. She was dressed in sky-blue silk, embroidered with spangled \lace; a gemmed
tiara gathered her hair, from which was
suspended a green veil, according to the
mode of those times; a silken girdle, with
diamond clasps, surrounded her waist, and





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


203


a brilliant.parkled upon her bosom. "The
stianger"t Iescription was not exaggerated.
thought Alonzo; for, except one, I have
never seen a more elegant figure:" and he
almost wished the veil removed, that he
might behold her features.
"You will please to be seated, sir, she
said. I know not how-I feel an inconoeivable diffidence in making an excuse for
the inconveniences my silly caprices have
given you."
Enchanting melody was in her voice!
Alonzo knew not why, but it thrilled his
bosom, electrified his soul, and vibrated every nerve of his heart. Confused and hurried sensations, melancholy, yet pleasing;
transporting as the recurrence of youthful
joys, enrapturing as dreams of early childhood, passed in rapid succession over his
imagination!,She advanced towards him and turned
aside her veil. Her eyes were suffused, and
tears streamed down her cheeks.-Alonzo
started-his whole frame shook--he gasped
for breath!- " Melissa! he convulsively
exclaimed,-God of infinite wonders, it is
Melissa!"
Again will the inciderits of our history
produce a pause. Our sentimental readers
will experience a recurrence of sympathetic sensibilities, and will attend more ea





204      ALONZO AND MELISSA,
gerly to the final scene of our drama.-~.
"Melissa alive!" may they say-"1 impossihi!Did not Alonzo see her death in the
public prinhts? Did not her cousin at New-'
London inform him of the Zircumstances,
and was he not in mourning? Did n~ot the
dying Beauman confirm the melancholy
factP And was not the unquestion able testimony of her brother Edgar sufficient to
seal the truth of all this? Did not the sexto' wife who knew not Alonzo, corroborate it? And did not Alonzo finally reard
her name, her age, and the timc of her
death, on her tomb-stone, which ex actly
accorded with the publication of her death
in the papers, and his own know~ledge of
her age?  And is not this sufficient to
prove, clearly and incontestibly prove, that
she is dead? And yet here, she is again,
in all her primitive beauty and splendour!
N~o, this surely can never be.  However
the. author may succeed in his description,
in painting reanimated nature, he is no magician, or if he is, he cannot raise the
dead.
"1Melissa has long since -mouldered into
dust, and he has raised up some female
Martin Guerre, or Thomas   oagý-som--e
persoi, fvc-m whose near rcsemblan-ce to
the deceased, he thinks to impose uponL us
and upon Alonzo also, for Melissa. But it





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


205


will not do; it must be the identical Melissa herself, or it might as well be heo
likeness in a marble statue. What! cay
Alonzo realize the delicacies, the tender,.
ness, the blandishments of Melissa in
another? Can her substitute point him to.he rock on New London beach, the bower
on her favourite hill, or so feelingly describe
the charms of nature?  Can he, indeed,
find in her representative those alluring
graces, that pensive sweetness, those unrivalled virtues and matchless worth which
he found in Melissa, and which attracted,
fixed and secured the youngest affections
of his soul?  Impossible!--Or could the
author even make it out that Alonzo was
deceived by a person so nearly resembling
Melissa that he could not distinguish the
difference, yet to his readers he must unveil the deception, and, of course, the story
will end in disappointment; it will leave
an unpleasant and disagreeable impression
on the mind of the reader, which in novel
writing is certainly wrong. It is provee
as clearly as facts can prove, that he haý
suffered Melissa to die; and since she is
dead, it is totally beyond his power to
bring her to life-- and so his history is
intrinsically good for nothing.
Be not quite so hasty, my zealous censor.
Did we not tell you that we were detailing
18





206      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
facts.? Shall we disguise or discolour truth,
to please your taste?  Have we not toli
you that disappointments are the lot of life I
Have we not, according to the advice of.ýhe moralist, led Alonzo to the temple of
philosophy, the shrine of reason, and the
sanctuary of religion? If all these fail-if in
these Alonzo cannot find a balsam suflicieni
to heal his wounded bosom; then if, in des
pite of graves and tomb-stones, Melissa will
come to his relief-will pour the balm of
consolation over his anguished soul, cynical
critic, can the author help it?
It was indeed Melissa, the identical Melissa, whom Alonzo ascended a tree to catch
a last glimpse of; as she walked up the avenue to the old mansion, after they had parted at the draw-bridge, on the morning of
the day when she was so mysteriously removed. "1Melissa!"-" Alonzo!"were all they ~could articulate: and frown
not, my fair readers, if we tell you that she
was instantly in his arms, while he pressed
his ardent lips to her glowing cheek.
Sneer not, ye callous hearted insensibles,
ye fastidious prudes, if we inform you that
their tears fell in one intermingling shower,,
that their sighs wafted in one blended breeze.
The sudden opening of the door aroused
them to a sense of their improper situation; for who but must consider it imyro.





ALONZO AND MELISSA 2


2 01


pt% s find a young lady locked ini the -arms
ai ng2ntleman to whom she had just been
in1tro~duced? The opening of the door,
therefore, caused them quickly to change
their position; not so hastily, however, but
that the young officer who then entered the
room had a glimpse of thei situation."Aha!said he, have I caught you? Is my
philosophic Plato so csoon metamorphosed
to a bon ton enamarato? But a few hourIs
ago, sir, arid you -were proof against *the
whole areania of beauty, and all the artillery of the graces; but no sooner are you for
one moment Wee a tete with a fashionable
belle, than your heroism and your resolutions arp. vanquished, your formaer ties dissolved, and your deceased charmner totally
forgotten or neglected, by the virtue of a
Single glance. Well, so it is: &nor fin'cit
oinnia is my mortto; to thee all conquering
beauty, our firmest determinations must
bow., Icannot censure you for discovering,
though late, that one living object is really
of more intrinsic value than two dead ones.
Indeed, sir, I can not b~ut applaud your de" 1The laws of honour, said Alonzo, smiling, compel me to tubmft to become. the subje'ct of your raillery and deception; I am
in your power.",
1"I1 acknowledge, said the officer, that I





208      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
have a little deceived you, my story was
fiction founded on truth-the novel style:
but for the deceptive part, you may thank
your little gipsey of a nymph there, pointjg to Melissa; she planned and I executed."
" How ready you gentleman are, replied
Melissa, when accused of impropriety, to
cast the blame on the defenceless! So it
was with our first parents, and so it is still.
But you must remember that Alonzo is yet
to hear my story; there, sir, I have the advantage of you."
"Then I confess, said he, looking at Alonzo, you will be too hard for me, and so
I will say no more about it."
Melissa then introduced the young officer
to Alonzo, by the appellation of Capt. Wilmot. " He is the son of my deceased uncle, said she, a cousin to whom I am much
indebted, as you shall hereafter know."
A coach drove up to the door, which
Melissa informed Alonzo was her uncle's,
and was sent to convey Alfred and her home.
1" You will have no objection to breakfast
with me at my uncle's, said Alfred, if it be
only to keep our cousin Melissa in countenance.
Alonzo did not hesitate to accept the invitation: They immediately therefore entered the coach, a servant took care of Alon




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


209


zo's carriage; and they drove to the seat of
Col, D-, who, with his family, received
Alonzo with much friendship and po!ite1
ness. Alfred had apprized them of Alonzo's arrival in town, and of course he waa
expected.
Col. D-     was about fifty years old, his
manners were majestically grave and commanding, yet polished and polite. His family consisted of an amiable wife. considerably younger than himself, and three children; the eldest son, about ten years of age,
and two daughters, one seven, the otlthe
four years old. Harmony and cheerfulness
reigned in his family, which diffused tranquillity and ease to its members and its
guests.
It was agreed that Alonzo should pass s
few days at the house of Melissa's uncle
when Melissa was to accompany him to
Connecticut. Alfred, with some other officers, was recruiting for the army, where
his regiment then lay, and which he was
shortly to join. He could not, therefore,
be constantly at his uncle's, though he was
principally there whiP Aionzo staid: but
eing absent the day after his arrival, Melissa and Alonzo having retired to a room
separate from the family, she gave him the
following accourt of what happened after
they had parted at the old mansion.
18 "          N





210      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
" The morning aftergyou left me, she said,
John came to the bridge and called to be
let in:-I immediately went to the gate,
opened it, and let down the bridge. John
informed me that my aunt had suddenly
and unexpectedly arrived that morning in
company with a strange gentleman, and
tiat he had come for the keys, as my aunt
was to visit the mansion that day. I strove
to persuade John to leave the keys in my
possession, and that I would make all easy
with my aunt when she arrived. This,
though with much reluctance, he at length
consented to, and departed.  Soon after
this my aunt came, and without much ceremony demanded the keys, insinuating that
I had obtained them from John by imposition, and for the basest purposes. This aroused me to indignation, and I answered
by informing her that whatever purposes
the persecutson and cruelty of my family
had compelled me to adopt, my conscience,
under present circumstances approved them,
and I refused to give her the keys. She
then ordered me to prepare to leave the
mansion, and accompany her to her residence at the house of John. I told her that
I had been placed there by my father, and
should not consent to a removal unless by
his express orders. She then left me, intimating that she would soon let me know





ALONZO AND MET ISSA.


211


that her authority was not to be thus trampled upon with impunity.
SI immediately raised the bridge, and
made fast the gate, determining, on no con
siderations, to suffer it to be opened until
evening. The day passed away without
any occurrence worthy of note, and as soon
as it was dark, I went, opened the gate,
and cautiously let down the bridge. I then
returned to the mansion, and placed the
candle, as we had concerted, at the window. Shortly after I heard a carriage roll
over the bridge and proceed upjthe avenue.
-My heart fluttered; I wished-I hardly
knew what I did wish; but I feared I was
about to act improperly, as I had no other
idea but that it was you, Alonzo, who was
approaching. The carriage stopped near
the door of the mansion; a footstep ascended the stairs. Judge of my surprise and
agitation, when my father entered the chamber! A maid and two men servants followed him. He directed me to make immediate preparations for leaving the mansion--
which command, with the assistance of the
servants, I obeyed with a heart too full for
utterance.
" As soon as I was ready, we entered the
carriage, which drove rapidly away.  As
we passed out of the gate, I looked back at
the mansion, and saw the light of the can




212      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
die, which I had forgotten to remove, streaming from the window, and it was by an extraordinary effort that I prevented myself
from fainting.
" The carriage drove, as near as I could
judge, about ten:miles, when we stopped at
an inn for the night, except my father, who
returned home o horseback, leaving me at
the inn in company with the servants, where
the carriage also remained. The maid was
aperson who hd- been attached to me from
my infancy. IFa0ed her whether she could
explain these mysiterious proceedings.
" All I know, Miss, I will tell you, said
she. Your father received a letter to-day
from your aunt, which put him in a terrible flutter:-he immediately ordered his
carriage and dirteted us to attend him. He
mnet your aumj.Pa t a tavern somewhere away back, a~idhe told him that the gentleman who used to come to our house so
much once, had contrived to carry you off
from the place where you lived with her;
so your father concluded to send you to
your uncle's in Carolina, and said that I
must go with you.  And to tell you the
truth, Miss, I was not displeased with it;
for your father has grown so sour of late,
that we have little peace in the house."
"By this I found that my fate was fixed,
and I gave myself up for some time to una




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


213


raihng sorrow.  The maid informed me
that my mother was well, which was one
sweet consolation among my many troubles;
but she knew nothing of my father's late
conduct.
"The next morning weproceeded, and I
was hurried on by rapid stages to tht Chesapeak, where, with the maid and one man
servant, I was put on board a packet for
Charleston, at which place we arrived in
due time"My uncle and his family receied me
with much tenderness: the servant delivered a package of letters to my uncle from
my father. The carriage with one servant
(the driver) had returned from the Chesapeak to Connecticut.
"My father had but one brother and two
sisters, or which my uncle here'is the youngest- One of my aunts, the old maid, who
was my protectress at th. old mansion, you
have seen at my father's. The other was
the mother of Alfred:-she married very
young, to a gentleman in Hartford, of the
name of Wilmot, who fell before the walls
of Louisburg, in the old French war. My
aunt did not long survive hhm;--her health,
which had been for some time declining,
received so serious a shock by this catastrophe, that she died a few months after the
melancholy tidings arrived leaving Alfred,





214      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
their. only child then an infan.t, to the protection of his relations, who as soon as he arrived at a s'iitable age, placed him at s~hooi.."My grandfather, who had the p~rincipal
mnanagement ýof, ýM~r. Wilmot's estate, sent
my uncle, who 0w'as then young and -untnar
ried, to Hartford, for the purpo-se of transV~nting tJk  ecessary business.  Here he
became- equninted with a young lady, emiinent i'r beauty and lovelinessz, but without
fortune, the daug -hter of a poor Ymechanic.
As soon as mny -grandfather was informed
of this attach m 6nit; he, in a very peremptory manner, ordered my uncl.e to break
off the connection on panof his hiohest
displeasure. But such is the force of early
impressions, ( melissa sighed) that my u~ncle
found it irnposýible to submit to these firm
injunctions; a`, clan destine marriage ensued,
and my gran'dfather's maledictions in consequen.ee. The union was, however, soon
dissolved; my uncle's wife died in about
twelve monthi-s after their marriage, and
soon after thie birth of the first n~hild, which
-vý a daughbter. Inconsolable and cc~mfortless, my uncle put the child out, to nurse,
and travelled to the south.  After waindering about for some time, hie took up his residf--nee in Chdrleston, where he amassed a
splendid fortune. He finally mnarried to an
amiable and respectable wamnan, whose ten




ALONZO AND MELIPSSPA.       a
derness, though it did not entirely remove,
yet. greatly alleviated the pangs of early
sorrow. and this, added to the 1ittie, blan
dishments of a young family, fixed him in a
state of moire contentedness than he once
ever expected to see.
';His daughter by his first wife~ when
she became of piroper age, was sent to a re--
spectable boarding-school in Boston, waxere
she remained until within about two years
before I came here.
"1Alfred was educated at Harvard Cot.lege: as soon as he had graduated, he camne
here on mny unl' request, and has since
remained in his family.
"'Soon after I arrived here; my uncle
came into my chamber one d ay "Melissa.
said he, I find by your father's letters thai,
he considers you to have formed an impro-.
per conne.21tion. I wish you to give me a
true statement of the m.-atter, and if any
thing can be done to reconcile you to your
father, you may depend upon my assist.
ance. I have seen some. troubles in this
way myseif in my early days; perhaps my
counsel may be of somesevc4CI immediately gave a correct f~ccounit
of every particular circumstance, E~oin the
t.ime of'my first acquaintance with You~ until my arrival at this house. He sat some
time silent., and thes told me that my (a




216      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
ther, he believed, had drawn the worst side
of the picture; and that he had urged him
to exert every means in his power to reclaim me to obedience: That Beauman was
to follow me in a few months, and that, if
I still refused to yield him my hand, my father positively and solemnly declared that
he would discard me forever, and strenuously enjoined it upon him to do the same.
" I well know my brother's temper, continued my uncle; the case is difficult, but
something must be done. I will immediately write to your father, desiring him
not to proceed too rashly; in the mean
time we must consider what measures to
pursue. You must not, my niece, you must
not be sacrificed."  So saying, he left me,
highly consoled that, instead of a tyrant, I
had found a friend in my new protector.
" Alfred was made acquainted with the
affair, and many weie the plans projected
for my benefit, and abandoned as indefeasible, till an event happened which called
forth all the fortitude of my uncle to support it, and operated in the end to free me
from persecution.
" My uncle's daughter, by his first wife,
was of a very delicate and sickly constitution, and her health evidently decreasing.
After she came to this place, she was sent
to a village en one of the high hills of Pe




ALONZO AND MELISSA.    217.217


dee, where she remained a considerable
tim.e, she then went to one of the inland
towns in North Carolina, from whence sne
had but just returned with Alfred when 1
arrived. Afterwards I accompanied her to
G~eorgetown, and other places, attendod by
her father, so that she.was little mare
known in Charleston than myself. But all
answered no purpose to the restoration of
her health; a confirmed hectic carried her
o.ff in the bloom of youth.
"I1 was but a few months older than she;
her name was Melissa, a name which a pious grandmother had borne, and was there..
fore retained in the family. Our similari-.
ty of age, and in some measure of appearance, our being so little known in Charlesto~n, and our names being the same, sugges-.
ted to Alfred the idea of imposing on my
father, by passing. off my cousin's death as
my own..This would, at least, deter BeauMan from prosecuting his intended journey
to Charleston; it would also give tiim-; for.farther deliberation, and might so operate
oa my father's feelings.. as to softert that
obduracy of temper, which deeply Gisquieted himself and. ethers, and thus finally be
pr oductive of happily effecting the designed
purpose.
"1My'uncle was too deeply -everwhelmed
in grief to be particularly consulted on this
19





218     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
plan. He however entrusted Alfred to act
with full powers, and to use his name for
my interest, if necessary. Alfred therefore procured a publication, as of my death,
in the Connecticut papers, particularly at
New London, the native place of Beauman.   In Charleston it was generally supposed that it was the niece, and not the
daughter of Col. D-, who had died.This imposition was likewise practised
upon the sexton, who keeps the register of
deaths.*  Alfred then wrote a letter to my
father, in my uncle's name, stating the particulars of my cousin's death, and applying
them to me. The epitaph on her tombstone was likewise so devised that it would
with equal propriety apply either to her or
to me.
" To undeceive you, Alonzo, continued
Melissa, was the next object.  I consulted
with Alfred how this should be done." My sister, he said, (in our private circles
he always called me by the tender name of
sister,) I am determined to see you happy
before I relinquish the business I have undertaken: letters are a precarious mode of
communication; I will make a journey to
Connecticut, find out Alonzo, visit your
friends, and see how the plan operates. I
* This was formerly the case.





ALONZQ AND MEIIS.   21


219.am. known to your father, who has ever
treated -me as a relative. I will return as
speedily as possible, an~d we, shall then
know what measure,3s are best next to pur"I requested him to unfold the deception
to my mother, and, if he found it expedient, to Vincent and Mr. Simpson, iin whose
friend.ship and fidelity I was sure he might
safely confide.
"He soon departed, and returrn~d in about two months. He found my father and
mother in extreme distress on. account of
my supposed death: my Imother's grief had
brought her 3n the bed of sickness; but
whien Alfred had undeceived her she rapidly revived. My father told Alfred that he
seriously regretted opposing my inclinations, and that, were it possible he could
retrace the steps he had taker- he should
conduct in a very different manner, as ha.
was not only deprived of me, but Edgar
also, wht. had gone to Holland in an official
capa-city, soon after receiving the tidir.gs ot
my death. "11 am now childless," said my
-father "in tears. Alfred's feeling'&... were moved, and could he then have found, you, he
would have told my father the truth; but
lest he should relapse from present determinfzi'ns, he considerod it his duity still.
with him, to continue the d~eception.





22U      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
"On enquiring at your father's, at Vin*
cent's, and at Mr Simpson's, he could learn
nothing of you, except that you had gone
to New London, judging possibly that you
would find me there. Alfred therefore determined to proceed to that place immediately. He then confidentitlly unfolded to
your father, Vincent, and Mr. Simpson,
the scheme, desiring that if you returned
you would proceed immediately to Charleston. My father was still to be kept in ignorance.
" Alfred proceeded immediately to NewLondon: from my cousin there he was informed of your interview with him; but
from whence you then came, or where you
went, he knew not; and after making the
strictest enquiry, he could hear nothing
mere of you.   By a vessel in that port,
bound directly for Holland, he wrote an
account of the whole affair to Edgar, mentioning his unsuccessful search to find you;
and returned to Charlestcn.
" Alfred learnt from my friends the circumstances which occasioned my sudden removal from the old mansion. The morning
you left me you was discovered by my
aunt, wno was passing the road in a chair
with a gentleman, whom she had then but
recently become acquainted with.,My
aunt know you. They immediately drove





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


221


to John's hut. On finding that John ha'
left the keys with me, she sent him
them; and on my refusing to give them up,
she came herself, as I have before related;
and as she succeeded no better than John,
she returned and dispatched a message to
my father, informing him of the circumstances, and her suspicions of your having been
to the mansion, and that, from my hav:ng
possession of the keys and refusing to yield
them up, there was little doubt but that
we had formed a plan for my escape.
" Alarmed at this information, my father
immediately ordered his carriage, drove to
the mansion, and removed me, as I have
before informed you."
" I ought to have told you, that the maid
and man servant who attended me to
Charleston, not liking the country, and
growing sickly, were sent back by my uncle, after they had been there about two
months."
Alonzo found by this narative that John
had deceived him, when he made his enquiries of him concerning his knowledge of Melissa's removal. But this was not surprising: John was tenant to Melissa's aunt,
and subservient to all her views;-she had
undoubtedly given him instructions how to
act.
"But who was the strange gentleman
19 *





222      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
with your aunt?" enquired Alonzo. I" This
I will also tell you, answered Melissa, tho'
it unfolds a tale which reflects no great
honour to my family.
"Hamblin was the name which this man
assumed: he said he had been an eminent
merchant in New York, and had left it
about the time it was taken by the British.
He lodged at an inn where my aunt frequently stopped when she was out collecting her rents, where he first introduced
himself to her acquaintance, and ingratiated himself into her favour by art and insidiousness. He accompanied her on her
visits to her tenants, and assisted her in
collecting her rents. IHe told her, that
when the war came on, he had turned his
effects into money, which he had with him,
and was now in pursuit of some country
place where he might purchase a residence
to remain during the war. To cut the story as short as possible, he finally initiated
himself so far in my aunt's favour that she
accepted his hand, and, contrary to my
father's opinion, she married him, and he
soon after persuaded her to sell her property,
under pretence of removing to some populous town, and living in style. Her property, however, was no sooner sold (which
my father bought for ready cash, at a low





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


223


price) than he found means to realize the
money, and absconded.
" It was afterwards found that his real
name was Brenton; that he had left a wife
and family in Virginia in indigent circumstances, where he had spent an ample fortune, left him by his father, in debauchery,
and involved himself deeply in debt. He
had scarcely time to get off with the booty
he swindled from  my aunt, when his
creditors from Virginia were at his heels.
He fled to the British at New York, where
he rioted for a few months, was finally
stabbed by a soldier in a fracas, and died
the next day.  He was about thirty-five
years old.
" All these troubles bore so heavily upon
my aunt, that she went into a decline, and
died about six months ago.
"After Alfred returned from Connecticut, he wrote frequently to Vincent and
Mr. Simpson, but could obtain no- intelligence concerning you.  It would be needless, Alonzo, to describe my conjectures, my
anxieties, my feelings! The death of my
cousin and aunt had kept me in crape until,
at the instance of Alfred, I put it off yesterday morning at my uncle's house, which
Alfred had proposed for the scene of action,
after he had discovered the cause of my
fainting at the theatre. I did not rea




224


ALONZO AND MELISSA.


dily come into Alfred's 1lan to deceive you:
"Suffer me, he said, to try the constancy
of your Leander;----I doubt whether he
would swim the Hellespont for you." This
aroused my pride and confidence, and I permitted him to proceed."
Alonzo then gave Mellissa a minute account of all that happened to him from the
time of their parting at the old mansion
until he met with her the day before. At
the mention of Beauman's fate Melissa
sighed. "With how many vain fears, said
she, was I perplexed, lest, by some means
he should discover my existence and place
of residence, after he, alas, was silent in the
tomb!"
Alonzo told Melissa that he had received a letter from Edgar, after he arrived in
Holland, and that he had written him ar
answer, just as he left Paris, informing him
of his reasons Cor returning to America.
When the time arrived that Alonzo and
Melissa were to set out for Connecticut,
Melissa's uncle and Alfred accompanied
them as far as Georgetown, where an affectionate parting took place: The latter returned to Charleston, and the former proceeded on their journey.
Philadelphia was now in possession of the
British troops. Alonzo found Dr. Franklin's agent at Chester, transacted his busi*





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


225


ness, went on, arrived at Vincent's where
he left Melissa, and proceeded immediately to his father's
The friends of Alonzo and Melissa were
joyfully surprised at their arrival. Melissa's mother was sent for to Vincent's. Let
imagination paint the meeting! As yet
however they were not prepared to undecieve her father.
Alonzo found his parents in penurious circumstances; indeed, his father having the
preceeding summer, been too indisposed to
manage his little farm with attention, and
being unable to hire labourers, his crobs
had yeilded but a scanty supply, and he
had been compelled to sell most of his
stock to answer [pressing demands. With
great joy they welcomed Alonzo. whom
they had given up as lost. "You still find
your father poor, Alonzo, said the old gentleman, but you find him still honest.From my inability to labour, we have latterly been a little more pressed than usual; but having now recovered my health. I
trust that that difficulty will soon be removed."
Alonzo asked his father if he ever knew
Dr. Franklin.
"We were school-mates, he replied and
were intimately acquainted after we became young men in business for ourselves.
0





226      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
We have done each other favours; I once
divided my money with Franklin on an
urgent occasion to him; he afterwards
repaid me with ample interest-he will
never forget it."
Alonzo then related to his father all the
incidents of his travels, minutely particularizing the disinterested conduct of
Franklin, and then presented his father with
the rnsvcion of his estate. The old man
fell on his knees, and with tears streaming
down his withered cheeks, offered devout
thanks to the great Dispenser of all mercies.
Alonzo then visited Melissa's father, who
received him with much complacency. " I
have injured, said he, my young friend,
deeply injured you; but in doing this, I
have inflicted a wound still deeper in my
own bosom."
Alonzo desired him not to renew his sorrows.   "What is past, said he, is beyond recal; but a subject of some importance to me, is the object of my present
visit.-True it is, that your daughter was
the object of my earliest affection-an affection which my bosom must ever retain.
but being separated by the will of Providence-for I view Providence as overruling
all events for wise purposes-I betook myself
to travel.  Time, you know it is said, sir,
will blunt the sharpest thorns of sorrow.




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


227


[The old man sighed.]-   In my travels I
have found a lady so nearly resembling your
daughter, that I was induced to sue for her
hand, and have been so happy as to gain
the promise of it. The favour I have to
ask of you, sir, is only that you will permit
the marriage ceremony to be celebrated
in your house, as you know my father is
poor, his house small and inconvenient, and
that you will also honour me by giving the
lady away. In receiving her from your
hands, I shall in some measure realize former anticipations; I shall receive her ia
the character of Melissa."
"l Ah! said Melissa's father, were it in
my power-could I but give you the original; But how vain that wish! Yes, my
young friend, your request shall be punctually complied with: I will take upon myself the preparations. Name your day, and
if the lady:s portionless, in that she shall
be to me a Melissa."
Alonzo bowed his head in gratitude;
and after appointing that day week, he departed.
Invitations were once more sent abroad
for the wedding of Alonzo and Melissa.Few indeed knew it to be the real Melissa,
but they were generally informed of Alonzo's reason,s for preferring the celebration
at her father's.





228      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
The evening before the day on which the
marriage waw to take place, Alonzo and
Melissa were sitting with the Vincents in
an upper room, when a person rapped at
the door below. Vincent went down, and
nmmediately returned, introducing, to the
joy and surprise of the company, Edgar!
Here, again, we shall leave it for the imagination to depict the scene of an affectionate brother, meeting a tender and oniy
sister, whom he had long since supposed
to be dead! He had been at his father's, and
his mother had let him into the secret,
when he immediately hastened to Vinsent's. He told them that he did not stay
long in Holland; that after receiving Alonzo's letter from Paris, he felt an unconquerable propensity to return, and soon
sailed for America, arrived at Boston, came
to New-Haven, took orders in the ministry, and had reached home that day. He
informed them that Mr. Simpson and fami,
iy had arrived at his father's, and some relatives whom his mother had invited.
The next morning ushered in the da; I:.
which the hero and heroine of our story
were to consummate their felicity.  No
cross purposes stood ready to intervene their
happiness, no obdurate father, no watchtu',
scowling aunt, to interrupt their transports.
It worthe latter end of May; nature was





ALONZO AND MELISSA 2


2~29


arrayed in her ricehest ornaments, and adorned with her sweetest perfumes. The
sun blendid its mild lustre with the landsc~ape's lovely green; silk-.winged breezes
frolicked amidst the flowers; the spring
birds --arroled. in varying strainos:
"tThe air was fragrance, and the world was love.".
Evening was appointed Zor the ceremony, and Ed-gar was to be the officiating clergyman.
"To tie tlr'se bands. which nought but death
can svr7
When the hour arrived, they repaired to
the hor~se of Melissa's rather, wh,:-e numerous guests had assembled. Melissa was in
troduced into tht. bridal apartment, and
took her seat among a brilliant circle of indies, Sihe was attired in robes "6white as
the southern clouds," spangled with stiver,
and trimmed with deep gold lace; her hair
hung 'koosely upon. her shoulders, encircled
by a wreath of artificial flowers. She had
reganmed all her former iovd~iness;- the rose
anld the lily again blended their tinges in
hier cheek; acrain pensive sprightliness sparkied in her eye.
Alonze was now introduced, and took his
*eat at the.side of Melissa. His father and
tiother 21ame next, who were placed at the
ra~ht hand of the young couple: Melissa's
20





2. 0


ALONZO AND MELI5A.


parents followed, and were stationed at the
lef. Edgar then came and took his seat in
fron.; after which the guests were summoned, who filled the room. Edgar then
rising, motioned to the intended bride and
bridegroom  to rise also. He next turned
to Alonzo's father for his sanction, who
bowed assent. Then addressing his own
father, with emotions that searcely suffered
him to articulate. " Do you, sir, said he,
give this lady to that gentleman?"  A solemn silence prevailed in the room. Melissa was extremely agitated, as her father,
slowly rising, and with down-cast eyes,
" Where tides of heavy sorrow swelPd,"
took her trembling hand, and conveying it
into Alonzo's, '" May the smiles of heaven
rest upon you, he said; may future blessings crown your present happy prospects;
and may your latter days never be embittered by the premature loss of near and
dear      "
Pungent grief here choaked his utterance,
and at this moment Melissa, falling upon her
knees, "' Dear father! she exclaimed, bursting into tears, pardon deception; acknowledge your daughter-your own Melissa!
Her father started-he gazed at her with
scrutinizing attention, and sunk back in his





ALONZO AND MELISA.  21


2511.~air.-" My daughter I he cried-Godo
mysterious mercy! it is my daughter!"1
The guests caught the oontagious sympathy;- convulsive sobs arose from all parts
of the r.oom. Melissa's father clasped her
in his arms-" And I receive thee as from
the deadTI he said. I am anxious to hear.the mighty mystery unfolded. But first, le-;
the solemn rites for which we are assembled be concluded; let not an. old man's anxiety interrupt the ceremony.,'
"1Bu t you are apprised, sir, said Alonzo,
of my inability to support your, daughter
according -to her deserts."
"1Leave that to me, my young friend, replied her father. I have enough-: my chil..
dren are restored, and I am happy.")
Melissa soon resumed her former station.
The indissoluble knot was tied: they sat
down to the wedding feast, and mirth and
hilarity danced in cheerful circles.
Before the company retired, Edgar related the most prominent incidents of Alonzo
and Melissa's history, sinc--e they had been'
abstut. The guests listened with attenlio'n: they applauded the conducet of our
new bride and bridegroom, in which Mlelissa 's father cordially joined. They rejoiced
to find that Alonzo's father had regained
his fortune, and copious libation's "~ ere





232      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
poured forth in honour of the immortal
Franklin.
And now, reader of sensibility, indulge
the pleasing sensations of thy bosom-for
Alonzo and Melissa are MARRIED.
Alonzo's father was soon in complete repossession of his former property.  The
premises from which he had been driven
by his unfeeling creditors, were yielded up
without difficulty, and to which he immediately removed. He not only recovered
the principal of the fortune he had lost,
but the damages and the interest; so that,
although like Job, Lh had seen affliction,
like him his latter days were better than
his beginning. But wearied with the bus
ties of life, he did not again enter into the
mercantile business, but placing his money
at interest in safe hands, lived retired on
his little farm.
A few days after the wedding, as Melis..
sa was sitting with Alonzo, Edgar and her
parents, she asked her father whether the
old mansion was inhabited.
"Not by human beings, he replied.---
Since it has fallen into my hands I have
leased it to three or four different families,
who all left it under the foolisn pretence or
impression of hearing noises and seeing
frightful objects, and such is the superstition of the people that no one now, will





ALONZO AND MELISSA


233


ven:ure to try it again, though I suppose
its inhabitants to consist only of rats and
mice."
Melissa then informed them of all that
had happened when she was there, the alarming noises and horrible appearances she
had been witness to, and in which she was
confident her senses had not deceived her,
Exceedingly astonished at her relation; it
was agreed that Edgar and Alonzo, properly attended, should proceed to the mansion,
in order to find whether any discoveries
could be made which might tend to the
elucidation of so mysterious an affair.
For this purpose they chose twenty men,
armed them with muskets and swords, and
proceeded to the place, where they arrived
in the dusk of the evening, having chose-.hat season as the most favourable to thei,
designs.
They found the drawbridge up, and the
gate locked, as Edgar's father said he had
left them. They entered and secured them
in the same manner. When they came to
the house, they cautiously unlocked the
door, and proceeded to the chamber, where
they struck a fire and lighted candles, which
they had brought with them. It was then
agreed to plant fifteen of the men at suitable distances around the mansion, and re20





234     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
tain five in the chamber with Alonzo and
Edgar.
The men, who were placed around the
house, were stationed behind trees, stumps
or rocks, and where no object presented,
lay flat on the ground, with orders not to
stir, or discover themselves, let what would
ensue, unless some alarm should be given
from the house.
Alonzo and Edgar were armed with pistols and side arms, and posted themselves
with the five men in the chamber, taking
care that the lights should not shine against
the window shutters, so that nothing could
be discovered from without. Things thus
arranged, they observed almost an implicit
silence, no one being allowed to speak, except in a low whisper.
For a long time no sound was heard except the hollow roar of winds in the neighbouring forest, their whistling around the
angles of the mansion, or the hoarse murmers of the distant surge. The night was
dark, and only illuminated by the feeble
twinkling of half clouded stars.
They had watched until about midnight,
when they were alarmed by noises in the
rooms below, among which they could distinguish footsteps and human voices. Alonzo and Edgar, then taking each a pistol
in on- hand, and a drawn sword in the oth




ALONZO AND MELISSA.


235


er, ordered their men to follow them, prepared for action.  Coming to the head of
the stairs, they saw a brilliant light streaming into the hall; they therefore concluded
to take no candles, and to prevent discovery they took off their shoes.  When they
came into the hall opposite the door of the
room from whence the light and noises proceeded, they discovered ten men genteelly
dressed, sitting around a table, on which
was placed a considerable quantity of gold
and ýsilver coin, a number of glasses and several decanters of wine.  Alonzo and his
party stood a few minutes, listening to the
follGwing discourse, which took place among
this ghostly gentry.
". Well, boys, we have made a fine haul
this trip."- " Yes, but poor Bob, though,
was plump'd over by the d-  d skulkers!y
-" Aye, and had we not tugged bravely at
the oars, they would have hook'd us."---.
" Rascally cow-boys detained us too long."
--  " Well, never mind it; let us knock around the wine, and then divide the spoil."
At this moment, Alonzo and Edgar, followed by the five men, rushed into the
room, crying. " Surrender, or you are all
dead men!"  In an instant the room was
hivolved i a pitchy darkness; a loud crash
was heard, then a scampering about the
floor, and a noise as if several doors shut





236      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
to, with violence. They however gave the
alarm to the men without, by loudly shouting "Look out;" and immediately the discharge of several guns was heard around the
mansion. One of the men flew up stairs
and brought a light; but, to their utter aimazement, no person was to be discovered
in the room except their own party. The
table, with its apparatus, and the chairs on
which these now invisible beings had sat,
had disappeared, not a single trace of them
being left.
While they stood petrified with astonishment, the men from withouti;called for
admittance.  The door being unlocked,
they led in a stranger wounded, whom they
immediately discovered to be one of those
they had seen at the table.
The men who had been stationed around
the mansion informed, that some time before the alarm was made, they saw a number of persons crossing the yard from the
western part of the enclosure, towards the
house; that immediately after the shout
was given, they discovered several people
running back in the same direction: they
hailed them, which being disregarded, they
fired upon them, one of whom they brought
down, which was the wounded man they
had brought in. The others, though they
pursued them got off.





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


237


The prisoner's wound was not dangerous,
the ball had shattered his arm, and glanced
upon his breast. They dressed his wound
as well as they could, and then requested
him to unfold the circumstances of the suspicious appearance in which he -vas involved.
" First promise me, on your honour, said
the stranger, that you will use your influence to prevent my being punished or imprisoned."
This they readily agreed to, on condition that he would conceal nothing from
them- and he gave them the following relation:
That they were a part of a gang of illicit
traders; men who had combined for the
purpose of carrying on a secret and illegal
commerce with the British army on Long
Island, whom, contrary to the existing laws,
they supplied with provisions, and 'brought
off English goods, which they sold at very extortionate prices.  But this was not
all; they also brought over large quantities
of counterfeit continental money, which
they put off among the American's for live
stock, poultry, produce, &c. which they
carried to the Island. The counterfeit money they purchased by merely paying for
the printing; the British having obtained
copies of the American emission, struck im




238      ALONZ.O AND MELISSA.
mense quantities of it in New-York, and
insidiously sent it out into the country, in
order to sink our currency.
This gang was likewise connected with
the cow-boys, who made it their business
to steal, not only milch cows, and other
cattle, but also hogs and shcop, whicn they
drove by night to some convenient place
on the shores of the Sound, where these
thief-partners received them, and conveyed
them to the British.
"In our excursions across the Souid,
continued the wounded man, we had frequently observed this mansion, which, from
every appearance, we were convinced iwas
uninhabited:-we therefore selected it as a
suitable place for our future rendezvous,
which had therefore been only in the open
woods. To cross the moat; we dragged up
an old canoe from the sea shore, wh.ch we
concealed in the bushes as soon as we recrossed from the old mansion. To get over
the wall we used ladders of ropes, placing
a flat of thick board on the top of the,pike,
driven into the wall. We found more difficulty in getting into the house:-we
however at length succeeded, by tear;ng
away a part of the back wall, where we fitted in a door' so exactly, and so nicely
painted it, that it could not be distinguished from the wall itself. This door war so





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


239


constructed, that on touching a spring, it
would fly open, and when unrestrained,
xvould shut to with violence. Finding the
apartment so eligibie for our purpose, and
1earing that at some future time we might
be disturbed either by the ownier of the
building or some tenant, we cut similar
doors into every room of the h&use, so that
on an emergency we could traverse every
apartment without access to the known
doors. Trap-doors on a similar construction, communicated with the cellar:-the
table, which you saw us sitting around, stood
on one of those, which, on your abrupt appearance, as soon as the candles were ex-.
tinguished, was with its contents, precipitated below, and we made our escape by
those recret doors, judging, that although
you had seen us, if we could get off, you
would be unable to find out any thing which
might lead to our discovery.
"A circumstance soon occurred, which
tended to embarrass our plans, and at first
seemed to menace their overthrow. Our
assembling at the mansion was irregular, as
occasion and circumstances required; bften
not more than once a week, but sometimes
more frequent, and always in the night.Late one night, as we were proceeding to
the mansion, and had arrived near it, suddenly one of the chamber windows was o




240      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
pened, and a light issued from within. We
entered the house with caution, and soon
discovered that some person was in the
chamber from whence we had seen the
light. We remained until all was silent,
and then entered the chamber by one of
our secret doors, and to our inexpressible
surprise, beheld a beautiful young lady asleep on the only bed in the room. We
cautiously retired, and reconnoitering all
parts of the mansion, found that she was the
only inhabitant except ourselves. The singularity of her being there alone, is a circumstance we have never been aole to discover, but it gave us fair hopes of easily
procuring her ejectment. We then immediately withdrew, and made preparations
to dispossess the fair tenant of the premises
to which we considered ourselves more properly entitled, as possessing a prior incumbency.
" We did not effect the completion of
oui apparatus under three or four days. As
soon as we were prepared, we returned to
the mansion. As we approached the house,
it appears the lady heard us, for again she
suddenly flung up a window and held out a
candle: we skulked from the light, but feared she had a glimpse of us.-After we had
got into *he house we were still until we





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


241


supposed her to be asleep, which we found
to be the case on going to her chamber.
" We then stationed one near her bed,
who, by a loud rap on the floor with a cane,
appeared to arouse her in a fright.  Loud
noises were then made below, and some of
them ran heavily up the stairs which led to
her chamber; the person stationed in the
room whispering near her bed--she raised
herself up, and he fled behind the curtains.
Soon after she again lay down; he approached nearer the bed with a design to lay his
hand, on which he had drawn a thin sheetlead glove, across her face; but discovering her arm on the out side of the bedclothes, he grasped it-she screamed and
sprang up in the bed; the man then left
the room.
"As it was not our intention to injure
the lady, but only to drive her from the
house, we concluded we had sufficiently
alarmed her, and having extinguished the
lights, were about to depart, when we heard
her descending the stairs. She came down
and examined the doors, when one of our
party, in a loud whisper, crying " away!
away;" she darted up stairs, and we left
the house.
"We did not return the next night, in
order to give her time to get off; but the
night after we again repaired to the man
21       P





242      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
sion, expecting that she had gone, but we
were disappointed. As it was late when we
arrived, she was wrapped in sleep, and 'we
found that more forcible measures must be
resorted to before we could remove her, and
for such measures we were amply prepared.
The stranger then unfolded the mysteries
of that awful night, when Melissa was so
terrified by horrible appearances. One of
the tallest and most robust of the gang, was
attired, as has been described, when he appeared by her bed side. The white robe
was an old sheet; stained in some parts with
a liquid red mixture; the wound in his
breast was artificial, and the blood issuing
therefrom was only some of this mixture,
pressed from a small bladder, concealed under his robe. On his head and face he wore
a mask, with glass cyes-  the mask was
painted to suit their purposes. The bloody
dagger was of wood, and painted.
Thds accoutred, he took his stand near
Melissa's bed, having first blown out the
candles she had left burning, and discharged a small pistol. Perceiving this had awakened her, a train of powder was fired
n the adjoining room opposite the secret
door, which was left open, in order that
the flash might illuminate her apartment;
then several large cannon balls were rolled
through the rooms over her head., imitative





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


243


af thunder. The person in her room then
uttered a horrible groan, and gliding along
by her bed, took his stand behind the curtains, near the foot. The noises below, the
cry of murder, the firing of the second pistol, and the running up stairs, were all corresponding scenes to impress terror on her
imagination.   The pretended ghost then
advanced in front of her bed, while lights
were slowly introduced, which first shone
faintly, until they were ushered into the
room by the private door, exhibiting the
person before her in all his horrific appearances. On her shrieking, and shrinking into the bed, the lights were suddenly extinguished, and the person, after commanding
her to be gone in a hoarse voice, passed again to the foot of the bed, shook it violently, and made a seeming attempt to get upon it, when, perceiving her to be springing
up, he fled out of the room by the secret
door, cautiously shut it, and joined his companions.
The operators had not yet completed
their farce, or rather, to Melissa, tragedy.
They had framed an image of paste-board,
in human shape, arrayed it in black, its
eyes being formed of large pieces of what
is vulgarly called fox-fire,* made into the
*A sort of decayed or rotten wood, which in the night -iioks
like coals of fire, of a bright whitish colour. It emits a faint
light.





244      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
likeness of human eyes, some material be
ing placed in its mouth, around which was
a piece of the thinest scarlet tiffany, in
order to make it appear of a flame colour
They had also constructed a large combustible ball, of several thicknesses of pasteboard, to which a match was placed. The
image was to be conveyed into her room,
and placed, in the dark, before her bed;--
while in that position, the ball was to be
rubbed over with phosphorus, the match
set on fire, and rolled across her chamber,
and when it burst, the image was to vanish,
by being suddenly conveyed out of the private door, which was to close the scene for
'.hat night. But as Melissa had now arisen
and lighted candles, the plan was defeated.
While they were consulting how to proce' ', they heard her unlock her chamber
dct4); and slowly descend the stairs. Fearing a discovery, they retired with their
lights, and the person who had been in her
chamber, not having yet stripped off his
ghostly habiliments, laid himself down on
one side of the hall. The man who had the
image, crowded himnse;f with it under the
stairs she was descending. On her dropping the candle, when she turned to flee to
her chamber, from the sight of the same object which had appeared at her bed-side,
the person ur.der the stairs presented the





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


245


image at their foot, and at the same instant
the combustible ball was prepared, and rolled through the hall; and when on its bursting she fainted, they began to grow alarinmd;
but on finding that she recovered and regained her chamber, they departed, for
that time, from the house.
"Our scheme, continued the wounded
man, had the desired effect. On returning
a few evenings after, we found the lady
gone and the furniture removed. Severa.
attempts were afterwards made to occupy
the house, but we always succeeded in soon
frightening the inhabitants away."
Edgar and Alonzo then requested their
prisoner to show them the springs of the
secret doors, and how they were opened.
The springs were sunk in the wood, which
being touched by entering a gimblet hole
with a piece of pointed steel, which each
of the gang always had about him, the door
would fly open, and fasten again in shutting
to. On opening the trap-door over which
the gang had sat when they first discovered
them, they found the table and chairs, with
the decanters broken, and the money, which
they secured. In one part of the cellar they
were shown a kind of cave, its mouth covered with boards and earth-here the company
kept tLeir furniture, and to this place would
they have removed it, had they not been so
21*





246      ALONZO AND MELISSA.
suddenly frightened away. The canoe they
found secreted in the bushes beyond the
canal.
It was then agreed that the man should
go before the proper authorities in a neighbouring town, and there, as state's evidence, make affidavit of what.he had recited, and as complete a developement of the
characters concerned i2 the business as
possible, when he was to be released. The
man enquired to what town they were to
go which, when they had informed him,
" Then, said he, it will be in my power to
perform one deed of justice before I leave
the country, as leave it I must, immediately after I have given in my testimony, or I
shall be assassinated by some of those who
will be implicated in the transaction I have
related."
He then informed them, that while he,
with the gang, was prosecuting the illicit
trade, a British ship came and anchored in
the Sound, which they supplied with provisions, but that having at one time a considerable quantity on hand, the ship sent
its boat on shore, with an officer and five
men, to fetch it; the officer came with
them on shore, leaving the men in the boat:
" As we were about to carry the provisions
on board the boat, continued the man, a
party of Americans fired upon us, and





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


247


wounded the officer in the thigh, who fell:
C' I shall be made prisoner, said he, taking
out his purse; keep this, and if I live and
regain my liberty, perhaps you may have
an opportunity of restoring it:-alarm the
boat's crew, and shift for yourselves."  The
boat was alarmed, returned to the ship, and
we saved ourselves by flight.
" This happened about four months ago:
the ship soon after sailed for New York,
and the officer was imprisoned in the gaol
of the town to which we are to go; I can
therefore restore him his purse."
The man farther informed them, that
they had several times come near being taken, and the last trip they were fired upon,
and one of their party killed.
" They immediately set out for the aforesaid town, after having dismissed their fifteen men; and when they arrived there,
Alonzo and Edgar accompanied their prisoner to the gaol. On making the proper
enquiries, they were conducted into a dark
and dirty apartment of the gaol, where
were several prisoners in irons. The British officer was soon distinguished among
them by his regimentals. Though enveloped in filth and dust, his countenance appeared familiar to Alonzo; and on a few
moments recollection, he recognized in the
manacled officer, the generous midshipmanu





248      ALONZe AND MELISSA.
Jack Brown, who had so disinterestedly relieved him, when he escaped from the prison in London!
In the fervency of his feelings, Alonzo
flew to him and clasped him in his arms.
" What do I behold i he cried. My friend,
my brave deliverer, in chains in my own
country!"
" The fortune of war, boy! said Jackit might have been worse. But my lad, I
am heartily glad to see you; how has it
fared with you since you left Old England?"
-" We will talk of that by and by," said
Alonzo.
There were then some American officers
of distinction in town, with whom Edgar
was acquainted, to whom he applied for the
relief of the noble sailor;- and as there
were several other British prisoners in gaol
it was agreed that a cartel should be immediately sent to New York to exchange them.
Alonzo had, therefore, the satisfaction to see
the irons knocked off of his liberal hearted
benefactor, and his prison doors opened.
The man they had taken at the mansion,
returned him his purse, containing only
twenty-five guineas, of which Jack gave
him ten. " There, boy, said he, you have
ibeen hor.est, so I will divide with you."
They then nepaired to an inn. Jack,
whose wound was healed, was put under





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


249


the hands of a barber, cleaned, furnished
with a change of clothes, and soon appeared in a new attitude.
He informed Alonzo, that soon after he
left England, his ship was ordered for America: that the price of provisions growing high, it had taken almost all his wages
to support his family; that he had sent
home his last remittance just before he was
taken, reserving only the twenty-five guineas which had been restored him that day.
--;' But I have never despaired, said he;
the great Commodore of life orders all for
the best. My tour of duty is to serve my
king and country, and provide for my dear
Poll and her chicks, which, if I faithfully
perform, I shall gain the applause of the
Commander."
When the cartel was ready to depart,
Alonzo, taking Jack apart from the company, presented him with a draught of five
hundred pounds sterling, on a merchant in
New York, who privately transacted business with the Americans. "' Take this, my
friend, said he; you can ensure it by converting it into hbills of exchange on London.
Though you once saw me naked, I can now
conveniently spare this sum, and it may
assist you in buffethig the billows of life."The generous tar shed tears of gratitude,
and klonzo enjoyed the pleasure of seeing





250     ALONZO AND MELISSA.
him depart, calling down blessings on ihe
head of his reciprocal benefactor.
The man who came with Alonzo and
Edgar from the mansion, then went before
the magistrates of the town, and gave his
testimony and affidavit, by which it appeared that several eminent characters of Connecticut were concerned in this illicit trade.
They then released him, gave him the
money they had found ih the cellar at the
mansion, and he immediately left the town.
Precepts were soon after issued for a number of those traders; several were taken,
among whom were some of the gang, and
others who were only concerned-but most
of them absconded, so that the company
and their plans were broken up.
When Alonzo and Edgar returned home
and related their adventure, they were all
surprised at the fortitude of Melissa in
being enabled to support her spirits in a
solitary mansion, amidst such great, and so
many terrors.
It was now that Alonzo turned his attention to future prospects. It was time to
select a place for domestic residence.  He
consulted Melissa, and she expressively
mentioned the little secluded village, where
" Ere fate and fortune frown'd severe,
hey projected scenes of connubial bliss, and





ALONZO AND MELISSA.


251


planned the structure of their family edifice.
This intimation accorded with the ardent
wishes of Alonzo. The site formerly marked
out, with an adjoining farm, was immedi*
ately purchased, and suitable buildings erected, to which Alonzo and Melissa removed the ensuing summer.
The clergyman of the village having recently died in a good old age, Edgar was
called to the pastoral charge of this unsophisticated people. Here did Melissa and
Alonzo repose after the storms of adversity
were past. Here did they realize all the
happiness which the sublunary hand of time
apportions to mortals.  The varying seasons diversified their joys, except when Alonzo was called with the militia of his
country, wherein he bore an eminent commission, to oppose the enemy; and this was
not unfrequent, as in his country's defence
he took a very conspicuous part.  Then
would anxiety, incertitude, and disconsolation possess the bosom of Melissa, until dissipated by his safe return. But the happy
termination of the war soon removed all
cause of these disquietudes.
Soon after the close of the war, Alonzo
received a letter from his friend, Jack
Brown, dated at an interior parish in England,-in which, after pouring forth abun
daice of gratitude, he informed, that on re




252        ALONZO AND MELISSA.
turning to England he procured his discharge from
the navy, sold his house, and removed into the
country, where he had set up an inn with the sign
of The Grateful American.   "You have made us
al happy, said he; my dear Poll blubbered like
a fresh water sailor in a hurricane, when I told
her of your goodness. My wife, my children, all
hands upon deck are yours. We have a good run of
business, and are now under full sail, for the land
of prosperity."
SEdgar married to one of the Miss Simpsons, whose
father's seat was in the vicinity of the village. The
parents of Alonzo and Melissa were their frequent,Visitors, as were also Vincent and his lady, with
many others of their acquaintance, who all rejoiced
in their happy situation, after such a diversity of
troubles. Alfred was generally once a year their
guest, until at length he married and settled in the
mercantile business in Charleston, South Carolina.
\ To our hero and heroine, the rural charms of
their secluded village were a source of ever pleasing
variety. Spring, with its verdurous fields, flowery
meads, and vocal groves; its vernal gales, purling
rills, and its evening whippoorwill: summer, with
its emboWering shades, reflected in the glassy
lake, and the long, pensive, yet sprightly notes of
the solitary strawbeiry-bird;* its lightning and
its thunder; autumn with its mellow fruit, its yellow foliage and decaying verdure; winter with its
hoarse, rough blasts, its icy beard and snowy mantle,
all tended to thrill with sensations of pleasing transi
tion, the feeling bosoms of Alonzo and Melissa.
* A bird which, in the New England states, makes its first
appearance about the time strawberries begin to ripen. Its song
is lengthy, and consists of a variety of notes, commencing,sprigltly, but ending plaintive and melancholy.
THE END,





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3





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4





Wtetsorsos MlstorTv of the Amoerlea~ibR--
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Moore's History of. the Indiin Wars.The Indian Wars -of the United States, from the Discover
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Life' of Christ, to which is added the Lives and Sufferings of his Holy Evangelists and Apostles, by Rev.
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6'





The, C  hihstian's Legacy; Q, Bile Dfirecto
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Zimmerm.an on Solitude.-W            ith the Life of tbhe
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7.





Old Christianity against Papal Novel.
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The Hitorical Cabinet, containing authentle
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8





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The Pastorl's Wifei-A Memoir of Mrs. Sherman,
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12





The Ladies' Guide in Needlework.-rhim
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The Life and Essays of Dr. Franklin.Written by Himself. A book that every young man in
the United States should read. One volume 18mo, with
numerous Plates, cloth, gilt. Price, 50 cents.,
Original Poems for Infant Minds.-By the
Taylor Family. One volume 18mo, cloth, gilt. 50 cent&
The    Course of Time.-By Robert Pollok, A. M,
with an enlarged Index, and an Analysis prefixed to each
book. One volume 18mo, cloth, gilt. Price, 50 cents.
The New American Pocket Farrier and
Farmer's Guide in the Choice and Management of Horses,
Neat Cattle, Sheep, and Swine; including a Description
of their Internal Structure-their Digestive System; the
Diseases to which they are liable, with their Cause~,
Symptoms, and most approved Methods of Cure. From
the writings of Youatt, Lawrence, Hines, White, Clater,
and others. To which is added a variety of Agricultural
and Miscellaneous Receipts. 18mo, cloth gilt. 50 cents.
Dr. Dodd's Lectures to Young              Men.-Di...courses to Young Men. Illustrated by numerous highly
nteresting Anecdotes. A neat 24mo volume, cloth, with
Plates. Price, 50 cents.
The Camp-Meeting Chorister; or, a collection
of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, for the pious of all Donominations, to be sung at Camp-Meetings, during Revivals of Religion, and other occasions. 32mo, sheep....Price, 25 cents.
2                13





Stories of the Wars of 1812 and with
Mexico.-A beautiful Juvenile Book, commemorative of
those Important Events in the History of our Country.
Elegantly illustrated., 16mo, cloth, gilt. Price, 50 cents.
Thinks-I-to-Myself: A Serio-Ludicro, TragicoComico Tale. Written by "Thinks-I-to-Myself, Who "
Price, 25 cents.
Every Man his own Cattle Doctor.-containing a Treatise on the Diseases of Horses, Cattle, Dogs,
Sheep, and Swine, with their Causes, Symptoms, and
Cure. 18mo, boards. Price, 121 cents.
Every Man        his own Farrier.-Containing ten
minutes advice how to buy a horse; to which is added,
how to use your horse at home, or on a journey, and what
remedies are proper for all diseases to which he is liable,
18mo., boards. Price, 121 cents.
Charlotte Temple.-A Tale of Truth, by Mrs. Rowson. 18mo, boards. Price, 12k cents.
Lucy Temple.-A Sequel to Charlotte Temple. 18mo,
boards. Price, 12~ cents.
Jack Lawrence, the Sailor Boy.-By the
author of Jack Halyard.    One volume 18mo, boards.
Price, 12k cents.
The Laughing Philosopher; or, Book of Fun.
18mo, boards. Price, 121 cents.
HOCUS POcus; or, The Whole Art of Legerdemain, or
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The Ready Reckoner, and Form Book.
The Ready Reckoner in Dollars and Cents. A very useful
Book for Traders not well versed in Arithmetic. Price,
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Etiquette Letter-Writer.-Being the Complete
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Cook'S Voyages.-A Narrative of the Voyages around
the World, performed by Captain James Cook. With an
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periods. By A. Kippis, D. D., F. R. S., and S. A. Illustrated
with several Engravings. Two volumes in one, 32moe
roaa gilt binding. Price, 75 cents.
14





STANDARD3 RO1YLANCES,
Arabian 'Nights' Entertainments: consisting of One-Thousand-and-One Stories, 'told by the Sultaness of the Indies, to divert the Sultan from the execution of a bloody vow he had made to marry a lady every
day, and have her put to death next morning, to avenge
himself for the disloyalty of his first Sultaness. Embel.
lished with seventy Engravings. Two volumes in one,
32mo, roan-, gilt binding.. Price, 75 cents.
Cottage on the Cliff.-The Cottage on the Cliff: a
beautiful Sea-side Story. By Catharine G. Ward. One
thick S2mo volume of 704 pages, arabesque, gilt...75 cents.
The Scottish Chiefs*-By Miss Jane Porter, author
of "1Thaddeus of Warsaw,"9 etc. Three volumes. in one,
82mo, roan binding, with Plates. Price, 75 cents. This
is the best and neatest edition now published of this
popular and entertaining romance.
Children of the Abbey* -By Regina Maria Roche.
Three volumes in one, 32mo, roan binding, with a steel
Plate. The neatest and best edition published. 75 ents.
Robinson Crusoe.-A neat and complete edition, ta
one extra thick S2mo volume, in embossed gilt binding,
and illustrated with fine Engravings. Price, 75 cents.
The Mysteries of Udoipho: A Romance. By
Ann Ratcliffe. Three volumes in one of 620 pages, S2mo,
neat binding. Price, 75 cents. The best and most comn.
plete edition published.
Gil Blaso-The Adventures of Gil Blas, of Santillane.
Translated from the French of Monsieur le Sage, by Tobias Smollett, M. D. Four volumes in one of 990 pages,
S2mo, roan binding. The neatest and best edition published. Price, 75 cents.
Don Quixote.-The Life and Exploits of Don Quixote. Translated from the Spanish of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, by Charles Jarves. Four volumes in one of
1040 pages, 32ino, neat binding. Price, 75 cents.
The Romance of the Forest.-By Mrs. Rad.
cliffe. Two volumes in one, S2mo, roan gilt binding. The
best edition published of this Romance. Price, 50 cents..
The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins.-Containing an Account of his Visit to the Flyin -1
-Islanders. A neat 32mo volume, roan gilt. Price, 25 cts.
15





Family      Fireside     Book; or, Monuments of
Temperance. Containing a large variety of
Biographical Sketches, Tales, Essays, and Poetry, embellished with handsome Steel Engravings. One large octavo volume of 800 pages.
Price in plain binding, $2.50; bound in red
morocco, full gilt, only $3.
"This work is got up in elegant style, and will favourably compare with the very best books of the day.      It
contains articles from the best writers of the country,
which are well selected, and do credit to their authors. The
work is elegantly embellished with fine steel engraved Portraits of some of the most prominent men in the ranks of
the temperance cause. It is to be hoped, that temperance
men will, among other important works, not forget thia.
It is good enough, and splendid enough, to grace any lii
brary or parlour in the country."-AlaBs. Life Boat.
"This is one of the most beautiful works on temperance
subjects ever issued from the American press. It contains,
besides well written tales, essays and poetry, biographical
sketches of the prominent reformers now living. It is a
monument to the enterprise and taste of the publishers."
Chicago Literary Budget.
"The whole work is finished in a style of the highest
excellence, and the contents are of such a character as to
give the book a claim to the attention of every temperance
man in the land."-Penna. Fountain.
" It contains a large amount of thrilling and interesting
narratives, illustrative of the workings, through the vari
ous walks of life, of that huge vice-Intemperance."
Evening Post.
"The work is formed by contributions from various well.
known authors of the present day, consisting of temperance
tales, sketches, essays, and poems, and embellished with
handsomely finished portraits on steel of some of the most
popular advocates of the temperance cause. We believe
that but few works exist, better calculated, by the tendency
of their contents, to refine, as well as instruct and amuse;
educating the heart and the mind, the morals and intelligenca of their readers."-IHomie Journal.
LEARY &. GETZ, Publishers,
138 North Second St., Philadelphia.





The Life and Speeches of Henry Clay.With a Portrait, and a View of the Birth-place o0 Mr.
Clay. In one handsome large octavo volume of 1300
pages, handsomely bound in arabesque, gilt. Price only
$, or, bound in two volumes, arabesque, gilt, $3.50.
The following are a few of the Notices of this valuable
work by the prominent newspapers of the country:
"The fullest biography of the statesman we have
seen:"
" It contains his master efforts."
" The work cannot be too widely circulated."
"No book can be more valuable to hand down to posterity."
"The history of the life, and speeches of America's
great statesman, should be in every family."
"The Biography is written with great ability."
"This book is worthy of the greatness of the subject."
"The portrait in this volume is an excellent copy of
the only likeness of Mr. Clay."
"It is just such a book as is wanted and much needed
by our people."
" This work will be heartily welcomed by the innumerable friends of the departed statesman."
" The life of this great man is worthy of a prominent
place in every library-his acts form a prominent part of
our country's history."
" In the publication of this excellent selection of
speeches, the publishers are eminently deserving of support."
" It is all that it professes to be."
" The engravings are among the finest that we have
seen."
" It is a rich contribution to the history of our country."
" No library is complete without it."
" Every man should have a copy, and from its cheapness none need to be deprived of it."
" It should be handed down from father to son, through
succeeding generations."
" The most reliable biography of the Great Commoner,
and the most judicious selection of his brilliant efforts."
" This valuable work will awaken a very lively interest
among the multitude of his friends."
"We hope that it will be placed before all who are
hereafter to play their parts in the great drama of life."
" To the young man, whose only. fortune is his energy
and whose only friend is his health, this work will be
doubly valuable."
V*                   17





jTPT'LAR SCHOOL 3300M.
Booth's New       Pictorial United States.For Primary Schools. 244 pages 18mo, neatly bound, with
Questions. Price, 37- cents. This is the best History of
the United States now published for the use of Primary
Schools.
The Central School Reader.-compiled by the
Female Association of Friends for the Improvement of
Juvenile Books. One of the best books published for
Select Schools and Academies. 12mo. Price, 75 cents.
Wilmsen's Reader; or, The Children's Friend.
One hundred and sixtieth Edition. One of the best School
Books ever published for Children between the ages of
eight and twelve years. 12mo. Price, 621 cents.
White's Elements of Universal History.
With Additions and Questions. By John S. Hart. 12mo,
arabesque backs. Price, $1.
Public School Singing Book.-By A. F. com.
32mo, boards. Price, 12, cents.
Murray's English Reader.-12mo, sheep. Price,
25 cents.
Murray's Introduction.-12mo, boards. Price,
121 cents.
Chapin's New       Classical Spelling Book.12mo, boards. Price, 121 cents.
The History of Ancient and Modern
Greece.-Edited by John Frost, LL.D.   Sheep. Price,
$1.50.
Kelley's New      Juvenile Primer.-rrice, 3 cts.
Testament.-18mo, sheep. A good school edition.
Price, 25 cents.
Cobbett's     French     Grammar,.-       smo, sheep.
Price, 621 cents.
Cobbett's     English     Grammar.-ismo, sheep.
Price, 50 cents.
18





Burder's History of all Religions, with
Accounts of the Ceremonies and Customs, or the
Forms of Worship of the several Nations of the
World. With large additions, by Joel Parker,
D.D.    Complete in one large octavo volume,
of over 700 pages, and illustrated with handsome Engravings. Price only $3.
"This volume will be found to be replete with interest
and instruction, growing out of the subjects upon which it
treats. The reader will have presented to him a picture of
the religious world, upon which he will perceive many
lark and distressing shades: he will see in what varied
and unhallowed forms mankind have worshipped the common Parent of all; he will be led to contemplate the delusions practised upon millions, by the cunning and craft of
imposture; the unholy devotion demanded of other mil.
lions, and the debasing superstitions, and cruel abominations upon still more millions of the human family. From
the pain of dwelling upon the darker shades, he will find
relief by turning his eyes to the bright spots on the picture. The work is the best on the subject we have seen,
and must command the admiration of all interested on the
subject."-Christian Repository.
"This work is of the most liberal and impartial character. The quickened intercourse of the world, the overturning of governments long established, and the scope given
to free inquiry, impart a fresh interest to subjects of this
nature. May we not also hope that a knowledge of the
differences prevailing among' difierent branches of the
Christian Church, will aid in the promotion of that general
charity, which will cause all teachers of Christianity to
'see eye to eye,' and the entire population of the earth to
become one happy family."-Evangelical Record.
" This work will be found to contain an impartial account
of the history and forms of worship of all religious denominations, both ancient and modern. The author has had
access -to the denominational publications of the different
creeds, and gives their religious views and doctrines with.
out any bias on his part. This will be the> means of.ren,
dering the work useful for reference, and it should find a
place in the library of every family."-Christian Advocate.
LEARY     St GETZ, Publishers,
318WNorth Second St., Philadelphia,
19





The Life and Sermons of Rev. George
Whitefield.    New    and  revised edition, with
large additions and      improvements, together
with   numerous     Engravings, illustrative     of
Scenes in his Life, a View      of his Monument,
and a handsomely engraved Portrait on Steel
One octavo volume of 660 pages, handsomely
bound in neat substantial leather. Price only
$2.50.
The author of this book is evidently an evangelical
Christian, in both doctrine and experience, for such an one
only could conceive of, and portray, in so true and lively
a manner, the character of the eminent servant of God
whose life and labours he presents to the world: and both
the biographer, and the author of the introduction to this
edition, appear to aim at impartiality in their statements,
even where we might have expected to find them biassed
by their creeds, in favour of the subject of these memoirs.
This is by far the best account of the life and labours of
Whitefield which we have seen. It is more full of incident, and abundantly more full of the spirituality of which
the preacher's life was a continual manifestation."
Christian Advocate and Journal.
"His journals, his letters, his sermons, his conversations, his whole life, show him to have been most habitually
and characteristically a man of prayer; and if this volume
may tend to bring ministers and Christians to a higher
appreciation and a more diligent culture of the devotional
spirit, it will accomplish a great, an important, and a much
needed work, both for the ministry and the church."
C"hristian Observer.
"As a man, as a Christian, as a minister, we shall not, it
is to be feared, look upon his like again speedily. Aftepassing through good and evil report, during more than
sixty"years of incessant labour, he at last entered into his
rest. The volume now published will be found to contain a
correct account of his life and services in the vineyard of
Christ, and-the sermons will be read with profitable
pleasure by those who had not the fortune to hear them
fom his own mouth."-Banner of the Cross.
LEARY     &  GETZ, Publishers,
138 North Second St., Philadelphia.
20





Lives of Great and          Celebrated      Characters, of all Ages and Countries. One large octavo volume of nearly 800 pages, and illustrated
by several hundred Engravings. Neatly bound.
Price only $2.50.
"In this large and very handsome volume, we have
authentic accounts of some of the most remarkable personages of by-gone, as well as the present day, embracing
Heroes, Conquerors, Statesmen, Authors, Artists, Extraordinary Humorists, Misers, Mountebanks, Kings and Queens,
Jugglers, and other Curiosities of Human Nature,-and
handsomely illustrate.
" To the general reader, this book presents many attraotions. After thorough examination, we are prepared to say
that the work is a reliable one-the author has given us
truth instead of speculation, and we place considerable
value upon his information. No library is complete without it."-Philadelphia City Item.
"This entertaining, instructive volume is one which
may be taken up at any time and read with pleasure, and
not the least of its merit is, that while it contains such a
mass of matter, it is eminently qualified to instruct and
amuse its readers."-Observer.
"The biography of remarkable and eccentric men has
long been considered one of the most entertaining kind of
reading. But it is mbre than this: it is a very useful exercise, and one which is worthy the attention of all who
seek for information. The characters brought to view in
this volume are among the most remarkable, and many of
them the most eccentric, which have ever appeared on the
great theatre of human action. The book must be read,
to be appreciated."-Literary World.'
"This is one of the most interesting and instructive
volumes that has been brought to our notice. The biographios of the different characters contained in the work are
written in a familiar style, making them easily understood,
throughout every detail. -It is a valuable addition to the
family library and will give as much information as is con,
tained in many Volumes. We bespeak for it a large sale."
Tribune.
LEARY     & GETZ, Publishers,
138 North Second St., Philadelphia.
21





Rotteck's History of the World, contain.
ing a History of all the Nations of the Earth.
'our volumes in one, seventeen hundred pages,
and handsomely illustrated. Price only $3.50.
"We welcome this fine edition of a very superior work.
On the continent of Europe, it holds the highest place as a
true and faithful account of the World's History. His
liberal ideas have, it is true, brought upon him the wrath
of royalty, nobility, and aristocracy, but they will win for
him, in this country, the highest praise. It contains an
immense amount of information compressed within a moderate space, and yet is sufficiently elaborate."
Evening Bulletin.
"From a personal examination of the book, we can recommend it as most comprehensive and correct."
Saturday Gazctte.
"This is truly one of the most valuable publications of
the day, and should have a place in every library."
Penna. Inquirer.
"This work indicates a degree of patient investigation,
deep, varied, and laborious research; it is a most thorough
and complete library in itself, in all matters pertaining to
the history of all nations."-Saturday Courier.
" In the preparation of this great work, the author claims
to be exempt from all political or sectarian bias, and to
have fulfilled the demand of pure history in a rigid expose
of the past-a faithful portrait of' the things that were.
It is a book that, while it instructs, will greatly interest
Bamilies."-Phila. Dollar Newspaper.
"'This History is well translated; illustrated with good
engravings, and will ornament any library."-Phila. Sun.
"This History is peculiarly adapted to all thinking men,
whatever their spheres of action may be. But it is to be recommended particularly as a rare and precious source of
political instruction for the citizens of a state, where the
rights of man and his capacity for self-government are re.
cognised; where it is necessary that every one should become somewhat acquainted with political affairs; where,
In fine, should be the fatherland of so genuine a pupil of
the Washington school as Rotteck."-Tribue.
LEARY & GETZ, Publishers,
138 North Second St., Philadelphia.





Platt's Book of Curiosities, containing Ten
Thousand Wonders and Curiosities of Nature
and Art. One volume, 8vo, 950 pages, handsomely illustrated, and durably bound.        Price
only $2.50,
"We know of no work likely to be more lastingly popular and useful at the family fire-side, than tlis very popular
Book of Curiosities. Surrounded with wonders, and lost in
admiration, the inquisitive mind of man is ever anxious to
know the hidden springs that put these wonders in motion.
The adult, as well as the school pupil, inquires for some
one to take him by the hand and explain to him the curiosities of the Universe."--Phila. Dollar Netwspaper
"A more entertaining work has not, for a long time, appeare4 from the American Press."-Phila. Inquirer.
"'Curious readers may pore over and study, and scarcely
exhaust its supply of information, both marvellous and
matter-of-fact."-Phila. Evening Bulletin.
" Is a vast storehouse of miscellaneous, entertaining@
instructive reading, in which every imaginable taste and
disposition may find ample entertainment."
American Courier.
SNo one can peruse it without receiving a vast amount
of good from its pages."-Easton, Pa., Whig., It is a very interesting collection of rare and wonderful
articles, and excites universal attention."
Joylestotwn Democrat.
"This collection includes many very curious facts, and
will be read eagerly by all who preserve, yet fresh, their
taste for the wonderful."-Sat. Evening Post.
"This work presents to the reader, a view of the great
achievements of the human intellect, in the discoveries of
science; and the wonderful operations of the skill, power,
and industry of man, in the invention and improvement
of the arts, in the construction of machines, and in the
buildings and other ornaments the earth exhibits, as trophies to the glories of the human race."-Herald.
LEARY & GETZ, Publishers,
138 North Second St., Philadelphia
23





Frost's Pictorial       Lif   of George Washington.; Embracing a Complete History of the
Seven Years' War; the Formation of the Federal Constitution, and     the Administration of
Washington.      Complete in one large octavo
volume of 600      pages, containing      over one
hundred Engravings, including several, finely
executed, on Steel. Price only $3.
" This is one of the most elegant and authentic books
that has emanated from the American Press. The Biogra.
phy is written in a very pleasant style, which tends to
interest, as well as to instruct. The stirring events of the
Revolutionary War, in which Washington assumed a very
important position, are depicted with much accuracy and
boauty."(-iraham's lMagazine.
"The author has taken unusual pains in the collection
of his materials, and has drawn from the most accurate
sources. We consider this one of the author's best works."
Phila. Dollar  ewospaper.
"This work comprises a complete narrative of the important events that occurred in the ' time? that tried men's
souls.' It is a book which should be in the possession of
every family; and, as it is most desirable to cultivate a
taste for listorical reading among young people, we know
of nothing that is more likely to produce a relish for a
wholesome literature, than placing such books as this at
their disposal."-American Banner.
SIn the preparation of this work, the author has made
use of the best materials; he has placed an array of facts
before the reader which fails not to interest him, while it
is abundantly instructive."-American Review.
"Whoever has occasion to examine, carefully, into the
history of the period in which Washington lived, will find
ids reverence for the character of that illustrious man always increasing. The more intimately one becomes aoquainted with the fact, the more firmly he becomes conEvinced that Washington was, throughout the whole forming
period of the republic, the grand moving power. The present work will be fourd to contain an impartial account
of the events of that period."-Evening Post.
LEARY     &   GETZ, Pubishers,
138 North Second St., Philadelphia.