"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 on one of the high hills of Pedee, where she remained a considerable time; she then went to one of the inland towns in North Carolina, from whence she had but just returned with Alfred when I arrived. Afterwards I accompanied her to Georgetown, and other places, attended by her father, so that she was little more known in Charleston than myself. But all answered no purpose to the restoration of her health; a confirmed hectic carried her off in the bloom of youth.

"I was but a few months older than she; her name was Melissa, a name which a pious grandmother had borne, and was therefore retained in the family. Our similarity of age, and in some measure of appearance, our being so little known in Charleston, and our names being the same, suggested 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 time for farther deliberation, and might so operate on my father's feelings as to soften that obduracy of temper, which deeply disquieted himself and others, and thus finally be productive of happily effecting the designed purpose.

"My uncle was too deeply overwhelmed in grief to be particularly consulted on this 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.[A] 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.

[Footnote A: This was formerly the case.]

* * * * *

"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 am known to your father, who has ever treated me as a relative. I will return as speedily as possible, and we shall then know what measures are best next to pursue."

"I requested him to unfold the deception to my mother, and, if he found it expedient, to Vincent and Mr. Simpson, in whose friendship and fidelity I was sure he might safely confide.

"He soon departed, and returned in about two months. He found my father and mother in extreme distress on account of my supposed death: my mother's grief had brought her on the bed of sickness; but when 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 taken, he should conduct in a very different manner, as he was not only deprived of me, but Edgar also, who had gone to Holland in an official capacity, soon after receiving the tidings of my death. "I am now childless," said my father in tears. Alfred's feelings were moved, and could he then have found you, he would have told my father the truth; but lest he should relapse from present determinations, he considered it his duty still with him, to continue the deception.

"On enquiring at your father's, at Vincent'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 confidentially 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 New London: 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 more 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 Charleston.

"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, who was passing the road in a chair with a gentleman, whom she had then but recently become acquainted with. My aunt knew you. They immediately drove to John's hut. On finding that John had left the keys with me, she sent him for 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 having 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 narrative 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 with your aunt?" enquired Alonzo. "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. He 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 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 readily come into Alfred's plan 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 Melissa 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 an answer, just as he left Paris, informing him of his reasons for 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 business, 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 undeceive 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 laborers, his crops had yielded 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. 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 reversion 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.—[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 in the character of Melissa."

"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 is 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 reasons for preferring the celebration at her father's.

The evening before the day on which the marriage was 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 immediately 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 only 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 Vincent'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 family had arrived at his father's, and some relatives whom his mother had invited.

The next morning ushered in the day in 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 watchful, scowling aunt, to interrupt their transports. It was the latter end of May; nature was arrayed in her richest ornaments, and adorned with her sweetest perfumes. The sun blended its mild lustre with the landscape's lovely green; silk-winged breezes frolicked amidst the flowers; the spring birds carolled in varying strains:

"The air was fragrance, and the world was love."

Evening was appointed for the ceremony, and Edgar was to be the officiating clergyman.

"To tie those bands which nought but death can sever."

When the hour arrived, they repaired to the house of Melissa's father, where numerous guests had assembled. Melissa was introduced into the bridal apartment, and took her seat among a brilliant circle of ladies. She was attired in robes "white as the southern clouds," spangled with silver, and trimmed with deep gold lace; her hair hung loosely upon her shoulders, encircled by a wreath of artificial flowers. She had regained all her former loveliness; the rose and the lily again blended their tinges in her cheek; again pensive sprightliness sparkled in her eye.

Alonzo was now introduced, and took his seat at the side of Melissa. His father and mother came next, who were placed at the right hand of the young couple: Melissa's parents followed, and were stationed at the left. Edgar then came and took his seat in front; 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 scarcely 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 swell'd,"

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 chair.—"My daughter! he cried—God of mysterious mercy! it is my daughter!"

The guests caught the contagious sympathy; convulsive sobs arose from all parts of the room. Melissa's father clasped her in his arms—"And I receive thee as from the dead! he said. I am anxious to hear the mighty mystery unfolded. But first let the solemn rites for which we are assembled be concluded; let not an old man's anxiety interrupt the ceremony."

"But you are apprised, sir, said Alonzo, of my inability to support your daughter according to her deserts."

"Leave that to me, my young friend, replied her father. I have enough: my children 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, since they had been absent. The guests listened with attention: they applauded the conduct of our new bride and bridegroom, in which Melissa's father cordially joined. They rejoiced to find that Alonzo's father had regained his fortune, and copious libations were 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, he had seen affliction, like him his latter days were better than his beginning. But wearied with the bustles 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 Melissa 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 foolish pretence or impression of hearing noises and seeing frightful objects, and such is the superstition of the people that no one now, will venture 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 chosen that season as the most favourable to their 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 retain 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 one hand, and a drawn sword in the other, 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 silver coin, a number of glasses and several decanters of wine. Alonzo and his party stood a few minutes, listening to the following 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!"——"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 involved in pitchy darkness; a loud crash was heard, then a scampering about the floor, and a noise as if several doors shut 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 amazement, 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 without 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.

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 was 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 Americans 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 immense 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 sheep, which 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 Sound, continued the wounded man, we had frequently observed this mansion, which, from every appearance, we were convinced was 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, which 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 spikes driven into the wall. We found more difficulty in getting into the house:—we however at length succeeded, by tearing 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 was so constructed, that on touching a spring, it would fly open, and when unrestrained, would shut to with violence. Finding the apartment so eligible for our purpose, and fearing that at some future time we might be disturbed either by the owner of the building or some tenant, we cut similar doors into every room of the house, 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 extinguished, was with its contents, precipitated below, and we made our escape by those secret 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; often 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 opened 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 able 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 our 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 the house we were still until we 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 sheet-lead 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 mansion, 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 eyes——the mask was painted to suit their purposes. The bloody dagger was of wood, and painted.

Thus 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 in 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 of 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,[A] made into the likeness of human eyes, some material being placed in its mouth, around which was a piece of the thinnest scarlet tiffany, in order to make it appear of a flame colour. They had also constructed a large combustible ball, of several thicknesses of paste-board, 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 that night. But as Melissa had now arisen and lighted candles, the plan was defeated.

[Footnote A: A sort of decayed or rotten wood, which in the night looks like coals of fire, of a bright whitish colour. It emits a faint light.]

While they were consulting how to proceed, they heard her unlock her chamber door, 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 himself 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 under the stairs presented the 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 alarmed; 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. Several 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 their furniture, and to this place would they have removed it, had they not been so 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 in 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 wounded the officer in the thigh, who fell: "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 midshipman, 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! he cried. My friend, my brave deliverer, in chains in my own country!"

"The fortune of war, boy! said Jack—it 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 been honest, so I will divide with you."

They then repaired to an inn. Jack, whose wound was healed, was put under 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 bills of exchange on London. Though you once saw me naked, I can now conveniently spare this sum, and it may assist you in buffeting the billows of life."—The generous tar shed tears of gratitude, and Alonzo enjoyed the pleasure of seeing him depart, calling down blessings on the 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 in 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,"

they projected scenes of connubial bliss, and 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 immediately 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 abundance of gratitude, he informed, that on returning 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 all 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."

Edgar 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 verdured 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 strawberry-bird;[A] 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 transition, the feeling bosoms of Alonzo and Melissa.

[Footnote A: 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 sprightly, but ending plaintive and melancholy.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chronology

Based on references to datable external events, the story covers at least ten years. The parts of the book that take place in Connecticut are filled with descriptions of changing seasons. Europe and the southern states have no climate.

"two young gentlemen of Connecticut ... graduated at Yale College" "Beauman ... came regularly once in two or three months" "Beauman's visits to Melissa became more frequent" "[Beauman's] visits became more and more frequent." "It was summer, and towards evening when [Alonzo] arrived."

To accommodate Beauman's repeated visits, a full year would have to pass.

"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 battle of Lexington, followed soon after by the battle of Bunker Hill."

The battles took place in April and June of 1775; "the ensuing spring" would mean that the year is 1774.

"Winter came on; it rapidly passed away. Spring advanced..."

1774 changes to 1775

"The spring opened ... the colonies, which had now been dissevered from the British empire, by the declaration of independence"

This is the same spring as in the previous quotation, but if the Declaration of Independence (July 1776) is in the past, it would have to be the spring of 1777.

"It was at the latter end of the month of May"

May 1775 or 1777, depending on one's chosen chronology.

"The particulars of this action, in the early stage of the American war, are yet remembered by many."

The "action" may be a conflation of two different episodes involving the Trumbull, neither of them early in the war: the first was in June 1780, the second in late August 1781. The Trumbull was towed to New York, not to London.

"who died there about eighteen months ago"

Alonzo took sail shortly after learning of Melissa's death, so we are now in early 1783.

[Melissa's gravestone] "October 26, 1776 / In the 18th year of her age."

Depending on the chronology chosen, Melissa's reported death could have been in 1775, 1777 or 1781. Her 18th year is properly the year leading up to her 18th birthday, but may mean that she was 18 years old.

"to be opened that night only, with the tragedy of Gustavus"

Gustavus was written by Henry Brooke in 1739 and immediately banned. Its American premiere was in Baltimore on 14 June 1782.

* * * * * * * * *

Quotations

Only a few quotations have been identified. Some of the others may be paraphrases.

"Call round her laughing eyes, in playful turns, The glance that lightens, and the smile that burns." Erasmus Darwin, 1731-1802, "The Temple of Nature, or, The Origin of Society"

But far beyond the pride of pomp, and power, He lov'd the realms of nature to explore; . . . Timothy Dwight (president of Yale), 1752-1817, The Conquest of Canaan. The Cambridge History of English and American Literature says that the poem was "written by the time he was twenty-two, but published when he was thirty-three and should have known better."

"musing, moping melancholy." Arthur Murphy, The Upholsterer or What News (1758), I:i: "musing, moping, melancholy lover".

"The breeze's rustling wing was in the tree" This unidentified line is also quoted in Mitchell's Albert and Eliza.

the "stilly sound" of the low murmuring brook Misprinted in 1851 as "slitty sound". Probably John Home, Douglas (1756) IV:i.

"the confused noise of the warriors, and garments rolled in blood," 1804 text has "warrior". Isaiah 9:5 (King James): For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood.

until "the heavens were arrayed in blackness." Isaiah 50:3: "I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering."

he cast a "longing, lingering look" Thomas Gray (1716-71) Elegy.

"Blue trembling billows, topp'd with foam," The 1804 and 1811 texts have the correct form "tumbling billows". Anarchiad, a New England Poem (1786-87) with joint authors Joel Barlow (1754-1812), David Humphreys (1752-1818), John Trumbull (1750-1831) and Lemuel Hopkins (1750-1801).

"dingy scud" Printed "dirgy scud" in all but the 1804 original. Possibly from Charles Dibdin (b. 1745), "Ev'ry Inch a Sailor": The wind blew hard, the sea ran high, The dingy scud drove 'cross the sky ...

"... like Patience on a monument ..." Twelfth Night II:iv.

The "days of other years" Possibly from "Ossian" (James MacPherson); the phrase is used often.

Here may the "widowed wild rose love to bloom!" May be a paraphrase of another line in The Conquest of Canaan.

"Song, beauty, youth, love, virtue, joy ...." Identified in the text as Edward Young, Night Thoughts, 1745. The couplet on the title page is from the same source.

"To tie those bands which nought but death can sever." May be "bonds" as in 1804 text. The phrase "that naught but death can sever" occurs in Spenser, Amoretti VI (1595).

"white as the southern clouds" The phrase occurs in a translation of Salomon Gessner, as well as in an 1817 text (Pennie, "The Royal Minstrel"). Both passages are descriptions of sheep.

"a good old age" The phrase occurs at least four times in the King James Bible.

* * * * * * * * *

Other Editions

The editions available for comparison were:

1804 Weekly installments in The Political Barometer, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. This version was only available in an online transcription. A number of questioned words were checked with the transcriber, Hugh MacDougall of the Cooper Society. 1811 Plattsburgh, N.Y. "Printed For The Proprietor." The first of the pirated editions. Some copies have no author credit. 1851 Boston. "Printed for the Publishers." Attached to the end, without page break, is a short narrative poem with prose introduction, "Henry and Julia, a tale of real life" (omitted from this e-text). 1864 Philadelphia, Lippincott. With two exceptions, this is a reprint of the 1851 edition, including obvious typographical errors and with identical punctuation. There is a new frontispiece (the 1851 edition had none). The "Henry and Julia" poem is omitted. Instead, the final page compresses the last two pages (one full page plus seven lines of text and a four-line footnote) of the 1851 edition into one, using a noticeably smaller font. 1870? New York, Leavitt & Allen. The date is hypothetical, based on librarian's notation. The book is probably a reprint of the 1836 Boston edition, which has the same page count (significantly different from other known editions); 1836 is also a plausible date for the frontispiece.

General Differences:

In the 1804 and 1811 texts, dialogue is usually punctuated as

"To this place (said Melissa) have I taken...."

with some variation between brackets [] and parentheses (). In the 1870 text, dialogue has "modern" punctuation with single quotes:

'To this place,' said Melissa, 'have I taken....'

The earlier versions are more likely to use "American" spellings such as "jail" (but "gaoler") and "honor"; later editions (published in the U.S.) use "British" spellings such as "gaol" and "honour". The older form "shew" appears only in the earliest editions.

The spelling "stupify" is used consistently, and "vallies" is almost universal. The spellings "discreet(ly)" and "discrete(ly)" seem to have been used interchangeably. Names in "New" such as "New London" were generally hyphenated in 1804; later versions have fewer hyphens, but they never disappear altogether.

The ampersand & appears a few dozen times in the original (1804) version; in 1811 most were changed to "and", and in later editions it survived only in the form "&c."

The 1804 and 1811 texts use "consolate" for "console" almost everywhere, and the name is spelled Wyllys, changed in later editions to Wyllis. The 1811 text consistently uses the spelling "whipperwill", and often uses "come" and "become" for "came" and "became". The 1851 text often uses non-standard spellings such as "visiter", "suiter", "persuit". The 1870 text consistently spells "lilly" with two l's, and uses "set" for "sit"; it often interchanges or omits "the/this/that" and similar.

In All Editions:

With lingering gaze Edinian spring survey'd [for Edenian] The panic and general bustle which took place in America on these events, is yet well remembered by many. ["is" for "are"] to level on the property of the former [common error or variant for "levy"] this measure, once adopted, her father must consent also [sentence structure is the same in all editions] constructed of several tier of hewed timbers ["tier" used as a plural] he should conduct in a very different manner [sentence structure is the same in all editions]

Details:

The following are highlights, not an exhaustive list. See below for errors corrected in the 1851 text. Spelling and punctuation have been regularized in some cases.

In the time of the late American revolution 1811ff ... the late revolution at the day appointed 1811ff on the day appointed her aspect was attempered with a pensive mildness 1870 her aspect was tempered ... [QUOTATION] For far beyond the pride and pomp of power 1870 pride or pomp The heaven embosom'd sun; the rainbow's die 1851 the rainbow's dye a few days, during which time they passed in visiting select friends and in social parties. 1870 a few days, which time they passed in was visiting ... 1811/51 and social parties the sound of various instrumental music 1811ff ... of instrumental music mortgages on lands and houses for security 1811ff ... securities attracted him hither. If he had admired the manly virtues of the brother, could he fail to adore the sublimer graces 1870 thither ... the sublime graces the milder and more refined excellencies of the other? 1870 ... of the latter? He came regularly, about once in two or three months 1811ff He came regularly, once in ... It was not probable, therefore, that he would be objectionable to Melissa's friends—Nor to Melissa herself——said Alonzo, with an involuntary sigh. 1811ff "It is not probable therefore that he will be objectionable to Melissa's friends or to Melissa herself," ... Was it not then highly probable that he had secured her affections? 1870 Was it not highly probable then that ... the foliage glittering to the western ray 1851 glittering the 1870 glittering in the the extremest verge of the horizon. "This is a most beautiful scene," said Melissa. 1811ff the extreme verge 1851/70 a most delightful scene he was not always my beau-man 1851/70 he was not always my Beauman He formally addresses you. 1851 He formerly. Al. Melissa. [A pause ensued.] 1870 ... [A pause.] but his fears declared otherways 1811ff ... otherwise friendship must yield its pretensions to a superior claim 1870 friendship must yield to a superior claim Were Beauman here, my position might be demonstrated. 1811ff Was Beauman here ... She was still silent. 1870 She was silent. Mel. (confused.) If it be a proper one. You are entitled to candour. 1811ff ... If it be a proper one you are ... her voice tremulous, her eyes still cast down.) My parents have informed me that it is improper to receive the particular addresses of more than one. 1870 her voice trembles 1811 the particular address But— (she hesitated.) 1870 But (she blushed.) [QUOTATION] Darted her silvery intercepted ray 1811 Darted his silvery ... nor had they attempted to influence or forestal her choice 1811ff ... to influence or direct her choice We must pour a liberal libation upon the mystic altar 1870 We must pour out a liberal libation to the mystic altar And why have I ever doubted this event" said Alonzo. "What infatuation hath thus led me on the pursuit of fantastic and unreal bliss? 1870 And why have I doubted ... led me on to the pursuit ... and will convince both Melissa and Beauman 1811ff and I will convince Melissa and Beauman she has treated me as a friend to her brother. She was the unsuspecting object of my passion. She was unconscious of the flame 1811/51/70 ... as a friend to her brother. She was unconscious ... said that business had prevented him; he esteemed him as his most valued friend 1851/70 said that business prevented him ... most valuable to which you attended me when you was last here 1870 ... when you last was here The solemn herds lowed in monotonous symphony. The autumnal insects in sympathetic wailings 1870 in solemn symphony 1811 waftings 1851/70 wafting the rude despoiling hand of winter 1870 the despoiling hand of winter She was still silent 1851/70 She was silent. The "stilly sound" of the low murmuring brook 1851 slitty sound 1870 distant sound the frequent lights darted their paly lustre thro' the gloom 1811/51 palely lustre 1870 pale lustre but other subjects engaged the mental attention of Alonzo. 1811ff but the other subject ... Alonzo and Beauman pledged their honour to abide explicitly by these injunctions 1851 ... abide implicitly by ... 1870 ... abide implicitly to ... That time has now arrived 1851/70 That time has arrived the deep and solemn silence of night 1870 the deep and sullen silence of night bowed to the minutia of female volatility 1870 minutiae [[Note that "minutiae" is the correct form. All earlier editions, including the 1804 original, have the incorrect word "minutia".]] finally appointed a day to give both him and Alonzo a determinate answer 1811ff ... to give him and Alonzo a determinate answer to make a journey into a different part of the country 1811ff to make a journey to a distant part ... thither he hasted to gain shelter from the approaching storm. 1811ff thither he hastened ... In a moment he discovered that it was Melissa. 1870 In a moment, however, he discovered that it was Melissa. Alonzo felt all the force of the remark 1870 Alonzo felt the force ... remaining beauties of Summer 1811ff remaining beauties of the summer the battle at Lexington, followed soon after by the battle at Bunker's Hill. 1870 of Lexington ... of Bunker Hill 1811ff Bunker Hill Alonzo and she frequently discoursed upon the subject, and they agreed 1811ff Alonzo and she frequently discoursed, and they agreed orchards, arbours, and cultured fields 1811ff ... cultivated fields The inhabitants of this modern Avernum 1851/70 ... Auvernum [sic] Such was the place chosen for the future residence of Alonzo and Melissa. 1811ff Such was the place for the residence ... "the confused noise of the warrior, and garments rolled in blood," 1811ff ... of the warriors ... this modern Vacluse [sic] 1851/70 this modern Vaucluse the walks, the meads, the fountains 1811ff the walks, the mead, the fountains Around the horizon electric clouds raised their brazen summits, based in the black vapor of approaching night 1870 Around the horizon clouds raised their brazen summits, based on the and the adjacent towns and villages, presented to the eye, on a single view, perhaps one of the most picturesque draperies 1870 and the adjacent towns and villages, perhaps one of the most picturesque draperies she had an uncle who lived near Charleston, in South Carolina 1870 she had an uncle near Charleston, South Carolina was expected to arrive before the appointed marriage day. 1811ff ... before the appointed day He would frequently start up in the bed 1870 ... in bed He scarcely spoke a word, and after the table was removed 1870 ... after the cloth was removed that the reputation of my latter days was stained with acts of baseness and meanness. 1870 ... acts of baseness. I had some hopes that your happiness, Alonzo, might yet be secured 1870 ... might be secured We would not stop the reader to moralize on this disastrous event. 1811ff We will not ... I know the old gentleman too well 1870 I know that old gentleman too well fringed with the gold of even 1851/70 fringed with the gold of evening Her countenance appeared dejected, which on her seeing Alonzo 1870 Her countenance appeared to be dejected ... 1811ff ... which, on seeing ... Thus spake my father, and immediately withdrew 1870 Thus spoke my father, and immediately withdrew Mr. and Mrs. Vincent are now my only confidents 1851/70 ... confidants but the sound, late so cheerful and sprightly 1870 but the sound, so cheerful and sprightly a deep dejection was depicted upon her features 1870 ... in her features Alonzo was received with a cool reserve 1870 ... a cold reserve Melissa's father soon entered 1811ff Melissa's father entered if you marry in your present situation? I know you have talents and have had an education. But what are they without means? You have friends 1811/51/70 if you marry in your present situation? You have friends the hand of Melissa." Thus spake the father of Melissa, and immediately left the room. 1811ff of Melissa"—and immediately left the room. it was a shock their fortitude could scarcely sustain 1870 ... scarcely contain Disappointment seldom finds its votaries prepared to receive her. 1811ff ... her votaries ... but could not counteract the will of her father 1811ff but could not contradict the will of her father after Alonzo had related the manner of his reception 1870 after Alonzo had related his reception of little consequence. But their united situation tortured his soul.—What was to become of Melissa, what of himself 1870 of little consequence. But what was to become of Melissa, what of himself With part of this I have purchased a small, but well cultivated farm 1811ff With this I have ... a ray of joy illumined his troubled bosom. 1811ff illuminated [QUOTATION] Like morn's gay hues, the fading splendors fled 1870 gray He thought on Melissa, from whom he had heard nothing since he last saw her.—He thought on the difficulties which surrounded him. He thought on the barriers which were opposed to his happiness 1811ff He thought of ... thought of ... thought of The day after you left here, her father received a letter 1811ff The day after you were here ... Where is your fortitude and your firmness," said he 1851 "Where," said he, "is your fortitude and your firmness 1870 Where is your fortitude and firmness," said he war ends in peace 1811ff wars end in peace transports them to another and a better world 1811/51 ... and better world but where, alas were the means of alleviation? 1811ff but alas! where were ... ordered her to prepare to become the wife of Beauman 1811ff ordered her to become the wife of Beauman You suffer the Jack-a-lantern fancy to lead you 1870 ... Jack-with-a-lantern ... Marry Beauman, and you roll in your coach 1811ff ... you will roll in your coach I give you now two days to consider the matter 1870 ... to consider of the matter bordered with the odor-flowering lilac 1811ff bordered with the odour-flowing lilac He turned, and saw Edgar approaching: in a moment they were in each other's arms, and mingled tears 1870 He turned round and saw ... mingling tears You, Alonzo, must exert your fortitude 1870 You, Alonzo, must ever exert your fortitude It must, I think, ere long, be determined 1811ff ... be terminated it is in your power to remove them; and if you are a man of honour you will remove them. You cannot wish 1870 it is in your power to remove them. You cannot wish half squeaking through her nose, which was well charged with rappee, "did'nt I tell you so? I knew the fellow would come to no terms 1870 half speaking 1811ff I knew the fellow would not come to terms your daughter. And I should not wonder if you should soon find that the girl had eloped, and your desk robbed into the bargain 1870 your daughter. I should not wonder ... 1811ff ... find the girl had eloped, and your desk robbed in the bargain his eyes flashed resentment 1811/51 flashed in 1870 flashed with unless she was already apprised of it 1811 was apprised 1851/70 was appraised the feeble glimmer of the twinkling stars 1811ff glimmering "Thou still knowest me, Curlow," said Alonzo 1870 ... Carlow ... Here all was solemn, dark and silent as in front 1811ff Here all was solemn and silent as in front "Be calm," Alonzo, said she, "I think it will not long last 1851/70 ... not last long I believe they will trust me to see her 1851/70 I believe they will let me see her Unfeeling and impertinent intruder (retorted Alonzo) 1811 ... intruder, [retorted Alonzo] 1851 ... intruder? retorted Alonzo 1870 ... intruder?" retorted Alonzo and were it on no other account, must ever continue to despise and hate you 1811ff and were it not on one other account ... 1870 ... to hate and despise you From a coincidence of consequences 1811ff From coincidence of circumstances the family had retired to rest 1811ff the family had gone to rest Alonzo's feelings were on the wrack until she returned 1811 on the wreck 1851/70 on the rack Melissa's aunt (the old maid) had invited her to ride out with her 1870 Melissa's aunt had ... he had sent their daughter to a different part of the country 1811ff ... a distant part of the country living with the different relatives of the family 1811ff living with the relatives of the family He sat silent a few moments; then suddenly started up 1851/70 ... suddenly starting up 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, to which she consented. She did not even perceive the trunk which was fastened on behind the carriage 1870 Melissa had not the most distant suspicion ... a morning ride ... that was fastend [sic] on behind the carriage Melissa had frequently attended her father or mother 1851/70 ... her father and mother her aunt ordered the driver to proceed a different way 1870 her aunt had ordered ... They arrived at another small village 1811ff They arrived at another village Melissa's aunt, handing the driver a large bunch of keys 1870 Melissa's aunt handed the driver ... "La me!" she cried 1870 "La me!" cried she the opposite side of the house from whence she alighted 1870 ... from where she alighted This was done, while John and his wife went out, and Melissa's aunt 1811ff This done, while John and his wife went out, Melissa's aunt hoping to see the return of the carriage 1811ff hoping to see the carriage return surrounded by high, thick walls 1811ff surrounded by a high, thick wall They unlocked the door, which creaked heavily on its hinges 1811 ... the door, which screaked ... as I have took care to lock all the doors and gates after me 1851/70 as I have taken care ... circumstances have hitherto hindered my carrying the scheme into effect 1870 circumstances have hitherto hindered me from carrying my scheme into effect stared around her with a wild and agonizing countenance 1811ff ... a wild agonizing countenance She remained seemingly insensible throughout the night: just at morning, she fell into a slumber, interrupted by incoherent moanings, convulsive startings, long sighs 1811ff through the night ... long drawn sighs taking the key of that with her. She generally returned before sunset. When Melissa was so far recovered 1870 taking the key of that with her. When Melissa was so far recovered A few medical and odoriferous herbs 1851 medinical [sic] 1870 medicinal The out buildings were generally in a ruinous situation 1870 ... in a ruinous condition through several upper rooms to the chamber she inhabited 1811ff ... the chamber they inhabited West, all was wilderness, from a brook which wound along at a little distance from the garden wall. North, were the uneven grounds she had crossed when she came there 1811ff from which a brook 1851/70 wound along a little distance from 1870 the uneven grounds which she had crossed South, was the Sound and Long Island. 1811ff South, was the Sound of Long Island. Melissa passed much of her time in tracing the ruins 1870 Melissa passed much time in tracing the ruins She could have been contented here to have buried all her afflictions 1811ff ... buried her afflictions while the disconsolate tear of reflection glittered in her eye 1811ff while the disconsolate tear glittered in her eye more solicitous and importunate. A subject so hateful to Melissa sometimes provoked her to tears; at others her keen resentment. 1811ff more solicitous and impertinent ... 1851 at other Melissa sat up until a late hour, expecting her; she then went to the gate 1811 hour in the night 1851/70 hour of the night 1811ff ... she went to the gate "I had forgotten," said her aunt, "that my rents became due this week." 1851/70 ... that my rents become due this week she heard a noise as of several people trampling in the yard below 1870 she heard a noise of several people ... It was extremely dark, she could discern nothing. All was still and she thought she might have been deceived 1811ff It was extremely dark; she thought she might have been discovered to collect some debts of those to whom she had rented lands 1870 ... rented some lands and in the day time, in walking around the yard and garden 1811ff and in the day, in walking ... She stepped softly to the window, suddenly raised it, and held out the candle. She fancied she saw the glimpse of two or three dark forms pass swiftly along, but so indistinctly that it was impossible to determine whether they were real, or only shadows produced by objects intervening the light of the candle. She listened and gazed 1811/51/70 She stepped softly to the window, suddenly raised it, and held out the candle. She listened and gazed All was still; she shut the window, and in a short time went to bed. 1811ff All was silent ... she heard loud noises in the rooms below 1870 she heard noises in the rooms below a cold chilly sweat ran down her face 1811ff ... run down her face grasped her arm which lay on the outside of the bed clothes 1870 grasped her arm which lay outside of the bed clothes no visible being was in the room except herself. She sat down, pondering these strange events. Was it not possible that she was right 1870 no visible being was in the room except herself; how then could she account for these events? Was ... 1811ff probable 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 be also used to enter her chamber? But could her room 1870 ... imagination? But could her room She knew she could not sleep 1811ff She knew she could not go to sleep The moon had arisen and cast a pale, imperfect lustre over the landscape. She recollected the opening and shutting of the doors— perhaps they were still open. 1811ff a pale lustre ... of the door She examined the others; they were in the same situation 1870 ... they were all in the same situation As soon as her scattered senses collected, she concluded that whoever had been in the house were there still 1870 As soon as her scattered senses were collected ... 1811ff ... whatever had been in the house was there still ascended in pyramidal columns to the zenith 1811 pyramidial 1851/70 pyramidical 1851/70 columns the zenith A small spot of ineffable brightness succeeded 1851/70 A spot of ... both sides of it were smoothe [sic] as glass. 1811ff as smooth as glass The events of the past night, therefore, remained inscrutable 1870 The events of the last night ... the gate opened and the house entered by the means of false keys. Her father would as soon do this as to confine her 1811/51 by means of false keys 1870 by false keys 1870 ... as confine her Innumerous stars glittered in the firmament, intermingling their quivering lustre with the pale splendours of the milkyway [sic] 1811ff Innumerable 1811 the milk way 1851/70 the milky way But why should she fear? She knew of no one she had injured. She knew of none she had displeased 1811/51/70 But why should she fear? She knew of none she had displeased the horizon was overclouded, and it had begun to rain. 1811ff ... and it began to rain convinced that she was safe and secure, she concluded to go to bed 1811ff convinced that she was safe and secure, she went to bed leaving, however, two candles burning in the room. As she for two nights had been deprived of her usual rest 1870 leaving, however, candles burning in the room. As she for two nights had been deprived of her rest a broad flash like that of lightning, transiently illuminated her chamber 1811ff a broad flash like lightning, transiently illuminated the chamber the sounds seemed to be in the rooms directly over her head 1870 the sound seemed to be in the room ... filled the house with the electric effluvium. She listened for a repetition of the thunder—but a very different sound soon grated 1870 with electric effluvium ... a very different sound grated the doors below alternately open and shut, flapping furiously 1811ff ... slapping furiously [[The 1804 text uses long "s". The reading "flapping" is the transcriber's best guess, but the condition of the text does not allow certainty.]] she perceived some person crawling on to its foot 1811ff ... on its foot instantaneously she sprang from the bed to the floor—with convulsive grasp, seized the candle 1870 instantly she ... 1811ff with convulsed grasp she was alarmed by a deep, hollow sigh 1870 she heard a deep, hollow sigh Not the least noise had been heard since she last returned 1870 ... since she returned Towards evening Melissa took her usual walk around the enclosure 1870 ... took a walk around the enclosure the light gales bore revigorating coolness 1870 the light gales bore invigorating coolness the flowery verdure of the fields were changing to a russet hue 1870 of the field 1811ff was changed hammering on the hollow trunk of some dry and blasted tree, filled the woods with reverberant echoes 1811ff hammering on some dry and blasted trees 1870 reverberating the images of departed joys 1870 the images of departing joys in this house of gloom rest, in undisturbed silence 1870 in this house of gloom rests ... throughout these now solitary demesnes 1851/70 throughout these solitary demesnes yonder halls and apartments shone with brilliant illumination. Now all is sad, solitary and dreary, the haunt of sprites and spectres of nameless terror. 1811ff in brilliant illumination ... the haunt of spirits All that now remains of the head that formed, the hand that executed 1870 ... the head that formed and the hand that executed the rising shower, which slowly ascended in gloomy pomp 1851/70 the rising shower, which ascended in gloomy pomp The lightning more broader and brighter flashed 1811ff The lightning broader 1851/70 flashes Convolving clouds pouring smoky volumes 1811ff Convolving clouds poured smoky volumes Slantways, the large heavy drops of rain began to descend 1851/70 Slant-wise ... It seemed nothing less than the crush of worlds 1851/70 ... the crash of worlds pass another night in the lonely mansion 1851/70 ... the lone mansion a voice behind her exclaimed, "Gracious heaven! Melissa!" 1870 a voice exclaimed ... "No one except myself, Alonzo," she answered 1811ff "No one except myself," she answered He followed her up to her apartment and seated himself by the fire 1811ff He followed her to her apartment ... separated from society, and no one present to interrupt them 1811ff separated from society, and no one to interrupt them Alonzo and Melissa heard little of it 1851 heard a little 1870 heard but little what course her aunt and she had taken 1811ff what course her aunt had taken where he accidentally found Melissa on a visit, as mentioned before 1811 [FOOTNOTE] See page 26 desiring Alonzo to remain at his house until he returned 1870 desiring Alonzo to remain until he returned they were deeply interested in his favour and the welfare of Melissa 1870 ... in his affairs and in the welfare of Melissa It is possible that Melissa is 1811ff It is not possible but that Melissa is At length a large, tall tree, which stood near him, on the verge of the moat, or rather, in that place, river, was hurled from its foundation 1811ff At length a large tree ... or rather in that place, was hurled from its foundation He scrambled up on the trunk, and made his way on to the wall 1811ff ... made his way on the wall found the door open, which Melissa had left so in her fright 1811ff ... had left in her fright they could not endure the idea of another and an immediate separation 1811ff ... another and immediate separation It would not be safe for Alonzo to stay there 1811ff It would not be safe for Alonzo to stay I would not wish unjustly to censure your father 1811ff I would not censure your father 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 1870 sighed, wiped ... one of the first duties 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 1870 ... knew nothing of. To continue there Melissa was to leave the draw-bridge down 1811ff Melissa was to have the draw-bridge down he passed over, and she slowly withdrew 1870 he passed over and slowly withdrew The fire-fly sunk feebly twinkling amidst the herbage of the fields 1870 amongst the herbage 1870 NO FOOTNOTE and assisted him in obtaining a carriage 1870 to obtain a carriage and another burning on the table 1811ff and another was burning on the table By what means she had thus suddenly disappeared 1870 By what means had she thus suddenly disappeared John's hut was situate about one mile north from the mansion where she had been confined. When he came out near the road 1851/70 situated 1870 When he came near the road John stared in amazement 1851/70 John started in amazement her aunt is gone into the country and has not returned 1870 her aunt has gone ... John informed him that she was there about sunset 1870 ... he was there about sunset He returned in about half an hour 1870 He returned in half an hour the latter had taxed the former of improperly endeavoring 1870 ... with improperly endeavoring He 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 1870 He told him all .... At the house and she wished to marry somebody else 1811ff and she wishes to marry somebody else Alonzo did not long hesitate what course to pursue 1870 Alonzo did not hesitate long ... the idea could not pluck the thorn from his bosom 1851/70 ... from his own bosom I have got considerable money at command 1870 ... at my command He answered, that perhaps all might yet come right 1870 ... come to right his resources had not yet failed him 1851/70 his resources had not failed him he reached Killingsworth 1870 ... Killingworth through the night was wrecked with severe pain 1851/70 ... racked with severe pain it might prove an injury to her if she was there, and could answer no valuable purpose if she was not 1811ff ... if she were ... if she were not he could not distinguish her features 1870 he did not distinguish her features he now had a side view of her face, and was more than ever convinced that it was Melissa 1870 he had a side view of her face, was more ... he found it was Melissa's cousin 1811ff he found it to be Melissa's cousin "Do you not think," said Mrs. Wyllis, "that she resembles their cousin Melissa, who resided there some time ago?" 1870 ... her cousin Melissa ... what course to pursue, he was at a loss to determine upon. 1811ff what course to pursue, he was at a loss to determine. Alonzo felt no strong curiosity farther to examine her features 1870 Alonzo felt no curiosity ... An incident tended to confirm his resolution 1851/70 ... this resolution her fine eyes were closed for ever 1851/70 her fine eyes had closed for ever and shook the trembling frame of Alonzo 1811ff and shocked the trembling frame of Alonzo the sun of peace may yet dispel the glooms of these distressful hours 1870 ... dispel these distressful hours the death list arrested his attention 1870 the death list attracted his attention Died, of a consumption ... 1804/11: 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 18th year of her age. 1851: 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. 1870: 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 fanciful part of our readers may be ready to cast it aside 1811ff ... may cast it aside the geni which animated and enlivened it 1811ff the genius which animated and enlivened it Arouse your hero. Call to his aid 1811 Arouse your hero: call to his aid 1851/70 Arouse your hero? call to his aid to what pathos of grief and wretchedness 1811ff to what paths of grief and wretchedness regions where my guardian angel is gone 1811/51 regions where my guardian is gone nature triumphed over disease of body, he slowly recovered 1811 body—he 1851/70 body, and he an uncle who resided near Charleston in South Carolina [See Barometer No. 110.] 1811 [FOOTNOTE] See page 39. 1851/70 NO FOOTNOTE roved, he knew not whether [sic] [for "whither"] 1811ff where the dircle sung mournfully in the grass 1811ff ... on the grass through which they had passed, were recalled to his mind 1851/70 ... were called to his mind His fancy saw her—felt her gently leaning on his arm 1870 His fancy saw her—he felt ... Again was he enraptured by the melody of her voice 1811ff Again he was enraptured ... the first time he saw her at her cousin's [See Barometer No. 105. See also allusions to this scene in several subsequent parts of the story.] 1811/51 [FOOTNOTE] See page 7/8. See also ... 1870 NO FOOTNOTE his former bliss and anxiety, where every countenance would tend to renew his mourning, where every door would be inscribed with a memento mori 1870 the scenes of his former bliss and anxiety, where every door would be inscribed with a memento mori the breezes rustled from their woody coverts 1811ff the breezes rushed the willderness [sic] of its waters 1811ff its wilderness of waters A new scene now opened to Alonzo 1811ff A new scene was now opened to Alonzo [QUOTATION] Blue tumbling billows, topp'd with foam 1851/70 Blue trembling billows ... The dingy scud first flew swiftly along the sky 1811ff The dirgy scud ... It appeared to be of about equal force and dimensions 1811ff It appeared to be of equal force and dimensions the ship went down and was for ever buried 1870 the ship went down and was buried as there existed no parental or other impediments to our union 1811ff as there were no ... the friend and intimate of my angel in my absence. They were now almost every day together, so that I had frequently opportunities 1811ff the friend and inmate ... 1851/70 ... frequent opportunities promised to obey her injunctions 1811ff proceeded 1870 injunction No, it was not this that caused you to perjure your plighted vows 1811ff No, it was not that which ... I had worked up my feelings almost to the frenzy of distraction 1870 I worked up my feelings ... gently pressed in the hand of the stranger 1870 ... in the hands of the stranger a little arbour, at a few yards distant from where I was 1811ff a little arbour, a few ... 1851/70 ... where I sat "I forgive you, Henry," she said, "I forgive your mistake," 1851 "I forgive you," Henry, she said, "forgive your mistake" I made no defence; was condemned to death 1851/70 defence; and was frequently enter the prison to console and comfort him [here alone, the 1804 form is "console" rather than "consolate"] But the grief that preyed at his heart had wasted him to a skeleton 1851/70 ... to a mere skeleton trusting in the mercy of his Creator through the merits of a Redeemer 1811ff ... the sufferings of a Redeemer were loose and could easily be removed 1851/70 were loose and could be easily removed every article of which he cut into narrow strips 1811 ... narrow slips a piece of long timber 1811ff a long piece of timber as useless encumbrances without his clothes 1811ff as a useless encumbrance ... You must have experienced a severe gale indeed 1870 You have experienced ... The sailor mused a few minutes 1870 The sailor mused for a few minutes Alonzo entered it to see how the sick and disabled American prisoners were treated 1811ff ... and disabled prisoners were treated [FOOTNOTE] were treated with much more humanity than those who were imprisoned in America 1870 ... imprisoned at Halifax and other places in America he now found that he had lost his leg 1870 he now discovered ... it is possible I have been undesigningly accessory 1811ff ... undesignedly accessory to render him more comfortable. Beauman replied that he was not: "For the comforts of life," said he 1870 to make him more 1811ff the comforts of this life 1811 replied he he would fall into incoherent mutterings 1851/70 ... muttering a natural stone was placed at its head 1870 ... at his head bearing a large trunk on his shoulder, and directing Alonzo 1811ff ... and directed Alonzo not with a view to returning to America; he had yet no relish for revisiting 1811ff of returning 1870 ... he had no relish for revisiting Of this Alonzo gave a minute account 1811ff Of this Alonzo gave him a minute account Alonzo enquired for the name to whom the note was addressed 1870 ... the man to whom ... Alonzo gave his employer no room to complain 1870 ... no reason to complain Alonzo dressed himself in deep mourning 1870 Alonzo dressed in deep mourning he took it up and found it to be a curiously wrought purse 1870 ... a curious wrought purse what he esteemed most invaluable 1811ff what he esteemed most valuable Lost, between the hours of 9 and 10 last evening, in the Rue de Loire 1811ff nine and ten ... Loir [sic] had hitherto taken no notice of what had passed 1870 ... of what passed a letter from his father, while he was at the army 1811 while at 1851/70 while with Last evening I lost the miniature which I suppose you have found 1870 ... which I suppose you to have found which I probably dropped on replacing in my pocket 1811ff ... on replacing it in my pocket it has become a most precious and invaluable relique 1811ff ... and valuable relique The next morning as they were about to part 1811ff ... about to depart and sighed as ardently for some other trifle 1811ff and sighed as earnestly ... turns to some other source to supply the vacuum 1811ff ... to supply vacuum Stripped of all but their intrinsic value 1811ff Stripped of all their intrinsic value inordinate passion, or what you would call pure affection 1811ff ... what some would call ... pining for a hopeless object 1811ff ... a hapless object which will sail for any part of America in some time 1851/70 ... for some time Ah! had this but have happened in time to save a life 1870 Ah! had this but happened ... consecrated piles, and funereal monuments of the sacred dead 1811ff sacred piles, and funeral monuments ... October 26, 1776, 1811 Oct. how tenderly pensive does she beam her lovely eyes upon me! 1811ff how tenderly does she beam her lovely eye upon me! There [pointing to the grave] there behold how my dearest wishes 1811ff Then ... the first holy whisper of her consecrated lips 1870 whispers determining to proceed on early in the morning 1811ff ... proceed early in the morning 1870 ... proceed early the next morning which before sunrise encreased to a violent storm 1851/70 which before sunrise had encreased to a violent storm was to be opened for that night only 1851/70 was to be opened that night only To the general enquiry of "what's the matter?" 1851/70 To the general enquiry, "what's the matter?" forbade that he should re-pierce the ten thousand wounds 1811ff forbade that he re-pierce ... [QUOTATION] Song, beauty, youth, love, virtue, joy: this group . . . As yet unforfeit! in one blaze we bind. 1870 Song, beauty, love ... 1870 As yet a forfeit! ... They immediately retired to a separate room, where the stranger 1811ff ... when the stranger private concerns; more extraordinary may you esteem it 1851/70 private concerns, and more extraordinary you may esteem it "Are you unmarried, sir?" "I am now, and have ever been single." 1811ff Are you married 1851/70 I am not numberless suitors have sighed for her hand 1811ff numberless suitors sighed ... It seemed that if she could but speak with him 1870 ... speak to him This extraordinary dream she has communicated 1851/70 ... she had communicated Her father, who has but two children besides herself, being dotingly fond of her 1811 two children, one besides herself 1851/70 two children, one beside herself 1811 doting in a rallying way told her I had seen her invisible beau 1811 in a railing way 1851/70 told her that I she thought but little of it 1811ff she thought little of it my leaving you so abruptly, and of my not returning 1811ff ... and not returning Now, sir, it is necessary for me farther to explain 1870 Now, sir, it is necessary farther to explain on reviewing the incidents which led to 1811ff on reviewing the incidents which to I have experienced a sufficient change of objects and of country 1851/70 ... and country a silk girdle, with diamond clasps 1811ff a silken girdle ... Did not Alonzo see her death announced in the public prints? 1851/70 ... her death in ... And is not all this sufficient to prove 1811ff And is not this ... However the author may succeed in description 1811ff ... in his description the bower on her favorite hill 1870 the bower of ... Have we not, according to the advice of the moralist [FOOTNOTE] 1804 see Barometer, no. 118 their tears fell in one immingling shower 1811ff ... one intermingling shower you were proof against the whole arcana of beauty 1870 ... the whole arena of beauty Indeed, sir, I cannot but applaud your discrimination 1811ff ... your determination the true novel style 1811ff the novel style "There I confess," said he, looking at Alonzo 1811ff "Then I confess" ... He is the son of a deceased uncle 1811ff ... my deceased uncle a servant took charge of Alonzo's carriage 1851/70 ... took care ... the eldest, a son about ten years of age 1811ff the eldest son, about ten years of age to its members and its guests. And here, were we to adopt the method of some novel writers, we might close our history, and leave it for imagination to paint the sequel. But there are some mysteries, which if not elucidated, will render our story incomplete, and besides were we to stop here, the real finishing stroke would still be wanting; we shall therefore pass with as much rapidity as possible over the remaining incidents of our story, rendered already too lengthy for a weekly paper. It was agreed that Alonzo 1811ff to its members and its guests. // It was agreed that Alonzo [entire paragraph omitted] I told her that as I had been placed there by my father, I should not consent to a removal unless by his express orders 1811ff I told her that I had been placed there by my father, and should not consent I hardly know what I did wish 1811ff I hardly knew ... As we passed out of the gate, I looked back at the mansion 1870 ... back to the mansion which put him in a terrible fluster 1851/70 ... a terrible flutter we have little peace in the house 1870 we have but little peace in the house the servant delivered a packet of letters 1811ff ... a package of letters my uncle found it impossible to submit to these stern injunctions 1811ff ... these firm injunctions soon after the birth of their first child 1811ff ... the first child Inconsolable and comfortless, my uncle put the child out to nurse 1870 ... the child to nurse He finally married to an amiable and respectable woman 1870 He finally married to an amiable woman yet soon greatly alleviated the pangs of early sorrow 1851/70 yet greatly ... he considers you to have formed an improper connection 1870 he considers you have ... I have seen some troubles in this way myself, in my early days; perhaps my counsel may be of some service 1870 in that way ... council I immediately gave him a correct account 1811ff I immediately gave a correct account write to your father, advising him not to proceed too rashly 1811ff ... desiring him ... her health evidently decreasing after she came to this place 1851/70 ... decreasing. After ... and was thereafter retained in the family 1811ff and was therefore ... In Charleston it was also generally supposed 1851/70 In Charleston it was generally supposed he was not only deprived of you 1811ff he was not only deprived of me except that you had gone in search of me. Vincent conjectured that you had gone to New London 1811ff except that you had gone to New London He then confidentially unfolded to your father 1870 He then confidently ... from whence you then came, to where you went 1851/70 from whence you then came, or where you went she had undoubtedly given him his lesson 1811ff ... given him instructions he finally initiated himself so far in my aunt's favor 1870 he initiated himself ... he had left a wife and family in Virginia in indigent circumstances 1870 he had a wife ... yesterday morning at my uncle's house in town, which Alfred had proposed for the scene of action 1811ff ... my uncle's house, which ... I trust that difficulty will soon be removed 1851/70 I trust that that difficulty ... if he had ever known Doctor Franklin 1811ff if he ever knew Dr. Franklin I have inflicted a wound still deeper on my own bosom 1811ff ... in my own bosom your daughter was the subject of my earliest affection 1851/70 ... the object of ... I shall in some measure realize former happy anticipations 1811ff ... former anticipations bowed his gratitude and after appointing that day week, departed 1851/70 bowed his head in gratitude; and after appointing ... when a person rapped to the door below 1811ff ... at the door below to intervene their happiness, no determined rival, no obdurate father 1851/70 to intervene their happiness, no obdurate father The sun blended its mild lustre with the landscape's lovely green 1811 ... the landscapes' ... encircled by a wreath of flowers 1811ff ... a wreath of artificial flowers Edgar then rising, motioned to the intended bride and bridegroom 1870 ... mentioned to ... "Where tides of heavy sorrows swell'd," 1811ff ... sorrow ... "And do I receive thee from the dead!" he said. "I am anxious to hear the mystery unfolded 1811ff And I receive thee as from ... the mighty mystery unfolded But wearied with the bustles of life 1870 ... business of life who all soon left it under the foolish pretence or impression of hearing strange noises and seeing frightful objects, and such is the superstition of people 1811ff who all left 1870 under foolish pretence 1811ff of hearing noises 1851/70 of the people which might lead to the elucidation 1811ff which might tend to the elucidation they struck a fire and lit candles, which they had brought with them 1811ff lighted candles 1870 which they brought where no objects presented, they lay flat on the ground, with orders not to stir, or to discover themselves 1811ff where no object presented, lay flat on the ground, with orders not to stir, or discover themselves so that nothing should be discovered from without. Things thus arranged, they observed almost an implicit silence 1811ff so that nothing could ... 1870 ... almost implicit silence For a long time no sounds were heard 1811ff ... no sound was heard to prevent discovery took off their shoes 1811ff to prevent discovery they took off their shoes "Those rascally cow-boys detained us too long."——"Well, well, never mind it 1811ff "Rascally cow-boys 1851/70 "Well, never mind it a noise as if several doors shut to 1870 ... shut too [this spelling is used several times] gave the signal to the men without 1811ff gave the alarm ... the chairs on which these now invisible beings had sat, had all disappeared 1811ff ... had disappeared That they were part of a gang 1811ff That they were a part of a gang sold at a very extortionate price 1851/70 sold at very extortionate prices struck immense sums of it 1811/51 immense quantities 1870 immense quanties [sic] which had heretofore been only in the open woods 1851 which had therefore ... we recrossed from the mansion. To get over the wall we used ladders of ropes, placing a flat piece of thick board 1811ff the old mansion ... a flat of thick board on touching a spring, it would suddenly fly open 1811ff ... it would fly open so that on emergency we could traverse every apartment 1811ff so that on an emergency ... a beautiful young lady asleep in the only bed in the room 1811ff ... on the only bed in the room to dispossess the fair tenant of premises to which 1851/70 ... of the premises to which As soon as we were prepared, we returned to the mansion 1870 As soon as they were ... exhibiting the person before her in all his horrific appearances 1870 exhibited ... some of the same material being placed in its mouth 1811ff some material being placed in its mouth not having yet stripped off his ghostly habiliments 1870 not having stripped off ... which in the night appears like coals of fire 1851/70 ... looks like ... the generous midshipman, John Brown 1811ff ... Jack Brown as there were several other British prisoners in the jail 1811ff ... in jail put under the hands of a barber, cleaned, furnished with a change of clothes 1870 ... cleansed ... his ship was ordered for America 1870 ... to America went before the magistrates of the town 1870 ... the magistrate of the town planned the structure of their family edifice. [NOTE] See Barometer 109-110. 1811 [FOOTNOTE] See pages 34 and 38. 1851/70 NO FOOTNOTE This intimation according with the ardent wishes of Alonzo, the site 1851/70 This intimation accorded with the ardent wishes of Alonzo. The site Spring, with its verdured fields 1864 verdurous [this difference is on the last page: see above] commencing sprightly, but ending plaintive and melancholy 1870 ... plaintively and melancholy