The Mask of the Red Death - Graham's Magazine, May 1842 — reading text

fellow-students, are to be consigned to oblivion. The the most popular places on West Point. Having ; } hand of friendship is given all round, and before their found that my youthful friends were fearless scram- |: separation they exchange rings which have been fa blers ‘‘ over bush and over brier,’’ I proposed that made for this express purpose, all of the same pat- our walk to-day should be in this narrow pathway tern. These rings they are to retain through life, as through these rocky woods, or rather along these f mementoes of ‘‘ Auld lang syne,” and as pledges of woody rocks. kind feelings under whatever circumstances, and in We proceeded accordingly—and our dangers and whatever part of the world they may meet hereafter. difficulties seemed to increase the enjoyment of my Among the numerous benefits which this noble young companions. At length we suddenly emerged institution has conferred on the community, is that of into a spot where the open sunshine denoted that, creating attachment and diffusing friendship among since my last walk in this.direction, many of the so many young men from different sections of our trees had been cut away. About this little clearing widely-extended country, and belonging to different we found eight or ten men busily at work with classes in society. The military academy has made spades and pick-axes. I was struck at once with gentlemen of many intelligent youths, sprung from the excellent aspect of their habiliments, though the humbler grades of our people. It has made men their coats were off and hanging on the bushes and of many scions of high estate, whose talents would low rocks around them. We stopped, and I turned otherwise have been smothered under the follies of to one of my companions, and was about remarking fashion and the enervations of luxury. to her, ‘‘ what a happiness it was to live ina country In that kindness and consideration for females, where the common laboring men were enabled to which is one of the brightest gems in the American make so respectable an appearance, and even while character, none can exceed the cadets and officers of engaged at their work to wear clothes that were the American army. Were I to relate all that I perfectly whole, and as clean as if put on fresh that know on this subject I could filla volume. For in- day.”” While I was making this observation in a stance, I could tell of a young gentleman from Albany low voice, the men perceived us; and they all ceased who out of his pay as a cadet, (twenty-eight dollars a work, and several stood leaning on their spades, month,) saved enough to defray the expenses of his looking much disconcerted. They consulted a little sister’s education, during four years of economy and together and then one of the foresters advanced, as if > hoe meet +Perew, ,ee self-denial to himself. to speak to us. The two young ladies, seized with a On the southern bank of the river, beyond the pic- sudden panic, hastily ran back into the woods. He turesque spat designated as Kosciusko’s garden, the came up and addressed me by name, and I immedi- iF shore for some miles continues woody and precipi- ately recognised an officer who visited intimately at H i 4| teeta ane oma saat Fs aiaepnne ag me i aaiinet Sete AS cm te  L’ENVOY, 295 my brother’s house. On looking at his comrades, I this was the road she always came. The captain found that I knew them every one; and that they wishing to make it more easy and less dangerous for were all gentlemen belonging to West Point. They his mother, set about doing so with his own hands. seemed much, though needlessly, confused at being He had already made some progress in this work of detected by ladies in their present occupation. filial affection, when he was discovered by several of The gentleman who had come forward made his brother officers; they mentioned it to others, and some remarks on the inconveniences we must have they all immediately volunteered to assist him in his encountered during our rugged walk, and he directed praise-worthy undertaking. They assembled of af- us to a way of going home that, though longer and ternoons for this purpose, (which they endeavored to more circuitous, would be less difficult. My young keep as secret as possible) and it was now about half friends now ventured out from their retreat ; I intro- accomplished ; having been commenced at the end duced them to the officer who had been talking to nearest to Mrs. H——’s residence. In consequence me, and leaving him with his comrades to pursue of this explanation, by the captain’s friend, we took their work, we found our way home by the road that care not to interrupt them by walking in that direc- he indicated. tion, till after the work was completed. In the evening the same gentleman made one of They cut down trees, cleared away bushes, re- his accustomed visits at my brother’s, and explained moved masses of stone, levelled banks, filled up hol- to us the scene of the afternoon. lows, and paved quagmires: leading the path to a Captain H——, was the only surviving child of an safe distance from the ledge of rocks. A fine con- aged and widowed mother,the sister of a distinguished venient road was soon completed, and the old lady general-officer in the revolutionary army. Her son, was enabled to visit the captain without difficulty or a graduate of the Military Academy, was afterwards danger. stationed at West Point; and he then went to Ver- The grave has long since closed over that mother, mont and brought his mother that they might live and the military station of her son has been changed hear each other. His own apartments being in one to a place far distant from West Point. But the of the barracks, he took lodgings for Mrs. H——, at pathway commenced by filial affection, and finished a quiet farm-house in the vicinity: and devoted with the assistance of friendship is still there, form- nearly all his leisure-time to her society. The old ing a convenient and beautiful walk through the lady sometimes came up to visit her son in his rooms woods to the farm-house and its vicinity. at the barracks, to see that he was comfortable there, It is known by all the inhabitants of West Point as and keep his ward-robe in order. The nearest way the Officer’s Road ; and long may it continue to bear from her residence to the plain, was along the dark that title. and rugged forest path on the edge of the rocks ; and L’ENVOY TO K——. BY G. HILL, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ TITANIA’S BANQUET,’’ ETC., ETC. The nights are o’er when, by the shore, And the nights.return no more We strayed—thy arm in mine, When our hearts were warm and, arm in arm, And our hearts were like the full cup ere We strayed by the moonlit shore. The sparkle leaves the wine. But the sparkle flies, the cup is drained, The nights are o’er when, by the shore, And the nights return no more We strayed—thy arm in mine, When our hearts were warm and, arm in arm, And thy tones were heard where the wind-harp’s chord We strayed by the moonlit shore. Is the bough that the June-flowers twine. But my boat rocks lone where the palm-trees moan* The nights are o’er when, by the shore, And the nights return no more We strayed—thy arm in mine, When our hearts were warm and, arm in arm, And thy eye was like the star whose beam We strayed by the moonlit shore. We saw on the still wave shine. But the bright star-beam has left the stream, * Of the Nile.  THE ORPHAN BALLAD SINGERS. BALLAD. COMPOSED BY HENRY RUSSELL. % Philadelphia: Joun F. Nunns, 184 Chesnut Street. Andante Moderato. Wea-ry, wea-ry ee ee ee are ourfeet, And wea- ry weary is our way, Thro’ ma - ny a long and SN Oh SO i  THE ORFHAN BALLAD SINGERS. 297 con espress crowd - edstreet We've wan-dered My lit - tle - ter she is is ten-der and ts0 ccPEER nana ad lib: assai. TaN ETT TTL PSUS SERS eae ae bear the autumn’s_ sullen