| | 1 | Author: | Lippard
George
1822-1854 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Paul Ardenheim, the monk of Wissahikon  | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | In case the hope, in which I have lived for seventeen years, proves
false, and the Deliverer for whom we have waited in Prayer, for so many
years, does not come—even then, Paul, it is my purpose to fulfil, with
regard to you, the command of the Lord. From your infancy you have
been devoted to God. You have been sacred from the world, set apart
from the faces of men. The relentless lust of traffic, the feverish desires
of ambition, the hollow sophistries and cold selfishness of the great world,
have not polluted your virgin intellect. You have bloomed into life in
the wilderness—a life, pure and serene as the stars. Therefore, to-morrow,
at the hour of sunset, I will fulfil the purpose of my heart, and solemnly
dedicate you to God. Thou seekest to know. Enter the door with the Cross upon its
panels. Search the Urn. The Past and future will be opened to thee. Within an hour I will exact from you a Promise and an Oath. The
Promise—you are not to enter this chamber, nor place your hand within
this Urn, until a year has passed. At twelve to-night. The place—the Block House of the Wissahikon.
You pursue this lane, cross the stream, and then turn to the right.
It is but little more than half a mile from the place where you will find
these words. “Do not tremble, fair girl, when you behold the name, written beneath
these lines! It is, I—it is Reginald,—who sought your love, under a
cowardly disguise, and sought to lure you to dishonor, on the fatal New
Year's morning of 1775. And Reginald, repenting of the crime, now
seeks to make atonement, and thus deserves your forgiveness. “`The plan is good; the project itself confers immortal honor on its
originator. The Army of His Majesty is now in Jersey, as you are aware,
advancing toward the Delaware; the object of the General being the possession
of Philadelphia. But the project will pay us for a thousand Philadelphias;
will end the war, in fact, and bring the revolted colonies to the
foot of the throne. I will be in * * * * * * * * * * at the appointed time, and
at the place you designate. Let your messenger meet me there, with a
line from you, in your own hand, which I will take as a token to go forward.
You will have time to perfect your understanding with our friends
in Philadelphia; we can seize HIM away from HIS camp; conceal HIM for
a few days in Philadelphia, and—the war is at an end—”' Should these lines, traced with a hand, fevered by disease ever
meet your eyes, you will learn something of the fate of your poor friend,
Cath............
the day when our ship was boarded by pirates, who threatened to dismantle
it, and consign every soul to the waves, unless `the person and property
of Lady Alice, wife of Right Hon. Clarence Albert Lyndulfe was surrendered
to them'..........
........ scene which ensued..
.. my poor husband, John Conwell, had died the week before,.
. a poor lieutenant on half pay.. widow a beggar.
. had received kindness at your husband's hands, while in the
West Indies, and....... I was alone in
the world; your life was valuable.......
..... notwithstanding your entreaties, I assumed your
dress, ornaments, etc., and some personal resemblance aided my disguise.
..............
..............
..............
. from the decks of the pirate vessel I saw the Artemesia on her.
way.............
......... concealed for a month or
more in the City of Philadelphia, and now am a prisoner in a house,
in the midst of a forest; how far from the city I know not. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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