University of Virginia Library

4. IV.

When Cousin Elsie had finished this story of poor Ralph,
drawing our chairs to the fire, for the air was become chilly, I
asked whether she heard anything more of her strange escort, or
the mysterious pursuit. Nothing farther, she said, than that
the person hired to convey her to the city bore the reputation
of an honest man; but as to the vision, or whatever it were,
on the lonesome hill, no more was learned by her, except
that a young man, of strict integrity, who chanced to be returning
home late from visiting a sick neighbor, encountered the
same strange vehicle with the white occupant. “And Charley
H.,” I said, “did you meet him?”

“Yes,” said cousin Elsie, “and that was the most unkindest
cut of all.”

“I could not bear to eat Ralph's bread, procured as it was,
and not really being needed any longer, I set out to walk home,
and with the little parcel in my hand, had reached the lonesome
hill, when a handsome equipage overtook and passed me,
and looking up, I recognized Mr. H. The lady sitting at his
side, who seemed beautiful and very gayly dressed, looked back
from the window several times. Oh, I could have called on
the trees to crush me!” said Elsie, “for very mortification.”

We sat long in silence, looking into the fire. Little Ralph
and his beautiful bird would not let me sleep. Many a name
illumines the page of history for a less noble heroism than his.