Delusion; or, The Witch of New England

l it hol

here first

nstained what th

to worsh

is said that we have no ruins of ancient castles, frowning over our precipices; no t

t the descendant of the Pilgrims finds, in many of the fairest scenes of New England, some memento to carry back the imagination to those heroic and self-sacrificing ancestors. His soul is warmed and elevated when he remembers that devote

e from it was the conviction then!-that even toleration implies intoleration. Who is to judge

, as they met in the plain, united to form one of those clear, sparkling rivers, in whose beautiful mirror the surrounding hills were reflected. The stream, "winding at it

cart, and a small barn were all. But the situation of this humble and lonely dwelling was one of surpassing beauty. The soft meadow in front was dotted with weeping elms a

something in the lonely farmhouse, surrounded with its little garden, and its homely implements of labor, that instantly touches our

flame of pine knots; for, although it was the middle of summer, the sun sank so early behind the hills, and the evenings were

as bent by time, but his brilliant eye and his flowing gray locks gave a certain

they were reflected from her white cap and silvery hair. Before her was a table on which lay a large B

s another in the room,-a youth, apparently less than twenty, kneeling before

t it seemed as if at seventy it would be as unwrinkled as at seventeen. His piercing eye had that depth of expression that indicates dark passions or religious melancholy.

is worn volume, an imperfect copy of Virgil, and walked s

Unless I can procure another book, I cannot be prepared for the approaching examination. If I cannot enter college the next term, I ne

ers are heard, you will be a light and a blessing

est, and, from a little cup of silver tied over with a piece of leather, he poured the conte

actory, for he threw himself into a cha

him a few moments in silence, and

ll their luxuries and splendor, their noble homes for conscience' sake. Yes, my son, y

ith my lot. Mother, all your carefully hoarded treasure will not be enough to pay my first term in college. Without

riend at C. who has lent you so many

ountenance, but he made no answer, and

, placing himself near the window to catch the last rays of depar

during the discussion, stood up

derness, "that it might be bright as the sun, fair as the moon, beautiful as Tirzah, and terrible as an army with banners;" "that our own exertions to serve the ch

and he closed with a prayer for his grandson, "that God would make him a polished shaft

ge, have been poor and despised; even the Son of God," and he looked reverently upwards, "knew not where to lay his head. You have only to labor. The peat at the b

ary to make you and my grandmother comfortable for the w

ut not brilliant flame, and went up a few steps to his chamber in the garret. The old woman gathered the as