ARTHUR
86

My colleague was a skilled rider, but his horse was fireproof and uncontrollable. He was able, however, to curb his spirit until we walked ten or twelve miles from Malverton . The wind and cold became too fierce to last any longer, and I decided to stop at the first house I should have seen, for the sake of freshness and warmth.

We are now entering the forest to some extent, at the end of which I remember a place to live. Therefore, to pass through this forest, with an expedition, was the only thing left before we could reach the hospitable asylum. I am trying to maintain, with this information, the spirit of my colleague who is drowning. While busy talking to him, an irresistible burst of power twisted the tallest tree branch in front of us. It fell in the middle of the road, at a distance of several meters from the head of his horse. Frightened by this accident, the horse started from the path, and, rushing into the forest, in an instant threw himself and his rider to the ground, by crashing into the rough trunk of an oak tree.

I got down and flew to his aid. The snow was already dyed with blood flowing from some wounds on his head, and he lay down without any sense or movement. My terror did not deter me from anxiously seeking the wounds received, and ascertaining the extent of the injuries. His forehead was heavily bruised; but, to my unspeakable excitement, blood flowed from the nostrils, and therefore, was not considered a lethal symptom.

I lifted her into my arms, and looked around me to find a way to relieve her. The house I proposed to stop was more than a mile away. I remember no one was closer. Placing the injured girl on my own horse, and proceeding gently to the house in question, was the only way; but, at the moment, she was unreasonable, and perhaps, while recovering, was, being too weak to support his own weight.

To remember him for life is my first duty; but I am powerless, or ignorant of means. I looked at her face, and tried, by pressing her in my arms, to give her a little warmth. I looked towards the road, and listened to the hopeful voice of the carriage that might come to a stop and accepted it. There is nothing more impossible than pleasure or business that will drive men to face such a terrible and devastating explosion. Therefore, being illuminated by some travelers is a futile event.

Meanwhile, Eliza's fainting continued, and my alarm increased. What effect? half-frozen blood will prolong this condition, or prevent it from coming back to life, raising the deepest concerns. I left the forest, still carrying her in my arms, and re-entered the road, out of a desire to describe, as soon as possible, the next passenger. I looked here and there, and again listened. There was nothing but sweeping explosions, broken and fallen branches, and snow that filled and obscured the air, that was visible. Each moment slowed my own blood flow and tensed my muscles, and made my comrades' state even more desperate. How should I act? To perish alone, or to see him perish, is a despicable destiny; his courage and activity are still capable of preventing it. My horse stood near, docile and obedient; to ride it and continue my journey, holding my lifeless weight in my arms, that was all that remained.

At this moment my attention was called by some sounds coming out of the forest. It was gayety and glee. At this time a sled, with several people of both sexes, appeared, on the road leading through the forest to where I stood. They move at a fast pace, but their voices are slow, and they check the speed of their horses, upon finding us. There is no more favorable event than this; for I rely with full confidence on the good of these people, and, as soon as they approach, ask for their help.

My story was listened to with sympathy, and one of the young men, jumping off the sleigh, helped me put Eliza where she left off. A woman, sweet-faced and well-mannered, insists on returning and rushes to the house, where it seems her father lives, and a party that has just left. I took a sled, which within minutes arrived home. The living quarters were spacious and tidy, and a respectable man and woman, shocked by the rapid return of the young people, appeared to know the cause. They receive their guests very gently, and provide all the accommodations needed in their condition. Their daughter unleashes a pleasure scheme in which she has become involved, and, forcing her friends to go without her, remains caring for and comforting the sick.

When I pay attention to the structure of this house, and the characteristics and behavior of its inhabitants, I think I see a strong resemblance between this family and the Hadwin family . It seems like a good force has brought us here to seek the most suitable asylum one could obtain; and, to give to the sad Eliza the place of the old man and his missing sister, I imagine that, if their consent could be obtained, there would be no more suitable place to live than this. No time is wasted in getting this approval. The curiosity of our host and hostess, named Curling, quickly gave me the opportunity to reveal the history and real situation of my friend. There is no motive for suggestion or pretense. There is nothing I do not tell faithfully and indirectly. I concluded by expressing my wish that they would accept my friend as a hostel into their home.

The old man was warm in his agreement. His wife betrayed some objections; which, however, her husband's and mine arguments were removed. I did not even suppress the tenor and destruction of the will, and the antipathy that Eliza conceived for her uncle, and which I declared I could not explain. At the moment it seems Mr. Curling had little knowledge of Philip Hadwin, and that the latter had gained a reputation as a stubborn and extravagant person. He uses all means to achieve his selfish goals, and will probably seek to seize the property his brother left behind. To fight his strength and malice would be our duty, and my new friend gladly promised his help in the actions we had to take for that purpose.

The state of my feelings can be easily understood consists of a mixture, but, overall, pleasant, sensations. The death of Hadwin and his eldest daughter could not be thought of without deep regret. It is pointless to indulge, and is comparable to a reflection on the personal security in which the victim is now placed. It is painful to devote my unfavorable attention to the dead, while there is someone to whom they can provide important benefits, and in their happiness they will find sufficient compensation.

This happiness, however, is still incomplete. It is still vulnerable to danger, and much more needs to be done before adequate provisions are made to fight the worst crime, poverty. I now find that Eliza, who is only fifteen years old, needs a guardian, and that legal forms require a person to make herself the administrator of her father. Mr. Curling, who is fairly well versed with these subjects, demonstrates the mode to be pursued, and is engaged to act on this occasion as Eliza's friend.

There are other topics where my happiness, as well as my friend's happiness, requires us to make some decisions. I mentioned earlier, that, during my stay in Malverton, I was insensitive to this girl's attraction. An affection had been stolen on me, which it was easily discovered that I should not have been refused to get a suitable reply. My reason for restraining these emotions, at that time, was mentioned. Now it may be asked, what effect these subsequent events have had on my feelings, and how far taking part and relieving her suffering has revived a passion that might easily have been considered, in a short time, to be, completely extinguished.

The barriers that exist are then removed. Our union will no longer risk the hatred or grief of its extraordinary parents. He no longer had a sister to share with him the farm treasures, and made what was enough for the two, when living together, too few for the two separately. His youth and simplicity required, beyond most others, the patron of the law, and his happiness to be involved in the success of those hopes he painstakingly hid.

To me, it seems at first glance as if every incident conspires to make my choice. Ignoring all things related to the happiness of others, my own interests cannot fail to recommend schemes where the valuable benefits of competence and independence can be honestly obtained. My fantasy journey sometimes takes me beyond the limits set by my situation, but they are, however, limited to the field I once had for a degree. All I wanted for the base of my most striking and most dazzling building was a hundred acres of plow land and pastures. Here is my spirit of improvement, my zeal to discover and apply new principles of luxury and household comfort, new fashions and instruments of tillage, new art related to gardens, gardens, gardens, and corn fields, given with abundant coverage. Although these shortcomings will not cripple my activities, or eliminate content, ownership will provide a wonderful and permanent enjoyment.