Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

DANGER IN THE DARK. 159
Lofty forest-trees threw their deep shadows o'er the
hermit's domicile; luxuriant ivy clustered upon the
moss-grown roof, and the honeysuckle clambered
along the walls, and about the little windows and
door-posts of his quiet habitation-imparting to it an
air of enchantment.
A cordial welcome greeted the stranger, for no misanthrope
was the hermit. Yielding to his kind
solicitations, Alonzo tarried many days in Wildwood·
vale, enjoying the fascinating conversations, and partaking
of the generous hospitalitics of the eccentric
philosopher. Ourious to know, why he had clios n
a life so secluded, cheerless and solitary, Carleton
desired him to relate something of his history - to
which the hermit readily consented. 'I/< 'I/< ,. ,. It was
in the cool of the evening, on a serene day in June,
seated at the door of his humble cottage, underneath
a little vine-clad arbor, with Alonzo by his side, the
man of silver hair began to speak of the days of .
other years-dilating upon life's light and shade-its
- vicissitudes-the checkered scenes through which he
had passed, and what experienced of good and ill.
" Think not, my youthful friend," said he, " Orlando
NorwOod has learned to despise the world, and hate
the human-race-and therefore, cut himself off from
the society of his fellow-man; aught of ill-will to
mortal, I cherish not-but fain would bless every
living creature, and make happy all this wretched,
suffering world: I know there is something more, and