Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

Unable to oppose the the approaching cause, during the previous campaign. It torrent, Washington yielded to the neces- was Christmas, and many a merry peal sity of crossing the Delaware. Mr. burst forth, when the soldiers were informBrown and Charles were now in the Ameed of the contemplated expedition. This rican camp. Neither were required to day the aged minister prayed more ferdo service, but the former was regarded vently than before. His impressive manwith reverence by all, and particularly ner infused a solemnity throughout the noticed by the commander, with whom assembly, and renewed ardor, and firmer he had frequent interviews. Charles had determination were inspired in the hearts the satisfaction of seeing and speaking to of all. The preparations were made, and the greatest man of his country, and his many a smile and jest were exchanged on zeal was redoubled to perform some act the coming frolic." Adopting every worthy of his commendation. Many a prudential measure, the resolute band veteran smiled at his ardent protestations crossed the broad Delaware in silence, of attachment to the cause of liberty, and and under cover of night, proceeded on although his arm seemed too delicate to their way in quest of the enemy. Occa. do any prodigies, yet his cheerful looks, sionally, a hooting owl started from his as he spoke of victories to be achieved, bough and flapped across the path of the were inspiring. benumbed guides; but no superstition Why did you insist on my not carry could intimidate them. The old man and ing a gun, Mr. Brown, whilst at the same Charles contributed much towards contime you retain your pistol? I feel quite ducting the army to the place of destinaable to do something for the country; one tion. The glorious achievment that who has labored with the plough is surely ensued is known to all. Charles, who competent to handle the gun. I will pro- had displayed much gallantry in the atcure a carbine immediately, and fall into tack, having seized a gun and placed himthe ranks!" self amongst the van, was now in trans"Be not rash, my son, but still be gov-port; and the minister said his prayers erned by my advice. The victory is not were answered.

86

66

to the strong. You shall speedily have a Now, my son, said Mr. Brown, to chance of testifying your attachment to Charles, "my frail body admonishes me your adopted country. You shall do more to retire to my peaceful home. My rewithout a gun than you could with it.-venge, which thirsted not for the destrucYou are intimately acquainted with all tion of human life, so much as the brightthe passes in the vicinity of Trenton.-ening of the great cause, is appeased someThe enemy now possess that place, and what. I adopted you, Charles, in the place employ themselves in devastating the of my deceased son, and leave you to country around. To night our general fill the station for which he was destined. intends crossing the river, and needs our Go on to victory! and when an enemy services, as guides." falls in your power, remember the fate of "Thank God! Then I can do some-my poor wounded boy, and let his pitiable thing, at last. But why not carry a gun?" condition teach thee mercy! Spare the "Because you embark in a perilous un- fallen man's life. And thou wilt do it-I dertaking, and if taken with arms, might know thou wilt, for I have often marked suffer. As you are, you may escape in-thy pure, though ardent emotions of heart. jury. For my part, I take the pistol to You, are, I know, ambitious, and I rejoice be regarded as a deranged man, if taken. in it, so long as you are virtuous. If you See, there is no lock on it." aspire to great things, you may accom The American army, now considerably plish them easy, by pursuing the right reinforced, though suffering almost intol-course. Let your conduct be uniform, erable privations, for want of raiment, and tend to the one object. Orphan, yet looked to God for the triumph of jus- though you are, remember that the ant is tice, under the guidance of their reverend not deterred from the place of its destina. leader, and neglected no means of mani- tion by obstacles, however great; but, by festing their desire of retrieving the nume-dilligence surmounts them. Be valiant rous misfortunes that had befallen the and steady, and you may be a great man.

I have procured you an appropriate post that he had secreted. In vain he told them in the army, and must now bid you adieu, that they had escaped or been stolen-no I set out in an hour from this time, in com- protestation could appease them, and they pany with a few spies that remain in this dragged him hence, threatening death if state, for my home. Your general will he led not the way directly to the cattle." recross the river to-day. Now if you Excepting the somewhat painful apprehave any message or token for Mary, en- hensions respecting the fate of Mr. Bartrust it to me." ton, the lovers enjoyed happily, the time

"My father-for well I know you will allotted to their meetimg. Charles prom be a father to me, and besides whom I ised to procure, if possible, a party of have no friend but Mary-I will act in American soldiers to come to the rescue. every thing according to thy direction. When the moment of parting came, and But I crave to be permitted to ride out to just as the last lingering farewell was Mr. Barton's and take leave, in person, of sadly accomplished, the report of a pistol Mary. I have a horse provided, and startled them, which was succeeded by promise to return in an hour." This was several others in quick succession. granted, and Charles waited not for his "Charles! they are killing my father! aged friend's departure, though their route Here!" exclaimed Mary, running to a would be the same; but calculated to side press, from which she quickly promeet him, and bid him farewell some-cured two muskets, and a supply of catwhere on the road, as he returned to ridges. Charles seized one of them, and Trenton. was in the act of running out, when the

'on.

It was a noble bay steed that wafted almost frantic girl held him fast. Charles through the moor, and woodland, "See! Charles! he comes-he comes !" scarcely less swift than the flight of the she exclaimed, beholding from the window pigeon; and thrilling thoughts as rapidly her parent mounted on a fleet horse, that exercised the youth's imagination. Deeds spurned the earth with the celerity of an of glory were pictured in all his réverics, antelope, and persued by the hostile party. and in the back ground, or side view, the A small hollow in the lane obscured the approving smile of his Mary cheered him pursued, for a moment, from view; and when a cluster of the enemy dashed down The tall, gray chimneys emerge in the descent, behind, Charles fired, and one view as he sweeps round the angle of an of the number fell from his horse. alder thicket, and now the tramp of his "Here!" cried Mary, handing her com fleet charger is sounding in the avanue of panion the other piece, with sudden and fruit trees, leading directly to the house. strange composure, having witnessed the Without pausing to unfasten the gate, his execution of his fatal aim." noble bay, with a slight pressure of the Again they were all in view, and ere bit, vaulted over the stone fence, and stood long Mr. Barton, some seventy paces in in the yard. Charles dismounted, and advance, attained the yard. He sprang entered the house, but found Mr. Barton's from his horse, and ran briskly to the room empty. He then ran to Mary's door; but even on the threshhold, when chamber, and his rap was answered by one moment more would have insured at the affrighted girl incoherently. He push-least temporary safety, a shot from the ed the door open, and entered. foremost of the enemy passed through his "Charle! Charles!" screamed the re- body, and he expired on the steps. But lieved girl, and running to him, threw the one that did this was in eternity ere herself into his arms. the smoke of his pistol permitted him to "Oh, Charles, I am so happy to see view his handiwork, by a discharge from you!" she continued, smiling, though tears the window above. The party paused at had evidently been flowing before the the stone fence, behind which they secreyouth's arrival. "But," said she, "I fear ted themselves, fearing to leap over. for my poor father. Not two hours since, "Oh, Charles, why don't father come eight or nine Hessians came here in up?--I saw him reach the door in safety. search of provisions, and insisted upon Why don't he come? Father!" she addmy father's yielding them up the beevesled, calling aloud, but no response eame

Charles, from his position, could see the dead body of her father, but told her not. 'Hopkins, there is no one up there but his ghost of a daughter. Let us rush in and secure her."

6

550

of burning faggots below, and in a short time particles of smoke ascended through several crevices of the floor.

"They are firing the house, Charles!" said Mary, in low subdued tones. "Villians! would you destroy a helpless

"No sergeant, she's not a ghost, but a female devil! She's peppered two al-female!" ready, for our one."

"Shall we be repulsed by a woman? swered by another shot through the door, This exclamation of Charles was anNo? Come on, be she witch or devil." which wounded him in the arm. The be

Saying this, the sergeant leapt on the sieged were now apparently without a fence, but instantly fell inside, pierced single hope of escape. The exasperated through the heart by another shot from ruffians shouted aloud their determination Charles. The other gun, ready loaded, to show no mercy. In consequence of the was handed to our hero by Mary, whose suffocating funies rising from below, silence, and pale compressed lip, indicated Charles and Mary were compelled to a foreboding that her father was indeed move to the window to inhale the purer air, lost. Ere he could discharge this, he was and there awaited their fate. espied by the party without, who again fell back behind the wall, at the same time ed one of those without, who was guarding "Go down and kindle it again," remarkdischarging a volley at the window. "I am not wounded, Charles!" said his companions that the fire was going out, the chamber door, on being informed by Mary, whose long, flowing hair fell down and who insisted on forcing their entrance in confusion on her shoulders, the comb by into the room, and ending the affair at once. which it had been confined, being carried The smoke subsided in some degree, but away by a bullett. Again the besieging again the unfortunate captives could disparty sprang forward, simultaneously distinctly hear them blowing the coals below. charging their pistols at the now shattered window, and rushed into the building, lea- ly, and the next instant Charles beheld "Huzza!" shouted the beleagers exultingving midway in the yard a fourth companion dead, and one wounded, by the desperate coolness and fatal fire of Charles.

another party of red coats coming at full gallop up the lane. Motionless and in sihostile party. As they drew near, a sudlence the lovers gazed on the approaching den gleam of joy spread over the features

"Stand in that corner, Mary!" cried our hero, barring the door, and leaping to one side. The moment after he did this, three of our hero. balls passed through the pine door and entered the opposite wall. Charles reserved are saved-saved!" he exclaimed, recog"Thank Almighty God! Mary, we his fire, well knowing the frail barrier nizing the American spies in British cosmight easily be forced, and resolved to sell tume, and the long, snowy locks of the his life as dearly as possible. They sum- minister standing out as he came in fearmoned him to surrender; but in a firm ful speed. The Hessians ran down to the tone he peremptorily refused, defying them door of the hall, and welcomed the supto do their worst, well aware that he had posed reinforcement with another shout, shed too much blood to expect mercy at Throwing himself in advance, on perceiv their hands. Mary spoke not, nor shed a ing the smoke issuing from the lower winwoman's tear, nor was her intense paleness dows, and the anxious forms of the youthaccompanied with a particle of trepidation; ful couple above, the old man stretched but she stood upright with a bright mus both arms aloft, and cried, "We are in ket firmly grasped in her delicate hands, time! We are in time! To the rescue, my only awaiting the next discharge of brave men! Glory to God on high!" Ta Charles to supply him immediately with extinguish the flames and secure the now means of farther defence. "Yield!" shouted those without, "or take the work of a few moments. appalled and unresisting enemy, was but the consequences!" The old man

"Never!" was the reply.

rushed up stairs the door was unbarred
by Mary, who, with her disabled compan

This was soon followed by the crackling ion, ran into the embrace of their deliverer.

The old man clasped them ardently, mut-maining on the walls. He turned away, tering thanks to divine Providence. Then, mounted his faithful steed, and striking and not till then, did Mary yield to wo-into a brisk pace, quickly halted at the man's feelings. The overwhelming reac-gate of the good old minister. He was tion of her long pent-up einotions burst met in the yard by Mary, who ran out, forth in one loud scream-"My poor fa- and throwing herself in his arms, could ther!" and sinking down, she long re-only utter "Charles! Charles! mained inanimate. When in some de- Phila. gree recovered, she was permitted to weep without restraint over the body of her father; yet she submissively heeded the condoling accents of the old man, who promised to fill that parent's place.

66

J. J.

THE WIDOW CURED,

OR THE DOCTOR'S FAULT.

My God! all thy ways are perfect!" said Mr. Brown, bending over one of the At the time of which I am speaking, dead bodies in the yard, and recognizing Quarz, the famous flute player to Freder the sword and belt of his murdered son!ick the Great, was spending some time at The prisoners were conducted to Tren- Berlin. Quarz was forty-one-tall, and ton, where they were astonished to find well made in his person, and of a noble the American army assembled and a and characteristic countenance, which, thousand of their companions prisoners. joined to a talent, the superiority of which, Mary and Charles were removed to the no one could dispute, gave him free ac residence of Mr. Brown, which was in the cess to all societies, and caused him to immediate vicinity. That day Washing-be well received every where. He was, ton again retired to the Pennsylvania side among others, peculiarly intimate with of the river, but shortly returned to Tren-one Schindler, a friend of his youth, who 4 m, which, for a limited time, was made had followed the same studies-almost ins earl-quarters. Many officers attend-with the same success. What a blessing eie oueral of Mr. Barton, testifying was such a friend! In his house, after the ther sympathy for Mary, and, at the same fatigues and adulations that every coming ame, bestowing deserved praise on the he-day brought with it, Quartz pas ed his roism of Charles. evenings. At Schindler's he sought for a On his recovery, Charles hastened to balm to the wounds of envy and jealousy, the camp, and was speedily in possession fortified his mind against the caprice of of a commission. In most of the perilous the great; and, above all, from Schindler transactions that ensued, he took a dutiful, he was sure to meet with a tribute due and not unfrequently a distinguished part. to his genius, and praise that came from up to the capture of lord Cornwallis. the heart,

After the cessation of hostilities, he still But death laid his cold pitiless hand on continued at his post, now a colonet in the Schindler, and with his scythe cut that regular service. He was at Frances' knot, which only he could sever. tavern, in New York, when his venerated] No record of the time remains to tell commander took his farewell of his be us whether Madame Schindler" lamented loved comrades. He too, in silence. him sore.” There are some sorrows pressed the hand of Washington. over which we are forced to throw a Now, with bright prospects and blissful veil. Perhaps she did-perhaps she did anticipations, Charles was returning to not shed a tear-perhaps a flood of tears. claim his bride. He paced along on the Habit and long intimacy are mighty and same noble bay charger that formerly con- powerful things.

veyed him to that dread scene of desola- Yet, though Schindler was no more, tion. He lingered a few moments at the Quarz still continued his visits; whether now uninhabited dwelling of Mr. Barton. from long custom, or particular affection Much of the injury done by the besieging for his lost friend, does not appear, and Hessians, had been repaired for the recep- the young widow continued to receive tion of himself and Mary; yet he could him with her accustomed welcome. easily trace many marks of bullets yet re- For a considerable time no particular

occurrence happened to interrupt their in-welcome; and he had this advantage, terviews, the motive of which seemed to that come when he might, she was always be a mutual consolation. It is only by at home to him,

Nothing less could be expected from

Quarz was

looking closely, and examining events with attention, that we can discover any so old a friend, and no one will find fault diminution of her affections for poor Schin with her for that, you will allow. dler, but by degrees he faded from her memory. They now and then spoke conversation with her amiable favorite, One day in the midst of an animated of him, it is true, but less and less, till, at Madame Schindler, all at once, burst into length, they ceased to speak of him at all. tears, complaining of a pain in her side, Schindler was allowed to slumber peacea- and a violent head-ache. bly in his case of wood, was quietly inurn." auxpetit soins," and did and said all ed, "requiescebat in pace." For myself, I can perfectly understand such a case, that might have been expected of him in all this. I can see no necessity for remaining inconsolable for an irreparable sent for a physician. loss, and can conceive no folly greater than his or hers, had they doomed them-traordinary in that? Yesterday, I had a selves to eternal regrets. Whilst the lamp burns, if ever so feebly, what can they have to do with your ans stitch in my side and a head-ache, and nourish the flame by all means; but when ecdote? once it is extinguished, it is a waste of time and common sense to trim or supply it with oil. There is an old French song that runs thus:

"Quand on est mort, c'est pour long temps."

Madame Schindler went to bed, and

Well, you will say, what is there so ex:

Don't be impatient.-Much, as you

shall hear.

Quarz was seated by her bed-side when the doctor entered. He felt her pulse, and his lips expressed by a slight, but significant contraction, that he enter Thus, as I said, Madame Schindler had symptoms; while Quarz kept his eye con. tained no very favorable opinion of her given up weeping, and, as every one should stantly fixed on her pale countenance, have some occupation or other, she be- where the finger of death seemed to have thought herself of getting a new husband set its fatal seal. He was sad and mo:

one.

stern

in lieu of the old. The idea was not a bad tionless, and awaited in silence the Is it not so? With this view she decree of Heaven. But the patient had employed herself in repairing the disorder perceived the evil augury of the physi of her toilette. And who can blame her? cian's eye. If you know mankind as well as I do, you

must be aware that these things, much" I see, alas! that I am doomed to die. "I see," said she, with a feeble voice, as we dispise them, go a great way in the Doctor I am grateful to you. I had rather world. Depend on it, that if a woman know the worst, than flatter myself with is simple in her manners, and plain in her vain delusion." dress, and without what most people term affectation or coquetery, no one will take the trouble of looking at her twice.

all the aid of medicine is vain, I leave you, "Well," said he, " since I must-since at Quarz, who was now really affected. madame," He cast a melancholy pok The patient expressed a wish to be

Madame Schindler's house underwent a similar metamorphosis to her own.The Venitians, that had for a whole year alone, and Quarz and the doctor retired been carefully closed, began to let in the to an adjoining chamber.

day, and were drapered with more care

Some minutes afterwards they werg

and elegance than ever. The very furni- lagain summoned.

ture seemed to assume a new life.

doors opened a'most of themselves to her dressing Quarz, "You perceive that I am Her "Joachim," said the dying lady, ad, former friends or new acquaintances, and about to leave you. more than one guest at a time, took their this world-before I take my eternal rest, But before I quit seats at her dinner-table. Quarz was, as may be supposed, always-say will you refuse it on my death-bed?'t I have one favor to beg of you one only

VOL. III-24-2

« ElőzőTovább »