The Montrose Democrat. (Montrose, Pa.) 1849-1876, April 28, 1859, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    A. J. GERRITSON, PUBLISHER.-
GROVER &.. BAKER'S
CELEBRATED •
FAMILY SEWING MACHINES.
Brew Styles—Prices irons 850 to 8105.
EXTRA CHARGE OF 85 FOR HEMMERS.
495 Broadway - - No* York,
F. R. CHANDLER, AGENT, MONTROSE.
•
These machines sew from two sp , cols, as.pur
chased from the sture, requiring no rewinding of
thread; theY . Hem, Fell, Gather, and Stitch in
a superior style, finishing each seam by their own
operation, without recourse to the haniineedle, as
is required by other !Plaines. .They will do hot
ter and cheaper sewing than a seamstress ,can,
even if she works for one cent an hone, anitare,
unquestionably, the bett,Slachines, in the market
for family sewing, on account of their .simplicity,:
durability, ease c f management, and. adaptation
to all varieties of family • sewing—eiecuting
either heavy or fine work with equal facility, and
:without special adjustment-
As evidence of the unquestioned superiority
of their Machines, the GROCER & BAKER.SEW.
ilfG 'MacinsE CoPrasv beg leave to respectfully
refer to the foll Owing
TESTIMONIALS:
"!laving had, ono of Grover & Baker's, Ms.
ebines in my fam4"for nearly a year and a half,
I take pleasure in commending it as every -u-ay
reliable for the purpose for which it is designed
—Family Sewitm. —Mrs. Joshua Leavitt, wife
of Rev.-W. Le avitt, Editor of N. I - Indepen.
debt
confess meself delighted with you riiSewing
Machine, which has been in my family for many
months. It his always been ready for duty.
requiring no adjustment, and is easily adapted
to every variety of family sewing, by. simply
changing the spools ofthread."—Mrs. Elizabeth
Strickland, wife of Rev. pr. Strickland, bidibar
of N. Y. Christian Advocate.
"After trying.several good machines, I pi efer
Fours, on.accuunt of itspimplicity, and the per
fect ease with which it is managed, as well- as
the strength and durability of the seam.. After
long experience, I feel competent to speak in
this manner, and to confidently recommend it 'for
every variety of family sewing."—Mrs. E. B.
Spooner, wife of the Editor of Brooklyn Star. •
•'t have used Grocer S. Baker's Sewing Ma
.ehine for two years, and have kiund it ad ,pted
to all kinds of fadifly sewing, from Cambric to
Broadcloth.. Garments have been worn oat with
out the giving way'of n stitch. The Machine is
easily kept-in order, and easily used:”—Mrs. A. ;
B. Whipple, wife of Rev. Geo. Whipple, New ,
"Your Sewing Machine has Leen in use in my
familY the past two years, and the ladies request
tne to give you their testimonials to its perfect
adaptedness, as well as labor's:Vein qualities lb
the performance of family and household sew
ing: —Robert Boorman, New York.
"For several Months we hare used Gnawer &
Maker's Sewing machine . , and bare come to the
conclusion that every lady who desires her-Wew
lag beautifully and qtrickly done, would be mast
fortunate in possessing one'of these reliable and
indefatigabje `iron needle-women; whose com
bine& qualitlket if beauty, strength and simjilici
0, are invaluable."—J. %V. NorriS, datighter of
Geo, Geo. P. Morris, Editor of tire Home Jour.
. [Extract of a letteriiona Thol..R. Leavitt,
Eiq.„ an Atnerican N gt;ntleman, now resident in
Nydoey,lisw South' Witles,ciated January 12. th,
lassq •
.../ - had a tent made in MiMourn, in 1853, in
wiich there were over three thousand yards of
sewing done with one of Grover & ttaker's Ma.
chines, atuta sin le seam of That hav outatood
all the double seams sewed by ballots - with a
needle and twine."
"If Homer could hi/Silted up from his murky
hadea, he would sing the advent of Grover &
Baker as a more benignant miracle of art than
was ever Vulcan's smithy. He would denounce
• midnight akirt.making as 'the direful spring of
woes unnumbered.'"—Prof. North.
"I take pleasure in saying, that the Grover &
Baker Sewing Machines have more. than sus:
tained my expectation. After trying and return
ing others, I have three of them in operation in
my different, places, and, after four years' trial,
have no fault to find,"—J. H. Hammond, Senator.
of Squib Carolina.
"My wife has had one of Grover-& Baker's Fern
ilySewing Machines for sometim e,and I am satis•
fiellit is• one of the brat labor-saving machines
that has been invented. I take much pleasure
in recommenciing„it to the public."—.l. G. Bar
rig, Governor of Tnnesse. '
•
i 3 a .beautif4l thing,, and puts everybody
into an excitement of good' humor.. Were I a
Catholic, I should insist upon Saints prover and.
Baker having an eternal holiday in commemora
tion of their good - deed; for humanitpr—Cassins
.
I
think it by far the best patent in use. This
Machine carnbe adapted from the finest cambric
to the headiest eassimere. It sews stronger,
faster, and more beautifully than ary , ,,one can
imagide. If mine could not be replaced, money
could not buy it."—.Mrs. J. 11. Brown, Naahrlih4
Tenn.
"it is apoedy, very neat; and datable l
in its
work; is easily understood and kipt in repair.
!earnestly recommend this Mathine to all my
acquaintances and otbera."—Mrs. 31. A. Forrest,
Iklemphis, Tenn.
"We find this Machine to work t,o our sat in=
faction, and with pleasure recommend it to the
pi:lbn,', as we believe the Grover & Baker to be
the best Sewing Machine in use."—Deary Broth: .
era, Allisonia,Tenn, -
.. "If need exclusively for family purposes, with
ordinary care, I will wager they will last one
• three score Tars end ten,' and never get out
of fix.."--sfoh Brakine, Nashville, Tton,
"I here bad your Machine for sereral weeks.
and am perfectly satisfied that the work it does
is thirbestitild- 'mo beautiful that ever was
.1t
anacle.-4figgie itunison, Naahrille, Tenn.
" I use my .kincline upon coats, driismaking,
and fine-linen stitching, -and the work is,adcm
tabre.:—Aarletter than the best hind.sewlng, or
any other machine I hue eror ween.".-:-Lney B.
Thompson; Nasbrille,llkno. •
,
" I find the work the strongest and Most, bean.
(iftil I have ever seen, made, either by hand or
machine, and regani, the Groief dt.-Itaker M.
ehes as one' of the greatest blesaingiLo nue
thi."-:-11fre.Taylor, Nashville, Tenn.
Br SEND FOR A CIRCLILAR.4EI
feb/7 97790e.13
, •
"WE MN : : OURSELVES TO NO PARTY THAT -"DOES NOT CARRY ii`H G ,ANN BEEP STEP TO °Alt musk, or THE UNION."
A NEW REVOLUTIONARY STORY.
ONFETED SAUL;
I:=lECtl=l
Cora rtagut of•Srinit.
A TALE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
lIT DR. J. 11. ROBINSON. -
Author of "not WHIFFLES," Becx "BISON "
"BALI'-WITTED NAT,"“II4 RION'S BRIO ADE,' ;
"TIKE PIONEERS or.Movrepor," etc.
CHAPTER I.
THE LEAGUE OF TtrE,SEVEN
Seven men coming from different Foints,
urging their way with great Idiffictilty through
almost impervious walk interlaced and-op
posing shrubbery, met at midnight beneath
the spreading branches of a cypress tree, at
a place called Laurel Swamp, in South Caro
lina,in the year. 177—. They gathered sticks
•end leaves And made a fire. The fames
springing up from the dry Leap, threw a red
glare upon their faces, which were
,seamed
and disfigured by the play of had passions.
They were young men, the ; oldest not being
more than thirty-five veers of age. As they
stood in a circle around the fire, theyiesembled
a group of vagabond English gipsies, fresh
frsini the stocks or the whipping-post. Tbey
.were artnel,with sables, kWivee, pistols and
muskets. 'Their faces were , smutched with
powder, their beards and hair long and nem
leced, their garments torn 'by - conflict and
the sharp teeth of the cyprers hedges. The
names of these men were respectively at (01 ;
tows :
Martin Vaintaeste,Nathanie l I Berrick,Philip
Langford, Simon Arrowswi th, John Nicolson,
James Pallard ana Timothy Peekei. • 1
Vantasele, a tall, athletic, ill-visaged fellow,
was the leader of these fierce, and intractable
spirits. lire:teething his. heavy sabre, and
planting its point in the ground between his
feet. he addies , ed his companionS.
:Men.' he sold in a hard, bersli voice, that
her.noeized well with his general prestige,
j 'we've met here iti-night to bind oueselves to-
tether in perpetual fellowshijsby solemn oath
end mutual agreement. Every man's band
is agin _us----leastuise, in these parts—and
ours, in turn, is Agin every man. We've
sworn nller'iattee to hie gracious Majesty, the
King of Great Brituin and the lightful owner
Vthese colonies, have touched' hie money,
and will_do his work.'
'lt isn't the king r care so much about,'
muttered Nat Ileruok, "but! the utter des
truction and estettrinaiiow of the Whigs.
South Cs tiny is-already morel' half conquer
ed. The rebel cause is rapidly growin'
' weaker, end' we'll soon sweep 'em away like
chaff. It'll be strange if Cat Herrick don't
•
have his Aare in the plunder? •
There was an applauding murmur around
the grim circle. .
'I was comic,' to that subject,' added Van-,
tae-le, impatiently. 'I reckon I know, the
merits of the case, and understand the natur'
of your feelin'e, my lade. We never seed the
King of England,Anv of us ; and if we - should,
it's agin reasan to e 'pose that he'd speak to
us; and to tell the truth, we care little about
-
him. I lore Martin Vantassle -better nor Ido
any king in the world. I fight the Whigs ,
because their side is the weakest, and hate
'em ; and there's a prospect of makin' some
thin' by it. When we've driven 'em out,
which - will be soon 'cording to present ap
pearances, we'll be masters of ;be country
ourselves. We'll have houses, and lands,and.
niggers to 'wait on us.'
'That'a`the kind o' talk I like to hear,' said
Jim Pollard. '
• 'lt's a kind of talk, too t that'll - prove
prophetic,' rejoined Vantassle.
• 'lt would,- if we - could keep Meti in tied
Sumpter still," interposed Lanford. • .
'The Swanm Fox will soon he still enough,
I'll warrant ye ColOnel Terleton is on iris
track, and he'll trap niin• before he's. a week
older. flowever,that's neither here nor there;
let them fight for glory who will—our motto
is .'Booty and Beauty.' ,
'We know .who your beauty is,' said
Simon Ayrowamith, with a leer; 'it is Jessie
'Burnside.'
'And he slialthave bei, too said Ilerri6k,
with an oath. •
'Thank'e.. Nat Ilerrick; and 'if you don't
succeed with Ruth Hastiand,lell be no fault
Of mine.'
, 'And. will anybody speak.a word for me l'
asked Langford.
`A hundred, if you like,' cried Pollard;
'though to-me it appears like thegreatest non
sense to be runnin' arter women when there's
, much real fightin' to be done. )Ify mistress
' is fit bloody one, and I find her wherever there
is a Whig to hang, a till to rifle, or a house
to burn. Bpwsomdever, if you l:ke Judith
Burnside, it's none o', my business, and I
reckon none -on us 'II stand in your -way.
She's very handsome, and proud as she is
handsome; and if you . win her at all, it'll be
by fool and not_by fair mean.: don't-want
to be bard on ye, Phil Lanford, but Pm sure
you can't do much in the way of what folks
call honest courtship. But:: don't be down
hearted, lad, for we're bound to- aid each
other under all circumstances, and in all -
cases.'
Martin Arantassle drew his sabre from the
earth and thrusting it forward, held it over
the blazing fire; the- blade was dinted and
serrated with service, and there were red
stains upon it. Tile other six unsheathed
theirs
-arid - crossed them over his, when he
dictated, a terrible- and impious_ compact
which they severally repeated. It was too
profane and shocking to be put verbatim up-
on paper. They pledged themselves to mutu
al: brotherhood and crime; to exterminsite the
struggling and hunted Whigs; to give no
%barter to the captured foe,;. to 'pursue the
fling fugitive with - remorseless fury -;;• to
commit every enormity upon the defenseless
patriots; to rob, to burn, to outrage helpless
innocence.
When this fearful and unnatural compact
had been made ) Van tae3le ;tolled to Herrick
and asked
'What names hare you brought r
Herrick drewa soiled paper from his waist.
coat pocket, and bending towatds the fire,
read the following names
"Paul Lfaielbun k t, Frank liaviland. Mm
Iltutter,'Podijab bfakepeace, .Gidea Grant,
Bioko, a tugger,and One-eyed ganl of Laurel
Swamp!.
'Teo,' said. Vantaule, 'theta - ire for the
sword We are ito bunt them down and
kill them. Hy virtue of my authority, and
by the oath you have sworn, I command you
to pursue the persons whose names you ,. have
beard, night and day, until you have swept
them out of exis.enee.'
Thera are seven of therii and seven cf us—
a man for each; said Herrick.
'Let us detertnine our respective men by
lot,' suggested Langford.
4 The idea is gond, and by lot the matter
shall be decided,' added Vantassle.
This soggeition was eagerly received ; its
novelty made it welcome. The names of the
Iparties doomed to destruction were written
upon seven slips of paper, and drawn from
Xantassle's cap l.y his associates. Renick
Arew the first ballot.
'Frank flavilaini,' he exclaimed.
'The brother of Ruth r said Pollard, with
a shrug, and looking inquiringly at• his com
rade.
• 'Tem sa'd Lan'giold, drawing and
reading the ballot.
'And I have. I3linko, the black,' said Nicol•
'And I, One-eyld Saul !' cried Pollard, in
dirmar.
'You're got something to do,' laughed
Vantas,le, •if you outwit Saul of Laurel
Swamp; youll be the greatest man among
Makepeace, an-infernal Yankee !'
declared Tim Stoker, looking at - his bal
lot.
Simon Ariowsmith was the last lo draw.
lie drew Gideon Grant, leasing Paul I.lazel
liurst fur Vantassle.
'lt is just as I wish it,' Asereed the latter,
while a seowl of hatred gate additional
malionanee to his expres,ion.
'lfehas visited the liurnsides at Laurel wood,'
remarked Langford.
'ls it Judith or Jes,ie, ask.ed Pollard, with
a sneer.
'lt shall hi neither!' thundered Vantassle,
casting fierce glances around hiin, 'Let us
join bands,' be added, 'and swear that we will
respectively abide by the •
This was instantly -dune; with cla , pdil
hands and unsheathed salites they renewed
their Irrrible conipact,invoking direful penal
ties if they proved recreant to their oath.
The League Of the Seven was complete.
They eepiriated and . went their several
Ways.
A moment later, and nothing but the
smouldering embers of their fire remained to
tratirkttrealeit where they had met.
.*IIAPIER II
LAUREL WOOD.
Twilight stile silently upon Lauielwood
it curled in upon the mansion and surround
ing trees like a pale, soft, mist, It was a
very quiet hour, but to Jessie Burnside there
was something inexpteqs-br'y oppressive in- the
air. - Her fur` companions, Ruth Haviland,
and Judith Burnside, her sister, sympithirred
with these feelings of uneasiness. With the
excerption of Blink°, a black servent,and J up,
a. mulatto gill, these ladies wereot this time,
lie sole occepants`of the house, Mrs. Burn
side being absent In attendance upon a
,sick
relative, while Mr. Burnside was serving in
Marloti brigade. It was nt that period when
the struggle for liberty seemed dark and
hopeless. South Carolina was overrun with
pillescenernies, and devastated with fire and
sword.
s Tor}iser was rife,and stalked abroad
like a detroj ing angel, smiting old and
young. No man ii•te-ted his neighbor until_
he stood shoulder - to shoulder to hint in battle.
No one knew where to find faith and good
fellowship till danger and death had come to
apply the test to friend Had brother.
Burnside's mansion—which had received
the name of Laurelwood on account Of its
proximity to Laurel Swamp'—was so far dis
tant from towns and cities that, he flattered
himself its quietude would not'be intruded
upon by marching armies or wandering'
binds of loyalists. It is true that he left his
beloved ones with reluctane, and was often
harassed with fear for their safety ; but
duty—yea,necessity—call e d him to thefield,
and he went; hoping that Providence would
protect those be left at home. So far,Laurel
wcod had not been moleSted. Tbeterrible
tales of
,atrocities commit'ed in neighboring
towns and hamlets were?daily reaching him.
The young ladies bad recently, too, bad r their
fears excited try the persecutions of certain
persons, whose characters and .principles were
alike obnoxious. With these- parties we
shall arson become better acquainted.,
Wishing to conceal her dejection of mind,
and Fee if the open air wets w2re exhiliret
ing, Jessie Burnside opened t door; and
stepped out, as she believed, unobserved by
Ruth aad Judith.
_There was a small summer
house overgrown with vines, a few yards dia.
tent ; she entered it'.',"and sat down. She had
scarcely done so, when she beard a voice
pronounce her name. She spring up with
cry of terror. A large rough , hand was laid
rudely over her mouth ; it was the hand of
Martin Vantasile.
'Come, Miss, don't be frightened, for I am
neither a•wolf nor a panther,lbut plain Martin
Vantassle—as good a man as you can find
atween here and the month of the Santee.
What's better, I'm a king's man, and the
king's men have all heir owe, )ou know,
fair Miss.'
- 'You are rude and unmannerly,' cried
Jessie, pushing him from her indignantly. 'lf
.you have business with me, speak it, and be
gone I'
'Well, *Mistress, I bare a matter of business
itb y - kI reckon, which shall last for life, if
you like it. I ain't a person that can talk
much, and - haven't a great dral of time to
spend in that soft palaver they call lovemak
ing ; but I - want a wife right hind, and you're
the And Pre a kinder fixed my mind on.',
'Oh, 'this is your. wooing r said Jessie, con
temptuously. 'Let me tell you,-Martin Van•
tasale, that your wooing is odioui. You are a
bear !' . -
'Times 'right, Miss ;
,call me pet names.
You can make me the beat-natured bear in
the world Ivor; will.'
Vantassle - attempted_to tap her playfully
under the chin with his clumsy hand.
'Don't touch me ! there is C.ontlimination
in the touch of one who turns traitor, acd
betrays his own countrymen to foreign in
vaders. 1 have ,no patience with you,: nor
those of your character or habits of thinking,
who are associated with you in your crime
and spoliation. The word Tory makes me
shudder; your presence disgusts me, while
your deeds fill Me with horror r
She tried to escape from the summer
!louse. "Vantessle c,tugb"t be by the wrist.
MONTROSE; PA; APRIL 28, 1859
'Not so fast, my scortal ! Now is the
reign of might over righl.4 Law and order
are fled the hind. YettF , and magistrates is
not now befOre our eyes. We don't ask,
'Shall we do this or that t? but we do as we
list. I want you, and am come for
you. •
'This is frightful !' gasps 1 Jessie. shall
flit with terror! .01ink91131ink,o !
Help!—
help !' _ _
At that moment she beard the 'report of a
rifle not tar off.: '
'Hid you hear that 1/' asked the Tory,with
a triumph. 'lt was for Blinko, I'll be sworn !
I left a man on his track that can knock
()nor a dollar at a hundred yards.'
'Spare me Have we not been neighbors!
Were we not friendly before this terrible
war T Remember, I entreat yon, that I sin
a poor, trembling girl, with no protector
'I shall have no 'trouble in remembering
the last, I'll warrant. I shouldn't trusted
myself here if you'd been surrounded by the
cursed rebels. Come, gal, our home is in
Laurel Swamp.' -
With a quick, unexpected movement,
Vantassltdrew her to him, rifted her in his
artds and mdved towards thedark and tangled
mass of wood lying in the'rear of theman
sion at the distance of -a hundred rodi, and
covering an area of ten miles in cireumfer
ence.
By this time Ruth and Judith had missed
and came running to the'spot -as he was
carrying her away. They cried loudly for
assistance, while terror nearly deprived them
of sense and volition.
At the . moment when the catastrophe
seemed complete, a tall man, with a ,large
black patch over kis left eye, and a long
rifle in his hand, sprang from a clump of
shrubbery, seized Vantassle - by the throat,
wrested Jessie from his gniip, and choking
him till he was black In the face, hurled
him to the ground.
While Vantassle lay stunned upon the
earth, his vanquisher took his musket from
his unnerved hand, discharged it s into the
air, and broke thestock . against the trunk of
.a tree. Ile then drew the pistols from the
Tory's belt and thrust them into hie .own,froth
which already protruded the butts of tour.
The blade of Vantassle's knife ,he snapped
by thrusting it into the cleft of a rock, but
'the heavy sabre , he heckled to hisside,leavine
the ruffian entirely unarmed.
'ln, gals, in !' cried therescuer. 'Bar Your
doors, end say your payers, for the Tory
bounds have-scented .blood, and will not rest
till :bey hare gorged themselves.'
The tall, wild looking man glanced at
Jes-ir.; and observing ,that she was faint,
caught her up as if she were an infant, and
carried her to the door: Placing hereare
fully within the threshold, he repeated his
startling warning. and' ir,anlstred in.the deep
ening ehadows of nighir- He waagone be
fore the young ladies bad recovered suffici
ently from their dismay to thank him.
Whilethey gazed at each other in a stupor
of wonder, a man leaped a high fence aLthe
r:ght, and Gros Mg the intervening ground,
sto?(I before them, panting - and covered nil'
perspiration. -
It was Tom flutter, the partisan and scout,
who was known to the neighboring loyalists
as a stauch and unswerving patriot 'and a
brave man,' shrinking from no danger, and
shulining none of the responsibilities of the
pari he bad cho'en.
'Tout Rutter r exclaimed -Judith and Ruth,
stirnultaneousiy, 'what has happened I You
are excited with etrorti., you can scarcely
stand.'.
'I have been pursued,' said nutter, I have
bad a rice for dear life. In, and barricade
the doors! A party of the miserable rene
gades will be here in a minute! Where's
!'
'I don't know,' said Judith. 'He went ou6
a few minutes ago.
'Which way ? s naked flutter.
Judith indicated the direction with her
fing.r.
Butter started of like a race-Lorne. lie
SAW a dart' objectsuspended from the branch
of a tree. It was Bunko, who was sway ing,
to and fro, and quivering in the agonies of
strangulation.
Mutter cut him down in an instant, and
tenting the rope from his neck, staggered
towards the house beneath the weight of Lis
great body-, A half a dozen musket shots
were poured after him froth the nearest copse.
The balls perforated his clothes and grazed
his skin in several . places, but he reached the
Louse in safey with the halt' dead negro.
Leaving him to the care of inpe, the mulatto
girl, be belied the doors and fastened the
windows.
Jesile, Who had . fecovered her
looked out and saw form;
moving to anefro among the shrubbery.
Her heart miagave her. How could they
resist so many enemies., She thoutlit of
the strange man who had. so opportunOy ap
peared' to save her from Yantassle. She
wobdered why he had left them at such a
juncture ! His resonant voice still
rang in her ears. _
'Stand back from the window said Tom
nutter.
The warning was timely; a charge of buck
shot crashed through the pans as she steppe
aside, some 9f which perforated her Off ,
while-one of ,tbe burning messenger dew
blood from ber white neck.
'These miscreants make war upon women!'
exclaimed Ruth Raviland.
'Make war upon women, Miss laviland
They are more savage nor the wolves and
catamounts that prowl through Laurel
Swamp. Neither beauty nor tears can move
'em. They ate ten times worse nor the
British themselves I They've marked their
way through Carlype with fire and blood,
outrage and robbery.'
Tern- litqterz•suddenly thrust his rifle
through the shattered pane and 'fired. A
cry came back through the smoke.
'There was mischief in that; he said,quiet
ly, reloading his piece.
'lteristanct,' cried Jessie,tis bopeleal. Mat
can you expect from them if you are.taked,
Tom Rutter I' •
'A roes from the branch of the nearest
tree,' answered the partisan, coolly.
'Then By—escape from the back door
when you may ! They certainly will not be
so brutal as to barbs us young girls,' said
JOilitb, entreatingly. -
'My deargals, you don't know_ 'em so well
as I. I've followed their terrible ifs% . and
looked upon their infeiroal • woiks.,. I know
whidh happens to sick es yoo,• and should
be tempted to kill you s witb my ow::: ba=d,
rather than to leave you 'to"their redact tin
lenc.e. If my times come, and I'm to go the
way of all the airtb, I'll die here in defence of
beauty and innocence.?
'Noble Tom I' cried Ruth.
'lf you're any firearms and ammunition,
hurry to bring 'em and o lay 'em down besides
me, and. he keerftil 'to keep out of the range
of the winders'
By this time Blinko had revived,And hear
ing this order, said
'lll tend to that, Afars). Tom. Only let
the young misses keep out of the way,and
stand by ye long's there am a breff o' life in
me.'
Blinko disappeared,- but soon returned
with a blunderbuss, twoloosiets, a brace of
dueling. pistols,* bag of buckshot and a horn
of powder.
Mutter took the blunderbuss and charged
it-heavily. Theie was no light in the Isituse
Save a tingle crintlle,which was placed behind
a Qoor in a corner to prevent servieg as a
guide to the,Tory marksmen. •
Huller cast himself upon the floor and
watched th . h moreme*ts of the assailants over
the window-sill. His person, was somewhat
exposed to the shots of- the enemies, but
hie coolness did. not for a moment desert
him.
'The towards are about to, charge upon
the door in aboirif he said,presputly`Blinko,
give me the-blunderbuss: -
The black handed the heavy and destruct
ive weapou.to the scout, whose muscel3' were
firm and - obedient. The young, ladies (Amery- .
ed his moveme . nta with indiscribable interest.
Their faith seemed .to rise upon . his single
arm. A chilling sensation of horror crept
over them when they reflected upon-the.core
quences of defeat and!capture.
N'The Tories rushed towards the door with
a shout. nutter - quickly. aimed his weapon
and loured two Latakia] of buckshot into the
min. of them. They recoiled and retreated
to the covert of the ahruhbery. A knocking
was herd at the.year door.
'Whose there demanded nutter. .
'Well, I rather gues one on 'em's me 1' said
a genuine Yankee voice. •Podijah4dake
race is pooty ginetly abeout when there's
any skrimmagin'-goin on.
I Blink° immediately unflated the door
sand admitted two persons. ailltliidijah Make
peace had' a figure of imposing height, but
which lacked that fulness of development
which gives symmetry' and corneliuess to the
human organization. - His )lair was. flaxen
and long, his mouth large and good humor
ed. his nose somewhat sharp, while his eyes,
Which were small and hazel, sparkled with: -
drOlery. - lie was manifestly a man who
meant to be pleased-with life as he found it,
and to make himself as comfortable as pos
sible under all circumstances.
His companion was more youthful and
presented a different type of humanity: He
impressed the beholder at once .ith the idea
of inanly,beatity, - courage and inil.grity.
, 'Paul Hazelhurst,' cried Jessie, in a joyful
tone.
The young man sprang forward andgrasp-.
ed the hands that were eagerly extended to
greet him.
'We've come jest about iu the nick o' time,
I should as, by guru! The blasted critters
are a peggin' into ye, ain't they? Well, we'll
show 'em tricks worth to of that. Wax my
flax, if we dont !'
It may be well to remark here that Fedi
jail was by trade a shoemaker, and that his
language WAS generally highly season e d with
the technicalities of the cord vrainer's art. As
Podijah'finished his eloquent peroration, he
brought the breech of bietide upon the floor
with a great clash; and squinted out of the
window with his - twinkling eyes. The move
ment was nearly fatal to Podijab,for a bullet,
aimed at random from outside, severed one
of hi; flaxen locks film his cheek.
Triamp my uppers! Now that's what. I
call pooty close wotk. A feller's jest as like
ly to be shot square through the
head as any way ; close upon my seams, if
he isn't I'
Fora few Minutes The shouting and firing
ceased. The terrified girls flattered them:
selves thnt the Tories were retiring; but were
presently undeCeived; fur they had silently
s mounded the house, and now commenced
the assauit from different quarters-with gnut
resolution and fuiy. Each felt that the crisls
were rat idly approaohing. ;Tom Hotter and
Bliuko, reinforced by .11szelhurst and the
Yankee, stood by their weapon s , resolved JO
make a desperate resistance. •
CHAPTER
FIRE ANDUORD
The four defenders of Laurelwood raii from
poir4 to point to meet and repel the invaders,
who endeavored to force an entrance through
the windows and doors simultaneously.—
The voice of Tom flutter swelled loudly
above the.din of conflict. The struggle was
kept up with determined spirit by the be
seiged. While each was engaged with an
enemy, Jessie Burnside cried out that a par
ty of them bad beaten down one of the doors
and were pres.ing into the hall.
Pudijah and liazlehorst sprang to meet
them. For a time the result was doubtful,
but victory finally turned in favor of the de
fenders, whose powerful blows and hearty
courage they could not withstand. Those
who were not repulsed were left upon the floor
‘ whit broken heads. Tire door was replaced
and-eveiYthing movable piled against it.
The tones, ignobly withdrew to the shelter
of the surrounding trees and shrpbbery, and
bluster hoped- that the attack would-not
again be renewed.
The girls, during this scene, behaved no
bly. Overcoming the natural timidity of
their sex, they made themselves useful to their
brave friends in various. ways. Paul Hazel:
burst fought like 'silo's. if he entertained
fears they were tiot for himself, but for Jessie
Burnside and her companions. When he
paused from the conflict, panting and thirsty,
she brought bins water; her little hand pre-
Dented the cooling draught to his lips.. Ile
would. gladly have imprisoned that minister
ing member in jus own and pressed grateful
kisses upon it, ad propriety sanctioned the
act.
'Are you wounded r she slaked. hurriedly.
'I do not know, he replied. ' I have
thought of myself; I bare thought' only of
you auti..yOur frier*, -I 'lever. have time to
think of myself when you are near; ah'ould
despise myself if_l did.•
You are too brava, too gener us l'-anairer.
ed Jeasie, with emotion. 'Yo expole your
self.needlessly ; yotfliave too • uch contempt
for danger.'
'There is 'no such,word es danger when• I
'llo battle for the safety and! honor of Jessie
• •
Burnside'
' . 'Too chivalrous! too chivalrous!' etclaim
ed Jessie.
'.I can't_ quite understand this silence,'-said
1 Ilutter„approaching Hazellentst.
." ' Waz my flax, if I don's' believe the erit-,
ters has got - enough of hi' said Podijah.
' You see they can't, stalk' nerrso much ham
merio' •as folk:can as ate fightin' for -libeft?.
A few right smart knocks takes the starch
right out of 'em.
• '
They're cowards if they do l n't try it again,'
•returned Hotter... ' There's a! dozen - of 'em,
at lease; and they , ought toLbe a match, iu
the course of nature, for four:, but we've, got
something within us that they haven't—love
of friends, pupa,- country and justice. See
what work they've made' of your house Miss
Jessie: the windows are riddled, the ' doors
1 broke, the furnita.4 ruined,!and everything
at sixens and sevens.' - - `si • ...: s.
We lose LauretWood,' replied Jade, ',but
•we love the cause of 'freedom heeler. Tlte
[ destruction of property will grieve us hut lit: •
tle„if valuable lives are spard and the Tory
miscreants punished.
._ I •
'Punished I—be assured that they : will l'
exclaimed Paul Hazelhutst. '!Heaven . 1 - : just!
Some of are even now reaping the re
ward of their villany: Look at those exs.•
piring Wretches who fell near the door.
Listen to their moans of anguish! • What
' thought have they to comfort them and sof
ten their pains of dissolution ! They 101—a
horror ,to themselves and every justice-lov
ing
mind. -What a remembrkuce the Tories
• of South Carolina will leave to posterityl:
'The word Tory will be the synonym of
infamy,' said Judith.'
The night bad set in quite dark, and ob
jects could be seen at a slier distanceonly.
The trees looked dim and miaty in the noc
turnal gloom. Tom nutter and his compan
- ions strainea their eyes in every direction in
search of their foes, but whh?ut discovering
them, The surrounding scene was 'as quiet
asif it had never been disturb d by the sound d -v
of human' conflict ; nothing roke the quie
tude-sere the groans of therounded 'in the
!louse, and at long intevals, he cry of the
wolf in the tangled hedgesof • aurel Swamp.l
The fear of the young ladle began to sub
side;, an assurance—faint an trembling, at
first—that those lawless then ad retired and
would not return to renew th conflict, took
possession of their minds. -A glow< of hope
I retuned to their pale cheeks As their own
danger grew less imminent , i their estima
[
Lion, feelings of compassion fc4. the-wounded
Tories -visited their beans. They would have
procured fights to examine their condition,
• and made remedial applications, had they
not been cautioned by their more experienced
defenders.
Half au hour elapsed: theisilence continu
ed unbroken. Tom nutter ws not at ease,
.but walked about nervously, i tasting prying
glances from one window, then from another..
He was suspicious and: unsatisfied. Be knew
;hat they had suffered loss, fiut not enough
i
I to pfeypot brave men, or persons of even or
dinary hardihood, from making further at
tempts. - I
Paul Ilszelhurst at first shared Butter's
inquietude, but finally joined the ladies, confi
dent that there was no immediate danger to
apprehend.
,
- ' I can't comprehend it !' mt.ttered Heater,
in a perplexed manner. 'There's fillers Lois
! chief goin' on when folks aro still'
' That's about my own way o' thinkin','
remarked Podijah, who heard Torn's remarks.
'The most. mischief is done !with the least
noise, 'cordite to my experience, fast and-last,
here anti thereisby and large,!„as the world
goes. Did you ever go a courtife, Mister I'
I never ekid,'-said Tom, '
__ _ _
` Well, that's . ' about the stillest woik you
can find,J recon, though sometimes theris
heap o' business done.
' Bark i' said Tom.
•••• 1, ,-
' I don't, hear not'hin" but Paul and the
gals. Paul's tnther Sweet on one (Vern, I
should Say, though %would be hard to choose
atween :em. Wax- my flax, if it ;wouldn't l'
'lt strikes me,' said Tom, 'that the air is
growing hot and 'oppressive. LiAen ! he ;pilot
there; Paul and the gals' 1
Each of the parties became attentive.
A hissing, roaring sound was heard ever
head: • ;
"Ile-house is on first' cried-lintter 4 Some,
of the bloodthirsty villains have effected an
entrance through - the roof.' _ 1 • '
The scout rushed up stairs , and threw.opli
a door. A dense volume of smoke, ining;4l
with flame, Met him. and drotJ,e him bat&
Beds, garments, everything conibustible d
been piled in a heap and fired.) The etr w, ‘
"IF
the feathers, the linen, were
.fike tinder : it
needed - but a spark to-kindle the mad, hlaie
and that bad been applied some minutes be
fore by a - Cunning and maliciousil hand.
Scorched by the furious element, and
.I,talf
suffocated, Butter mounted the' stairs again,
in hopes io combat the desttuctive Oiwerby .
_scattering the material which &d it, but it,
wits - too late. Todijah Makepeace ran after
'him. and dragged him baa, hale choeked by
the penetrating, hot and smoke-loaded air.
Paul liazelburst, in defiance of the black,
asphyxiiting_vapors, rushed to the chamber
to clwrithe door that had been I t eftropen, but
sank blinded and overpowered upon the
threshold. It was with , dill - loth ty that he
could retrace his steps. Ije ware gasping for
breath like a drowning man whets he rejoieed
tbenanxious group below.
,;"
'That door mint be shet', said Podijtir, 'or
we will be smoked to death-like•rats in the
hold ! I'll shet it, or suffoczliet tryin'. Was my
flax, if I don't!'
The tall form of Podijah disappeared in the
mss of smoke •that rolled from
.aboie like
thunderclouds. Thera was a mo ment of in
...
tense anilety, . then- the door was lieald to
close.- Almost,Simultaneausly kodijah tum
bled down the stabs, corenur , with cinders, ,
his face and hands blatered,:endhame of his
white locks witheted to *shell. --i ~ ,
Bravely done,'Luried Jessie. tilfyou have
no saved us, ;du have at least gi l ven_ us a re
prieve.
.
'Don't praise me,' returned Podjah. 'The
praises of a gal .intoxicates me dike ardent
Sperit-tbe pootier the gal, did drunker it
makes me. - I never sball get awity from this
'place alive if' there's anything desperate I
!tleaperatel_rtif is desperate paid flutter.
We might, ciit our way through and save
ourselves, perhaps, if there was nothing of a
fea :sitn' to kok a:tor; td: these,gars
VOLUME ts/UI4BER . 17.
can't state musket balls nor they can't Mau'
fire:
• ',lie:wens!' excluitrred Thsul. 'What shall
we dot—riot for outeelires but for thesolioor
girls.'
_
i!Escaprivas you can through the datknes.s;
and as:for 1.14 girls, re willtrnst to the mercy
c.f . the 'euemy, acrd yield ourselves prisoners;
answered Jessie, eagerly. •
' Yes, we will tr us t ourselves to the mercy
of the Toriea,' said Judith imdauth huiredry.
' You will Bud it a poor trust!' returned
nutter, loOking Compassionete,ly at the three
isgirli. • rer, be miserable mercy yoir'll get .
from them.. No, no! we can't think of that. '
'-' Girl bleis you, Tom Butter, no! R' can't,
[ indeed think of that. We
,rill , die, if it•be
litsaven's will, for these dear and helpless ones;
613 k :forsake them, never '
floud shout arose from without. The were exulting in their suceees.
• What - must be done,' asked Paul, in an
agony of anxiety, . . .
."‘ We can do',two things,' replied Butter.
' Remain herMand be burnt,. or rush out and
be shot.' , .
..._ .
- ' We'll neither be burnt nor shot!' retorted
Podijah stoutly. 'l'm - bound Ato • Ike. as
long aS _ uppers ' and undera 'II \ hold, to
gether. I ain't -goin' to kiiock tinder in the'
mornio' o' my days, by gum t I know that
all flea!' is grass, but I
,don't want.„ . tny grese
cut 'While it's so green: ,I'll bold' on to exis '
tense to the last gasp, I swow ! Toin nutter,
I'm gain' to - cut jest abtolt 24 - bigness and)
the bigness ofe o' thesegals through . the
tartlet Tories, - Mtie quicker'n you cari toad
a load o' hay 'when there' a thundershower •
cumin' up like a. racehorse!'
Laurelwood House shook with the violence
of the nevourbig, flame, which. - had eaten
through the roof and now enveloped tile and
rafter. \Y bile the group looked up ma'am,
a red sword of lire 'was throat down , through
the ceiling. _
.
'lt is the flaming sword! it waves l
.us front •
our Paradi.e r cried 'Jessie.
's"ay,' said Paul impr'essivelf, !some of ns
may be going to an eternal Paiadisi'„
The fire above growled angrily in answer,
and the black smoked purled into ) the room
room likethe rank, and destructiv e %math of
a de7non.
' Let each roan see that Ids weapon is low
ed. -Take care, ""gala I Stand back as far as
you can from the flame and smoke. N Thert6
a burnin' cinder on your dress, Miss Ruth—it
blazes
'lt is out," said -Podijali, composedly,
smotbeiing the incipient glow with his great
hand.
We. must rush out two abreast; said Hitt
ter. 'BAJA and I Will go first. Itazelhurat,
you end Islinko keep near the ladies. Blink°,
be brave and use those large.artns' of yours to
some purpose. Give 'esti the contehtA of the
blundrbu-a in theface 'Cud eyes, then club it
and break their beads?
Iles, ma r•.'r Toni. This chile know' what
he 'bout. Habbent fu'g,it dat yit.
Thought I's duce for dat tiffie. -Oh,
didn't it hurt when c l oy. hitt me to' de limb!,
'Peered to , stop .my breff like. • You stood
by me, n_mr s'r make dis Tom, stub stand 'by you.
Lon! won't I _tile blunderbuss spoke
to 'ern, de minute I hab a chance to obsquin
tify 'cross de sights
The partie . s were now driven to the remo
test cornet of the.. room by- their new and ir
resista ble enemy, which was gathering strength
and fie'rceneFs with frightful rapidity. , Huttei
unfastened the door, and fresh access of air
gave additional fervor to the cunflidiation.
He stood a moment alone - in the outpour- -
ing smoke, but hot /1. - Sfibt Wit fired froth the
concealed
. and watching foe.
'There's no help for it,' added Toni. 'li'e
must try, it now or never, Podijahi'
• 'At your side,' responded the Yankee; who
expos...a himself to danger as if he had been
accustomed to it from
The walls shook with the veheaenCe-of
the fire, and there was' a ; warning creak and -
groan among the crumbling joists and trem
bling rafters. " •
'The -roof will fsll in a . nir.itnent!'
Efazleburst. •We are ready . ,
Quick, flatter,
quick!'
-.• .
The heart ofTwii - Ilutter svirelled with conr-
age and resolution; his frarriedilitted;. his
tuuscelkAtered for the eginfest
`To the right, friendg—to_the right !„Keep'
under- the smoke as tnueli as you can and
stoop as y ou go.' • -
•
'How for the shrubbery in the direction of
Liuiel Swamp!' whispered•llufter.
'A crisis approaches. Dear young
be brave!' admonished Paul, whose ft.tea ft ry '
bearing and flashing eyes told that he was
ready to do battle for the fair beings under
his protection.
'Now for a dash--fast, faster-- , stoop— , -give
as syrfall a mark to the enemy as patulible
When two - or three rods -frail the hurtling
Vending, the flames shot: up wtth increased
brilliancy, throwing, a strong glare-upon tlnk
fugitives- A dozen men sprang frorri the grans
and tonne to Ai.pute their progress.
'Stop!' shouted a voice that was stattlinly
familiar to .tessie Dtruside:
'Down!' thundered liutier, , springing to.
ward him with a flee boundifand_ aiming a --
blow at his head with. his rifle. t'antwsle
staggered and feel open one knee. The Jan
Yankee pressed to the side of Butter and th 3
Tory fell crushed at MA feet.
.. •
'Have at yoti, you ' s tamen:Titters! 'BAUR!'
Makepeneo didn't tatile autbere far nothiti'.
Come duien of ye at once! There's is
score of aittliquakes shut up in my. hones: ,
'Shoot down the tel dowul'
cried Vantassle, over whose prostrate form
four stout fellows were coutending.
diocharged his blunderbuss, and the
scattering storm of buckshot wounded several.
'Seize the gild{ seize the es shouted
Langfor..
with you!' exelaitued Nat Mertiek,
apprca Wag the terror-asieken -
' 06, Paul save us from those- wretches
shrieked Judith. .
' for you, Mister!' said Verrielr, lee- .
sling a pistolitt Paul.- A bullet whistled close "
to. the young inao's face, whet, putting -him
self between the young ladies and the villains,
held„theitt at bay. His •person was tlie tritpt
for aicizen furious blows, Whieb With sur-
prising adroitness, be turned "asideand bite&
The fonr roan sieia ndw engaged . in-une
qual conflint,„ 7
te . the swamp , girl's, while we iseeri the
rinscreants fit cheek!' ad aionisiniti HaziAburst.
The maiden' Tin like frightened deer,'but
their adeaders had the rnortitiaation tOsee
two Tones in pursuit of tbeni without be u
raze rf-.7)1 r 4,32.3