CO irrr-Tr-iii I have worn upon the Altr of God, eternal Inutility t every form of Tyranny uver the Mini of Mau." Thotna JotlWuou If. WEBB, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. IfiLOOMSIiUJIG, COLUMBIA COL NT Y, PA. SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 18 15. Volume VIII. .Vuinlicr 50j v.. OFFICE OF THE DEMOCRAT .....in hr. Paul' Church, Main-it TERMS : VA COZ DEMOCItJITvillbt published every Saturday morning, ai TH'O D 01. Ul KS per annum payaou halfxjearlv in advance, or Two Dollar Fiftu Cent$,if not paid tvitlnn the year o subscription will be taken for a ihorler neriad than at x months; nor any discon tinuance permit ted,unHl all arrearage are discharged. A 1) l'ER TISEMF.yS not exceeding u square will be conspicuously inserted ai One Dollaror the first three insertion, and Twenty-five cents for every subse nAt nser'tion. t'rJ liberal discoun made to those, who a lv rtise by the year LETTERS addressed on business, vnisl be post paid. POHTKY From ihe Montlily Ko. WHAT IS LIFE. BY MARY CARDISER, I I k,d a child whose fiolie laugh of glee Was clear and gladsome as a an in in tf r sea. Whose heart possessed the prism's magic power, And won a rainbow hue from every hour. Ar.d he replied with wonder in hi eye 'A long, fair-day, bright a yonder 6ky'' II I asked a youth just verging on the prime Of glorious manhood, filled with tho'ls sub lime, Of noble works.and daring deeds and high. Whose fane should live when earthly hon ors die, And he made answer, pressing towards goal. Shifting and fleet as the wind-driven scroll ill A race course, wide as it is great and free Where all may win as easy victory; A field, where meiit and exalted right, Alone shall be the arbiter of right: A pathway radienl wirh a cloudless sun Detain me not ! the prize is almost won!' IV. I asked of one who'd travelled hulf.way o'er, The beaten path on Time's rock b ounded shore, And lie replied, 'A conflict fierce and vain. A draught of bitter waters thou muni dra n. A day of scorn, a night of gathering gloom; Each soul an urn, each heart a living tomb.' V I asked an aged man with silver hair. And brown serene as midnight's Btarry air. His feel were pressing on the brink we dread, The eternal stars shone clear above hi. head, And he looked up whm they glancing thro', Their earthly curtain of drinesl blue; VI. And thus replied 'A pilgrimige sublime! Up for the suite, probationer of time! Go forth to meet it with a tearless eye, And a strong heart o( faith to do or die! Live wholly, nobly, in the good and true The cross you bear was borne by God for you.' VII And I returned to ponder oe'r the words That lore held my soul like music's sweet accords, And thought how happy and bow blest a thing, If we could learn in vouth's unclouded spring The lesson, conflict, suffering and tears Have bro't to thoe who bear the weight of years, mr 'it '. i A would-be-poet announcing his inlen- ihn lo publish his prose woik, was ad- vised lo publish his versos with them 85 nobody would know the difleicnce, IIONHY RUN' An Amusing itory ol Wcitcrn life. Mr. Douglass, vou've a mighty small rhancecf legs, there, any how! Judge Douglass vlory. The 'nentleman from Illinois u not,, . . . ..!,..:.. , " , ill t nwuaiic iiutiiotuillllliiil Aiirr y l uurru fug mi . I I.. .... I u .... r. u men fllll llUITA ljl u a .. L.. i irt AAinnrril.nipn A till 1 1 1 I H I 111 UIIU ... - fiiend of our, tnuallv hanpv m his I manners if not in his party, among, thi Missouri constituency found himsel while canvassing the stale last sum mer. for ConureM, in even a more peculiarly pi-f plexingpredieamenl thai the Illinois Judge. There is a spot in the S u'hwestet i pail of this Slate, known a The Pery Fork ofllmiev Ilunl de'ici . in local ty no doubt, as the tun "I hom'y is pf course accompanied by a coirespond ng flow ol 'milk' and a imx'ure of mTlk md honey , or, at any rate, honey and peach if the evidence ol sublunary ontentmen', eveiy place where the have nieiching! 'Honey Kuu is further Ohristianized y the presence of an extremely hospii ole family, whose mansion, conipriiiif 'tnt apartment neither more nor len. is renowned for being never shut a- anisl the traveller, and so our friend found it during the chill morning air. he expense of a rheumatism in In- loulder, its numerous unaUecled crack iikI spaces dearly showing that drop ping ihe latch was an useless formality. he veneiable host anil hoscjsj; in men ne apartment, uully eijoy ihe society two sons, lour uaugiiiei, suntin dim and 'niggers,' and as many lodger s may deem it prudent lo risk in- somewhat equivocal allotment of sleep na uartneis. Un the mght'in qnesltoi mr friend, after a hearty supper ol ham nd cuss, and canvass of the fie.ry. Forkers, the old lady having pointed ut his bed, fell very weary, and only looked for an opportunity '.o Mum in,' though the mosquitoes wire trump'Of; II sorts of wrath, and no net sppaie o bar Ihem. The dogi flung iheinelve- Ions the floor, or again roe, restlessly, ind sought the door step; the niggers' tuck llietr fuel in the yel warm aslie... he old man shipped, unvcnipiilously. nd sought his shaie of the one collap d-looking pillow, and the sons, caval- ery, followed his example, leaving tin )ld woman, 'gil' and inmiger,' to set lie any question of delicjcy thai migh' ai ise. l'he candidate yawned, looked at hi lled, went to the door, looked at th laughters; fioa lly, in downright reck lessness, he seated hitnselt upon Mhi downy,' and pulled off hi coal. Wei He nulled oil Ins coal and he lolded hi? coal and llu-n he yawned and thei. whistled and then he called the old lady 's attention to the lac', thai it wou'o never do to sleep in his muddy Irow ,t-rs and then he 'undid h:s vest and hen he whittled again md then, and dt nlv, an idea of her lodger's embar rassment seemed to flush upon Ihe oki woman, and she cried 'Gals, jest turn your barks louix (ill ho stranger g:ts inio bed.' 't he backs were turned, and iht trangi-r did get into bed in 'less than no lime, 'when Ihe hostess again spoke; Reckon stranger, as you unit used ti ns, you'd better kivei vp till gals undies. hadn't you?' By this lime our friend's sleepy fi was ovet, and though he did 'kiver up,' as desired, some how or oilier, ihe old counterpane was rqually kind in hiding his blushes, and favoring his sly glances l'he nymphs were soon slowed away. for there were neithtr bustles lo unhitcl nor coisels to unlace when theii mam ma, evidently anxious not to sninthei her nuest, conaidtrably relieved him: You can unktver now, stranger; l iti named folk", and you ain't afeared o me I reckon!' The stranger happened tohe'married folks' himself; he unkiveted and turn ed his back with tiue connubial indiff erence, as far as the ancient lad' was concerned, but, with regird lo the gals,' he declares that hia half-raised curiosity inspired the most tormenting dreams of mermaids that he ever expe rienced. St. Louis Jteville. Keep out of bad company, for when the devil fires into a flock, he will hit come-budy. THE OUTLAW'S CRAG. It wat in eaflv ilnwn (if November day. in the early imi of jhe-re'gn of the good nng Jatnea.thnl a party o( horsemen wound slowly aloiu' (he narr-ow pay leading lo ihe ildilenre for aonie disiancu. ttie leader of iht I I 1 party suddenly exclaimed to his rotnpan lonu; IJy the road, Osrnond.bul the sir is keen and biting on the bleak hills this morning It has almost chilled ihe yery marrow in ny bonsi, so thai my limbs are as atiflf a my I .nice in Chiisteudom.' 'I marvel much thut one bent upon so l)in n y an errand as yours, should feul the wintry blast. Methinks thou will make sorry bridegroom,' relumed his compan ion. A trutte to thy jesting,' aiiinvered liu first speaker, who wai none oilier than Sn Kupurt Sterling; together with his cousii Osmond and attendants, journeying to the Castle Uttiliscommon, the lovely hsiress oi tvh cli Sir Kuperi was about to wed. The Earl, her father, had it iong in con templation to wed his daughter, ss old ape was fast creeping upon him.he was anxious to see her provided v ith a suitable prelector before he should be called away. With this ilea he had protfeied her in marriage to Sir in perl soma month previous to the open itig ol out sloiy. Although he had but seldom seen his intended bridedie playfully accepted the offer, foi the fame of llis gentle Alice had olien been spoken of in his pre. ence iNlany suitors, both lair anil noble, had been rejected by her, and this offer Irom Iter lather was an honor he uiu not fail lo ccept 1 he news of this step taken by her faihei wss received by Alice with deep emotion nd surprise, which was attributed by him o natural timidity and maiden rcaerve , vhich would soon wear away and give place tu more jnyful feelings. She replied o her father that her destiny wai in Ins lauds, and whatever be his choice it would ie herduty; ai an obsdienl child, to obey. Spoken like a good child, am! 1 will warrani thou will be pleased with lliine intended husband, as he is a fair and co:nely pliant lo look upon, one who can nut be matched with short sword or lance in all Uhtiateniliirn lie will be hore In claim his pretty bride this day three weeks; an my dangher make all prepaialinns In ri'i-civs him in a manner becoming the iieiress of Hollisi'Oinnuin.' 'So soon!' said Alice a ith a start and ss an ashy paleness spread over her beautiful features. 'W hy this haste? My dear father this announcement is unexpected, the pusi tion 1 should occupy is a novel one; I shall ac.arce find time to prepare myself lor the important even'.. 1 besceeh llice grant me i longer novitiate.' 1 is impossible, my daughter, the da Ii8s beeii'appoinled, and Sir Unpen is in uke up his residence with us some linn previous lo the happy day; so '.hat he mat have an opportunity of becoming better ac qu'iinted with his future wife. I duubt no but he is on his way hither. ' Alice tnwed meekly i n silencepm! wild, drew to her own chamber to brood in sulituih in the inevitable desliny that awaited hr. She threw herself upon a couch ind burs into lean. ;0I), Oscar! Oh, Oicsr!' she exclaimed -mine own beloved long lost one, would dial thou wen here t-j advise me in tin, dire exueiniiy! Oh, cruel, cruel fate!' And .mother burst of lean relieved her overbur dened heart. Oacar Rulhvan was an orphan, railed am educated in Ihe family of the Earl from the age of ten yesrs;Viia father wss slain b the Sarsrens during the wars of Palestine, whither he had gone to defend Ihe Holy City fi oiii the insulis of the infidel; hi mother, a dslicate, sensitive being, coult ill withstand iha shock, and afier t shon illness followed her husband to ths giaie leaving their only chilli an orphan, exposed lo the hardship and buflVtings of the world. The Earl, learning of iis desolate conditio! took him into his family and adopted him as his son Living undor ihe same roof, Oscar and Alice in lime became inseparable coin pan ions; often, have they wept together at si injury one wuu!d leceive; iheir wild mern laugh would tcho in concert through tin ild 'ime woin rche of the castle, ai in their childish sports they raced ihiough the. venerable apartments, then they wnuld bour.l over the bright green sward with heir elfin locks streaming in the wind, in iiirsuit of soine gsudywmged insects, whicl as tlry grasped in their liny fingers, called forth s shout of joy, which made the old man's eyrs lo glisten as he thought of lh' lays when he was young, lliuce halcyon lays, that 'bright green spot in memory's wail?. Tim rolled on ii brought with it naught out joy and gladness. Oacar had reached he age of nineteen, and Alice wss two ears his junior; but before this childish affections had given place to a more maturr ove they had exchanged affection. This llessiig and happy slate of bliss was soon to be broken. Uirar in one ol in moments of excitement in listening to tin ecin'of his father's deaih.hail openly vow ed that when he should obtniniho age of runt teen, he would make a pilgrimage to I'.di tine, to revenge his falhei's death by dyeing his grave with the heart's blond of somt Saracrn. Neither the entreaties of tin Earl, nor the supplications of Alice ennui altor his purpose The vow suit rung in his ears and nerved his determination it h fur a moment wavered. Grieve not for me my gentle Alice,' hr would say as she hung on Lis breast; let mi kiss avay those glistening drops a fev, months will soon pass away, when Osrm will then fly un wings of lovo, to claim his pretty biide. What joy will attend thi meeting! as elapsed in each other's aunt wt put forth thanks to the Omnipotent fo the safe return. Or sealed on the musa batik, by tho side of some gonile brook, w- will recount to each other ihe weary houi e passed, as far, far apart, we prayed tha hours might be minutes, and months weeks r ss wandering beneath ihe shade of on: iofty native pines, pnur oul our vows of low ind dare the rude hand of fate again lo ieve two hearts tha thin can beat with love Loup up, mine own beloved; the cloud dial hover to hardly over our path wdl suoi pass swiy, and the sunshine of joy one nore will rise on hopes no more to set. With suih language Oscar would stiivt io soothe his drooping Alice, The frftal day oi length arrived, and will i heavy heart Oscar lore himself Irom hi- weeping friends. After maoy days of tor mid peril he arrived at the Holy CiU.when he distinguished himself by his bravery in slaying many of the ruihlcsi Saiacens. It is needless lo recount Ihe many adventures In met with 'the moving accidents by llood and field,' (luring his slay suffice it lu say that he had now been many months from home, and the objects of his pilgrimage be ing accomplished, and having received many arms in fierce encounters, hs preptred u set nut for his native country. A tier this digmssion w will return ( Sir liupcri t his cousin Oiniund.whoui we left journeying towards the Castle R.isths rnmmnn. After a few hours hard riding, ihe party drew up in front of the castle ates which were immediately thrown open ihe poucullis raised an I drawbridge lower i! to admit ihe noble Sir Rupert sad alien dants. The old Earl warmly embraced his ion in law elect, and bade him welcome villi many joyful expresioni. Poor Alice heard of his arrival with ihi leepesl agony. She wiung her hand threw herself upnn the ground and gav loose to the most indent grief. After tin ttrsl burst had subsided, she became nore calm, bs she became convinced she would soon be brought to the presence of ber in tended husband. With a heavy heart h endeavored to remove all traces of grief.but ihe swollen eye and flushed rheek easily betrayed the feelings which had so lately agitated her breast. Telling her attendants .) follow, she left ihe castle by a postern door, to compose herself by a horl walk ir ihe cool air without the castle walls. She had walked in an amusing fit of ab. traction some distance from the caeile.oowloutfaged ihe family. hing of her lover Oscsi, and pnwng teaven fur his safe re.urn-and then, he ihuught of (he hard deaiiny that awaited icr si home; would start and shudder as if in a hideous dream. She had left the ca Is far behind, and nuw exceeded ihe limits llowcd her by her father fur her walks, on iccounl of his fears of a dangerous free bonier, who roamed the country without fear of molestation. Ilu retreat, an old deserted castle, was justly railed ihe bloody aide of Jc Fergus. Situated in a wild md rugged part of a neighboring mountain lie defied all attempts made by the goveui- nsol to capture him His name had be come a terror to lh mhamiaiiu, and Ihe whole coifoiry wss hud under contribution y lliTs daring outlaw. All prisoners taker. hy him, if not raiiawti'.l by then; friends, wire within a given lime thrown from a neighbming ersg and dashed to pieces. Ai Alice musingly sauntered along, she emetubered the injunction given by I tainer and the oioody iUcl'ergus, ami pr pared to retrace her slept; as she lurucd I'm hsl purpose, she saw lh it hei path was in. ercrpted by three men. One glance was sufficient lo discuvei, in (he person of the leader, ihe bloody McFergus, whose well Known feslures wero rendered still more hideous hy the malted ami grisly beard hat hung down on his breast At this lucovery Alice would have fallen had he not caught her in his urins. Neither tears r promises of great reward could prevail ivith him. She was hurried io a thicket of ui.deiwood, where Mi-Fergus with Alice n his arms mounted his horse and toJe rapidly off. The shades of the evening were fatl de -.(ending, when the sari ordered his daugh ti-r lo be informed thai Lord Rupe.rl and himself were prepaied to receive her. In i few moments the servant returned; with ear pictured in his oountenance, and in- iiiimed the Lai'l lhal tho lady vllctj had lefi he caaile some, hours pievious, and hud 'lot yet returned, The Earl and Sir Rupert were alarinec it this information, as ii was the fiisi time ihal Alice had ever lemained so long frum Dome. s the darkness increased his anx ieiy beeame intens6i Another hour roller ly, and Sir Rupert becunit seriously per plexed. Tne Earl had, until now, been aang. oil; vacancy , almost afraid lo ex )isss what his mind told him was pruha iile. Starling lo his feel he ordered each iio of his reiinue lo scour the forest with ighted torches- ihinkiug she might havi osi her way, and was now benighted in ihe depths of the forest. Tho retainers ul the Earl were ordered to search in una di ruction- whilst the Earl and Sir Rupert and tiis company proceeded in another. After uiiue hour' fruitless search with heavy lieatis, the tlifl'ciei'.i parties relumed to the i-asiie. The Earl now gave away to the deep est grief, constantly calling on the name ol nis daughter; while Sir Rupert, with a heart as heavy as his own, endeavored to soothe 'lim hy whispering words of hope and as suiaiicss for Alios. Thus the night wore ivtsy. with heavy hearts lo all in the ens ile. Dayhieuk at last appeared and with it tidings of ihe lust Alice, through the wo nan who had accompanied her in her walk the rnhhi-rs not having molested her, she sioiicd direeily for the castle, after seeing her nnsiress dragged forcibly from her sight to convey the mournful intelligence to her father but being excited through fear; she became confused, and lost her way in I lit depth of ihe forest, nighi overtook henfe she sought shelter in the hut of a mountaineer At the first peop of day, with tho coiligei for s guide she started forth, and soun sniv ed In safely al the caeile. The Earl afier lisif ning !o the recilal nf her story, felt thankful that his dsugh ifi was mill alive, but shuddered when he ihouht of the danger hy which she was surrounded. Howpvei no time was lo be lost in surmises; Sii Rupert wss about arming his followers. and gstly bade the Lai I be ot good cheer, lor ne would soon restore ms riaughitr to her home, snd punish th daring Iretbooier who had so boldly lo A strong parly was soon organ's asi""" be.g headed by Sir Uupert.shortly fun veil ai me gates oi me laoicil ca- jtle of McFirgus, who made his appear ance on I tte cast e windows and demand 'l ihe cause of ihe visit. Sir Rupert on made him srquaintml wit') it by slating that he had come lo pay ihu amount of ramson required for ihe lady Alice, whatever it niighl he. McFergus answered, in di ri.ion, thfat he had s nobler plan in view than tho hope of gsin which was lo retain her as his bride, and bade him to return lo her father and invite him Io the bonny wrdJuig.' Slung lo mauners at this information, Sir Rupert as the alVnncctt of lady Alica challenged him lo mortal con. bit Mc- r ergus eageily accepted the oner, Ihe folluwiH of Sir Rupert were ordered iu leine some distance fiom ihe cast It walls, to ensuie the personal safety oi Mii'eiitJt, and b.r Knp?rl was lelt tloue. In a few moments the massive :aies ot the castle wire opened d McFergus rode forth completely ail in steel. Kager to begin the-affray, the com batmls lushed . lowaidv each oihir iit deadly slriN; they nicl as Iwo tem pesmoJS waviw, loscd by contrary winds. Ii was soon evident that, not withstanding the surpciior skill posies ed hy Sir Rupert in the mode of war fare they were engaged in, he would he I'otced lo submit lo Liute Juice. The tremendous blows dealt by hid udveraaiy he found it impossible to re turn and hh each one rang upon hi wtll ined hclrmt and siout shield, il eeined h it ih 'jf inf ra' k n;ll to the ho, o ? . i. . i , .. ... .i i ... : . i. ai ine ijiuy. i uc tuuicm i i m--u wmi violence for some lime, but with no ad. vantage lo Sir Rupeil and evid.nl suc ci fjs to his advtisaiy. Sir Kupeil, perceiving lh.it whilst ho icud eninely upon IJiu dtfensive, hu was losing ground, determined lo change his mode of fifehiing, in hopes of gain ing some advautago hy the sudden change; but McFergus still fought with the same dogged coolness as belore,and pairied ihe desperate ihru.M of his d v. . rsiiy with a smile of derison. liu knew horn ihe tnoment.lhe victory was iis, for Sir Rupert became franiiu wnli rage, whilst on the other hand McFei ;us became more coot ; and in u desper ate iflort to reach his body, Sit Rupert it-It Ins own exposed, and in an instant McFirgus' sword entered hid body, mil ihe bright blade, recking with Ihe hearw ilood, came oul at his saddle and hu ft 11 o ihe ground. McFergus, with a fiendish laugh wip ed his blade upon the haunches of his noise, and pointing lo the body of Sir Uupeit, bade his followers lake it up md carry il lo the Karl; with his invi tatiuu lo his daughter's wedding. As they approached towards him, he turn il hishuise snd lode into thecomtuf the castle. In a moment he was iu th piesenceot Alice, and with a bruul augh, Dade her call her maids lo pre jjaie her wedding gear, fur lhal nigh) it would take place, and a jolly catuusuL nis merry men would make of il. With a supplicating voice she prayed lie would save her. She knew he did but jest. He surely but meant lu alarm her. He could not mean it. Mean H, girl! Did'si ever know lha ion to jest will) ihe lamb, or the eaglo with Ihe dove? Nay, nay, you do hut jest when you talk in that strain. Per mil me Lady Alice, to bow at thy shrin' it the same lime kneeling al her foet. Genlla maid,'4I supplies'?. Listen lo- my sun. If force has no effee', allow one who never begged before, lo plead, his humble cause. All that wealth ram ive all ihe power lhal McFergus can give, is thine. Aye, Ihe very king shall tremble on his throne, if Luly Alice do hul wave the hand! Lords hall kneel at her feel, nobles shall wait her call; if she consents lo he tho v ifu of Donald McFergus. If she refuse?,' el her beware of his vengeance! It is terrible.' What says my Lady Alice is she won as well as wo ed?' ai tho same lime raising from hiskneu' on? Diik end mysterious man. sooner ihin he the wife of s i Ll.iody and desperate a villain I would re sign my spirit to lha mak'.r lhal giva it.' So, so, my prelly maid, rlosl thou think to brow-beat me thus? Donald McFergus was not born jeslerdajH. What, ho! wiihoul there, caitiffs call he priest with bell and book 1 hayu
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