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
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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