Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-01-01

II you 20 not wish her TO be driven from
your house ia. disgrace, you must be ST.
lent Thus urged, Frank gave the re-
quired promise, and5the negro was de-
parting when leila said, Tel me al least
Of my parents
'Tney are WE'LL he replied, 'and live
in the hope of one day seeing you,'
then repeating his injunction of secrecy
he Quilted them. This adventure was
new tie between the youthful pair; and
afordeda ar inexhaustible fund OF nlrlJer
and conversation.
At this period Frank observed that
his uncle's brow became more clouded
than usual, and his manners had lost
much of their serenity. MIR. b ---
was never cheerful man, and Frank
had heard some vague stories of severe
misiortunes which had shaded bis ear
lier years. lie however had never gi-
ven his sorrow words, but had endeavor-
ed to soothe his mind BY rendering his
ample patrimony the means ofhappiness
to all ground him. As the tiuie of
Franks departure for college deew nigh
he. found courage to disclose to his UNI
Gle MS attachment to Bella. Mr. b -
heard him without surprise; be gently
reminded him of his extreme youth /;
but as he expressed no disapprobation,
L rank took permission to be as much
in love as he chose. One morning at
breakfast, Mr.. B---requested Frank
to accompany him to The town Of
4 am going he said, TO take an &C.
tive part in the apprehension of this
freebooter, who, with his gang, infest the
country he is, | believe, desperate
character, though it is said his hand, are
not stained with blood, and that some
acts of generosity gid the general dark
ness Of his character
All the efforts of Mr.. B, and
his colleagues, however, proved fruilless
tae robber escaped all pursuit, and after
remaining week at, Mr. B
and his nephew turned their hoi SOS heads
homewards.
lit will be dark before we reach home,'
remarked Mr.. B, as they turned
from the high road to the cross path
which led to his plantation.
Give your horse the spur,'' he ad-
ded Frank was obeying, wien a loud
voice cried Halt ~ and tall man,
whose handsome features bel;ed hi.
profession, advanced to the travellers.
--ifralk grasped his pistols, but the
robber saidcoolly, @Please, young gem
tleman, to look before you take AIM
Frank followed the direction Of his
finger and beheld four men, two on
each side of them, who stood with their
rifles presented, awaiting the look of
their chief He approached Mr.. B.
and inquired bis meme. Upon hearing It
he cast on his priso1er glance of bite
hatred, but suddenly recollecting him
sslf, he waved his hand to his men, who
dropped their muskcts and disappeared
among the trees.
''Pass on,' s"id the robber sternly.
"your life is saa1nd, know your err
rand, and | warn you, meddie with me
no moep:as you, value your own and
this youngsters happiness.
who are you," said Mr B. ear
nestly, 'whose rightlul punishment in
wolves my peace -
"Ore w. oe fate is fearfully wound
IN yours; beware then how YOU hasten
its termination" AS he concladed, he
quilted them.
'"Tlis is strange," exclaimed Mr.. B
-; "hoW can this rutiiaE's destiny
be linked with mine; miserable as it has
been, it has had nought to do with
crime"
Perhaps the threat was meant to de-
ter you from pursuing him." observed
Frank.
True" replied his uncle, starting at
the sound of his voice, sit was an idle
threat, and shall not affect my conduct.o
AS they rode to the house, Nt. B.
requested his companion to be silent
upon their rencontre, as it would create
useless alarm. Mr.. BIS detection in
creased from this evening: the words of
the robber seemed to have awakened
painful feelings in his heart; nor was his
gravity lessenedby Franks departure
to prosecute his studies.
Autumn had tinged the foliage of the
B-plantation with its various hues,
when Frank returned 10 pass "a short
vacation. lie found the neighborhood
agitated by the recent apprehension of
the fglorlous robber. Even in his fall
ne had evlnced a generous feeling
when he saw he was out numbered, he
commanded his men 10 fy. and rode