Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-01-26
Fire the house boysl fire the house,

The crowd, whom contagious ex-
citement and brutal intoxlcation had
maddened into iury, prepared to obey.
For all instant, fire brands and
torches were seen cleaning IN the air;
but several voices were heard ear
nestly expostulating with them and,
whoever they were, they had power
to arrest the storm in the midst oil ITS
uproar.
The noise gradually subsidized. The
mob scattered of in detached COM
panies; and before midnight The moon
looked calmly down on the quite and
| deserted mansion Of Governor Hutch
inson. Fragments of manuscripts,
tatiered books, dilapidaled furniture,
and broken windows proclaimed that
the torrent of liberty, which had been
so long fearlully swelling, had over
flowed its banks, and left terror and
! desolation in its course.
In the mean time, a rapid walk had
brought the wanderers to the house
OF the Rev. Mr.. Osborne. There
were bret salutations, eager enquiries,
and cordial welcomes. I.ucretia, who
had not spoken one word during the
perllous scene, now clasped her arms
around Grace, and wept; Miss Sand
ford threw herself into chair, and
| rocked and sobbed violently; while
Mr.. Osborne, forgetting how much
he disliked the avarice and political
deception of Hutchinson, grasped his
band most joyluily.
There is certain point beyond
which injuries cease to exasperate,
and their influence softens and sub.
dues the heart.
From the chamber window, the
Governor watched the movements of
the rabble; saw crow bars and axes
busy on the roof of his magnificent
dwelling, and witnessed the cupola,
as it fell spliniered into atoms.
Would to heaven, it would crush
the unfeeling wretches,' exclaimed
Somervllle.
Say not SO, my nephew rejoined
the governor, - Rather pray that they
may live to repent of their conduct
Doctor Byles evinced the same spir.
it. He spoke ofthe rash proceedings,
with mlldness, very unusual to him,
and when they returned TO the parlor,
he said, With your leave brother Os-
borne, we will pray that the sins of
this night may be forgiven
At this moment shrill whistle was
heard: and it was Immediately answer
ed from distance.
Grace cast a look of utter agony at
Lucreta, who pale as death, ex-
claimed:
ooh that dreadful sound! II is the
mob whistle..'t
: 1t is sound terribly familiar TO our
ears, indeed said Hutchinson iuy
good friend, our presence ,endengers
you. We must depart
Not while there is any thing TO
iear,' reioined Osborne, in decided
tone. IF | cannot avert the storm, its
violence shall fall on me-
Leave this house; / beseech yon,
leave this house,, exclaimed Doctor
Willard, abruptly entering from side
door. There is no safety for you
here; indeed there is not
Where can ] goF asked the Gov.
ernor, in an agitated voice.
Remain with me, said Osborne tax
ing firm hold oe his arm. My young
friend, you could not suppose would
desert him at this moment
Faces were now seen a. the win.
dow, and the awful sounds Of an infu.
rated multitude were again heard
Doctor Willard cast look of intense
anxiety towards Grace which spoke
more than Se lumes.
DO you, young gentlemen, remain
with the ladies, Ii worst comes to
worst, convey them to Doctor May.
hew's. | myself will speak to these
people, said Mr.. Osborn.
The venerable man stepped forth
alone. and As he stood and gsZed on
the crowd, the clamor of voices ceased
His appearance indeed was wonder
fully impressive. His blue silk night
gown and slippers,-the white hair
parted in the middle Of his forehead,
and falling negligentiy over his shout!
ders, gave him the air of an evangelist
of olden time The moon shone full