Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-07-23

""'' Sa'u' 'hat the fearless and unprnci
p'ed nave readiest access to the female heart
merely because they are so but they know lii,
Tie OF wonian's character who say or think this
IL the nnprincirled obtain superior influence. i, is
because boldncss Is mistaken for strength. and
! moral insanity for intellectual viyour. To the
'i"id eye uf Frances, n character torn and con.
Vuised ny contending passions, seemed to have n
fearful grandeur Her reason told her that vii.
nam was n thousand times more fitted to make
her happy, but imag nation lowered round the
image OF Joseph, and yelled its darkness with
her own seraph wings. Her gent lie nature
shrnnk from his ferocity, and sho dreaded an in
huence, which she always found tumutuous and
exciting but like the bird charmed by n rattle
snake, the greater her fear the moro powerful
the attraction. Such was her state of feeling on
the evening we choose to present her TO our
our readers; and that night was one of deep in
terost TO the whole village. The sergeant of a
recruiting regiment was among them, and every
one was awaiting the result orthe draughts with
paintul anxiety. Young Leslie, dying for the
cause in which his young comrades were about
to engage, turned restlessly on his pillow, watch
ing tor the entrance of William Warner with
all the eagerness that weakness and lassitude
would allow and Frances and her mother at
tending to his wants, and glancing at the win
dow every time cloud fitted across the decl-
ming sun, betrayed the same irquictuGc. At
length the silence was interrupted by the en-
trance of William. Mpther and daughter spranq
forward 10 meet him and the invalid fixed n
most piercing look upon him. Not word was
,,,fh 81, Il.
vering his face with both his hands he cxclaim-
ed, (" l am :" The sick man groaneG deeply ;
Frances burst into flood ortears and the ma
tron with a firm countenance but BURSTING
heart, clasped his hand warmly as she said
well, none but our God will be left to guard us
now But &C, my young friend, strong in the
Lord OF hosts. These are solemn times. Men
must act, and women must endure" sob, if |
could but act, exclaimed the invalid; Oh, nv
bleeding country that ever my arm should be
| weak at an hour like tins" I" But nv dear
| William, said Frances, will it be very long before
you return TO u.s." g II may be very long" he
replied, and his hear, swelled almost to breakinp.
when he looked on The fair creature, and thought
| of the chance of battle. Before he could add
more, his elder brother abruptly pushed be lore
him" There are others going, as well rs You
sir" exclaimed ho, gIancing at the fearful Fran
ces, aud eyerng William with the most malr.
nant expression jealousy and scorn. "Where,
| asked the astonishcd widow To the British
camp" was the sury reply. Young Leslie made
a violent exertou to rise upon his elbow, but en-
hausted with the effort, sunk upon his pillow,
with an expression, in which Indignation and
pain were contending for victory.
| " Joseph" said his brother, in tender, but
reproachiul tone, at least spare our good father
this dreadful blow. "Take care OF your own
concerns, Mr.. Morality answered the rene
gade " the old man ought to be proud of red
coat in his family" 20 Heavens exclaimed
William, care not burning towns-gushing
blood-a father struck TO the earth in his old age
| by British officer ARE not all these enough
TO rouse you to a sense of outraged rights
should glory to die IN such cause" COD
grant you may have your wish, brave brother OF
mine" answered he, with look of the most
hitter hatred. Frances shrunk from him, as
from fiend. He had never before dared to I'M
veil his depravity to her view I; and her mother
| though she well knew him to be fierce and un.
governabe, was thrilled with horror at his Ge-
moniac expression. Finding himself an object
of distrust and adherence and trying in vain to
exert his accustomed power over Frances, he
left them at an early hour, without deigning &c
say one word of kindness OF exculpation. Ina
gination thus rudely driven from the hold which
reason had long ago represented as dangerous
chung to the excellent William, with tender
ness which frances had never before experienced
for nim Mrs. Leslie had not suspected her pred
lection for Joseph, for deep and passionate love
is unreserved in its nature; and the ready smile
Of frank affection, which she ever bestowed UP
on William, might well have been mistaken fol
feelings deeper than they really were. Beside
the love they all bore him, their hearts were ma
turally soitened towards just about 10 en-
gage in doubtful but bloody cause and tn,
young man returned to his home that night NOR
than blessed in the conviction that the danger
which surrounded him had awakened affection
where he wished to awaken it.
/ When Frances entered Mr.. Warmers nous
the ensuing evening, she found the old maj
seated at his door, in high wicker backed chair
Beside him lay heavy, brazen-hted sword, Of
which his eye rested with sort of uneasy all
slraction' At the sound of her voice, he raise
his head, and gave one of .hose beamng looks o
welcome, which her presence always Gale
forth You've said kind farewell to my boy,
exclaimed he, and blessing on you for it. II
will 90 forth to his duty with lighter heart.
And Joseph. he is gone too" said she, blush
ing slightly. Name him not" replied the o.
man, with sterness in his voice and manner
" He has quarrelied with his father, curst tn
best of brothers, and last night left us, withou
one farewell, to join the hateful oppressors c
ms country" 81 have always thought" sal
frances in an agitated tonc, " All it is eve
now hard for a fathers heart to believe in III
guilt Of son but do you know, my child, tina