Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-06-30
POPULAR TALES.
THE TORY'S DAUGHTER.

MY dear iather, do not go out tonight,
upon this perilous undertaking, as you propose.
My heart sinks within me, as think of the
danger 10 which you will be exposed, and the
suffering which you will ensure. Something
tells me that its termination will be disastrous,
if not fatal. You say that you have testified
your readiness for the expedition. Well, be
1t so. Frame some excuse for the nonfulfl-
ment OF your engagement, and let some 9TH
er supply your place. But, at any rate, do
not leave me to- night"
Thus pleaded lovely girl, as weeping, she
chung around the neck Of her only surviving
parent.-Oliver Morton was man ratherpa
the middle stage of life. His natural DISPOSE
ton was mild, gentle and amiable, but by
series Of troubles and veyatiohs, it had become
soured; and he was very often Grabbed towards
all but his only daughter, who was the pride
of his life and the object of his tender solicit.
! ude
! The time al which our story commences
was the year 1852, when large bodies of ''to
| ries,' as they were called, were ravaging the
States of North and SouthCarolna Mr. Nor
/ ton, like many of his deluded countrymen. had
/ taken up arms in defence of the unlawful
claims of the British king; but unlike that
| class denominate1 tories had done so from
sense Of duty. Being remotely descended
! from one of the noblest houses in 'England's
/
erence for the blood royal which is so char
acterlstic OF 'Britain's sons he could not for
one moment, harbor the idea of fighting a.
gainst his rlghtlul lord and master From the
comforts OF his home, and the quiet enioyment
OF domestic life, he had been called into the
arena OF civil strife; nor for one moment did he
shrinks from what he conceived TO be his duty
aithough II was win many pang, that he
contemplated the almost orphan state of his on
4 dauUntPr (lpr u \ IA,
then fifteen years of age. He was Captain
under MAJOR Ferguson, the commandment of the
tory recruits in those States. The duty which
he was now about TO preform, was one ofcon-
| siderable importance 10 the royal cause, and
one requiring energy and resolution. Accor-
dinghy, Captain Morton, on account of a com
bination OF such qualities, was chosen for the
command.
The plan of the expedition was as follows
! Information had been received that detach-
menl of patriot forces was returning TO Gene
raj Marion's encampment, then upon the gre at
/ Pedee river, near the boundary between North
and South Carolina, with supplies of provis-
ions, clothing, &c, for the sustenance of his
army, which had been furnished principally
/ 10y our own patriotic country-women, who,
Z Spartan like, dsdained not. with their own
hands, to assist by every means in their pow
er, to forward the glorious cause of American
/ ireedom.-The Instructions of Capt. Morton
were, to intercept, if possible, this band, at a
place called Goodwin's Ferry, about 20 miles
! from the camp of MAJOR Fergur son, where it
was supposed they would halt for the night
! The precise number OF their force was un-
1 known, although IL was supposed mott exceed
! 100. Accordingly, Capt. Morton was order
| q 10 take like number of effective men, and
1 To spare no pains nor labor in eiicctIng the
| end IN view. As he now stood Just on the eve
Of departure, with Isabel cinging TO his
neck, and heard her as she besoueht him mot
to 90 out tonight he felt that a soldiers duty
was a hard and imperative one; and as he
/ thought OF the unprotected state Of his child, II
in the uncertain event OF martial strife he,
4 her natural guardian, should lie taken away, a
| solitary tear mo frequent visior,) began TO
course its way down his care-worn cheek.
/ II would have been no bad smile to have com
1 pared her, as she stood, like 'Niobe in tears
I 10 all the wTetchedness of woe, 10 the weeping
willow, as 20 seeming sorrow and humble
ness, It bends It's dropping branches 10 the
earih-and him, IA all the dignity OF manhood,
as he stood besides hs darling child, to the
majestic OAK. as II waves alof il broad arms
10 lhe breeze Of Heaven in apparent protec-
ton ofthe widows loneliness.
MY dear daughter said The father, TO her
thrice repeated request my duty as a soldier,
my pro missed faith, and above all, my aliegi-
ance io my king.
Father. said the weeping girl, looking up
~ las face, and assuming an appearance OF
real dignity, do not speak Of your allegiance
to that wicked king, who for the purposes OF
own Acknowledgement. is sowing the seeds Of
civil discori, aud deluglng this once hspPy
country ~ an ocean Of blood.
silence, Maiden interrupted the father,