The North-Carolina standard., 1843-05-03

SAAS ~NAA VI
esteemed alike as phianthropist, and as one of
the most Jealous advocates in the cause of Ameri-
can independence. Ida was, indeed, a beautiful
creature-a being whom the poet might deem a
model for his brightest imagery. The black,
flashing eye, and the snowy brow, the glossy
ringlets and the perfect symmetry of form-all
were charming-but these were
! "--poor posse ssions
| When compared to her still lovelier mind"
The bright star of intellectually beamed from
her animated countenance, and spoke of soul
within that admitted no communicating influence
to thwart its loftiness of purpose. Long had
her young and pure affections been bestowed
upon the noble Walter, whose ingenious nature
gloried in the trust, and the fair Ida proved the
shrine that prompted many an heroic decd
They were admired and esteemed by their youth
ful friends, and the blessings of the aged follow
ed them.
On the morning with which our tale comn1en-
ces, Walter was compelled to start for Philadel-
phia on very urgent and important business-ir-
tending, however, to return the same evening.
He was the more anxious that this should be the
case, as some strange and gloomy forebodings
had taken possession of Ida's mind, that trouble
was brooding over them. Walter endeavored to
dispel them as idle fancies, but his generous eff.
forts proved unsuccessful. He accompanied her
from their delightful morning recreation, to with
In short distance of her parents house, and
then with an afectionate farewell, they parted.
AS Ida approached her home, she encountered
her father at the door, who was about leaving on
visit to a friend, about two miles distant. Ida
would have entreated her father to remain at
home that day, but then she thought that per-
haps her fears only imaginary, and finally
he departed, and she was left alone, saving the
presence OF an aged porter, called 'old Philip"
She entered the house, and with heavy heart
sat down to ruminate.
1t was by repeated acts Of aggression on the
part of some British and Hessian soldiers, who
had quartered in the vicinity of Red Bank, that
the long smouldering flame of liberty was on the
eve of bursting into broad blaze, and hurling
defiance to this arbitrary power. These soldiers
were commanded by Col. Osborne, a man who
was despised and condemned by the whole neigh
borhood as being an unprincipled wretch, who
hesitated at TO obstacle that would lead to the
qualification of his licentious and degrading pas
sions. He was an object OF dctestation to all,
alike for his petty acts Of tyranny and his mid
night marauding deprcdations. Not family was
there within several miles but had been subject
to his unwclcome presence. His acts had be-
come intolerable, and spirit of resentment was
evidently manifesting itself among the indignant
peasantry. This the man whom Ida Pres
ton secretly feared for the look that he cast upon
her, as she met him the day previous, had sent q
thrill of horror to her very soul.
Slowly and tediously passed the hours of that
day to Ida. At length the shades of night be-
gan to gather over the earth but neither Walter
nor her father had yet returned. Ida bade the
old porter to make the usual preparations for
closing the house for the night, while with fa-
III horl
melancholy thoughts.
About two hours after dark, Col. Osborne, ac-
companied by eight of his confederates in crime,
halted before the residence of Isaiah Preston
Osborne commanded, in imperative tone, one
of his minions to knock for admittance, which |
he did so clamorously as to rouse the old porter,
who tottered to the door, as fast as his advanced
age would admit On opening the door, he start
ed back at the ferocious appearance of the men
who stood without
"Come, come, old dotard!" shouted Osborne, |
'do you intend to keep us waiting here all night
Come, stir thy lazy pace, and tell your master |
we would spend the night with him. |
"Your pardon, gentleman" quietly remarked
the old man, 'but Mr.. Preston is from home"
"Well, carry our compliments to the old lady, |
and say the same to her, continued Osborne.
'Mrs Preston, gentlemen, is deceased. There
are no inmates of the house, at present, save the
daughter Ida, and your servant, and would beg
of you not to disturb the young and timid girl.
Farther to the south, beyond the great oak, you
will find comfortable quarters for the night
"Why, thou croaking old drone, would'st die
tate to us. Swing loose the bars from off thy
fastened gates, that steed may enter and look
to it that they fare well, or woe to thy gray
hairs"
GGIt cannot NO ora,,ttt.nonf..=D
'sOut upon thee, william. Jerome, dismount
and burst that stubborn gate. The old fool would
parley with us till day-break."
The man did as he bid, and the next In.
slant the old oak gate swung from its hinges with
a tremendous crash, and the whole troop gallop.
ed into the yard.
1t will be easier to imagine than to describe
the variety of conflicting emotions that filled the
bosom of the gentle Ida at this extraordinary pro-
ceeding She had stood at the end of the long
hall during the conversation between the old por-
ter and Osborne, and when the order given
to burst open the gate she sank into sest, over1
come by the violence of her feelings.
Sba ,.yos e,tJJanIx- ro,tcod from har hv