The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-03-29
THE SOLDIERS BRIDE,
OR, THE HEROINE OF SARATOGA.
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.

AT that dark period ofour revolution
which preceded the capture Of Bur-
goyne on the plains Of Saratoga, the
friends Of Liberty, incensed and driven
almost to desperation, by the repeated
success of the British army. and the
cruelty with which the American pris
oners were treated by the enemy, re-
solved to leave their domestic fresides
-.smarch to the battle field" and risk
al upon the hazard ola die. 1t was a
fearful hazard-New York, Philadel-
phia and OTHER important posts TN the
sea board, were in undistnrbed posses
sion Of the i1vaders-the Dorthern
frontier was lined by a savage and
blood thirsty foe, and the little Spartan
band who had sworn By the ashes OF
their fathers. to olive free or die" were
compelled to seek refuge in the interi-
or, and patiently but anxiousIy,
wait for favorable opportunity to a.
venge the wrongs of their oppressed
country. Tne entrance of Burgoyne
into the state of New York, from Can
ada with powerful and well dlscipIin-
ed army created alarm--and axcited q
spirit of patriotism among all classes, q
beth SEXES, which even the martyrs OF
hermopye might have envied.
Among the many that thought more
of liberty than life. was Hezeklah EI
verton. one of the pioneers of western
Massachus It's. He was among the
first toiaise the standard Of Liberty in
New Engllnd. and embraced every OPP
portunity Of intoxicating into the minds
oI his vile and son, (whO composed lis
whole Iilnily,) the same patriotic spirit
by which he was animated.
Ona beautiful evening in October,
l777, Nr. Elverton appeared more than
usually agitated. He paced the room
TO and fro for considerable time. as II
in deep Ihought-and then requested
his son Il bring him his horn inkstand,
a pen and Il sheet of paper. After
spending half an hour in writing, du-
ring whcI, time not word was whis-
pered by any member of the anxious
little family; ne carefully folded the
sheet--and still holding it in his hand
placed himself between his wife and [
his son. j.
'Henry, are both. our guns in order?'
yes, sir-l cleaned them yesterday
and put in new fints for The purpose OF
pursuing the wolf that has lately made
such havoc among our sheep. ] was
about to ask YOU to al ow me to join a
sm'll party of our neighbors for that
purpose, TO morrow; the rogue cannot
be far off and think he might be eosi-
ly captured.'
Henry, did ! ever refuse you rea-
sonabIe iequestp
No falher-on the contrary, you
have granted me many an unrea soma
BILE one. But this is certain for our in
!crest, and we know t1at our long sixer
seldom betrays you. Come father let
us both CO.
'Henry,' replied the patriot, his eyes
sparkling with youthful animation,
why should we hunt the wolf when a
lion is in the neighborhood.'
"A lion,' Exclaimed the old lady; 'how )
did he get among US.
No matter how. lie is among us, !
and must be met tand conquered. Hen {
ry have you any-hulletc cast?' Is
'Only afew, we are out of lead $
sOutof lead! go to the closet and /,
get two of the heaviest pewter plates,
and melt them into bullets before you !
go to bed. The lion must be conquer
ed and both Of us must join the party
sBut where is he, father?' ,
& q will explain, my son. A division +
Of the British army are near us, anx- t
ious for plunder md thirstIng for blood. :
General Stark has ordered out his mill :
tia, and calls earnestly upon every pa o
triot to Join him. At dawn in the NOR a
ming we must start for Bsnnington.'
~ s*aiiax In
sHannah. puta loaf Of bread, piece r
Of cheese. and few slices Of vents IN, $
into our hunting pouches. And should P
| never return, for the first time u t
tenr glisteued in the eye Of the patriot h
but lie dashed It from him and continu $
ed SHOULD Ineyer return, this letter, lp
(reaching her the manuscript which he g
held in his handy contains some instruc- Y
lions relative to the management ofIll
pur worldly afi,irs.' She took the pa.l y
perand deposited il in her bosom. i
. q F.. IL.
s Henry promptly obeye.. thelnstruc- y
tions Of his fatherrelative to cunvert-
ing .he plates into bullets. and hnd b
,cnicey finished them when his moth $,
him n large pewter mug A