The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-02-22
NllS0IAILILAN NlADUSo
THE BORDERER'S CHILD;
on,
WASHINGTON AT EIGHTEEN.
BIZ MARY v. SPENCER.

II was a calm, sunny dsy,in the yea
1850; the scene, piece Of forest land
on The Northern Neck Of Virginia, con
,iguous to a noble stream of water. I'm.
plemenls Of surveying were lying abou
and several men idly reclining under
the trees, be,okened by their dress and
appearance that they composed parry
engaged in laying out the wild lands Of
the then frontier Of the old Dominion
These persons had apparently just finish
ed their noontide meal, for the relics ol
the banquet were scattered around.
Apar, from the group walked younl
man evidently superior to his compan
ions, though there was nothing ob,rusiv'
in his air, which, on the contrary, ws'
distinguished by afabiity. A certain
dignity of aspect, however, accompanied
him. Added TO this he was tall and
compsc, frame,& moved with the elastic
tread of one accustomed 10 constant ex
ercise in the open air. His counlen
ance could not have been said 10 b.,
handsome ,bu, i, wore look Of decision
and manlness no, usually found in on
so young-for apparently he was lil'I
over eighteen years oil age. His ha'
had been cast off, as if for comfort, an
he had paused, with one foot advanced,
10 a natural aud graceful attitude, al tn
moment, that we have introduced hin
10 our reader.
Suddenly there was shrek, the'
another, and then several in rapid sue
cession. The voice was that Of wo
man. and seemed TO proceed from tn
9th side of dense lhcket. AT tht
first scream the youth turned his head
inlhe direction whence the sonnd pro.
ceeded, bu, when il was repeated, h.
pushed a side the underground which
separated him from il, and quicking
his footsteps as the cries succeeded each
other with alarming rspidity, he soon
dashed into an open space or clearing
as the borderers even then called it, OF
The banks of the stream, in the centr'
of which rude log cabin Stood, who's
we'll pole poised over one end, & smok'
curling from the chimney, gave signs OF
habi,ation. AS The young man, with +
face flushed by haste, broke from thr
undergrowih, he saw his companion,
crowded together on the bank Of ,h'
river, while in their midst a woman,
from whom proceeded The shrieks, wa,
visible, held back by two Of the mos
sthele,ic Of the men, but still struggling
violently for freedom.
II was The work Of an instant 10 makt
his way ,hro' the crowd and confront
the female. The moment her eyes fell
on him she exclaimed.
20! sir-you will do something for
me Make them release me--for the
love Of God!' My boy--my poor boy
Is drowning, and they will not let mi
go,'
I at would be madness-she will juml
into The river said one Of those VIII,
held her. az the frantic mother strov
& again 10 break from his grasp. 'Th
ripids would dash her 10 pieces in mil
III uie.'
The youth had scarcely waited 70
these words. His eye took in at a sin
gle glance the meaning Of The sad group
He recollec,ed The child OF The woman
bold little fellow OF iour years ole
'~hose handsome blue eyes and naxe
ringlets made him favorite with slrsI
gers, and filled the molher's heart vii
pride whenever she gszed on him. u