The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-05-02
MISCELLANY.
From the Ladies' National Magazine.
The BOrderer's Child;
OR WASHINGTON AT EIGHTEEN.
OR WA
BY MARY e. sPENsER.

BY MARf SfGNSLh.
It was calm, sunny day in the year l750:
the scene piece of forest land on the North
ern neck of Virginia, contiguous 10 noble
stream of water. Implements Of surveying
ing we're lying about, and several men, idly
reclining under the trees, betokened by their
dress and appearance that they composed a
party engaged in laying out the wild lands
of the then frontier Of the Old Dominion.
These persons had apparently just finished
their noon-tide meal, for the relics Of the
banquet were scattered around.
Apart from the group walked young man,
evidently superior 10 his companions, though
there was nothing obtrusive in his air, which,
on the contrary, was distinguished by afiab;-
lty. A certain dignity of aspect, however,
accom- panied him. Added 10 this, he was
of a tall and compact frame, and moved with
The elastic tread OF one accustomed TO con-
stant exercise in the open air. His coun-
tenance could not have been said 10 be hand
some. but il wore look of decision and
manliness, not usually found in one so young;
for, apparently, he was little over eighteen
years of age. His hat had been cast off, as
iffo comfort, and he had paused with one
foot advanced, in natural and graceful atti-
tude, at the moment we have introduced
him to our reader.
Suddenly there was shrek, then ano-
ther, then several in rapid succession. The
voice was that of woman, and seemed to
proceed from the other side ofa dense thicket.
AT the first scream the youth turned his
head in the direction whence the sound pro-
ceeded, but when it was repeated he pushed
aside the under growth which separated him
from it, and quckening his footsteps as the
cries succeeded each other with alarming
rapidity, he soon dashed into an open space
or " clearing" as the borderers even ther
called it, on the banks of the stream, in tht
centre of which a rude log cabin stood
whose we'll pole poised over one end, ant
smoke curling from the chimney, gave sign
of habitation. AS the young man, with
face flushed by haste, broke from the under
growth, he saw his companions crowded TO
gether on the bank of the river, while IL
their midst woman, from whom proceeded
the shrieks, was visible, held by two Of th'
most athletic Of the men, but still struggling
violently for freedom.
II was the work of an instant to make hi
yay through the crowd and comfort the te
male. The moment her eyes fell ON hin
she exclaimed
"Oh, sir-you will do something for me
Make them release me-for the love OF God
MY boy-my poor boy is drowning, and the
will not let me CO."
"It would be madness-she will Jum
into the river" said one of those who he'll
her, as the frantic mother strove again t
break from his grasp. "The rapids woul'
dash her to pieces in minute"
The youth had scarcely waited for thes
words. His eye took in, at single glance
the meaning of the sad group. He recol
lected the child of the woman, bold llttl
fellow of four years old, whose handsom
blue ewes and haxen ringlets made him
favorite with strangers and filled the mother
heart with pride whenever she gazed on him
He had been accustomed 10 play, at will, i
little enclosure before the cabin; but tn
morning, the gate having been accidental
left open, he had stolen out when his mother
back was turned, reached the edge OF tn
bank. and was in the act of looking ovel
when his parents eye caught sight of hin
The shrek which she uttered precipitate
the catastrophe she feared; for the chill
frightened at the cry, lost his balance, an
fell headlong into the stream, which her
went foaming and roaring along amid innu
merable rocks, constituting the most dan
gerous rapids known in that section OF coul
try. Scream now followed scream in rapl
succession as the agonized parent rushed