The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-09-09
THE YOUNG REBEL.
BY j. MELTON SANDERS.

"e "'"cu tuongh'iuhy on the iuor, and then he
would gaze long and wslfuly at his son. a fine.
manly youth of twenty. A, length he said,
David, this is disastrous news from Camden
GOd only knows what will become of the country
now Congress peeds every arm that is capable
-ah me, | wish this old wound ! got in The
French war had not famed me-but for il, should
now be shnulderng my musket, and marching to
defend my country
BoIh the son aud wife looked up al these words
The old lady ceased knitting and gazed nluirng
~ at The boy. and il was evident. from the express
sim OF her face. that patriotism and mothetly at.
fecuon were at variance in her bosom. The SON.
however, after encuuntering his fathers eye for
moment. turned confusedly away. The old mans
brow darkened, and ne said, warmly,
David. David, why do you linger about the
village when your country needs your services so
much !-why. son, | arm ashamed of you'll
Twice before this have | spoken to you on This
subject, but you appear to have no spirit! What!
Will you see us irampled upon by the brutal mer
cenarles of Britain, and still lie here supinely
For shame, David-for shamei will not call
you my SON. Long since you ought To have been
in the armyi'
Joshua. Joshua interposed the old mother,
David is but youth, then do not speak to him
so harshly He cannot feel what you feel-w no
have fought SO often against country,s enemies
Joshua, he is but a boy!
A boy, indeed, Deborah such bous as David
have already gained imperishable laurels since the
war commenced. could name host of them
why, we're it not for the boys Of this land,
where would be our army, which. | dare say, is
one quarter composed of boys oi David's age
he old man was excited, and it was the first
unkind word that he had ever used TO his boy
David Irose and left The house. He walked
some distance apparently lii deep thought.
AT length he muttered--' What will not a wo-
man do? Here have been lingering about rhe
village when SHOULD have been of long ago
And for what ?-why, to meet pretty girl, and
TO listen to her musical vnce--bnt now will be
myself again What did he call me2 Was il
not copard? Now, declare, will learn him
that he has son who possesses the spirit of his
father. Away then with love, for feel that am
called upon tn act, and no longer to dream. Ere
fortnight my father shall hear from me, or else
lose my life in striving for IT,
! And with this resolution he turned about with
quite military air, and retraced his Steps
When he reached home, he sought the stables,
saddled horse, and muunting him struck into a
gall0p which continued for several miles At
length he stopped and look up at the windows Of
a farm house. half, hid between the cluster
ing trees. This The residence of Mary
Bunker, The mistress of his heart :othe light show
ed that the family had not retired and ne resov-
ed TO pay her visit befOre his departure She
was alone when he entered, and few words &C
qna'ned her with his determination She burs,
into tears.
Nay Mary, you must not unman me. AT
first resolved to leave you without farewell.
tor knew how much you dreaded my taking an
active part in this struggle. But could not be
50 cruel as To desert you without word
i will compose myself said the fair girl with
an effort TO smile. Il know ! have been wrong
10 persuade you To stay; bat you cannot imagine
The anxiety feel on account of my brothers. and
| nuf hpa tn hav
same danger. But since this dreadful defeat ut
Camden feel that every man is wanted by our
country. Go. then, dearest and God be with
you. My prayers shalt be with you night and
day.
David pressed the now weeping girl to his bo-
sum, snatched -hasty kiss at the sound os ap-
preaching footsteps, wrung her hand, and was
gone.
The next day he left the neighborhood of his
fathers house, armed with a musket and mount
ed on a sturdy horse. His destination was the
American camp then far To the nOrlhward but
as the intervening country was filled with the
enemy, he knew that considerable address was
requisite In order To effect his purpose Before
his departure, he few of his old payms ties ,
who promised to follow him as suon as possible
Night found him near a lonely farm huuse, To
which he proceeded boldly in pursuit of a Judging.
Al first the occupant received him coIdly, but a
chance expression convincing David that his host
was tory, he affected the same political creed
and was Immediately warmly welcomed The
Ruyallst produced his cider after supper, and in g.
sisted that David should join him in his potatons
this the young man did, taking care, however,
not To indulge too freely, while the old tory over
Joyed to find what he supposed new recruit for
the King, drank without stint and became more
and more communicative. To his horror, David
soon harmed that party of loyalists, led by a
Major Wilson, celebrated for his toryism and
ruihlessness, were TO start early on the ensuing
! day, on an expedition to seize and hang the two
Bunkers. who had made themselves particularly
obnoxious 10 the rnyalIst leaders. David knew
enough OF this parIlzan warfare To be assured that
no mercy would be shown his friends; he also
knew enough of the character of the Major to sus-
pect some strong personal motive had led TO the
planning OF SD distant an expedition, when there
we're others as inviting nearer home. He accord
lngy set himself to discover from his half nebr-
aied companion the truth Nor vas it long be
fore success crowned his adrOii cross examination
Why, you" see said the hust, believe
there's little revenge for slight received from
these fellows sister, mixed up with the Major 8
desire to hang the Buokers. The girl is very
pretty, they say, and the Major, when she was
down here on visit last year-beiore the war
got to be SO blUOdy To marry her, but
she would have nothing to say to him. Ever
! since he has yUEed fu make her rue the day-