American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-01
From the Ladies' National Magszine.l
THE PURITAN'S d AL G lit E R
A TALE OF THE PLYMOUTH COLONY.
Ely II. 6. VERNON


TALE OF THE PLYMOUTH COLONY.
EYH. s. VERNON.
a short distance from the bankg of the little
civer which divides Sctuate from Marsbfield,
not quite a days journey from old Plymouth,
there stands an antique farmhouse, one portion
of which is, at least, two hundred years old
Near it, and Immediately overlooking the
stream, is a round knoll, now covered with lux
arious corn, but which tradition says, was
once occupied by block-house. Every YES
tige of this latter, however, has long since dis
appeared.
II was at the door of this farmhouse, on
bright September morning, in lG-, that
group Of three persons was assembled. Two
we're apparently about TO set forth on Jour-
ney. One of these was an elderly man, attired
strictly in the Puritanc garh: the other was
youth, who might be about twenty-five, and
wearing the insignia of &n officer in the colo
NAL forces. The journey of himself and COM
panion, indeed, had reference, to the Indian
war carrying on the vicinity of Narragansett
Bay; for the young captain had been sent from
Plymouth as n messenger 20 summon old Miles
Ellingwocd to the council it being in contem-
pation to make an extraordinary levy in order
10 put 81 end to the conflict at once. And
Young Rutherford had been chosen fer the mes
senger, because, as all the colony knew, he was
5etrothed 20 the only child OF the old man,
sweet Ruth Elngwood.
The thi:d number Of the group, as The reader
by this time has supposed, was Ruth herself
Her lover had taken occasion, while the old
veteran wac preparing his horsc-gifths, to draw
her aside and win from her promise shat. on
ais return, which would be il about a fortnight,
. sac would become bis wife. Ruth wag there
lore, covered with bushes, when the Oh man
called out that all was ready, and in 4 minute
l.lore, the farewels had been said, and the ira
Velers were Oh their way. The fair girl stood
watching them until they reached the edge Of
Tho forest, where her lover turned round and
waved his hard to hcr---LkCn, with u sigh. she
entered the house.
Tic depredations of the savGges had not for
many years, extended as high as cid Miles Ell
lingwoOa's farm, and therefore, though the
country around was comparatively thinIy set
led, Ruth felt no alarm at beiur left thus
alone. She haG with her maid servant, w,:o
did the rougher work, and there were two male
aborers on the place. In those days, this was
sufficient company even for young maiden on
d lonely border Erm: SO that Ruth slept as
sweety that night, as if her father had been I'M
der Che Same roof
On the cecond day of her fathers absence,
Ruth wandered out, toward sunset, in the dl-
rection of the river, and rauslng to rest, at the
little block-house, gGaed thoughttully upon the
scene. The rude structure, formed Of logs, had
been raised as a defence against the incursions
Of the Indians, but as Cor some years they had
made no attacks upon that part Of the country,
the little fortress had been suffered to decay,
and was covered now with luxusiant wild
vine, which wreathed in fantastic testoons gal
Iy around it. Enchanted by the beauty oil the
scene, Ruth sat lost in thought until the twl-
light had deepened into shadow, and the out
line OF her fathers house Oh the hill could
scarcely be distinguished. Rising at length TO
return homewavd, she was startled by hearing
ugh, pronounced bya cultural voice nigh
her, and tuning hastily around, she saw to her
alarm tho tawny figure of an armed Indian ga2-
ng upon her. He was painted hideously, as if
npoa war-party, and hispeculiar dress left no
aoab: vpoa the maIden's mind that he belonged