The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-01-30

enemies who will not rest until they hav
my blood. | have only one duty to pei
form, and then Jacob, Pm away for tn
, American army!
, Spoken like hero, id if it amt,
: said Jacob approaching Mervale. Civ
US your fist on that Reggy. | am wit
you in that undertaking. head and ears
There's where we ought to be. Our coun
try wants our sarvce, and say let's lie
her have 'em. If we should stay here
thousand years we couldn't do any thing
but speculate on the tories a little, an(
between you and me Reggy that's small
bznessn
! The mission, that,I intend TO undertake
is dangerous one Jacob, but shall sue.
coed or fall After that is accomplished
we will move for the army at once;' sale
Mervale.
i don't want TO be Impairment said
Jacob, but where The devil are you goin, o,
what upon airth are you goin 10 under
take that's so dangerous? You know yor
can depend ON me-.
Don't you remember the girl that you
rescued from the river!' replied Mervale.
Van Loans niece to be sure | do,
and sweet girl she was too, and a leelle
the stllIest wing that ever wore pet,coate!
i am determined TO have an interview
with her, before I 60 from these parts.
said Mervale, slightly coloring meanwhile
That's entirely onpossib!e;' replied ia
cob, with look of surprise. You aint a
goin to venture right into that cussed old
stone hornets nest be ye.'
Il am determined to see Alice Van Lo.
an, at all hazards said Mervale deter
minedly. Il mast see her before | leave
this place!'
The truth is, | expect said Jacob, with
SLY leer, that you love that girl Reggy,
and do no! blame you bit; for as | said
before she is nice. But you will find it
impossible to get a sight at her; for old
Van Loan keeps sharp eye on her know.
low-scme-dever you can try it; Isay they's
nothin upon airIh like pluckp
The next morning was pitched upon
by Mcrvale as the time for commencing
his undertaking. Jacob was to remain
near the river, until the return of Mer-
vale, as the extraordinary size Of that
worthy presented a particular clue to his
person, even to the most casual observer.
When night came they retired to rest, in
the place occupied by the rangers, and
with the dawn they were again astir, and
proceeded to partake of some food;whlch
owing to the overseeing care of Jacob had
been brought from the Schoharie settle
ment. After his simple meal was con-
cluded, Mervale shoulderng his rifle
started toward the residence Of Van Loan
leaving Jacob seated upon the ground near
their lodgings. lie walked on his journey
riskly-cxcited by the hope of meeting
Alice once more, and in short time he
found himself near the mansion. Taking
a position that sheltered him from obser-
walton, and at the same time commanded
a view of the mansion, he waited for more
than an hour in the hope of obtaining a
view of the person of Alice; yet he saw
her not. Once or twice he was on the
point ofentering the mansion, so strong
was his desire to see and converse with
her, yet a second thought convinced him
that it would be the height of temerity,
thus to place himself completely in the
power of his most bitter enemy. lie &C.
cordingly wandered in the direction of
the Station, in the hope of obtaing some
intelligence upon which he could act,o at
least he imagined that from one circum-
stance or another he might learn some
thing of Alice's welfare. As he neared
the settlement, the solemn toll of the bell
arrested his attention, and he halted
Who could it be, he, thought, who had
departed for the land ofspirits He stood
for some time musing and listening to the
solemn toll ofthe bell, when he observed
a youth approaching in the direction of
the place where he was standing. Of
him he enquired as to the solemn sounds
to which he was listening. Alice Van
Loan is deadF replied the boy, 'and for
her the bell is tolling. Mervale stood
like one transfixed, at this unexpected
announcement. Every pulse in his body
seemed to have ceased, and his cheek
blanched paler than the driited snow
Alice Van Loan dead!' he repeated slow
ly and melancholy
Yes replied the boy; Alice Van Loan
is dead; she died Of the small pox, and is
to be buried to-day As he concluded
this piece of information, the lad contin-
ned on his way, leaving Mervale standing
in the spot where he first saw him. Mer'
vale seemed for time completely stunned
by the information he had derived from
the lad, he continued to repeat the words,
Alice Van Loan deadp like one entirely
pert of reason for some time, but he grad
ually recovered from the shock, and then,
and not till then, he experienced the
keen pangs of grief a, her loss. A sud,
den iainness overcome him and he seat
ed himself at the foot of tree against
which he leaned for support. by and bye
the tears flowed freely down his cheeks,
and he felt relief He remained here for
some time, when he arose and reiraced
: his steps towards the mansion. He OBJ
tanned the situation he had occupied in the
morning, and stood gazing in the direc-
H. D.ogopttv tho in.