Democratic banner., 1846-05-02

II was about y 0 clock IN the morning Cd
10Th Of April, 1875. when a young man
mounted on a. beautifully limbed Chestnut
horse, galIopcd atfall speedup to the dool
of a snail farm house, situated upon the
turnnike f5ad to Boston. lie threw him.
self from Inc saddle, and 'elssped the hand
of a youig girl, who, with a pale cheek.
and anxious looks, came forth to nee, him.
"What news Of the enemy George" she
asked eagerly; :'are yon hnlt?"
81 am safe, -Cataarine, but White Star
you see, is siiGatly wounGcd in the Shou.-
der by bullet that srazed it," --
"Thank God for your preservation" cried
the maiden with II fervor that BETRAYED hel
deep Interest in the safety cfthe young man,
He was about three and twenty, with a
manly figure, ana 4 fnc, frank EXPRESSION
He was p!ainiy dressed in tie frcci, OF the
reoman.y OF tEat day, but was arnled viii 4
broad sword sIung al the waist. ard a lcnG
fowling-pieee which lie held in his hand.
Upon his head LEA wore low crowned la;
with a broad briln buttoned. boldly up III
front.
She was blooming rustic beauty, with
rich auburn hair and sunny eyes. Herfg-
IRE was f~aul:lcss though rcrlapsa thought
too full. She had a sweet look Of love ana
g~entl"neSS upon her fair face and seemed
well fitted 10 pe the mate Q: the noble youth
~ her side. Her age Was about seventeen.
Her dress was a neat chintz gown, made in
the simplest fashion, and her cniy ornament
vas a ruby ring upon the middle finger Of
her right hand.
81 hevc ridden here as hard rs | could
spur, Cathcrinc," be said after she had spo-
ken, s:to secure your safety which is dear
er to me than my own. The British troops
who marchedt 10 Concord during tie night.
to destroy tie stores there, have been Inct
and compelled to retreat, Is You have no
doubt heard. from those who are lightinGbe-
fore them. Ihey were 1Eanful!y resisted al
Concord bridge. and unable to effect their
object, and seeing t!iatthc c%ountry IS rising
in arms all around them they turned TO l!y.
They have been retrcating Low for scrc-
raj miles, battling as they march with TIE
country people, who ~haryass them at every
step, firing a: tlcm from behind stone walls,
houses, hedges and every covert that COM
nands the road. have been joining in the
pursuit until half an hour ago, when seeing
that in their retreat :hey would take this
road and pass your door. | crossed the fields
and forest to anticipate them ard w@r1 ven.
and your aged grand Farc1tsto ESCAPE to a.
place Of safety. Tncy arc infiria;cdh by the
hot Pursu,. Of the people, and Will Doubt,
less wreak tieii vengeance upon the pccr.c'
they fall in with. Do not delay. Listen.
You can already hear the firing Of musket-
fy. They will soon be here! Do not stop
TO save anything, but fly to %our u~ncic's,
dwelling. 1t Is a nile back fran the rad.
and will be secure; for they will not dare to
go far from the highway to do mischief.
The sound of distant firing was LOW dis
tinctly heard. The report OF the shotguns
and rifles could BE- distinguished from the
deeper mouthed discharges Of the British
muskets as they returned the fire of their.
assailants. The road was filed with moment
and children flying before the retreating.
English; and the shouts of the Americans
az they rushed towards the scene of conflict.
RING loudly on the air.
Catharine Acton silently pressed the
hand of her lover and proceeded instantly,
To- comnlYL witt his wishes, she soun lad herI
Ola grandfather ready L til IL hot ~ ..;os,
and her grandmother with her cloak and
bonnet. r....
"Now take tie path through the wheat
field, and hasten with all the speed you cam
said George. "E will support your grand
father, while your grandmother leans on!
you."-
Thus speaking, the young man, lcadinsI
his foaming horse by the Birdie, took the
path towards the uplands, the venerable
grandsire leaning on his arm, and the love-
y girl sustaining the aged form of the vcn-l
cradle mother. As they reached tie edge
ofthe forest along which their patti led, the,
sounds Of the firing became louder and!
nearer. 1t each loudcr and fcrcer dis
charge Of firearms, the young mans cyeI
kindled and he looked back wStfully, while!
be bit his lip with impa:icnce. But his af-
lection for. Catharine Acton, and those she
loved was even stronger than his desire 20.
mlngle in the strife.
All at once they discovered several per-
.Ons before them, approaching, who, on!
.lriying nearer, provedto be the family to-
Iasos whose dwelling he was escorting his
snsfge. They were on their way, two of
"'" 'Oa' Of the old man, armed with guns