The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-02-05
From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
THE HERO WOMAN

IdE ttERO WOMAN.
Legend from George Lippard Esqs Fourth Lecture on
the Romance of the Revolution" delivered
before the William Writ Institute
In a thick wood, not more than half a
mile from the Schuylkill, there stood, in the
time of the Revolution, quaint old fabric,
built of mingled logs and stone, and encir-
cled by palisaded wall. 1t had been erect
ed in the earlier days of William Penn,-per-
haps some years before the great apostle of
peace first trod our shores,- as block-house,
intended for defence against the Indians.
And now it stood with its many roofs, its
numerous chimneys, its massive square win
dows, its varied front Of logs and stone, its
encircling wall, through which admittance
was gained by large and stoutly-built gate
it stood in the mids! of the wood, with age
worn trees enclosing its reverend outline on
every side.
From its eastern window you might obtain
glimpse of the Schuylkil waves, while a
large easement in the southern front COM
manded view Of the winding road, as it
sunk out of view, under the shade of thickly
clustered boughs, into deep hollow, not
more than one hundred yards from the man
sion. ... ..s.
Here, from the southern easement, on
one of those balmy summer days which
look in upon the dreary autumn, toward the
close of November, farmers daughter was
gazing, with dilating eyes and half-chasped
hands. ......... .-.... ...-......
Well might she gaze earnestly 10 the
south, and listen with painful intensity for
the slightest sound! Her brothers were
away with the army of Washington, and her
father, grim old veteran-he stood six feet
and three inches in his stockings-who had
manifested his love for the red-coat invaders,
in many desperate contest, had that morn
left her alone in the old mansion, alone in
this small chamber, in charge of some am
munition intended for band Of brave far
mers, about to join the hosts of freedom.
Even as she stood there, gazing out Of the
southern window, faint glimpse of sunlight,
from the faded leaves above, pouring over
her mild face, shaded by clustering brown
hair, there, not ten PAGES from her side,
were seven loaded rifles and keg of pow
der.
Leaning from the easement, she listened,
with every nerve quivering with suspense, to
the shouts of combatants, the hurried tread
of armed men echoing from the south.
There was something very beautiful in
that picture! The form Of the young girl,
framed by the square massive window, the
contrast between the rough timbers, that en-
closed her, and that rounded face, the lips
parting, the hazel eye dlating, and the cheek
warming and flushing, with hope and fear;
there was something very beautiful in that
pictures young girl leaning from the window
Of an old mansion, with her brown hair,
waving in glossy masses around her face!
Suddenly the shouts to the south grew
nearer, and then, emerging from the deep
hollow, there came an old man, running at
full speed, yet, every few PAGES, turning
round to fire the rife, which he loaded as he
ran. He was pursued by party of ten or
more British soldiers, who came rushing on,
theiv bayonets fixed, as if TO strike their vic.
tim down, ere he advanced ten PAGES nearer
the house.
On and on the old man came, while his
daughter, quivering with suspense, hung
leaning from the window;-he reaches the
block house gate--look! He is surrounded
their muskets are levelled at his head, he is