Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-04-24


"A double claim said Downer taking him
kindly by the hand, for that was the name
Of my fal,cr. And now, my gallant friend,
as our sorrows have sprung from the same
source, W e will make common cause against
the destroyer of our peace; and he that first
meets him on the battle field, shall avenge
the wrongs of both, What say you, Edgar;
shall we not be brohersl' The young man
looked him in the face moment, and then
murmured My BROTHER threw himself into
his arms and sobbed upon his bosom.
Downer, to his surprise found tears upon
his own cheek, when he released Edgar from
his embrace. There was something in tho
youths voice and manner that had beguiled
him of an emotion which his dcsolatc soul had
not known for weeks.
The mo tn OF May was spent in various petty
expeditions for harrass ng the enemy. But the
month Of June was reserved for the opening of
the great drama. Still however, sixteen days
passed otfln comparative ropose. But the dawn
~ the Seventeenth was ushercd in BY the thun-
ders OF Banker hll. and demonstration of har-
dhpod was made on the part Of the An orleans.
appalling 70 the veterans who! had hitherto afac-
ted tn despsc them. Il is aot tic province Of
our humble la,e 10 cutter INTO description Of
that magufi cnl action. The story has been
repeated t every chd can tell it. ! would
llcn merely ln.i,c the readers attention to that
part OF the lines defended by : Uowner's volun-
teers.' Here had been the hottest OF the bat
tie. Well d disciplined aud admirably EQUIPPED,
and inspired with tenfoid hatred Of The Brush,
they did their work with astonishing coolness
and despatch. and every bullet told one on tie
death roll. When the last and decisive charge
came on, they handled their bayouels like Old
campllgners ard re9ulSed the enemy with pro-
dlglous slaughter, or, retreatnE, only because
otherwise they would have been left alone up
on the field. II vas upon this third onset that
n fresh company of grenadIers, who with other
reniorccmen,s had just arrived, advanced to as.
sault Downer's section Of the lines. In spite OF
a tremendous fire. they passed on and leaped
| the brcastwork. 'Jpon them, cried their lead.
err; no quarter to the rebels !
A cry OF ferocious joy burst from the lips Of
Downer, as he recognized the fiery face Of the
speaker, and he rushed forward, sword in hand.
Bat before he could reach his victim, who stood
by the breastwork, waving his sword and urging
his men onward, light form bounded through
the air past him, and lighted upon the Briton
with fixed bayunef. The blow was sufficient
TO have beaten him TO the earth, even without a
weopon but as It was, the steel passed through
his vitals and pinned him TO the slope Of the en-.
bankmen'. i have kept my vow : shouted Eds
gar. Wretch, know me :
As he spoke, he stopped and whispered some.
thing in his ear. Gordon started as If he felt
another wound and gazing wildly upon the face
: which, advanced within foot Of his, was sml.
ing upon him but with a dire expression Of
beautiful tiend, he attempted 10 rise, made
noise Ike one strahglIng, ieli backward and ex-
pred.
4 have kept my vow : again cried the youth
as he drew ont his weapon AID turned TO Dow.
nef, 'aud, brONeI, we are both revenged.' As
he spake, he drew OIL from head wig OF straight
black hair, and The rich tresses Of "A female tell
upon his neck aud shoulders.
Isabella! = cried Downer as the truth dawned
upon him. my sister can it be =
Touch me not cried the unhappy girl, shrink.
ing from his embrace. There IS a stain upon
me which even the blood that coveted has not
washed away
Bot On she continued, here flows heal
Ing balm She pointed a. she spose to a crn.
son tide, that dyed her garments rom her side
to her leet.
You are woundedr cried the terrified Ed.
ward.
She gave no adswer, but smiled and tainted
IN his arms.
The enemy was now advancing in a manner
that showed resistance would be unavaillng.-
The reloubt had been taken, and the lines eve-
rywhere broken. Edward cast an impatient
glance al his flying conn,rymen, but Isabella at
tins moment opened her eyes, and every other
passion OF his soul gave way 10 a brolher's ten
dernesS. lie ordered nasty retreat and,
bearing sabella in his arms through the raking
fire OF the enemy across Charlestown neck,
placed her IN carriage, and thus conveyed her
to her native 'alley-'o die.
Her sun went calmly down. She g'orled in
the exchange OF worlds, not so much from
mere Ioathng OF lIe as from the triumphant as
surances OF the gospel. The seeds OF life, eter.
nal had been sown early in her mind 1t had
sprung up, vigorous and healthiul plant and
though the lahnlngs had scalhed and riled ii
its roots were still lively, aud sent forth buds
and bows. AL within her peace. The chris.
tian's hope, that breeze ot paradise, which had
famed her chldhool's hours, and which had
recently been put To- ieaf.L rau,. had resumed
lis woueI breathinrs. and Was waiting her
steadily on to the heaven Of rest.--ihey a,
sembipd for her funeral. l. was more solemn
than her fathers, but cam describe il. The
deep wa-ers OF Their souls we've troubled, aud
there was weeping and woe, hat no y.o ence-
no confusion Her angel spirit seemed 10 ho-
yer there, with spell on every heart, b ddlng
them be s,iil, To- she vs. ~ rest. But think
not II thns silent ,orrcw, il ,lit not rs impress
! : or. Deep was the oath Is ". ra aer heroic
: band, knee,mg rouud her grave, bound their
souls 10 the service Of their country, iii death
l.. e., .I a.. IL nd