Democratic banner., 1846-03-14
TIL H
BY GEORGE LIPPARD, Esq.

In Il thlCK WooO, not more than q half mile
from the Schuylkili, there stood, in the time
of the Revolution, a quaint old fabric, built
of mingled logs and stone, AMI encircled by
apalisaded wall. 1t had been erected in
the earlier days of William Penn,-perhaps
some years before the great apostle ofpeace
first trod our shores,-as a block-house, iu-
tended for defence against the Indians.
And now it stood with its many roofs, its
numerous chimneys, its massive square
windows, its varied front of logs and stone,
its circling wall, and stoutly-built gate: it
stood in the midst Of the wood, with age
worn trees enclosing its veteran outline on
every side.
From its eastern window you might OBJ
tain a glimpse of the Schuylkill waves,
while a large casemen in the southern
front commanded q view of the winding
road, as it sunk out of view, under the
shade Of thickly-clustcred boughs, into a
deep hollow, not more than one hundred
yards from the mansion.
Here, from the southern easement, on one
OF those balmy summer days which look in
upon thc drcary autumn, toward the close
Of November, afarncr's daughter was gag
ing, with d)ilating eyes and half clasped
hands.
Well :.:Snt sac gaze earnestly to the
south, and listen with painful intensity for
the sligitcsts und, Her brothers were a
way w~ithsttc army OF Washington, and her
father, n grim old vcteran-he stood SIX
feet and Tree inches in his stockings-who.
had manifested his love for the red-coat, in
rade.s, in many a desperate contest, had
that morning left her alone in the old man.
sion, alone in this small chamber, in charge
uf some ammunition intended for a band of
brave farmers, about to Join the hosts Of
freedom. Even as she stood there, gazing
ont Of the southern window, a faint glimpse
OF sunlight,'fr from the faded leaves above,
pouring over her mild face. shaded by clus-
tering brown hair, there, not ten PAGES from.
her side, were seven loaded rifles and q key,
OF powder.
Leaning from the easement, she listened
wllh every nerve quivering with suspense,
tothe shouts of cOmbatants, the hurried
tread of armed mon echoing from the
south.
There wa. 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
enclosed her, and that rounded face, the
lips parting, the hazel eye d%ilating, and the
cheek warming and flushing, with hope and
fear; there was something very beautiful in,
that picture, a young girl ~beaming 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 a party Of ten.
or moro British soldiers, who came rushing
on, their b%ayonets fixed, as if to strike their
victim 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-Iook2 He is surround
ed, their muskets are levelled at his head,
he is down, down at their feet, graphing for
his life! Bullock again.-He dashes his
foes aside, with one bold movement he
springs through the gate; an instant, and it
is locked; the British soldiers, mad with
rage, gaze upon the high wall of logs and
stone, and vent their angerin drunken cur
ses.
Now look to yonder window! Where the
younggirl stood a moment ago, quivering
with suspense, as she beheld her father
struggling for his life, now stands that old
man himself, his brow barred, his arm grasp