Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-09-16

her "faderIand." All thcss "reminiscences recalled
her image, and memory ran back Ger the pages of
the past, and the old man felt happy in this retro
spcctive dream. Hark.-what sounds are thosc!-
Peter started up, and casting his eyes towards the
Block House, where detachment of British soldiers
and ruianly officers CHARTERED; for our readers
must remember that our incidents relate to period
when Lord Howe held possession of Philadelphia.
AS Peter Rambo stood 1.-THE window, from which
he had full view of the whole scene before him,
sight met his eyes that nearly blinded them:-an aged
man, whose grey locks were streaming over his
shoulders, was endeavoring to protect young girl
from the brutal grasp of an officer The girl strug
glcd as if to extrcate herself from the grasp of her
vile seducer, and was cngipg with maddcning ener-
gy to her aged preserver. 49,
"Graclous heavcnsm exclaimed Peter swhat do
see!-the old Sexton!-ah! the villain has struck
him. The old man of ninety winters falls heavily to
the ground;-they shout, too;-ah! is lido my
eyes deceive me-my child-my chd''-Then came
fearful struggle youth rushed toward the almost
exhausted girl, the officer stood before him, ono blow
and the scoundrel lay scnseess on the ground, the
youth seized the maiden in his arms, and bore her
toward the little gate opening into the graveyard
The last lingering light of an autumnal sun beamed
down upon them, and the almost petrifed father re-
cognizcd his chdrcn--hc heard--he saw no more,
his head became dizzy, he rcced back and fell sense
less on the floor.
- - CHAPTER Nv.
THE DENOUMENT.
"Do not weep, sister; all will yet 60 WE'LL"
"No William, the die is cast, death is welcome now;
and my poor father!'
"IIe is better, much better; he slept all night and
il cheerful now.'
"Thank heaven for that, for we have had fearful
night
"There now, sister, be calm; lay down and sleep,
will watch beside you."
The old man was not well, tho blow upon his heart
was that of death. He however, crawIcd into the
little chamber, where lay his child; he sat down by
the bedsde-he took her hand, and looked long and
intently upon her features. 1t seemed as if he was
recalling some dream of the past for no would pass
bis trembling hand across his eyes, if cndeavoring
to render the vision clearer. Her eyes sunken
now, the ray of the holy light of virtue and inno-
cence, the two dear landmarks to youth, had fled
all was dark-all cheerless-rayess now.
"Spcak my child" said the old man, in. tFemulous
voice, speak be afraid to tell your poor old ia
ther all about it; there is One above, whose ven
geance never sleeps--tel me all'-his voice became
more firm-"te me all; as you love your father,
and truth"
"And William, father" muttered the agitated
girl.
"Speak, for it concerns him, more than it does a
weak, feeble old man."
s'Thanks father-I understand" and the son
pressed the hand of his father in silence.
'Dear father, you know you sent me for some snuff
yesterday afternoon; as passed the block-house,
soldier seized me by the arm, and dragged me thro'
the little gate leading into the main building; with
in the room the door ofwhich was pushed bya sold
ier stood COL Ripka that vile bad man, who caused
the death OF poor Martha Wilcox, his eyes flashed
like those of demon, he rudely pushed the sold
Ter out of the room, and selling me by tho arm-see
here father it is all black and blue ithurts yet"
"Father of mcrcies, give me patience, exclaimed the
Mortified father; while William stood like one trans
fxed-a sculpturcd piece of marble--'sGo on child,
60 on, we can bear it; see how calm William is"
81 have no more to say; what could poor help
less, weak girl do in the power of brute; shall not
live long, father, will soon join my poor mother;-
bless me, dear father, for your child is innocent
even in thought. William, your hand: think some
times of your poor sister, and when you stand beside
OIL mothers grave, plant little flower at its foot
for your Mary; will your
',Will I-yes-yes, and it shall be bathed in bood.''
This was uttered in deep under tone, and the lip
trembed, tho the eyes were as glass; fixed as was
his purpose torevenge! The father wept.
A paleness as OF death came over the features of
Mary; she looked around the room; that little room
in which she had spent so many happy hours--the
sun had just gone down, its rays fingered awhile DER
the old grave yard-her eyes rightened-"Father
dear father"-the words died away upon her lips, a
tremulous motion ofthe limbs indicative of approch
ing death, agitated the whole SYSTEM her lips be-
came compressed the eyes lost the expression which
life gives, and the curtain which death lowers DER
those windows of the soul came down, and hid them
from view. "What is this" exclaimed the old man
-"WiIIiam-William, is this death-ho"
s.Father be calm; Mary is dead-she has been dy-
ing all night went for the doctor last evening; as
soon as he saw her, he her past cure the
shock was too much for her strength--father, she
has been murderedr' The words were listened too,
in the calmness of despair-one look upon the pale
corpse of his loved child, and fathers grief hush
ed-the old mans heart was broken.