Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-04-02
From Grahum's Magazine.
The Oath Of Marion; a Revolutionary tale
BT oHARLEs ). PETERSON.
CHAPTER ".
coSrfSUEp.

a-a 81 OhAhLES y fktEhooM
CHAPTER ". cosrrsuEp
The news OF so important an event as the cap
ture OF Mr.. Mowbray was not long in travelling
20 Mrs. Blakeley's. One morning as she and her
niece sat at work together, the butler rushed into
the room, beraying considerable agitation. we
have already alluded to his pomPos'y ana aiiec'
tation Of high-sounding phrases; another ioloe'
the desire TO pay an important part, sometimes go'
the better Of his discretion, as IN the present IN
stance.
"I'ye lust heard such news, Missus Bakeley,'
he exclaimed, breathlessy, wiping the perspira-
ton from his face. "It's completely admonished
me. Use run all de way from dehead obde abe
nue., where heard it from Jim Benson, who list.
ed wild de British, and isnow going home on fur
below; a berry respectable person he is for To.
fy anda commonwhe man. Inhsnew uniform
he looks almost like an officer, I insure you'll"
Here the old man paused, overcomeby the ra-
pidity of his utterance. Both Mrs. Blakeley and
herniece understood his peculiariIes too well TO
interrupt him, but they looked up smiling.
''Such newsl" hebegan again. "Ihope young
missus wont faint. Besure, such things must re-
cur; but to think it should happen TO Mr.. Now
bray-Lor' save u.s."
Kate, at themention Of her fathers name, turn.
ed pale, and could no longer endure the speak
er'sProlixiy,
"What is The matter with my fatherl" she gas
ped, rs nc nc dead"
"Ob. no. m,ssus--only taken by de Tores.--
But dey say he is TO be hung.
The sight of Hates ghastiy face stopped the
oficous announcement-but it was TOO late; with
shrek she fell TO the floor. At this spectacle,
the old slave, struck with sudden remorse, cried,
wringng his hands,
81 have killed her. Oh Lor'.-oh Lor-
will she ever survive again!"
"You have only made her swoon by your has
~ announcement of this terriblenews," said Mrs.
Blakeley, sternly. "Run and send her maid"
1t was long before Kate was restored to consci-
business. Meantime, Mrs. Bakeley learned from
old Jacob all he had to impart. Ofherbrother's
ultimate fate she could scarcely entertain doubt.
She we'll knew the character of that bitter war
fare. The orders of Lord Rawdon, the then SUI
perior officer of the royal army in South Caro-
lima, had Just been repeated that all who had once
signed the protection, yet subsequently been cap
tured in arms against the king, should be summa-
rily executed. The sentence Of Mr.. Mowbray,
according to old Jacobs report, was already issu-
ed. Mrs. Bakeleywass scarcel less shocked than
her niece, but her fortitude was required to sus-
tain Kate, and she struggled to appear composed
"Let us 90 to Colonel Watson at once" were
almost the first words of Kate, on recovering her
senses. "Surely he will not refuse u.s. lie was
but lately your guest-how can ne then deny
your prayer"
"Aias! my chid," replied her aunt, with tears
in her eyes, "war converts men into hends ana
dries up all the kndier feelings Of the soul but
especially in civil war like this, no such thing
as friendship is acknowledged. Have you Tor
gotten the fate of Gabriel Marion, the neighbor
of the epeneral-youthfu. beautiful, unofiending,
the pride of that old mans hearl He was taken
in a skirmish and, as soon as recognized, told 10
make ready for death. His prayers for respite
for paper to write to his uncle--lortime TO make
his peace with God, were alike denied him."
'But they will not, they cannot murder my
father thus. The men who did that were Tory
outcasts. Colonel Watson has kind heart; he
tciH spare my fathers life" And Kate, clasp
ing her hands, addressed her aunt suppllcaungly
as if on the words she might speak hung her pa
rents existence.
Mrs. Blakeley could not reply for some time
for weeping. Twice she essayedto speak; twice
tears choked her utterance. At last she shooH
her head mourniully.
"Say not so-you do not mean it, "cried Kate
eagerly. -,
"Alas! alas! my darling" sobbed Mrs. Blake
ley, cIasping Kate in her arms, "a would as wlI
Gngly hope as you; but there is no hope. was
not solicitation, influence, promises, every thing
exerted 10 save Colonel Hayne; but to no Pur
pose. They are inexorable. Did not the gene
raj say, in refusing TO pardon, that if it were hi
own brother, he could do no more"
AT these words the full truth Of her father
s;nstion seemed for the first time to break OIL
Kate, who hitherto had hoped that aid from somt
quarter. her own prayers, or othernhence, might
savehislife. During the time Mrs. Blakeey was
speaking, the unfortunate girl .ga5ed with stony
eves upon her, every feature rigid, her arms mo
,;anless and set hanging by her side, and m he
Nod slightly advanced, with half parted lips lis
+an;no eagerly. Even when the speaker ceased
III, vaoue sense of what she said seemed t.
rest nm Kate. and she murmured vacantiy'
ssNo hopel-nonc. did you say' IL
Mrs. Blakeley shook her head mourniuly'-
Her own heart was swelled to surSNps' 'hS. G.
nv look, those rigid lips, made her Hs'i'O'0 -
the reason of her niece. ,n;..
"No hopel" whispered Kate, in those thriliing
ly low tones that are more eloquent than all IN
accents of despair, "Oh, just Heaven! she ex
claimed. suddenly elevating her voice; and Sh
raised her outstretched hands on high, swift tho
see this foul injustice done2"
But here the pitch Of horror to which the ur
fortunate girl had been wound up, proved 70
much for q frame already weakenedby precedin
ag;,at;on. and she suddenly fell back, rigid an
paraized, in another fainting MT, NJ,
All that day, and part of the night Mrs. Bakt
ley watched over her niece. Toward nunigi
the sufferer sank into slumber. On awakln
in the morning, wan and haggard, she SCENE
only the shadow of her former self; but she na
gained composare though in the quiverlng III