Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-08-28
A REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT.

i The devoted patriotism and indomitable
courage exhibited by the American women
during the struggle for independence has
been the eloquent theme of many an able
writer, and the subject of many gifted
pen. Numberless were the instances which
these noble women, unawed by terrible
threats and cowardly insult, proved how
UNNECESSARILY superior they were in menta
and moral courage, to their base and heart
less oppressors.
Actuated by sincere and unbounded
love for their country, and their country's
welfare, they suffered privaion and hard
ships without murmur, and bore up I'M
der trials the most severe, without COM
plant To their determined courage, and
unceasing efforts, Freedom owes much.
Their fervent prayers, and, when neces-
sary, their individual example, had an un-
bounded influence with the spirited colo.
nists, and their approving smiles. and
heartfelt thanks, rendered our forefathers
doubly strong in their determination to
throw off the calling yoke Of British ty-
ranny.
In all ages Of the world, the influence of
women over a people engaged in any great
and important undertaking has been felt
and acknowledged; more especially in
cases of the invasion of country by
foreign power, has it made itself apparent.
The invaders knew this, and against them
directed their strongest efforts.
The fact is notorious one, that the
American females were brutaly treated,
wantonly insuted, and, in many instances,
cruelty wronged by the British soldiers,
the subordinate officers, and often by those
of high authority.
By a few of the commanders, It's true
they were always treated with the delicate
consideration and gentle care which is
ever their due, but many others, to their
everlasting shame, be it remembered, acted
as though literally devoid of all the emo
bling sentiments of the humon heart, and
totally lost to all feelings, except the graft
fication of their own base passions and
vindictive malice.
Kate Selma was young, the breezes of
but seventeen summers had kissed her
cheeks; still she was, in heart and mind.
woman. She was not what the world
terms beautiful-her countenance was not
one that at first sight would impress the
beholder with a profound admiration, or
attract much more than passing glance.
The uncommon regularity of her features,
gave her somewhat of plain, una,tractive
appearance, but the expression of firm re-
solve blended with atiectionate tenderness
that sat upon her expansive brow, rem
dered her features, even when in repose,
highly interesting.
OF education she could boast but little;
but being possessed of good natural abli.
ties, and habitually observant and reflect
ing, she had acquired store of useful
knowledge, and was intelligent far beyond
what her years and advantages would seem
to promise. The teeming volume of Ma
ture was her class book, her wondrous
works her constant study; and with a soul
sensitively alive TO all the subliInty and
beauty Of Natures teaching, what wonder
that her progress was rapid and certain.
II is not in bustling towns or crowded
cities that the mental faculties are strongest
or earliest developed, or the emotions Of
the heart deepest or most ardent. Ii does
not require the crowded ball room, the
fascinating quadrle, the voluptuous waltz,
the fashionable promenade, the unceasing
round of gaiety, The fattery and aduation,
or bypocritical sycophancy Of a conven
tional life, to call into active existence finer
sentiments of the human heart. Far from
it. The God of Nature has implanted in
each individual breast an irresistible i'm.
pulse-a strong necessity of loving; and
the ophisticated, unettered maiden of
the forest, nurtured among the wild hills,
in the humblest cottage, is as much the
object of his care and protection as the
susceptible signing beauty in palace halls.
And Kate had learned to Lowell Not
with the cool, calculating, selfish affection
of the wording. or the tickle, transient
flame of the impulsive, but with her whole
heart--her whole nature-her whole soul.
Her love was all devotion, pure, unsefsh
and holy; every kindly feeling Of her ma.
ture was engaged-all her sympathies en-
listed.
Robert yelling, young lieutenant in
the Jersey line, was the object of all this
affection; nor was it lost upon him. lie
was a young man of education and deep
feelings, and approaching her affection,
returned it with all the warmth, all the
sincerity and truth of which his ardent
nature was capable. He was the COM
mandent of company of scouts, and be-
ing engaged in a service of great import
ance, was constantly periling his life.
On the Gath of June, l777, after the
retreat Of the British army from Bruins
wick to Amboy, Gen. Washington tenn
porarily removed his camp from Middle
brook to Quibbletown. Light parties of
dragons were thrown out, to hover round
the epemy's lines and the scouts were di.