Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-09

ea@@ VI Ng PiaSFf bys ne was u0lng mus Iel-
surely along, with bis head drooped low as if in
thought, his eyes downcast, and his hands on his
chest, while the loosened rein was thrown care.
lessly upon his horses neck. and his entire mao.
ner betrayed the absence Of all his musings from
the real world around; he was riding thus leisure.
/ y along, and had well nigh gained the graveyard
4 gate, which opened into the pathway from the
centre Of the wall, when loud and startling re-.
porn broke upon the still air. the body of the stern
LoyaIist swayed n the saddle for an instant,
then pichcd hca1long to the ground, and line Of
light blue smoke was observed floating along the
graveyard wall.
Startled by the report, ,theauen,ion Of the Qua.
erwaslnsanty drawn tolhequauerlrom whence
Il proceeded. At the same instant that he heard
The quick and jarring sound, he beheId the body
Of major Tracy falling heavily to the cauh, and
the wrcalhs Of pale, blue smoke curling in the
air above the graveyard wall.
Unheedng the shrek that arose from the lips
Of Marian al the sight, or the yell Of horror Ut.
tered by the negro, Joab Smiley gave the rein to
his horse, and reached the spot where the major
fell, the very moment he had measured his length
upon the ground, Joab sprang from bis horse,
and in an instant the head Of major Tracy rested
upon his knee. 1t needed not a second glance 10
tell the Quaker that he held lireless corpse in
his arms. The body rested in his embrace with
the dull lcaden weight Of death, the iacewas pale
as ashes, the dark ewes bursting from their sock
cts, glared upon the blue heavens with a cold
CLASSY stare, and the nerves Of the face, along
The cheek, and around the mouth were startling
from the skin, with the electric throe Of sudden
death. The silver star, which he wore upon his
left breast, was crmsoned By the current OF blood
flowing from the wound near the heart.
Laying the body hurricdy Y upon the earth, the
Quaker Sprang over the wall Of the graveyard,
and as he alighted upon the rising mound OF a
new made grave he beheld the figure Of a man,
| clad in rustic attire disappearing among the shrub.
berry that over looked the rear wall OF the grave.
yard, as he vanished, Joab noted that he held a
rifle in his hand. lie pursued the retiring figure
in vain. He had fled beyond all hope of cap.
ture and the Quaker returned sadly 10 the high.
way, where group Of villagers had gathered a.
round the corpse, and were looking carelessly on,
while Marian held the head of the dead man in
her arms, and the faithful negro servant uniasten-
ed his cravat, unloosened his Dress threw water
in his face, and sedevery means thathis uniaught
fidelity suggested 10 restore his master TO life.
"Why seek ye not the murdererl" shouted the
Quaker throwing himself into the midst Of the
rhrong Of villagers. "Do ye behold man cul
down in the very glow Of life before your eyes
f and yet stir not hand TO secure his slayer!"
"Well, minds my own business" replied ar
uncouth looking vilIager, 81 don't know bur wha
; might tell who sent that outlet, but dye see
friend Broadbrim, this man (ponlng to maio
Tracy isis a-tory! Dye mark mel"
care you men?" cried Marian, gancing arounC
the crowd, while her eye swan in tears. "Are
you men, and have you one feeling of mercy, OF
, pity, or Justice, or right, and can We stand and
see fellow being bleeding TO death before your
eyes. and extend not hand to his assistance!-
, Shame on vel"
"IIe was tory!" cried second vager. "Go
, look at Chews's house and ask for pty!''
"Lool at the pits filled with true Americans!
| exclaimed third. $50 look at the pits dug in
, every field for mile round, and then ask mercy
for tory!"
; "Why, my friends" cried the Quaker as hi.
gray eye flashed with anger and honest indigna
| lion, did ye mnge in the batlIel Are We 81
: fond of the right cause and yet struck not blow
r in its behalf! Verify my friends, it is nv plair
r opinion that ye are pack Of pililul dogs, whose
2 barks are even more terrible than their bite! A
E the maiden saith, sosay shame We, shame!'
"You'd better notstick any of your hard name
2 on mel" cried the Unlocking viIlager advancing
/ "for all you are Quaker nigh, chance to strk
t you!"
"Thee might, friend, might ,hee7" cried tn,
{ Quaker, as he approached the villager, "VeriIy
friend, thee isof no use here; but on The contrary
. thee egrowestroubesome A iule musing among
$ the tombs may do thee goodp'
S As the Quaker spoke, he extended his sinew,
=. arms, and seizing the villagers shoulder, yer,
4 quietly bore him along 10 the graveyard wall
e and then with as much ease as may be imagined
! sent him, plunging over among the tombs, wit
!, an impetus, that tended materially, TO make th
: ardent hater-ol. Tories, pray earnestly "that h
g might aIight in soft place."
n With bland smile on his face, without an
d signs of passion or emotion, the Quaker returne
10 the group, who first eyed his tall robust lorr
d and his hercuIean proportions with a signifcaE
: scrutiny, and then were content TO vent the
e spleen in general curses, upon the whole race G
: Tories, Loyaists, and so forth.
n The sound of approaching hoofs ran along III
d village street, and the attention Of the group VIZ
o attracted toward two horsemen who came gallon
n ing from the direction of Chew's house.
"Thcy are Continentals!" cried a village
IS "Conlinental officers, bearing flag of truce
|, the British army! | wonder what mought the
If names be''
y 81 say, captain" cried one Of the horseme
IS to The other, "ln the name Of the Continent
: Congress what does this crowd mean in front
IT yonder graveyard"
S "Let us push forward and see," was the repl
" and in a moment their steeds were rened in b
u side the group, and the foremost horseman pus
s. ed through The throng and beheld The dead ma
!, "Herben Tracy!" exclaimed the Quaker vii
e a start of surprise, but the words died on h
tongue, for the son was gazing steadfasty and Fl!
d edY in The face Of his talher and bis chest hea