The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-22
Miscellaneous.
ELLEN WELLES OR, THE
SIEGE OF FORT sTANWIx.
A Tale of the Revolution,
pY p. HAMILTON MYERS, ESQ.
CHAPTER !,


oric recolections, than the valley of the Mo
hawk. Yet few, probably, of the throngs
who, steam-impelled, pass daily through this
beautiful region, yielding 10 its many scenes
of enchantment the tribute of admiration
pause to reflect upon the fearful and momen
lOus deeds of which il has been the scene
and which are destined in after ages to rem
lsr every inch of its soil classic ground.
But not of thee, beautiful river, peacefully
gliding through the broad and verdnnt cam
pagn, laving with thy silvery waters the lips
of the bending flowers upon thy margin, oil
with gentle wrath foqming, gistening s. leap.
ing amid the ootaracts of Astorogan; nor vel
ofyou, oh, towering mountains, still forest.
clad; not ofyou, as we now exist the scenes
and the occasions of innocent enjoyment, is
the historic muse about to speak. But of
man staining your soil with blood, freighting
echoes with wars discordnnt notes,and yet OF
unn, TOO, thank Heaven, in holer aud gen.
her mood, and less at war with the beauty
and harmony of creation.
1t was in the twilight ola calm July eve
ming, just seventy years ago, that two young
men, lightly clad, and each bearing q rifle.
might have been seen lettering upon the bank
oftho Mohawk, at II point near TO what is
now large and populous town. Although
at first sight the casual observer would have
attle closer investigation would hive con.
vipced that such was not the case, but that
their arms were carried only as part of an
lmbituaI system of precaution in those troub-
lOus times, when no man knew at what mo-
ment he might stumble upon n deadly foe.
ChurIes Dudley aud Enoch Walden were
cUzens of one neighborhood, and had been
acquaintances from their boyhood. They
were not however, aud never had been,
friends. There was do approach to congen-
iality in their dispositions, the first being
frank and generous, while the other was char
acterized by qualities in every respect the re-
verse of these noble traits. They had now
met by accident, and stopped to exchange
such few words of constrained civility as peo-
pie are wont to utter, who, while they enter
tain for each other secret dislike, are still
willing to avoid an open quarrel. But the
department. Of Walden was marked with n
sort of obsequiousness TO his companion,
which might have indicated to one less sus-
picious than Dudley some sinister design.
Stirring times are these he said glancing
at his weapon, after moments pause in
conversalion-lt becomes one to look well
at flint and flask %.
1T does, indeed replied Dudley. Il hope
there have been no new massacres,' said
Walden emphasizing the word: Indians have
their way of fighting and we have ours. But
there certainly to1S night attack made at
Shells B sh night before last, and houses
burnt, lives lost, and prisoners taken, as usu-
~.
This is fearful intelligence, Mr. Walden,
and what is worse, we know not ut what
hour the bolt may fall upon us. You will,
ofcourse Join the Life Guard which we are
CrganiZing!'
4 intend to Join quite different service,
81,
little pore honor aud profit can be gained
than in guarding "a few old women and their
spinning wheels. Col. ST. Leger is now on
his approach to Fort Stanwix, and under his
blnuer / shall enlist without delay. Nay,
hear me, he said,as the whitening scorn which
had gathered on the face of his companion
Indicated a scathing rehuke, st. l.eger will
reduce Fort Stanwix in three days. With
the aid of the loyalists in this country, the re-
beIllon in this section is sure to be immedi-
ately quelled, with little or no bloodsed.
Intelligence from the south and east is equal
" favorable 10 the royal cause, lftheretore,
you desire to serve your country effectunlly
Dudley, he persuaded to go with me. The
most brilliant Inducements are held out, and
for you, in particular, influential and brave, II
connisSlon would be cer.ain--I may say,
indeed, that j am authorized to offer it by
those who have the full confidence of St. Lee
ger
Enough has been said,' replied Dudley,
with dignity; 'let us part while our blood is
cool. Go, join ST. Leger to devastate your
native land, or join, ifyou prefer, the savage
brigands and their more saynge allies, whose
atrocities you palliate. When zoe meet again
il will be as enemies Thus saying, he turn
ed to depart. -'. ~.... ''.0- '
'Holdp exclaimed the other, snatching his
rife, as if he would enforce attention. 'We
are enemies no,on Stung by resentment and
maddened by the thought that his plans had
been prematurely and uselessly disclosed, his
eye now cleaned with undisguished rage.
That still another element entered into his
wrath become evident by his words: 'notO,
he repeated, 'and have warning to bestow.
You have had thoughts of Miss Welles. She
mine affianced and plighted by her fathey,
who with me is about to join the royal stand
ard. See to it, that my rights are regarded.
ANY INVASION of them in that quarter will be
visited by punishment summary and con-
dlgn.' SHe tapped his weapon significantly
as he concluded. .a9 i" '7 5000 ''T
Dudley's eyes flashed with anger.
10 you dare to threaten me?' he said laying
.hoid his companions rifle with a firm grasp
ME, who know you, Enoch Wuldon To be
us cowardly as perfidious? If you are affi-
Snced to Ellen Welles, It is because her pure
heart has never detected your baseness. But
words between us are useless. leave, how
ever, no armed foe in my rear So saying,
ne wrested the weapon of the other sudden
" from his grasp, discharged its contents in
10 I? the air, and fiinging it upon the ground,
disappeared in the forest. F"..
Mortified and infatuated, Walden gave ut