Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-11-21
ANNETTE MURRAY.
a Reverasss..ry s.e.eh.

hbO cohhS VI q ouldll SliCoLl OoHC
Wood Greek, whose waters discharg
y ed themselves into Lake ChampIaiI
y little distance above Whitehall
y The banks here spread into meadow
n and while the more distant hills serv
n ed to diversity the landscape, the,
o were likewise protection agains
!. the chilling winds of Spring and Au
# tumn, so that early and late tn
fields OF Farmer Murray wore tn,
brightest green and the rankest her
bage. The cottage, built after q
D plan common in those days, was bu
5 one story with sloping roof, bu
} unlike many Of its fellows, was pain
} ted white and the luxuriant maple,
: which shaded and almost embowereG
s it, were Of the forest growth. The
; Province Of New York was not then
as now, cultivated till it blooms like
the rose, with flowers of every hue,
but ye: the early settlers had not for.
Igotten their homes in Old England,
and here and there an occasional
honey suckle or rose-bush testified
TO the clinging Of the heart to early
remembrance. One Of the latter, a
magnificent pink rose, might have
been seen adorning the front of
Mr.. Murray's house, and sooth to
say, it would have been hard to tell
which was the greatest ornament,
the bright face OF Annette Murray,
peeping through the easement or the
glowing rose. One there was in the
neigh5orhood-and when | speak Of
neighbors, | wish to be understood
in the older sense Of the term, viz: all
within five milestone there was, |
say, who would unhesitatiIgly have
given the maiden the preference.
A healthier or happier face than
Annette's is seldom seen. Hair that
curled like the tendrils Of a young
vine, blue eyes, deep as the vault OF
heaven, and fairy foot, and form,
can it be wondered that Hugh Rob-
ertson not only thought Annette the
fairest damsel he had ever seen, but
that he had told her so, an 4 had re-
ceived bIushing acknowledgment
of her appreciation Of his merits
But the state OF the country was
such as forbid their speedy union.-I
War had broken out, and although
their immediate vicinity was yet
quiet, The march Of foreign troops
was daily expected. The farm of
Mr. Murray, was about mile and
a half from any neighbors, but he had !
not deemed 1t necessary TO remove
his family until the danger should be
more paIpable.
1t was one Of those delicious days
in the beginning Of October, which
have acquired for themselves the
name Of Indian Summer, when an
advanced party of British might
have been seen cautiously vending
their way towards Whitehall; but
while yet several miles distant, after
a hurried consultation, their advance
was deferred until just at night
when seizing few boats which had
unfortunately been left on the banks
Of :he river, they launched upon the
little stream, and succeeded, unseen,
q effecting landing directly below
Mr.. Murray's house. The house
was Immediately surrounded, and
iemand made for refreshments. Ii {
nay be necessary in this place TO
tate the reason Of this unwelcome {
'isit. A large quantity of ammuni-
ion and stores of various kinds had q
'een collected at Whitehall, but not
o privately, it appeared, as to be I
Unknown to tory in the vicinity, !
gho Immediately communicated his c
to a British officer, who '
iecided 10 attempt a seizure. For b
his purpose he landed as have sta i
ed, intending with the first dawn to r
Ittempt surprise, and in the mean c
ime TO refresh himself with the good Y
hings Of the "rebel Yankees" as tine I
British indiscriminately STYLED the
Americans. 1t would have been C
lseIess, in the present posture of af- q
airs TO have refused compliance, and |
ccordingly, though it grieved his {
turdy republicanisn 10 the hearts e
ore, Murray was compelled to
make ready such provisions as he b
lad on hand. Escape with the tidings P
vas carefully guarded against and a
here appeared no way Of circumven- S
ing the vigilance of the sentries.-
Total demolition or his house, would Z
ave been the consequences Of exas- Il
'erating his unwelcome guests, and &
Ilthough he would not have hesita- a
ed for that, had there been any b
nance Of serving bis country, vet for v
he sake Of his family he was Ioath o
to exesperate them a
Ie had three fne horses, which the o
ficers declared their intentions oil 4
ignoring him by taking, as they s
eft their own behind them. Annette
vas ia the kitchen, busted in the n