Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-09-12


that idea was abandoned Hurriedly CLAN
cling around in The dim twilight, she sougIr
in vain orsome mode of hiding the dispatch
which if found upon her, betrayed every
thing. That her person would be searched
she had good reason to believe; and in all
probability, every part. Of the room would
lbe searched also. To hesitate long would
make discovery sure Every moment she
expected some one to enter. While she
stood irTesolule, thought glanced through
lher mind, and acting upon 1t instantly, she
tore eff i part Of the dispatch, aud thrust
ling it into her mouth, chewed and. swallow
ed it, Another aud another piece disap-
Ipeared in the same way but ere he whole
was destroyed, the door was opened, and a
woman entered. Turning her back quick
ly, Emly crowded all that remained Of the
paper in her month, and covering her face
Nightly with Der hands, held them there, as
i weeping, until the last particle of the
tei-iale dispatch had disappeared. Then
turning to the woman who had addressed
her repeatedly, she said in calm voice.
BY what authority am detained and shut
up prisoner in this room 7
4 By the authority of Lord Rawdon,' re-
piled the woman in a severe tone. $3.50
He might find work more BETTING the
position of his noble lordship, l should
think returned Emily, with ill-concealed
contempt, than making prisoners Of young
girls, who, while traveiiiug the highway,
! happen to be so unfortunate as TO fall in
with scouts
You'd better keep your saucy tongue
still, or 1t may get its owner into worse
trouble,' replied the woman promptly
You are suspected of being the bearer of
a message from the rebel General Green,
and MY businessis TO fad the despatch, if
any exist upon your person.
You must think the General poorly of
for men, replied Emily,
No matter what we think, Miss Pert
You are suspected, as I said aad | Should
infer from your manner, not without good
cause. Are se;s willing that should search
your person for evidence to confirm our sus-
picionP
Certainly though should be better
pleased TO see one Of my sex engaged in
more honorable employment at-"
Be silent ? exclaimed the woman angri-
ly, as she stamped her foot upon the floor
She then commenced searching The young
girls person, during which operation Emily
could not resist the temptation to let cut
ting word fall now and then, from her ready
tongue, which was hardly pradeal for one
in her situation.
The search, of course, elected nothing
tina! could FIX apon her the suspicion Of be-
/ ing messenger from the rebel army.
Are you satisfied p euqaired Emily, as
she re-arrapged her dress, after the ordeal
had been passed. She spoke with the con-
tempt she felt. The woman made no reply,
but went out ia silence, taking with her the
t iighs she had hras-s..t iaio the room, and
leaving Emily alone and in darkness. For
nearly half an hour the latter sat waiting
her return, but during that period no enc
approached her room; nor was there any
movement about the house that she could
interpret as having any reference to herself
At1asi the heavy tread Of man WIS heard
ascending the stairs: key was applied to
the door of the room, aud 4 soldier appear
ed. Just behind him stood d female with a
light in her hand.
Lord Rawd9n wishes to see you,' said
the soldier.
Emily followed him in silence. Ia large
room below, seated at table with several
officers, was Lord Rawdon. Emily was
brought before him. After asking her va
riety Of questions, all of which the wary
girl managed TO answer so as not to violate
the trnth, aud yet alay suspicion, he said
to her AS the night has fallen, YOU will
not, of course, think Of proceeding on your
journey.
Emily reflected for some time before an
swerng. she then said
II Your majesty do not object, wouI,i
like 10 go back short distance. have
friends living on the road not far from your
camp
How far |! inquired Lord Rawdon.
About six miles from here -
Very well, you shallgo back aud viii
send an escort foriy your protection =
Emily had made up her mind toreturn a
few miles on the way she had come, and
then taxing a. wde sweep around the camp,.l
protected from observation by the darkness,
resume her journey, and endeavor to reach
the place where she expected to find Gen.
Sumpter by the middle of the day. She
had gaintd fresh courage with every new I
difficulty that presented itself, and now she
resolved to accomplish her errand at alb
hazards What she most dreaded was The /
man Mink, from whom she had escaped, +
and who, she doubted not, was now at no
great distance from the camp. To decline
the escort, she felt, might renew suspicion,
while it would not prevent Lord Rawdon |
from seading men to accompany her. So
she thanked him for the offer, and asked to
be permitted to pass without delay. This
was granted, and in an hour afterwards Eau
lily found herself safely in the house ofaai
friend of her father and the good cause OF |
the country. She had passed this house
late in the afternoon, but was so eager to-
go forward and gain a certain point in her
journey that night, that she did not stop
Fortunately her escort left her before she
met any of the family, or the surprise ex-
pressed on her appearance might have Gre
ated some new doubts in the mind of the
sergeant who accompanied the guard.
About half an hour after her arrival, and
while she was urging the necessity OF de- /
-