davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

-5sa.,C, nO-----
beggar had some important information
for her, and desired to see her, where.
upon she rose to meet him; but Moranc
who could not bear to have his intended
bride absent for a single moment remons-
trated.
"Let him be called in," said he, elf he
has any secrets let us hear them togeth-
er." Accordingly he was shown into the
apartment where sat Mr.. NJ. and Mrs. p.
and her daughter.
"From whence are you?" asked Mrs.
Potter.
"From tho vile shores of Barbara"
"Dcubtlcss you have suffered much !;
cruel people inhabit those regions"
"Much have sufercd-l was once in
easy circumstances, but alas! the cle-
ments have sportcd with this vacilatiug
frame"
"Yes, deep are the lines of hardship
which are marked in thy furrowed checks.
The wandered gazed at Mrs. Potter
and wcpt.
"Why those tears" inquired Mrs. ?.
"Ah" rejoined the trcmulous voice OF
the bcggar, "I once had 4 daughter, who
might have become what she is now, but
since the third birthday dawncd on her
cherub form these eyes have never behcld
her."
"Comc, comc," calculated Morane.
who was anxious that the intruder should
depart, "let us have Your tale Of sccrcsy.'
"It shall be given to Mrs. Porter alone.
"That cannot be-" mnttered Moranc.
"But have made promise"
"What Of your promise" 7"
"It is sacred us my life"
"Wcll speak and depart" said Mo
ranc.
The bcggar, who until now, had beer
a supplcant, assumed an attitude of au
thority-his eye which thus far had bccl
beamlcss, kindlcd into az expression o
the most benign determination.
81 have" said he, ga revelation en-
trusted me by Captain Potter himself"
At the mention of this name, all wa
anxiety aud attention-in her pcrturba
ton the mother let fall volume of po
ems which she held in her hand; tn
daughter grew pale with solicitude, o.
hearing the name of her father.
And sooner than betray my trust,
continued the beggar, this right arr
shall perish"
The pathos with which he uttered tiIi:
caused the blood to chill throurh thel
veins, and rush like q cataract upon thel
hearts.
Morane, finding that remonstrance wa
vain consented for them to retire.
Tie man of want having quicted thej
fears, said no harm should befall the lad.
!, "There," said he, as he closed the doc
"have You any knowledge of this" pre-
senting 4 gold ring.
eyes," answered Mrs. Potter, ut
the one my husband wore away, and
t would have given thousands to sec it re
!. turn on the same hand-but now l al
convinced that he is among the uncountc
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

ry-a sergeant in De Lancys IS regiment
He enlisted only week ago and is inteli.
gent and ambitious. He has friends on
the other side thatAdonot know he has
joined us yet"
"The very man. Go and send him. D
General Tryon was absent about two
hours, for he had sent to Harlem, where
the sergeant was stationed, undergoing a
drill with others of the new levics under
their officers.
"I'vc seen the man and had long con-
versation with him" said Tryon, when lie
entered. Gle is willing to undertake it
on one condition, and that is only con.
dition of pride"
"What is it thcn!'
"That he shall receive lieutenant's
commission at once. He then will depar,
the instant you require, and confident oi
success"
{" Do YOU know him to be worthy o.
reliance"
"From all that I can learn, and from
my own judgement l should not doubt il
in the least"
"Thcn let his commission be made out
and send him with l. to me. If have
the same opinion of him 1 will sign it"
The young sergeant soon made his ap
pcarance. Ho was not more than three
and twenty years of age, of good pcrso
nal appearance, and cunning twinkle
about his small blact eye, denoting nc
want of confidence in his own good opin
ion. Sir Henry was so well pleased witt
him that his instructions were soon com
pleted; and receiving his commission, thu
new lieutenant bade the British command
er farewell, to ra:urn in u few days with
the desired information. On reaching hi:
quarters he changed his military appare
for plain cOantryman's suit, ripped tho
lining OF his cooked hat under which he
placed his commission which he CAREFUL,
renewed, saying to himself:
"I thilk when Miss Rosa milford sees
, my commission, as an officer in his Ma
jesty's service, she will no longer refuse
the hand Of Nathan Palmer"
Tie next morning he left the farthe
British out,posts at kingsbrdge, on horse
b;ek, where General Tryon had accompa
ned him, to pursue Ills expedition. 1t wa.
beautiful morning, and he looked for
ward with all the anticipations of plea
sure, and hope cleaned warmly in hi.
breast. lie passed the neutral grounc
without molestation, and advanced into
what was considered the American dis
tricts without being troubled by any o
the occasional travellers on the road, al
though every one was armed and carried
a muskct. Now and the- he met ..
American yeoman Or farmer VIII, whom
ne was acquainted, that hncw not of hi
Detection for he was born in that scctio,
OF the country, and residents within
wide circle wore then considered as neigh
uors, Latp in tho afternoon ho came
within sight Of the regular American out
posts, when he turned off the main roac
by narrow one that led to mill am
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23
A Victim of Old Puts ealloyvs.
AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAL

Near Peekskill not far from the main
road, stands "A clump of forest trees,
among which:an!agcd hickory is some
what conspicuous
1t bore for aslgig time, and still bears,
I believe, the maize of cold Puts Gal
lows" from eG.ct that many a Tory,
spy, skinner, and:thieving cow boy had
swung from its branches when Putnam
commanded on ;thtlines.
In the carly.partof August, l777, &C.
neral Tryon was 4 the British out-posts
near kiSz 1t will be remember
ed, p 80 The royal Governor OF
- Snt Ie""le commencement of the
eew Yoss ,nda# #pll colonel of the Bri,
Ih,sSi;,e2tbsttIars. IN AftH the war broke out,
bs i'sI m,s nlaced - active service, and rails
ne was 49, rank, with power to re-.
e..,;t eu a gs1era!P Tory corps Or brigade
e ciui' an a9p Amcricaas who yet remained
Inyal Iov ! the crown and government Of
p.y;,An. ssss
II For along timsH had been favoritc
project with Putnam thatan attempt should
be made to re.caEure the city OF New
York, and from AL accounts it appears
that WashingtonIM not dislike the plan,
but with prudent cSution did not wish to
hazard atthat tiu4sthe risk of defeat.
Putnam, howeycr, made several fcints and
false movements at,his out-posts to alarm
Sir Henry Clinton in which he succeed
ed, and tins kept tte British troops within
the city forts psotsc tsction, that otherwise,
aided by the aeet would have been ra-
yaging the adjacsnfs shores of other States.
1t became neeessa$to Sir Henry Clinton
that he should know the position and con.
dition of Putnam troops moro accurate
ly, also ,cndeaYoE possible to ascertain
what parties itygaye Putnam such
accurate lsnpS of his, Glinton's
pldns.
Jon was 81 s busy l, 4 raising his "new 10.
vies, and Tor hinis Henry sent.
g General trrgob. - :: ha sniA "-r-------'
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

victims that feed tho monsters of the
deep"
"How long since his departure"
"Fourtecn years"
"Could you recognize him after SC
long all absence.
"Most certainly could. If his features
are so changed, just behind the thumb OF
the left wrist, his name is inscribed in un
fading characteristic. that | cannot be
deceived"
"Read that" as he gave her his cal
lous hand. The lady was just able tc
read "David Porter" and sank exhausted
by her agitated feelings. The noiso o.
her fall brought Morlne into the apart
ment, with several of the wedding guest:
who had now arrived, and beheld Mrs
Porter senscless upon the Aoor-supnaSs
ing some violence had dbcen done to he,
person, they ordered the supp5sed ruffiar
to leave the house ediately. In vain
did he protest his innocence. He was
forcibly dragged out. As/soon IS Mrs.
Potter had recovered sufficiently to speak
-"mercitul heayen exclaimed the lady,
"where is my b&sband-wherc is Captain
Potters Ef dream or is it reaIsYy
"Ihe w.ssan is mad" said ors~nr nr. .i:t ::
bra!9fs crazcd,"- cried anotSsro oo,t;,,,, - -
wild impulse..of drc>' ''''l'0so
a third. a hod hoon d.,onoa
CaP!a'n lo'.eddse ..eeddse, was called back to
II, run MS o%iinr Win which he had been com.
s'nI,s ,''1 eeh6ough reluctantly, to retire. The
tiHfiest, who by this time had arrived, was
ovcrjoyed to sec his old friend, the Cap.
tain. Rejoice" said he, "Mrs. Potter,
thy husband was dead and is alive-was
lostand is:found."
Captain Potter now requested alto be
seated, that he might make known to
them the storya:of his absence. "You
behold in me the same Captain Potter
who has been an unwilling exile from his
home for fourteen years. Is,yass captured,
By an Algerine pirate ship near Malta,
and compelled to serve those vile hordes.
Oh! how hard is servitude amonp 1aaan"cs
nle 1rhna~-1---'
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23
dwelling on the banks of small, but ra

dwelling on the banks of 4 small, but ra.
pid stream.
Let us for moment look into the
dwelling and notice its inmates. One was
girl Of about eighteen, and a fine rustic
beauty, engaged i'll some triAing house
work, but mainly listening to the conver-
sation of lively-looking, brown.com.
plexioned young man in half-military
garb. 1t is evident that what he said
pleased her, for she looked at him from
time to time, as she smiled arclly, with
fondness. These two were Rosa Mill
ford, the miller's daughter, and William
Townley, a neighboring farmers son, an
ensign in the American army lying near.
Who is that, William, coming to-
wards the mill on horseback ?"
CAS- live" said the young man, cit
is your old spark, that sly rascal, Nathan
Palmer, the Dominie's nephew, who de-
spiscs him and cast him off. The rogue,
I heard in private letter this morning,
that he had enlisted in the refugees corps.
If knew certain, he would swing for it.
Depend upon it, Rosa, he is here for no
good purpose"
"Do not be seen, William. Leave me
to manage him."
The young man left by back door,
not out Of hearing, as the tory lieutenant
and spy entered by the front. He advanc.
cd with bold step.
"Rosa, have but little time to spare,
and want your answer at once. Read
that"
lie took the commission from the H.
ming Of his hat, and placed it before her.
"Some difference between holding a
commission in King Georges service, and
being ragged contincntal!'
"Nathan Palmer" said Rosa, sternly,
81 always disliked you-now HATE
you," and she handed him his commission.
"Do you refuse to be my wife now"
"Your wife! Leave the house, or |
shall be tempted to loose the dog at the
mill upon you"
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23
.-etagEse
Captain p otter, Of 4.

B oFWSokst2J sAhA AtAAhs1AS -
familyconsisted of his wife, the pattern
ofyirtue, and one daughter, who though
young, exhibited the beauty of her moth.
er, and the yiyacity Of her father AS he
was experienced in the business of a sea
Captain, he was offered the command of
avessel, which promised great advantage,
and with great reluctance left his wife
and child to try his fate on that element
whose composure lures to the gates Of un.
prophetic destruction.
This voyage completed, Captain Pot
ter determined to renounce the faithless
deep forever, for the quiet of his own
freside. Previous to his departure he
took gold ring from the finger of his
wife, and placed it on his own, saying,
"Should this return not on the same
hand, you may rest assured that am
among the uncoffined dead Of the ocean"
Alas! Mrs. Potter was doomed to drink
deep at the fountain of woe. After wait
ing the period of his expected return, she
began to gaze on every sail that appeared
and eagerly sought every opportunity to
learn some tidings of her husband or the
fate of the ship in which she sailed. But
all her efforts were Intellectual; the only
information that could be, or at least ever
was obtained on the subject, was from
an English vessel, which ran thus -
"May IL, 1896, spoke with the Ranger
from Newport, Captain Potter master, lat.
% deg, 80 min. W." This indefinite in.
intelligence was far from being cheering
TO the heavy heart of Mrs. Potter. When
shesaw others blythe, it only reminded
her of her own sadness; and while others
were enjoying the reciprocity of conjugal
society, it pointed her to the loneliness Of
her own heart, While other children
were happy in the smiles Of their parents,
her angelic little Mary would climb upon
her knee and with accents that rend q
mothers heart, inquire if her father would
not return. But month after month rolled
away; season after season rolled their
tiresome wheels along, until fourteen
years had been added to the congregeated
centuries of the past; yet no tidings Of
Sdptdih ottOA Ao, NV SfSh a. pioD'DiN
conjecture, concerning the dark mystery
Of his fate.
Time, that changes all things, hac
worn away the acuteness of Mrs Pottcr''
grief, which was far more intense than i
would have been had she wept at hi:
grave, and known that his last moment:
had been soothed by affection. AS thi
last voyage seemed to be near to the un
known coast, she was after seven years
called the widow Potter. Having coun
try seat of great value, her hand wa
sought by many, and as often rejected
until q bachelor who had resisted th
charms of womankind for quarter of
century, was smitten with the lovelines
of this worthy patron, or with the come
liness of her possessions. She at lengtl
consented that her name should be chang
edto Morane; the bridal day was appoint
cd, the arrangements were made to gree
the coming period with festivity and fur
The gossips began to be more logua
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

cious than usual; even the rHLEcMATic
began to surmse that something unusual
was about to be done ut tho mansion OF
the widow.
Late in the afternoon of cold, stormy
day in November, u pcnnylcs' beggar
called at neighboring house and inquired
whether the widow Potter lived i'll this
part of the city. His appearance denoted
extreme poverty; his emaciated form was
reduced to skeleton deep furrows were
drawn-in his cheeks, and his frame SEEM
ed to be stiftncd in every joint by disease
or ltardships. Yet there was something
in his eye which told he was born to a
better fortune. "Yes," said his inform
ant, at the very next door, and tonight
she is TO be married"
"is 10 be married." said the bcggar.
Chow long has hcrhusband been dead
"I'hese many long years; he went off
to sen aud has not been heard Of since
his departure"
"How has she sustained herself since
her husbands death9"
"Sht,llas IN unhlemished character"
"Has she any childreu!"
"Onc daughter only, a fine young lady.
al must see her before she is married /;
I have communications of importance"
So saying he hurried as fast as his fee.
BILE limbs would allow to the splendid
dwelling of the widow. The maid lk5ring
summoned, and seeing him before her,
was about to close the door against him,
but the stranger interrupted her by saying
Madam, may beegar be permitted
to see the widow Potters" o
I'VE expect company to-niShS 'l'i
fore you must leave immedaiistt:gs. edaist :s.Y
"The widow Porter 'lnus. hara Ioe. hesn o,,d
|5todismiss ism s4In hnerS,~'aghtly guest, began to
En- AS ] on,o,v,~ angry aud passionately ex-
'.Il5 .H1egone; we can't hear you now
EBut the man was still more importu-
nate, md thinking de was not
likely to gain. adn,ittance without making
known his. errand accosted the maid still
more earnestly,
20 oman, Ehayes some tidings nf'-~'
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

| glnla toran equal number OF persons.
But then we shall be told that the slaves
are not arraigncd by the police, but are
punished by their masters. Well, there
arc about rs many slaves in the State Of
Virginia as Of people in the city of New
York. Now from what we have learned,
we have no idea that of the two hundred
thousand adult slaves of that State, there
are anything like 1856, or one out Of
six punished in any way whatever, once
4 year.
The institution of slavery prevents
drunkenness, assaults, thets, burglaries,
murders among the blacks-as we'll as
starvation.
And if it be thus shown that there is
less vice and crime in a slave population,
than in an equal number of free white
people in great city, how stands the
comparison between the white people OF
Virginia and New York? Why, the por-
ton Of crime in Virginia, among the
whites, is less than one TO hundred in
New York.
In one Judicial district in Virginia, of Il
hundred thousand people-our native dis
trict by the way, and where the court sits
twice Il year, there was at recent term
not solitary charge of felony on the
docket.
Yet we hear men who pretend to be
philanthropists and philosophers, and even
statesmen, continually conteuding for re.
forming Virginia institutions according to
the models in New lork-yes, there are
even Virginians that distress themselves
daily because Virginia is not like unto
New York!
And these men propose to exclude Nir-
ginia institutions from unsettled or Alexi.
can territory because they are unfit to go
there, and inferior to those of New York
And there are even some Virginians so far
gone as to be willing to submit to it ! We
would like to know who they arc-and
how many.-Southern Press.
A RARE CuAScE!-The Boston Post
makes the following important announce
mcnt:
civilian G.. Allen, a colorcd young
man, law student in the office Of Ellis
Gray Loring, Esq, has been appointed
to the Professorship of Greek and 2het-
oric, in the Central College, Mount Gran.
vile, New York. Mr.. Allen is also well
known as lecturer upon the origin, lite
raturc, and probable destiny Of the Afri'
can race"
Those Southern gentlemen who are so
fond of giving their children Northern
education, would do well to avail Them
selves of the superior advantaged of
"Ccntral College" with VIM. g. Allen,
Esq, Professor-Lynchburg Rep.
GooD-vERY GOOD "A little girl, who
had been visiting in the family of a neigh,
Dor, hearing them speak of her father be-
ing u widowcr, on her return home, adj
dressed him thus -" Pa, are you wild
over" :" "Yes, my child. Do you not
know your mothers deadl" Why, yes,
knew ma was dead, but you always told
me you was Newly Yorker,"
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

nam, and the latter issued his private or
ders. Palmer came into the lines that
night with the freedom Of an old compa-
Mon, and having as he supposed accom-
plished his errand, was about taking his
departure, when he was arrested, and the
fatal commission was full proof Of his
guilt as spy. After brief trial he was
ordered to be hung on Puts gallows the
next afternoon.
Before the hour of execution came
Tryon who had heard Of the arrest, sent
in a flag, declaring it murder to hang a
mere civilian who happened to be 4 roya-
list, and threatened retaliation. He was
not aware that Palmer's commission had
been found upon his person. Putnam
wrote back this brief and memorable
note:
HEAD QUARTERS, Aug. 7. l777.
"Sir: Nathan Palmer, q lieutenant in
your Kings service, was taken in my
camp az spy. He was tried as q spy ;
he was condemned as a spy, and you may
rest assured, sir, he shall be hanged as q
spy.
have the honor to be, etc.
ISRAEL Putnam.
His Exccllency, Gen. Tryon.
P.S. Afternoon. He is hanged"
Such was "Old Put"-prompt to exc
cute and decide. The hickory tree still
remains standing near Pcekskill.
A COOP IDEA.-The following amend.
mcnt to the new postage bill now pending
in the House of Representatives, is about
to be offered by Mr.. Wentworth of Hi
nois. Should he succeed IN CARRYING it
through, the fraternity throughout the
! Union ought to give him some substantial
testimonial. 1t is the cutcst way Of COM
pclling subscribers to pay in advance that
we have heard Of Nobody but an cditor
would have thought of it:
Whenever any person shall exhibit to
any postmaster satisfactory evidence that
he has paid one years subscription to any
newspaper of less Dimensions than 1900
square inches, he shall be entitled, if paid
before his receipt of the first number, to
receive such paper at the rate of fifty
cents per annum for each paper, when
printed without his State; of twenty. five
cents when printed within his State, and
of ten cents when printed within his own
county; and this provision is extended to
newspapers Of greater dimension than
1000 square inches, and to all periodicals,
except that the postage to be paid upon
each one of them shall be onc.half cent
per ounce for all distances: Prorilcd,
That postmast.cc..s shall be entitled to send
m"ney free of postage to publishers OF
newspapers and periodicals; and also that
publishers shall receive their exchange pa
pers and periodicals, and may send bills
TO subscribers in their numbers, free ol
postage"
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

A MARRIED MAN whose habits a.,
very regular, one evening last wcet fe not
walking in the streets, eneountere While
whose walk and actions encours ! lady
to add, ess her. He was pleas gea Inn
impression she made, and fort ,,'.;tt ~ at tho
ed his arm to escort her hop 10 "im ~ ouer
accepted. After Leading I m ron,,s wa,ch she
raj squares, she finally brourbtJ Juna ~; sevs-
''' o"N ''o3se'--tS 0U' ..,ts ,rite,
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

WHAT THEY SAY OF US IN. AUSTRIA
A correspondent of the Boston Trans
cript, writing from Prague, under date Of
December 9Th, says:
"The newspapers of Austria have re.
Gently taken unusual interest in American
affairs, and the beer-house politicians havot
commenced prophesying the future down.
fall of the United States Government
They say to ME, that you will have a
king yet They know about as muchsof
America and its affairs as they do Of the
1lottentots, and no more. Consequently
it is downright waste of time to argue the
matter with them. The recent troubles
caused by the passing of the fugitive slave
bill they look on as the germ Of a grea
revolution. One of these wise.acr
thought that every man in the Uni
States, who could afford it, kept slav
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

Why should Tempesnce man be
forbidden to take wife9
Because he is not allowed 70 supporter,
Support hcr)
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23

ATTEMPTED ESCAPE OF SM1Tu o..
BRIEN.-On Sunday and Monday, tho
Victoria cutter, commanded by man
named Ellis, was observed lowering about
the island, the wind being light until eve.
ming, when it fell calm. Shortly before
sundown, Mr.. Smith O'Brien, who, not
wthstanding his avowed intention of esca.
ping, should an opportunity offer, has con.
siderable liberty allowed him, went down
to a sandy cove, one of the places where
boats generally land, and just as he reach
cd the shore a boat with three men put
in, and he rushed up to. his middle to meet
it. a constable on duty, who was wit.
ness Of the act, covered him with his
piece, and called to him TO forbear, SC.
conding this by rushing at the boat and
knocking a hole in her bottom with his
carbine. He then pointed out to all four
the folly of resistance, and required them
to submit quietly, which they did.
The officer in charge meantime having
missed his prisoner, came rashing down
to the beach, and secured him while still
in Tie water. He was then conducted to
his mouse, and the three men confined for
transmission to Hobart Town. Awhale-
boat with six hands was sent on board the
cutter, seized her and brought her in.-
She, too, with the parties on board, will
be sent up Immediately. 1t has not been
thought necessary to impose any restraint
upon Mr.. Smith OBrien greater than that
to which he was previously subjected
In fact the precautions customarily taken
are such as, without being obtrusive, rcn.
der his escape all but hopeless.