Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1851-11-20

per with Indignation in his tone.
Il wish, | said, that you would give m
some account of how it happened, for this is
fine night for yarn, smooth water, free wine
good tobacco, and both socially disposed
! well, don't care if tell you about it
you'd like to hear it sir, he responded, as h
knocked the fire alght in his pipe. Keep he
well to the southwark Mr.. jerks This wa
addressed as a precautionary direction to tn
man at the helm, who looked as much like
Baptist preacher as mate to Connectcu
sloop.
well, you must know, Mr. Darlington, salt
the venerable and respectable skipper, tina
when was boy about nineteen, | was in love
You needn't smile, you rogue, sir ! am some
! thing grown old now. The girl was a perfec
little daredevil, and had twenty lads in tow al
well as me. You may think this Kate Kissan
has nothing to do with my being prisoner ii
the old Jersey, but you will see if you lister
that she had good deal to do with it. Hel
black eyes, sharp as steel and bright as two
pipes burning in the dark played the deuce
with me. 1t was war time then There was d
rendezvous in our village, and these drums ant
ties, and braided coats and feathers turn wo-
mems eyes right off, So one day when | was
helping Kate to draw bucket o. water out o
the stone WE'LL | says to her, says |,
Kate, am desperate! love you more in
one mlnnIt than all your twenty beaux could
love you in whole etarnity. If you'll say
you'l marry me, I'll buy a yoke o steers, a
good COW, and we 90 to house-keepin right off
on the forty acre lot fathers going to give me
soon as get married.
Upon this she looks strait in my face, and
laughed and said:
Dan, you needn't think III marry a man
that can stay at home flirin with the girls when
his country wants his arm and gun. I'll never
marry anybody but a soldier, not |! This same
timing have told every lad that has asked to
marry me! and l'll marry him that gets pro-
NOTED highest.
This was a dasher, tor ! never had the least
idea Of being anything but farmer. | goes
strait off and ensts, and the next day when
saw Kate, she smiled as she looked at my uni
form and red pompon in my cap. ! found in
the company seven leers that loved her, and
had visited just as ! did to get her for wife
after the wars So she sent eight men to serve
her country; and from this YOU can see how
handsome she was and how patriotic.
(Which ofthe eight Captain Darby, said |
rs lighted fresh cigar do you think this
pretty Kate liked the best?'
wall, ! rather think it was me; for | found
that | was the only one she gave
a lock Of her hair to, or from whom she asked
for one.
That seems to be fair ground for your
conclusion, Captain Darby said, as reco-
n1 bot inf cd ,f ~
hair had been given me in my frtations, and
now many had bestowed.
The company Joined the brave Colonel Led
Yards regiment, and went to New London
That town was attacked by the British and af-
erwards surrendered. In skirmsh, | was
wounded in the shoulder by spent ball. which
lad TO be cut cut. | was named in the report
and this gave me new interest in kate's eyes,
especially when the newspaper said, that 'pri-
vate anlel Darby was promoted to be ssr-
&C ant, for his bravery. The very next post
brought me a letter from Kate, telling me how
sorry she was that was Wounded and how
glad she was that ! had poured out my blood
for my country. | showed the letter round to
the seven boys, and when they read it, they
looked as if they would like to take great
hing to distinguish themselves in her eyes, as
had done. he fort at New London was
called Fort Griswod and we defended that to
lie last, and when it surrendered, the British
officer came into it, and asked who command
I'd it.
4 did but you do now, said our gallant
colonel. AS he said this, he presented the
init OF his sword to the Englshman, who at
once stabbed him right through the body, and
ne fell dead at his feet. Upon seeing this, we
rushed forward to ayenge his barbarous death,
,ut we were oyerpowcrcd, and five of the seven
ads were killed on the spot, and was taken
prisoner. Ah Lieutenant Darlington, that was
murdrrous time, and has made me hate the
British ever since. They set upon our men,
md killed all they could, and then they took all
o the top of the rock, and tipped the cart up,
md sent them, shrleking for mercy, to be dash
I'd to pieces on the rocks below As | was
Wounded, they thrust me upon the top of orc of
he carts, on which were piled full ten wounded
yretches, and had to stand on their faces aud
breasts with my feet and they all groaning and
amsnting at what was to be done to 'em, that
makes Ire shudder now while | think about
t. couldn't have got off if had tried, for
light men with bayonets walked by the sides of
he cart ready to bayonet any one that attempt
I'd to get away Well, as was on the top
when the cart was tipped up, made leap
out, and went down feet first full twenty yards |
leep, and striking among the soft dead bodies
ny fall was broken, so that was not hurt, only |
stunned. | lay still as / could, not sure in
leed that wasn't most killed, until the SOL
Iiers had gone back with the cart to the fort af-
er another load | then got out of the heap of
groans and DEATH and ran as fast as
could round the rock, and up into the woods
Jack O. the fort, Here | climed up into the
rec, and could see down into the town. All,
ir. if their was murder in the fort, it was worse
n the streets and houses ] saw officers and