The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-05-28

| He was uTdSSeu up 10 tne SdfIet ohu
locked in. There they threw him, there
he lay, motonless upon the floor, as though
all sensation had departed from both body
and soul, awaiting the hour Of death, and
rejoicing that it was near at hand. For a
while the dancing and singing continued;
then the Serbs departed to sleep, and all
was STILL His eyes were unvisited by
slumber. Yet little while he thought
to himself, and eternal repose will be
mine.
He lay with his senses thus benumbed,
thinking neither Of the past nor of the fu-
ture, when he heard rustic at the garret
window Through the darkness he saw a
white figure pass through the small OPEN
ing, and grope its way towards him. Was
it dream? or reality. The figures
steps were noiseless. But presently spoke
in scarcely audible whisper: @
"Father! father!" it said.
"Lina."
He looked up, seeking to discern the
features of his visitor. She hurried to him;
and cut the rope that bound his hands.
"My child!'' murmured George, and
clasped his daughters tottering knees.
"My dear, my only child"
"Let us fly" said the maiden, in faint
and suffering tones. ''The ladder is at
George clasped his painting child in his
arms. and bore her through the opening in
the garret roof, and down the ladder rest
ing her head upon his shoulder, and COW
ering her cold cheek with his kisses.
Near the ladders foot he stumbled over
something.
"Whatis that? Aspade. We will take
it with U.S."
"For a weapon" said the father.
ITO dig grave;" said the daughter.
On the other side Of the house was
heard heavy monotonous step. 1t was
Serb on sentry.
"Stay here! Keep close to the wall!''
said George to his daughter. He grasped
the spade and crept noiselessly to the
corner Of the house. The step came near
er and nearer. George raised his spade
The Serb turned the corner. and-lay the
next moment upon the ground, with his
skull split. He had not time for a single
cry.
George took the dead mans clothes and
weapons, took his daughter in his arms
and left the town.
The morning star glittered in the bright
ening sky. Towards day-breals, and with
out having exchanged word, father and
daughter reached the nearest village
George had many acquaintances there,
and with one of them, he thought he could
leave his daughter. lie found buta poor
reception. Nowhere was he suffered to
cross the threshold. None offered him so
much as crust of bread. All closed
their doors, and informed him to depart,
lest he should bring destruction on their
heads.
The villagers were neither hard-hearted
or cowardly; but they feared that if the
Serbs of St. Thomas heard Of their shelter
ing fugitive, they also would be murder
ed or plundered. With anguish in his
soul, the wretched man again took his
child in his arms and resumed his journey.
For six days he walked on, over stubble
and fallow, through storm and cold by
night, and parching heat by day-his child,
his beloved child on his arm. He asked
not what allied her, and she uttered no
complaint.
On the sixth day the maiden died, Of
hunger, misery and grief.
The father felt his burden heavier; the
arms that clasped his neck slackened their
hold, and the pale cheek that nestled on
his shoulder was chill and cold.
But the spires Of Szegedin now glttered
in the distance. George hurried on, and
at last exhausted by his speed he reached
at monday the large and populous city.
In the front of it, in the vast, a great mul-
titude was assembled more than twenty
thousand souls were gathered together,
listening to the words Of popular orator,
exalted upon scaffold in the midst
George made his way into the throng; the
speaker was relating the incredible atroci-
ties Of the Raitzen. Several OF his hearers
noticed the weary, wild.looking, travel
stained man, carrying in his arms pale
girl with closed eyes, who stood amongst
them like a fugitive from the mad.house.
"Whence come you!" they asked him
"From st. Thomas"
"Ha' up with him on the scaffold!'
cried those who heard his reply.
ga man here from St. Thomas. UE
with him and let him speak to the peo
ple!"
The crowd opened a passage, ant
George was hurried to the scaffold. When
from the elevation, his emaciated ant
lghastly oountenance, furrowed by suffering
and despair, his failing limbs, and the ia
ded and ashy pale features Of the chilt
upon his shoulder, became visible to tn,
assembled multitude, deep shudderin,
murmur ran through its masses, like tha
the Platten Lake gives forth when the tenn
pest nears its shores. At sight and soun'
Of the heavy throng, a hectic flush flame'
upon Georges cheek, an unwonted fir
burned in his bosom: he felt the spirit q
revenge descend upon his head like fork
ed and fiery tongue. .aev