Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-03-25
THE YOUNG DRAGOON.
A Story Of the Cowpens.
EFT CHA LES j.. PETRRso

Tx SPECTRE LADY.
THE period Of our revolutionary history
Immediately succeeding the defeat at Cam
den. is still remembered 10 the Carnlinas
with horror. The British. elated 18th their
success, and regarding the South as theii
own, proceeded in the work OF confiscation
and massacre with pitiless severity. ln that
terrible crisis maoy family was deprived Of
its head either by exile OF by execution =
Yet larger numbers were shorn Of their prop
cry anc reduced To comparative indulgence.
In a word, terror reigned paramount.
Bur the common events Of life still went
or. The transactions Of business. the strug-
gle for wealth, the tolls Of the husbandmau,
births, deaths, marriages, cares. hopes. Tears
all followed each other down the deep cur
rent Of existence, almost wholly unaffected
by the storm Of war which agilated the sur
face. IL is an error 10 suppose that great
convulsioos disturb the whole order Of soci-
ETY.. Men will still hate, though the entire
nation be turned INTO camp; will strive for
the dross Of earth; will still. if young and
generous, risk their hearts happiness in
lOvel
Ii was towards the close Of winter eve
ning that youth Of noble mien and hand
some face stood at the foo, Of one Of those
long avenues of trees. which, in South Car
olina, lead up from the road to the mansions
Of the weathier proprietors. For nearly
half an hour he had been there, as If await
ing the approach Of some one from the house;
now looking anxiously up the long avenue,
now restlessy walking TO aud fro. During
that interval but one pc, son had passed along
the highway, and the notice Of his one the
N..uth haA LilIf,,liy av.i1ad hv
himself behind some dwarf trees within the
plantation fence. This act, as we'll as his
whole demeanor. proved that he was awaiting
some secret interview.
AT last Just when the dusk began to deep.
en- into night, the futier of a white dress was
seen coming down the avenue. A minute
more and a beautiful girl Of eighteen sum
mers appeared on the scene.
ALBERT. said the new ccmer as the yonth
seiziug her hand. passionately kissed il. L
have not second to stay. IL was with diff
Guilty could leave the house unseen, and
my absence has doubtless been noticed ere
this; whai we have TO say. therefore. must
be said At once; why have you sought this
in'eyviewp
4 nave sought il, Ellen he replied, still
holding her hand. because. despsiring Of
gaming your consent have volunteered in
Captain WashingIon's cavalry corps, AID to.
morrow SGT touh Perhaps. you will never
see me move. [ could not leave the neigh.
JorhOod without seeing YOU once more, and
bidding Won an eternal farewell; and. as your
father had bsnished me from The house,
there was no method Of giving you my adieu
except by soliciting an interview
The tears had started TO the eyes of his
listener. bur she turned away her head TO
conceal them; and for some time neither
spoke. |
Ellen, dear Ellen said the young soldier,
earnestly, will you not now, 10 this solemn
moment. say you love mel | once hoped
you did, but since your father has forbidden
me the house. you have been less kind; and
fear that have lost your heau-that you,
too. have ceased to care for me, now that |
am beggared-
His hearer suddenly turned her face full
upon him, with look Of fearful reproach I
that cut short his words.
Bless you, Ellen, Tor that look he said. |
Though my fathers estate is confscated, |
and he aud | both indignant, il is not on that
account that you have seemed so cold TO me |
lately. Say thea dearest. only say that / |
have been mistaken in thinking you at all al
tered
Another look, equally eloquent. answered
hin; but his hearer did not speak. !
ooh! Ellen he continued, when am Ear
away, fighting my country's battles, what
oIiss II would be TO know that you sometimes
think Of me; and that il should fall, you
would shed a tear for me-
His listner, at these words, weIr freely,
and when her agitation had somewhat subsi-
ded she spoke:- -.t
Albert, she said, you have conquered -
Know then that l do love you At these
words the impe,uous young man clasped her
in his arms, but she disengsged herself. say
ing-'Bpt while my father opposes your suit,
I can never be yours. The consciousness of
his dissppiovsl has made me affect cold
ness to you which my hesu boiled, in the
hope that yon would think Of some one more
worthy OF you-but--but.' she hesitsted,
then quickly added, in word. if u will com
fon you when Ear away, 10 know that think