The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-01-08
4 sERENADE NORTH CAROLINA

Not thousand years ago, and not a
thousand miles from here, Windsor, N.
Carolina,) lived young lady, the daugh-
ter of very plain country folks, who had
just returned from distant boarding
school, having finished her education.
Her residence was on the western bank OF
"little river" in this country. The period
of which | write was September. Between
the family mansion and the waters edge,
was five acre potato patch. The roots
were cultivated in hills, and the vines were
luxuriant 1o5 aUe Il e'i.H Dbl. ~ .ysy
On the opposite side of the river quite
a number of young gentlemen lived, who
were noted for galiantry. Their devotion
to the sex had induced them to unite their
accomplishment, in the forming of a seren-
aiding band. The return of the young
lady referred to, afforded them an oppor-
tunity Of doing the genteel. They ac-
cordingly met on clear moonlight night,
and each furnished with his musical in
strument, betook themselves to their boat
to give musical treat to the "iair re-
turned"
With mufled oars they noiselessly
crossed the river and gained the beach.
With stealthy tread they approached the
house at the hour Of midnight, and ranging
themselves in line, at signal rom their
leader, violin, flute, clarionet and from
bone, in one mighty blast, to the tune of
sold Dan Tucker" broke the stiffness of
the night and the sold folks slumber." +"
The mother screamed from alright, and
called to the daughter for an explanation
of the unusual noise. She was informed
in reply that it was "serenade." Mis-.
taking the reply, she flew to the old man.
who little deaf, was sitting bewldered
at the Ito him) confused sounds.
The wife's report, "they are cdnnona-
ding us!" satisfied him. lie flew to the
gun rack, and taking down sold blue trig-
GER" hurried down stairs and aroused
the house. Meanwhile the young lady
stood at her window with the curtain half
drawn, drinking in the melody as it waited
up. The boys, innocent as Sir Isaac's
dog Diamond Of the mischief they had
made, were laying themselves out upon
the last variation, when, at twenty feet
distance, the old man showed around the
corner his old musket, and drew trigger.
She did not shoot, but the fire rolled bright
as falling meteors. A stampede Of cleo
trio suddenness took place-the "leader"
of the hand leading in bee-line for the
boat, followed in commendable nearness
by his company. They hurried in the
start, but the repeated efforts of the old
man to get his .piece off," increased their
efforts at speed, and a call by him for
"chunk Of fire. to touch the priming, told
still more. They forgot the potato vines.
and such scene of confusion was never
Witnessed, Headlong they fell, and at
each fall, the sound Of broken fiddle
strings, or battered drums, foretold the
death of that band. Heller skelter, rolf
ing, crawling and tumbling along, they
gained the waters edge and their boat;
and such pulling, men of.war's men might
have learned something from them then.
The vines so impeded the old mans
progress, that he did not reach the bank
with his "chunk" till the "cannonaders"
were out of gunshot, and he returned well
satisfied that his timely appearance and
courageous manner had achieved the sal
walton of him and his. In the melee the
old lady flew "for shelter and safety" and
could not be found that night Next
morning she was discovered under, the
wheat barn, and after many assurances
that the cannonaders were routed, was
prevailed upon to come forth.-Er.