Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-03-30

It was on the morning after the meeting of
Harry Singleton and joe that Col. Laurens and
his daughter were sitting at the breakfast table
discussing the merits of the various dishes Of
which it was composed. 1t was just as Ellen
rose to retire that her father said to her
We'll, Ellen, l hope you will soon be ready to
set out. Have you made all your preparationsp
Yes, father, and will be ready as soon as you
desire finished my packing last night and
have only to change this for a travelling dress
That's dear girl; run, now, and get ready
as soon as possible. am in a hurry to get of.
I have been promising Joel visit a long time,
and mean to take him by surprise
But, father, are you not afraid of some OF
those bands of Tories that do so much damage,
and kill so many innocent personsF
4 would be afraid if l thought there was any
danger. But he would be a fend that would
iniure you and it is only on your account that |
am fearful If am informed Alright, there are
none about at this time; so calm your fears, and
prepare to start. dare say you wish YOU could
have Harry as guard No doubt your journey
would pass more pleasantly
Now, father! how can you talk so: You
know
oh, yes! know very we'll how it is. He is
truant knight, and you will have to scold him
when you set him.
If he knew we were in danger, he would be
the first one to fly to our rescue
Certainly lie would. know him very we'll,
and knew his father before him. He is fine
Young man, and if the wind keeps fair, who
knows what might happen9 He may take it
into his head that the marriage state would be
more conducive to his happiness than the single.
And who knows but, in making his choice, he
might-where to now, girl! OFF, like the wind.
It's certain that she loves him, and as certain
that he loves her. But he is every way worthy
of her, and is the only one of my young acquain-
tances whom l would be proud to call son-in-
law
Harry Singleton had graduated at a northern
college Often during his collegiate course did
he picture to himself fair form fitting among
the woods, plucking the wild flowers, or dashing
along the road, as he had been want to do, in
her company, before his departure. How much
lie desired to be free to return home, can only be
told by how swiftly he sped on his way thither
when the time of his emancipation came.
Sanguiue as were his hopes, he was hardly able
to realize the vision that burst upon his view, the
first time he saw Ellen. Just budding into wo-
manhood, she formed fit object for his overflow
ing tide of affection. He did not endeaver to
restrain himself in the least but felt that he could
only live for her-that she was indeed prize
worth striving for. He became constant vlsl-
tor at her fathers house, nor did he try to hide
his purpose. To say that she had forgot the
one who climbed the high rock to pluck from
thence the flower, growing in the crcvice, or who
was ready at any time to scour through the fields
in her company, where their light-hearted laugh
made the woods ring again, would be saying
more than was true.
She waited, therefore, very anxous for the
time of his arrival, for she felt as if he was her
brother. But instead of seeing him as her i'm
agination pictured to her, she saw him perfect
gentleman. Precious little sleep did she get
that night Was she in love? Oh, no! Time
passed on until at the period of the opening of
this tale they considered themselves to be all in
all to each other. Though he had not virtually
offered himself, it was his intention to do so on
an early day.
1t was about nine o'clock of the morning on
which the previous conversation took place that
a company was seen to depart from Col. Lau-
rens's and take the road towards the left, and
which led in westerly direction. First came
the Colonel, and by his side rode Ellen. Three
servants followed behind, one female and two
males, who carried all the things necessary for
weeks sojourn, except what was contained on
the back of the sixth horse led by one Of the ne
groes 1t was one OF those pleasant days on
which all nature puts on smiling aspect, and
the birds carol their songs among the trees, as
fin praise of their creator.
'Now isn't this pleasant? ? said Ellen. 1T puts
ME in ecstacies.'
She could not keep from looking back and
speaking to her maid, or calling her fathers at
tention to some object which came into view
Her very horse imbibed her spirit, and tossed his
head as if he would have been very glad to mend
his pace. There was proud, happy smile on
her fathers face, and as he answered her enqui-
ries or spoke to her in any manner he cast on
her look banning with pride and parental af
fection-for she was treasure to be proud of.
1t was towards three or four o'clock in the af
ternoon as they began to weary, that they pass
ed dark, swampy part of the road. On each
side were thick bushes and vines intermlngled
They were riding silently along, expecting naught
of evil, when suddenly man stood before them
on horseback.
You are my prisoner, sir'
Not yet answered Col. Laurens, and was en-
deavoring to get his pistol.
But the other quickly presented a pistol, and