The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-12-27
JNTY, OHIO, WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER e7, 1854

). homo from an unfinished campaign
while his countrymen were still abroad
engaged IN the tolls of war" The ARR
and Israel and Judah abide in tents and
the servants of my Lord are encamped
in the open field,'' thus it ia with me
must even deny myself, weary as ]
am, the luxury of sleep. Fhe cheek
and neck of the young maiden who well
4 remembered the story to which innocent
14allusion vas made were crimsoned with
blushessEhich she sought vainly to con-
No, ora,n continued her lover in
the samessrave tone-stno bed of down
for me, 1msiust hasten back to inform
Marion sfthis glorious news. Were he
not man of more than ordinary activi-
ty, it w4hld even now be too late to con-
Hey him the tidings in season. Remem-
1 Der when l am gone, pray you, honest,
and loyal old Kerr. He is an unshaken
friend of his country, and no doubt needs
kindness and care at this time And
now time constrains me to leave you"
Not in the same manner In which
you came, however. Michael Allow me
to step below, and if I find all quiet
will retsrn and conduct YOU out by the
lower dcor.'
Dora hastily descended the staircase
and after, short absence returned to
the door and beckoned to Michael to fol-
low Michael had already drawn off
his boots and stood ready to follow his
fair guide. who Immediately led the
way down the staircase to the lower
apartment and opened the door for his
exit.
Drawing her close to his bosom and
imprinting kiss upon her cheek, he
whispered in her ear as they parted,
g fear not Dora, we shall meet again"
The maiden gently closed the door
and paqsing for moment to listen to
her receding foot steps, the young dra-
goon drew on his boots and hastened to
the copse where his horse stood tied
As he passed out by the gateway he
glanced buck toward the house, and
Dora who was again on the balcony
awaiting parting glance, waved him a
last adieu in Answer to his own, and re-
tired once more to her chamber.
Hastily then the young trooper strode
along, and soon was seated firmly In his
saddle, retracing his steps, to bear his
general the important information he
had receiyed
Although the silent moon above sent
down food of light upon the scenery
through which he passed, making it yet
more beautiful than day, yet the atten-
ton of the trooper WAS not aroused by
the visible objects around him. Moodi-
ly pressing the rowal into the fanks of
his already jaded steeG, he aabstractly
continued his journey In that meditative
mood that leaves the outer senses to
slumber and repose. He had already
retraced some ten miles of the road, over
which he had SO lately passed, when
suddenly awakening from his revery,
and finding that his good steed had fall
len iuto slower pace than the urgency
of the case and the short time before him
permitted, he quickened his pace into
gallop and with new life his horse dashed
calamity onward. Before him the road
turned on abruptly to the right, and as
at a rapid pace he turned the corner,
Michael found himself, unexpectedly,
face to face with body of horsemen,
some twenty-five or thirty in number
who had halted in the road, ard before
he could check his fiery and impetuous
steed he was borne into their very midst.
Halo who the dueee have we here
exclaimed the leader of the band, sud-
denly wheeling upon Michael, who found
himself in an instant hemmed in by the
armed horsemen who closed around him,
rendering resistance or escape alike i'm
possible.
"Some d--d rebel, colonel, I'll
stake my life on it, replied one of their
number.
"Who are you," again demanded
their leader in an authorative tone.
"Your name-your business? answer
briefly and to the point we haye no time
to lose in idle questions.
Hang him up shouted one of their
number, who was scarcely able to sit on
his horse, brandishing at the same time
sabre above his head, Hang him
up, and let's, on to old Wharton's before
the rebel we are after, makes his es-
cape"
& Put up your sword Randall y inter
posed another of the band. Put up
your sword, and let's hear what the fell
low has to say. f-- -..
In an instant Michael comprehended
the full peril of his situation. He at
once understood from the language that
met his ears, that the party before him
were as that time in pursuit of himself,
as he correctly OWNED at the instIga-
tion of the bloody Harrison. Knowing
we'll that they were bent upon his des-
truction, he scorned to attempt 10 de- |
ceiye them bv falsehood AS dearly as
he loved life, he set still higher value
upon truth.
:" What have you TO say ?" again ask
ed their leader in an irritated tone.-
I" Our time is precious-speak-your
name ?"
'.Were your time ten times as pre-
cious," answered Michael boldly, "you |
should tarry here long while before 1
should answer questions of such char |
acter upon the common highway"
Da-arn me kernel" squeaked o |
voice in the crowd, Z" if this amt rank /
treason against you. If it was left to
me, I'd say swing him up on grape |
vine." @
"Move," shouted harsh, but COM
manding voice from the out circle of the |
crowd, and the speaker, tall and stall
yart man, whose face was bandaged up
made his way into the midst of the cir
Gle, to get better view of the prisoner.
Mich@Ps heart began to beat quick
and fast for in that fierce voice, and |
stout horseman, he recognized that vim
dictive tory whom his hand had that |
evening stricken to his feet, and who he |
walI LDarv cbar;sb ad faali,, o,u oe tho daad |