The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-12-27

, Camden" answered Dora. "Before I
, word was whispered abroad of the inten
ded gathering every man even suspected
of being friendly to his country was al
|, once sent off to prison"
eff all have indeed fallen into the
& power of the tories, there is an epaulet-
i ted traitor in our camp" answered
Michael sternly. ;" Marion has scouts
abroad that you would scarcely dream
of and such as the tories -couf1~Se$s-
suspect, unless they are betrayed None
but officers are permitted to know the
names ofhis scouts and they only trust
ed with the secret when the good of the
public service requires it. must know
what fate has befallen his scouts, and to
do SO, must trust you with their names,
which otherwise torture could not wiring
from my lips. trust you, but let the
silence of the grave forever after rest on
4 their names.
4 "Speak on Michael" answered the
maiden, 1 would die sooner than be-
tray them"
! Michael drew yet higher to her, and
sinking his voice to awhisper, as though
he feared the walls had ears, spoke slow-
ly and so1emnly-
Bichbarg, Jamison, Ames-can you
tell me ought of them they are scouts,
loyal and trusted. God grant they
may be.safe t''
No wonder that you failed to hear
frem them," replied Dora "Jamison
and Ames have been sent in irons to
Camden; but Richbourg preferred a
better fate, he died at his own door,
battling like lion with those who were
sent to arrest him.
May he rest in peace" responded
Michael solemnly "he was brave SOL
dier and an honest man. But we have
one scout yet left, brave and loyal old
man as true as steel to the cause of his
adopted country What bad tidings
have you to tell me ofold Archy Kerr
''Old Archy Kerr !" asked Dora,
with start of surprise that taciturn
moody and selfish old man whom no
, whig will trust and whom tory as he is.
even his own party avoid and dislikes !?
i You jest in speaking thus of that misan-
tropic recluse."
{" On my word I do not" responded
her lover gravely, "Old Archy Kerr,
for reasons that do honor to his heart
has been content to endure the ill-will
aud contempt of those whose devotion
to their country does not equal his own.
Too proud, indeed too much of chris
tian to practice imposition or deceit,
even for the promotion of righteous
cause he would sooner tear his tangue
from his throat than suffer it to belle
his conviction. Thus his honesty kept
him aloof from the tories through repu-
ted as such himself. And he will not
consort with our own party, lest he may
dray t he suspicion of the roynlist party
upon himself, and thus diminish his op-
portunity of rendering assistance to
Marion, The leading wings of the
district have hundred times denounced
him to Marion as one we'll worthy of the
halter but our general has only smiled
in the quiet way peculiar to him, and
talked of moderation and lenity to our
enemies, Oh believe me one of the
noblcst hearts that ever beat, of one the
most stern and unyielding in its integri-
ty, throbs under the coarse jerking of
that devoted patriot. Tell me Dora,
has he too fallen into the power of the
tory party ?"
"No, Michael, no l' answered She
" Archy Kerr is so cordially detested
by the wings, that he would be the last
man the tories would suspect. Three
weeks since he was taken down by a
fever and now lies dangerously sick, and
so unpopular is his name, that l believe
nay 1aoa0 I fear-he is left to die al
most companionless.
"God forbid !' calculated Michael fer
Yently, he is too firm friend of his
country to merit such fate. Where it
not what you have tod renders it neces-
sary that should return to the camp
without the loss of an hour, I would
even hasten to his bedside this night
1 conjure you by all that is sacred, suf-
fer not that noble servant of his country
to feel that he is neglected visit him
yourself; tell him that like himself you
live but for your country. He is the
friend, the confdant and the scout of
Marion and never does our General
change his camp, without directly in
forming Kerr by trusty messenger of
his change of quarters. He would part !
with his last morsel of broad Ito feed a |
suffering soldier, and as his means are
scanty, the old hero may even now feel |
the piuchings Of actual want. You
should go provided with such things as
sick man may actually need, and whis-
per this in his ear, that in forty-eight |
hours Marion himself will stand by his |
side. All Dora, devotion like his
should not go unrewarded,"
g Indeed it shall ,lot," answered she |
with much emotion. g For the love he
has borne his country, l myself will |
watch over him as a daughter. and see
that all his wants are supplied"
And now, Dora, said Michael rising |
from his seat, "we must part once more, |
and sooner than had anticipated.
must retrace my steps with all convene |
ent speed, and inform Marion of tn e |
varied news have heard from your lips. |
In two days at most we shall meet again,
that is SO soon as we have routed this |
band of rufians, of whose rendezvous
you have told me. Marion will be on |
his route before to-morrow's sun has set, |
and trust such lesson may be taught |
to the tories on Black river that they |
will never again appoint another rendez-
vous here"
"May heaven grant it." CALCULATED |
the maiden. But, Michael, / know
you must indeed be wearied with your
long travel. Occupy this chamber un-
til moruing-and,n she added with a
blush =" as for myself will retire be-
low. Indeed [ will see to it that you are
not discovered, and have you awakened |
and put on the road before the family |
are astir Rest beneath our roof at |