Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-10-26

OllOg lOunla:n ana The grateful shade. The
mode and circumstances OF her lie had, how
ever, impressed upon her character some hat
of the noble and generous traits Of The heroine
Naturally Of proud though gentle spirit, her
very habits of seelusion, which in another
might have produced painful dfIidemce and Ii.
mdity, had added strength and reliance to
her character. f
Her sorrows, poor creature, had ofIaie been
greatly multiplied by the distractions which
ensued from the contest with the mother coun-
try. Entering with all the ardor Of heroine
into the feelings and sentiments OF the natfiot-
ic and bold defenders of liberty, so soon as she
could comprehend the principles upon which
they based their resistance TO the mother coun-
try. She unfortunately encountered the Bit
ter opposition Of Isaac Wharton, her stepfath-
er, who, though desirouS OF remaining neutral
in the contest, yet at heart favored the cause
OF the royalists, and ridiculed an6 denounced
what he considered the folly and crime OF the
wings in entering into contest with the moth
er rcounhy. The undisguised sentiments OF
his fair step daughter, who openly rejeiced at
every discontinue Of the British arms, but in
creased his dislike and hatred 10 the cause Of
| Independence. On oil occasions, even in the
presence of the British officers themselves, she
| feareSsly and warmly eSpoused the cause OF
| her countrymen, 10 the great modification oil
| Isaac Wharton, an imperious and overbearing
man, who could not endure such infexible op-
position in member Of his own house.
| The visit OF Michael 10 his house had long
since been forbidden, and latterly he had met
his betrothed only by stealth; sometimes at q
house Of friend, and at Others in the open
greenwood--always apprizing her of his pres
ence in the neighborhood, by some preconcer.
ted signal which she readily recognized. Ma.
ny a stolen interview had taken place be-
tween them. little suspected by her ungracious
step father, who little dreamed OF the artliceS
to which lovers will resort 10 eluGe the vigi.
lance of those who will Sunder them forever
Michael well knew how anxiously Dora
'longed for his coming, and whatever dangers
beset his way, he seldom failed 10 hasten tC
her side, when the public service permitted
his absence from the camp. Sometimes hi'
signal greeted her ears from the forest near he,
dwelling, when the sun had but few hour
commenced bis course, and again when it hat
sunk 10 rest, and the stars OF heaven wert
shining brightly in the illmitable vault, some
note uttered from afar, unregar ed and un
recognized, save by herself, wonld cause he
young heart to nutter with that strange sensa
ton OF delight only felt by those who love pas
siouately, and only 10 be experienced BY then
when after long absence ahusband or n lov
er returns to repay them for the long vigil o
love.
The sun was within an hour OF his setting
~issH the line Of lszysyapof Which had iony
lain motioness on The western horizon, begar
to grow dark and dense as it loomed up fear
fully in the distance, and the wind. which hat
lulled for near an hour, again Sprang up; bu
this time from the thunder cloud in the west
in 1tful blasts now surchnrged with vapo., ani
now hot and sulpherous os the reeking breath
ofa volcano. The muttered thunder began tc
g:oan and growi iu the west fearfully and deep
and with its wings wide spread, the clouds
rode wildly down upon the gale, turning day
into night as its black shadow rolled over the
earth. In en- instant all nature was mingled
in confusion. The sheeted lightnlngs glim
mered and flashed incessanty; the deep toned
thunder shook the earth with its terrific tongu
and the tall trees of the forest bent, shiveret
and snapped in The gale-the crash Of thei
fall swallowed up and lost in the yet loude
thunders of the believing storm.
As accustomed as Michael had been 10 scene
of peril and danger, feeling Of superstition
awe came over him, and he felt like frai
and helpless crenture of the dust, in the con
temptation Of so imposing and terrific scene
The narrow pathway along which he rode
stretched away through dense pine forest
ard on every side the tail trees were broker
and scattered around HIM like Stubble beforl
the wind.
Michael would fain have turned aside t.
seek shelter from the storm in some of tht
scattered babitations that lay BY the roadside
for the hurricane was now upon him in all it
fury; but his past experience had taught hin
to act with cautious circumspection in a coun
try where civil war had loosened the bands o
society and set neighbors in bitter and EXTERN
mating strife. Well known through all thn
portion Of the country as an active and un.
compromising whg, he was equally an objec
Of terror and bitter hatred to all who were en-
listed against the independence Of their coun
try. Fearing lest in seeking q shelter from
the storm, he might unawares place himself il
the power of the tories, in whose hands his
fate would soon have been sealed, he hurried
by dw Hing after dwelling, preferring rathe
to suffer exposure to the elements than 10 risk
falling INTO the hands OF bloody minded and
uns"rrrulous men.
AS the, road. however, emerged from the
forest into an open clearing of considerable
extent, he found himself within fewrods OF q
house which lay upon his right, too dlapida
ted in appearance 10 render it probable thai
he might there meet with dangerous adverse.
ries. The ram Too, was nearly upon him, ius
as he reached the narrow lane which led down
Ito the building. Hestating only for moment
he turned his horses head and galloped up ia
the house, turning his horse into the shelter
ofan unoccupied stable. the door Of which
opened into the lane. Entering the gateway
where, half torn from its hinges, the gate hung
obStructing his way, with a few easy strides
he mounted the steps Of the piazza that toi
tered under his tread, and raped loudly at the
+ door for admttance.
Everything about the place wore a deserted
and cherries aspect. The magnificent shade
trees around, which seemed the growth ofcen
, turies, stood unpruned and neglected, will
their Jagged boughs descending within, few
! feet OF The ground the rank grass was allowed
! 10 cover the entire yard, and grew up even Il
the doorsteps, while here and there irefrac
: tory shutter, too rotten 10 be retained BY II
hinges, wos kept in its place bya rale or.pole
cut from the woods and placed as pro-
: against il. The hand railing around the piazz
was partially gone, and the pillars which sup
ported the roof were nearly rotted away at th
I base. Altogether the building was as dilOpi
: dated and cheerless as II it had remained un
tenanted for whole generation.
1 His first summons failing 10 atiract otientio
, Mini ael knock ed mara In, llv tton hefora nm