Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-03-08
titon? Let each maiden's own heart an

painful expectation. The smoke of the hat
tie rolled onward, and now they could hear
the shout of the soldiers in the FIGHT. Their
position commanded view of mile alon1
the road, and soon they beheId scattering
troops flying across it, at its extremity, and
disappearing in the woods. Then came a
squadron of horses, broken and retreating,
and then artillery drawn in full gallon came
into the road.
The American flag flew from stats stuck
on the gun carriages, and Annette knew
that her countryman were defeated. Loud.
er and more fearful now grew the uproar Of
the battle beyond the wood, and regiment
after regiment, broken and terrified, filed the
road, and were retreating along it towards
Chester, and past the cottage. Annette's
anxiety for her countrymen, and for her faith
er and brother would not let her quit her
post, and the tide of battle came rolling past
her-a terrible spectacle The dragons
galloped by, each horseman riding by him.
sell, with his reins thrown upon his saddle
bow then came the artillery laundering
along followed by a multitude of soldiers,
without order, flying at the top of their
speed.
Oh, shameP she CRIED with hot tears in
her eyes; oh that were a man, and in
the saddle, methinks my single arm would
retrieve the day Where is Washington
lie certainly cannot fly
As she spoke, she heard on her right, down
the road, loud, commanding voice, calling
on the retreating men to rally. She turned
and beheld Washington himself, who, hear
ing of the giving way of the right wing, had
come up to the head of regiment to sus-
tain it. His voice and presence now instilI-
ed new life into the flying soldiery, and soon
they rallied in the road and presented
front to the columns of the British who were
pursuing. General Howe, seeing this de-
monstration of resistance, and knowing Wash
lngton to be there in person, withdrew from
pursuit, satisfied with having routed the
wing. The American troops then slowly re-
treated, in good order, towards a strong DO
stion on the heights not far off,
Annette was delighted to see that among
those who fled were neither her father nor
brother, but she was panied to discover a.
mong the pursuers her own false lover, who
seeing her at distance, reined up his horse
and turned aside, hoping to escape her no.
would not only Danish him forever from herI
heart, but from her thoughts. But the res
oIutions Of maiden in love are made only
to be broken, especially when the lover is the
object of them.
It was almost eight o'clock, the evening
Of the battle, when Annette was seated IN
her door, listening to every footstep, expec-
ting her father and brother. 1t was pleas
ent night, but the time was sad one. She
fancied the winds waited to her the means
of the dying and wounded, from the woods
, and fields around where the fight had been,
! and her heart was full of forebodings OF
! evil to those so dear to her. All at once she
heard the approach of horses feet, and start
ed up with solicitous expectation-for she
r knew neither her father nor brother were
mounted; she waited nervously the advance
o of the horseman along the road. He came
g at slow pace, and as he drew nearer, she
h discovered by the light of the moon that ht
= was an officer, and that his horse was woun
d ded. Instead of passing the house towards
# the town, he turned up at the door and rod
is towards her. She was too familiar will
scenes Of danger, and the incidents Of thos
h warlike times, to feel alarm, and quietly
q waited the approach to the door-stone.
P, Good evening maiden he said, with
n foreign accent; L pray thee give me you
hospitality brief space-I aud my hors
= are both wounded, and he will carry me n
tx farther fear
us There was something in the gentle tone
to of the stranger, as we'll as in his noble figul
and engaging address, that Immediately il
ed terested Annette in him; and without as
ire inc whether he was friend or foeman, 81
Ip- invited him to alght and enter the dwelIin
ny With some difficulty he got to the groun
OF for his leg was stiff with his wound. 81
cir assisted him, and received his grateful thank
I'VE He then examined first his horses wour
,r! and with her aid dressed it, and had him
his into the shed and protected from the MIG
air, with plenty of hay. When this
ing done, he went with her into the house a
uer submitted his foot and ankle, which b
ech been injured BY a cannon shot, to the s
The Of the mother and daughter. Annette 81
no proyided him with refreshments and tried
and make him as comfortable as possible, WI
the out knowing whether he was one OF
he country's invaders or defenders; but his
el. eicn accent led her to suspect that ne
- the former. But Annette was Christ
I'd and she remembered and obeyed the inlr
t;on Of our Saviour If thine enemy b
the GER. feed him; if. he thirst, give him drl
,ned The ensuing morning the grateful st
the ger was about to leave. His horse wa
,tion the door much improved, as we'll as his
ter.
niles NV sweet maid,' said the officer,
tile must take gold, for / can repay thy h'
hict- tality in no other way
ltest, Cease to fight against my country,
and I ask, SIR she said, warmly.
, and The officer smiled and said, Have
h her then regarded me as foe, and still dor
, her this for meT
heart. Il have done my duty, sir.
lging, You are a noble girl, and am hap
rolled let you know you have not thrown your
he di- pitality away upon one undeserving OF
9 cot | am an officer under Washington.
The stranger then remounted his
arfully and was about taking leave of her, ant
larked uette bad on tongue to ask him who ht
oart Of when two men made their appearant
we'd fore the house with guns and knapsacl
lat pc Father and brotherV cried she JOY