Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-11-16
ELLEN WELLsES;
CHAPTER /.
By P. II. MYERS, ESQ.

There are few portions Of our country
more beautiful. and none more rich with
historic recollections. than the valley OF
the Mohawk. Yet few. probably. of the
thIongs who, steam impelled. pass daily
through this beautiful region. yielding to
is many scenes Of enchantment the trio
ute Of admiration. pause TO reflect upon
the fearful and momentous deeds of
which it has been the scene, and which
are destined in after ages to render every
inch of its soil classic ground.
Bat not of thee. beautiful river. peace
fully gliding through the broad and yer
dant champaign. laving with thy silvery
waters the lips Of the bending flowers up
on thy margin or with gentle wrath foam
ing. glistening and eaping amid the cat
nracts OF Astrolog nor yet of you. oh.
towering mountains. still forest clad; not
- yau as ye-now exist. the scenes and
the occasions of inn icent. enjoyment. is
the historic muse about TO speak. But
nf man staining your soil with blood,
frelghiing your gales with groans. and
wars discoriant notes. and yet of man.
too. thank Heaven. in holier and gentle
nDny OF creation.
I, was in the twilight of calm July
evening, just seventy years ago. that
two young men. tightly clad. aud each
bearing a rifle. might have'been seen loiter
Ing upon the bank Of Mohawk. a. point
near TO what is now a large and populous
town. Although at firs: sight the casual
observer would have taken them for
spor,smen in pursuit OF game. closer in
vesti>atioa would have convinced him
that such was not the case, but that .heir
arms were carried only as part Of an hab
itual system of precaution In those trou
blous times, when no man knew at what
moment he might stumble upon deadly
foe. Charles Dudley and Enoch Waidon
were citizens Of one neiohborhood. and
had been acquaintances Ia their boy
hood. They were not no ever and new
er had been friends. There was no ap-
proach to congeniality in their disposi-
tions, the first being frank and generous,
while the other was characterized by
qualities i'll every respect the reverse of
these noble traits. They had now met
BY accident. and stopped to exchange
such few words of constrained civility as
people are wont TO utter, who, while they
entertain for each other secret dislike.
are still willing to avoid an open quarrel
Bu! the department of Waldon was mark.
ed with sort Of obsequiousness to his
companion, which mi ght have indicated
10 one less suspicious than Dudley some
sinister design.
Stirring times are these" he said
glancing at his weapon after moments
pause in conversation--"It does. indeed 4"
replied Dudley. II hope there'have been
no new massacres committed.
81 don't know exactly about naa8sa
eres." said Waldon. emphasizing the
word: Indians have their way of fight
ing and we, have ours. But there certain.
iy pas a night attack made at Shells
Busli night before last, and houses burnt.
lives lost. and prisoners taken as usual"
This is fearful intelligence. Mr.. Wal
ten and. what is worse, we know not at
wha, hour the bolt may fall upon us
You will. of course, join the Life Guard
which we are organizing.
Il intend to join quite different ser.
vice. assure you." said Waldon, land
che in which a little more honor and
prof. can be gained than in guarding a
few old women and their spinning wheels.
Col, st. Leger is now on his approach to
Fort Stanwix. and under his banner. |
shall enlist without delay. Nay, hear
me-" he said, as the whitening scorn
which had gathered on the face OF his
companion indicated scathing rebuke,
st. Leger will reduce Fos, Stsnwix in
thrse days. With the aid of the loyalis,s
in this country, the rebellion in this sec
ton is sure to be Immediately quelIed, /
with little or no bloodshed Intelligence
from the south and east is equally favora-
tle TO the royal cause. If, therefore. you