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

L
single ring bearing gcmsof the first wa
ter, was of Observation-Disclosures
Dora had net fingered long over tn
| trifle on whichshe was sewing, when sh
cast it aside with a sigh, blew out he
lamp, .glided across the apartment, anC
throwing open the easement, stood upol
the balcony on the front of the mansion
There, leaning upon the slender railing
which encompassed it, with her cheel
upon her palm, she looked abroad upor
the dim landing which spread out before
her.
All was now peaceful and serene
The howling storm, which had lowered
above but jew hours before with wing.
of appalling blackness, had passed away
with all his host of sulphurous clouds
and the bright stars were shining calm.
ly in the sky while the bright moon
rapidly ascending the eastern horizon,
poured down mellow flood of light up
on foret and field, making the rain drops
upon each blade and leaf to glisten like
FURNISHED silver.
The prospect before the maiden was
beautiful indeed. The house, which was
situated upon a gentle sloping hill, COM
manded fine view of the surrounding
country, and on every side, but one, lay
extended fields with nothing to impede
the view. To the left of the avenue,
which led off directly from the noble
mansion, was an uncltivated forest,
which extended to the east and the north
as far as the eye. could reach, where the
pine and the oak mingled their foliage
together, and where many a gentle
stream purdled on over snowy sands un-
der the impenetrable shade. The land
scape that spread out before the maiden
was quiet and lovely. a flood of yellow
light rested upon the broad scene, and
was reflected back from field and forest
in soft lights and shadows.
It was one of those calm and glorious
nights of oriental brightness when every
sound is still, and every voice hushed to
repose-whenthe beauty of Eden seems
to revisit the earth, and Danish for sea-
son its correding cause and consuming
sorrows.
Dora had heart to feel all the beauty
of the hour. The poetry of love was
with her, and her thoughts were away
n,
who had been content to turn away even
from her and undergo the tolls and pri-
vations of the camp for the noble cause
of Independence. She loved him with
that generous and uncaleulating devo-
tion, that in one of her temperament and
blood amounted almost to idolatry.-
Though meeting but rarely, and lately
only by stealth, yet his image was contin-
ally present to her mind.
Of late there had been many causes
at work to diminish the peace and hap
piness of the maiden. The country was
overrun by prowiing bands of tories,
and nowhere Throughout the whole
State was there's band of patriots suffi-
ciently formidable to stand against the
invader, or to appear openly in arms
The body under Marion, which still
refused to disband, could scarcely be
called an exception to this rule; for
pent up in the fastness Of the swamp, it
lay hidden, from the enemy, while it's
locality was mistery even to the most
patriots of his own party.
AS the maiden leaned oFer the bal
the full light of the moon shin
ing down softly upon her beautiful fig
1re, that seemed still more voluptuous
Is she stood exposed to the influence of
hat bewitehing light that softens even
The downy cheek of beauty, and gives
perfection to its loveliHess, one might
almost observe the tear-drops flashing
lcross her bright eyes, while she mused
Hone on her young hopes, the fruition
If which seemed yet 80 distant. Around
her, through the whole land, the foot
If the invader trod triumphantly upon
he soil, and even the most hopeful of
he patriots began to tremble at the
prospect of subjugation. Well did she
now the fate that awaited her lover
hould the invader finally triumph over
PROSTATE country. Her hopes would
hen be but delusiye dream, and her
cart, widowed in its affection, break
nth its burden, or beat on through
ad existence, maddened by its bereave-
nent.
Besides these anticipations of evils,
s yet distant and only conjectural, there
1ere moro immediats- causes of anxiety |
md annoyance which harrassed her
,eace, and were fruitful of much un-
asiness and distress, from which she de-
ermined to free herself, even though it
loqld be necessary to resort to the most
neygetic measures. Her home had of
ate been frequently visited by the lead
rs of the oyalists-mostly, if not al
ogesher, men of abandoned characters |
nd dissolute habits-who could now
nth impunity venture abroad, and bold
y, too in country where there was no
over to keep them in wholesome are,
nd more than one OF these military
had cast glaDces of admira-
ion and coyetous expectations upon the |
ich heiress of Sumter,
Foremost among these, and espeei- |
lily detested by Dora, was the tory
eader Harrison, who regarded her as a
rise well won by his unscrupulous de-
otion to the cause of the mother eoun-
Y. Patiently had he borne her indig-
ant contempt, her withering scorn and |
er freely manifested detestation of his
in the presumptuous hope that
le final hour of triumph would wiring
ON her however reluctantly, consent
wed him. He had become frequent
lest at her fathers house, who courted
lie society of the bloody and wicked
an whom his more courageous daugh-
II abhorred,
The gentle Dora was leaning over the
llustrade and musing upon the mourn
circumstances that darkened the sum
line of her happiness and bitter were
II meditations as she called to mind
IF unfriended and desolate situation
nee she stood isolated from the world
d with scarcely one friend to whom she