Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-10-26
miscellaneous
MICHAEL ALLSGOT.
4pt rt F-oR-
THE SHOT IN TIME.
A STORY OF MARIoN's MEN.
~ ies sdl HNG-
.tT B1fj, w. IRWIN.
CHAPTER I.
.'Orr fortressis the good green wood,
Our tent the cypress tree;
Ne know the forest round us, .
z As seAmen know the sea-" E

d. W " AuOH VIC iOTcSt
~ m AZ ssamen know the sea-" 'cl
"Neyer fear for me, captain !'' was the light
aud careless reply Of Michael Allscot, as he
relned in for q moment his noble siee1 on the
banks or the Black River, few miles below
the spot where Kingstree now stands, for o
parting word with his companion
"Neyer fear for me; fortnight among my
old friends, and will return TO our camp
in the green wood safe, sound, and ready for
duty. True, it is rather'an ugly time for q
rebel like myseif-as the epauletted minions
OF King George call fne-to enture out OF our
fairness in the swamp. The craven hearted
tories are swsrming through the country, and
that hsi 5lowwe struck them at Black Mingo
hss by nc means sppeased their rage; but il .
strong arm, c,utious head AMI bold heart,
can accomplish aught, trust me 10 come out
safelyp
mike. I know you too WE'LL" replied his
cointade in gay tone, "you are the greatest
daredevil in the brigade. Trust you? On
my life, would os lief trust calow goSling
70 make its way in the world without the sage
watchfnlness Of mother goose. L give you
up Mike, 10 yot: manifest destiny, and will
report otihe camp in due time that YOU have
been swung up in the usual style by the ras-
cally tories" ar 81.
.h"Weil, be II so, captain, since you will"
responded Mike laughing, "but pray God il
be in any other than the usual style. have
exceedingly nice sensibilities, and trust | may
not, like poor Calvert, and many others Of our
comrades, be hung npon rough grape vine.
trust, however, TO fall into gentler hands
than those o! the tories"
"Well Mike" responded Captain ConyerS,
his commander aud friend, al am 10th 10 lose
20 active lieutenant; but since you willven
ture your neck into danger, the fair face and
bright eyes ofDors Singleton defend youp'
"Amen - responded Michael lightly.
"What would not give" he continued in
yfsver tone, t'to see the end Of this bloody
ani hsrrassing wsr! Were you ever in love,
eeapia ain y he askedin lighter tone.
q Michael, but the grave is between us
low, answered Conyers, in grave and sad
dened tone, while a cloud came over his brow,
V"Two short yenrsaof welded happiness, spen
mostly in the priyations and hordships of thu
camp. with brief and stolen interviews will
one, of. the loveliest and best Of her sex, and
swasieft aicns, sheDrtiess, hopeless, and com.
fortless as now. You have known me long
Nike, you have lain by my side in the Bivou
nc, and gone shoulder to shoulder with me in
the charge, but you little know what wasting
and consuming thoughts go with me wherevel
Igo., You know me loo well to doubt m,
courage or my honor, yet there have been mo.
ments when would have bartered away all
N, even the hope Of my country's lndepen.
dence--for peace, and the blessings olmy owr
loved freside. 1t is a painful, ay, 1t is a he ar
rendins sacrifice, to turn away as have from
the domestic hearth, hallowed and endearet
by fond and almost sacred associations, ant
undergo the tolls and pfiyations Of the camp
and endure, the pangs of absence, with tht
hope OF making our country free. God gran
that those who come after us may faithfully
defend that lnespendence which is bought a
tbe price OF blood and tears. You know no
yet, Mike-none bnt those who are weddeC
can know-ihe rapture Of meeting after lonl
absence; mol. can you know how bitter it is Il
turn away from the fair face OF a loving wife
and undergo the agony of long senaration
perhaps an everlasting one.
The last time I visited my home, oh! bow
the memory OF il clings to me now The yer,
sunlight as il came down from heaven seemet
10 fal around my homestead with soferigb
than elsewhere. My life was like dreamo
boy-hood realized. Butthe summons came Il
part, and more reluctantly than ever tort
myself away. Sad and gloomy presentinent'
filled the heorts OF both Of US. Alas! we me-
no more on earth! Three months from tha
time, having soliciteda fnrlough, sped home
ward, with joyful anticipations. found m!
house in ashes, my children motherlesS, my
fond, my gentle wife slept the long sleep tina
knows no waking! Diiven from her burn
ing house on a cold night OF ram and winter
afler having given biIih to my youngest child
she was seized with fever that carried her tc
the grave. She died-diel calling upon my
naine-died clinging TO the last to hope thai
would yet stand besice her and hear her las
prayer and close her eyes in peace. l fount
my childfen-ioo young to know their loss
houseless dependents upon the charity o.
strangers, Think you that can forgive these
wrongs-or that they can be blotted from ny
brain, or cease TO burn or rankle in my heart
Think you that wife so kind, so gentle
whose ioye was The world in wlich | 3sllght
ed to Dwell. can SO soon be forgotten? Al
God hears me, will not rest until my swort
tsTet with the blood OF her destroyer"
Never before had Allscot seen Conyers 81
Completely mastered by fierce and vindicliv,
passions. His bosom heaved with tumultuou
emotions. and his face became livid with rage
while his dark eye gle'me6 like diamond
Ills voice greW;hosrse and hollow, and his III
isfance wes ehoked by the eagerness will
Which be painted for vengeance. Allscot look
90 upon him with sentiments approaching t
awe while the storm Of passion shook his franz
and hxed is impress upon his features
y Ordinarily as playful in temper as child
end ot agay and cheerful disposition that ap
ptoximated to levity, one would scarcely hay,
drepmed,that beneath 90 quiet and gentle al
exterior, theFe slumbered r,leep and volcani
passions. Usually, his featnres wore on al
mort feminine softness and gentleness of Ok
piession. Even in the wildand bloody melee
where the most inhuman passions are cale
into exercise, his ifes:1fes bore no, trace @
cruel or yiDdictiye feelings. His dark, bold
lnstfsus eyes, fringed by long sheltering lash
20, might indeed fash with somewhat inien
ser light iufull view Of the conhict, but hi
finely chiseled features were rs inexpressiv
offerobIiy, and % nnmoved BY angry emotions
asthe calm marble fresh from the hands ofth
Captain James conyers, to whose cor1pai
ofdFneoons Michael Allscot was attached, wa
pns of that band Of psttisan leaders BY who's
skill eneFg,, !, and invineible frmnese, tn