Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-07-19
G9e storp GelItr /,
THE YOUNG REBEL.
A Tale of the Carolinas.
BY ]. N. SANDERS.
BY ]. N. SANDERS.


an only son. The face Of the father appeared
troubled; at times he looked thoughtfully to
the floor, and then he would gaze long and
wistfully at his son, fine, manly youth of
twenty At length he said:
David, this is disastrous news from Cam
den. God knows what will become of the
country now! Congress needs every arm that
is capable; ah, me wish this old wound /
got ia the French war had not lamed me but
for it, l should now be shouldering my musket
and marching to defend my country"
Both son and wife looked up at these words.
The old lady ceased knitting and looked in
quiringly at her boy, and it was evident from
the expression her face, that patriotism and
motherly affection were at variance in her bo-
som. The son, however, after encountering
his fathers eye for a moment, turned con-
fusedly away The old mans brow darkened,
and he exclaimed warmly:
David, why do you linger about the village
when your country needs your services SO
much! Why, my son, am ashamed of you.
Twice before this have spoken 10 you on this
subject, but you appear 10 have no spirit =
What will you see us trampled upon by the
brutal mercenaries of Britain, and still lie here
supinely! For shame, David, for shame!
will not call you my son. Long since you
ought to have been in the army
Joshua Joshua! ! interposed the old
mother, David is but youth then do not
speak so harshly TO him. He cannot yet feel
what you feel, who have fought so often against
yeur country's enemy. Joshua, he is but
boy.
A boy, indeed, Deborah such boys as
David have already gained imperishable lau-
rels since the war commenced. could name
host of them why, were it not for the boys
os this land where would be our army, which,
| dare say, is one quarter composed of boys of
David's age.'
The old man was excited, and it was the
first unkind word he had ever used to his boy.
David rose and left the house. He walked
\ some distance, apparently in deep thought.
what will not woman do!' he at last
muttered. Here have been lingering AB6ut
the village when should have been off long
ago. And for what why, to meet pretty
girl, and TO listen to her musical voice but
now | will be myself again What did he
call met was it not oo,cdrdi Now. by
Heavens, will teach him that he has son
who possesses the spirit of his father. Away,
then, with love, for feel that am called
upon to act, no longer dream! Ere another
Hose my life in striving for it, And with
this resolution he turned about and retracted
his steps.
When he reached home he sought the sta
BILE, saddled his horse, and mounting him
struck into galIop, which continued for sew
eral miles. At length he stopped and looked
up at the windows of farm house, half hid
between clustering trees. This was the resi-
dence of Mary Bunker, the mistress of his
heart; the lights showed that the family had
not retired, and he resolved TO pay her a visit
before his departure.
She was alone when he entered, and few
words made her acquainted with his determi-
nation. She burst into tears.
Nay, Mary he said, you must not un-
man me. At first l resolved to leave you
without farewell, for knew how much you
dreaded my taking an active part in this strug
gle But could not be so cruel as TO desert
YOU without word
Il will compose myself, said the fair girl,
with an effort TO smile { l know | have been
wrong to persuade you to stay, but you cannot
imagine the anxiety feel on account of my
brothers, ah6f could not bear to have you en-
counter their danger. But since this dreadful
defeat at Camden, feel that every man is
wanted for our country. Go, then, dearest,
and may God be with you. My prayers shall
attend you night and day.
David pressed the now weeping girl to his
bosom, snatched hasty kiss at the sound of
approaching footsteps, wrung her hand and
was gone.
The next day he left the neighborhood of
his fathers house, armed with musket and
mounted on sturdy horse His destination
was the American camp, then far northward !;
but as the intervening country was filled with
the enemy, he knew there would be considera-
BILE address required to effect his purpose
Before his departure he saw few Of his old
Playmates, who promised to follow him soon
as possible.
Night found him near lonely farm house,
to which he proceeded boldly, in pursuit of a
lodging. At first the occupant received him
coldly, but a chance expression convincing
David that his host was tory, he affected the
same political creed, and was Immediately
warmly welcomed. The royalist produced
his cider after supper, and insisted that David
should join him in his potations; this the
young man did, taking care, however, not to
indulge too freely, while the farmer, over
joyed to find what he supposed to be a new
recruit for his party, drank with out stint, and
became more and more communicative. To
his horror, David soon learned that party of
royalists, led by Major Wilson, celebrated for
his toryism and ruthlessness, were to start
early on the ensuing day on an expedition to
seize and hang the two Bunkers. who had