Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-11-03
MISCELLANY.
LOYALTY OF LOVE.
A Tale of the First Families ofvirsinia.


BY BENZ. PERLEY PooRE.
In the Autumn of 1914 the present site Of
Richmond was divided into two plantations, be-
longing to Colonel Byrd and Nathaniel Bacon,
the mansion Of the latter standing upon what is
now called Shockoe's Hill 1t was ono of
those fine old mansions patterned after the ba-
ronial halls Of Old England, and since une-
qualled upon this Continent A spacious hall,
decked with portraits, large parlors with fur
niture Of carved oak, dining hall where bat
tallion could banquet, and library with bow
window commanding prospect of picturesque
maguifcence, especially when Autumn had
touched the foliage with his magic pencil
The bright scarlet Of the maple, the deep Grim
son Of the dogwood, the mellow brown of the
ASH and the lively yellow Of the chestnut, con-
trasted strikingy with the deep evergreen. Of
the cedar, pine and hemlock, Scattered through
the forests. Below, the river foamed over its
rocky bed, to sp.ead ou, into a lake-like sheet,
and was dotted with small islands, whuse shad-
ows reached far down into the earth-inted tide.
Nathaniel Bacon, the master Of the estab-
lishment, was hale and handsome man, with
thick black mustache, clear black eyes, and
horid complexion Educated in England dur
ing the convulsive struggles between the throne
and the parliament, he believed that popular
rights was equal, at least, TO royal sway. Not
SO his sis,sr Henrietta, who had passed win
ter with the Governors family at jamestown,
where she had learned TO reverence "the right
divine Of her sovereign" Her age at this
time was about eighteen, and although her form
was not what the vouptuary would have called
perfect or her face one that sculptor would
have selected as model, yet there was win
ming expression in her eyes, and grace in
her movements that enabled her to charm all
who knew her.
At the time when onr story commences she
had Just opened letter, from which printed
packet fell to the floor.
"Here, brother Nathaniel" said she, sis
one of His Excellency's letters to the privy
council, sent back in good London print. Will
yon read III"
Bacon took the document, but as he read il
flush came over his cheek. At length he ex-
claimed 10 an angry tone
"Hear how Governor Berkeley closes his ac-
count Of us ="
"'I thank God there are no free schools nor
printing, and hope we shall not have them
these hundred years; for learning has brought
disobedience, and heresy, and sects into the
world, and printing has divulged them, and IL
bells against the best government; God keep
US from both
Excellent, declare |" said the fair loyal
ist.
Excellent! Do you call that excellent,
girl Why, have half a mind to sell my
plantation and remove to the north"
'Ah, brother Nat, you would have your
nose frozen off; even if you only go among
the Manhattan Dutchmen, and"
Here the laughing girl was interrupted by
the entrance of stranger, who presented a
letter 10 Mr.. Bacon. Glsncing at the exterior,
he introduced the new conner to his sister as
Mr.. Rupert Wyihley of Accomac, and break
ing the seal read the contents.
81 am happy to see YOU" said he, when he
had pursued the epistle, "and regret much to
hear Of the course Of the governor in disband-
ing the volunteers. Can il be possible that at
the time, when the yell of the savage resonnds
through our woods, virginians must retire to
their plantations, there to remain until they
are scalpedi 7"
"Ah, am glad to hear you talk So" re-
piled Rupert Wyihley, ''for have come ex-
pressly to request your acceptance of the com
mission Of general. Here his, signed by over
five hundred as brave men as there are on this
continent"
"You surely are not asking my brother Ia
take up arms against Governor Berkeley 3 will!'
said Henrietta, with smile
may, Miss; but the country is in danger