The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-02-07
Clara Leland.

Clara Leland.
"Yo our excellency, Dave Watson and hi
tory gang have burned Mr.. Leland's dwelEn
and carried himself and family away as cap
tivesn' sE
Such were the startling words of a rough
4 uncouth countrymen, as he rushed past til
sentinel stationed at the entrance, into the pri
vate apartmento Of general Putnam, who at tha
time was in command of portion of the Ame
rlcan army.
! The person who had made so unceremoniou
an entrance, had evidently come in the great
est Of haste as the perspiration was streaming
\ Eprofusely from him, and his BREATHING seemed
short and difficult. Drawing soiled and wei
worn cotton handkerchief from his pocket, he
proceeded to wipe off the enormous Quantity O
sweat that had collected upon his face, and this
done he seated himself in chair standing near
At his words, the person whom he addressed
leaped to his feet, and in voice that attested
the interest that he took in what was beino rela.
ted, exclaimed: Ts
Dave Watson, again! when did this take
placer" :4 3.
.'Last night, sir.''
"And you offered no resistance?''
/ I'VE did, but the villains were too numerous
Tor us Williams, Parker, myself, and number
OF others arrived just as they were securing
their captlves, but they hadten men to our one.
and resistance proved unavailing.''
Confusion to them! can we never rid the
country of this nest Of tories? Where is lieut..
Milton, methinks he has the right to protect the
fair Clara, for ifreport speaks the truth, he is
| the favored one" aG5s aasrar --5 s-..,..a-s.
"Sentinel!'' he'd ssss,..-.
"Your pleasure, sir?'
"Go call lieutenant Milton. Tell him nv
business is urgent" sa,t 1s# ~
Bowing respectfully, the guard withdrew
upon his errand, and while he is gone, we will
describe little more minutely the person he is
in quest Of
Ralph Milton was young lieutenant in the
American army, he had entered as private
soldier, but his well timed bravery during bat
tie had raised him in the estimation of his su-
perlors, and at the time Of which we write, he
was enjoying the fullest confidence Of his com
mander. General Putnam was correct in his
suppostion of the young lieutenant being the
favored one, for Clara Leland, had promised to
bestow her hand on the young soldier, as soon
as the great contest should terminate, and both
were waiting patiently for the time to come that
would render them both happy for life But
everything looked discouraging, for since the
defeat of the American forces at Brandywine. a
settled gloom pervaded the hearts of the Amer
lean people. And this could not be wondered
at, for besides reinforcements arriving to sue
cor their enemies, their own country people
were turning against them, and seeking the
royal protection by hundreds This was the
state of affairs at the time of our sketch. -#
Ere long the sentinel reentered the room fol-
lowed by young man of about twenty-five
years of age. His features were regular in
their outline, and would convey to the stran-
gers mind an idea of the nobeness of nature
which their owner possessed. He was dressed
IN the uniform of an American officer, and as
he entered, he bowed respectfully to his supe-
rior in command, and removing his hat, stood
awaiting the pleasure of his general. ag
"Lieutenant Milton, have mission for you
to execute, and if report is to be credited you
willnot find it an unpleasant one. I have Just
learned from our friend here, that the notorious
tory leader, Dave Watson, has been executing
some of his cowardly work upon the person
and property of a man whom, if mistake not,
you would be anxious to shield from harm. Ac-
cording to the statement, Watson with about
fifty of his gang proceeded to the dwelling of
Mr.. Leland, fired the house and carried the old
gentleman with his wife and daughter away to
some of their secret hidings. Now what wish
of you is to rescue our old friend, even if you
follow this fend in human shape to the end of
the earth. Now l do not doubt your skill in
this matter, but be cautious, for one false step
you may need, and proceed upon your work as
soon as you please 5.
The young leutenant's features paled quick
]y as the starting words fell upon his ear, and
turning to the messenger, who was looking on
with puzzled air, he exclaimed s"-.s
"Did you notice the direction the party
took?"
eyes sir, to the northward, towards the
river #5 IT.. |
ssThey should have been followed
''That was impossible, as they were mounted
on the best of steeds, while we were on foot"
1t did not take long for our hero to arrange
his plans, and with speed that showed him to
De no novice in the matter he had undertaken,
ne had about thirty picked men well armed and
mounted ready for the pursuit.
'How many did you say there were of
HEMP" questioned Ralph Milton of his stran-
ger guide. t .&
Fifty, or there -abouts," was the answer.
'Oh never mind the small difference in num-
oer?" broke in an old trooper Zone good
vhig is match for six tories, make the best of
hem.''5 &@ 5am- "E # 2@
And with laugh at the old soldiers jest the
'arty moved towards the spot designated by
he messenger. And while the little band of
,atriots are on their mission of kindness, we
viii speak of matter which the reader has as
et had but an occasional allusion. 8
Richard Leland was gentleman rather
ast the prime of life, but by years of toll he
ad secured a home for himself and family,
nd was hoping to pass the remainder Of his
fe in comparative ease, since lie had laid by
roperty enough to live without being obliged
olabor for his maintenance. In the beginning
f the trouble between the mother country and
le colonies, he had readily espoused the cause .
+ the patriots, and although his. advanced age
5ould deter him from doing as efficient SER
ice for his country as others of his eolaborers,
e was at heart friendly with the colonists- -and
,any time had patriot fugitive, fleeing '
ON the kings soldiers sought refuge beneath T