Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-09-22
sclrtt Gale.
LOYALTY OR LOVE.
A Tale of the first Families of Virginia

u ldle VI lne urSt fumllleS OF virginia.
In the autumn of 1914 the present site of
Richmond was divided into two plantations.
belonging to Colonel Byrd and Nathaniel
Bacon, the mansion Of the latter standing
upon what is now called Shockoe's Hill. 1t
was one of those fine old mansions patterned
after the baronial halls of Old England, and
since unequalled upon this continent. a
spacious hall, decked with portraits, large
parlors with furniture Of carved oak, dining
hall where Il battalion conld banquet, and
library with bow window commanding a
prospect OF picturesque magnifcence, es-
pecially when autumn had touched the foil
age with his magic pencil. The bright scar.
let of the maple, the deep crimson Of the
dogwood, the mellow brown Of the ash, and
the lively yellow of the chestnut contrasted
strikingiy with the deep evergreen of the
cedar. pine and hemlock scattered through
the forests. Below, the river foamed over
It's rocky bed. to spread into lukc-lke sheet
and was dotted with small islands, whose
shadows reach far down into the earth-tinted
tide.
Nathaniel Bacon, the master Of the estab-
lishment, was a hale and handsome man, with
thick black moustache, clear black eyes
and a forid complexion. Educated in Eng
land during the convulsive struggles between
the throne and the parliament, he believed
that popular rights were equal at least to
royal sway. Not so his sister Henrietta, who
had passed winter with the Governors
family at jamestown, where she had learned
to reverence the right divine" of her sover-
eign. Her are at this time was about eigh-
teen, and although her form was not what
the voluptuary would have called perfect, or
her face one that sculptor would have Sc
lccted as a model, yet there was winning
expression in her eyes aud grace in her
movements that enabled her to charm all
who knew her.
At the time when our story commences she
had just opened letter, from which prin-
ted packet fell to the floor.
"Here, brother Nat" said she, sis one of
His EXcellency's letters to the privy council,
sent back in good London print. Will you
read it ?"
Bacon took the document, but as he read
it flush came over his cheek At length
he exclaimed in angry tones
Hear how Governor Berkley closes his
account of u.s."
81 thank God there are no free schools
nor printing, and hope we shall not have,
these hundred years for learning has brought
disobedience and heresy, and s. cts into the
world, and printing has divulged them and
libels against the best government God
keep us from both y"
"Excellent declare !" said the fair loyal
list.
Excellent Do YOU call that excellent,
girl =? Why. have half 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 a stranger, who presented u
letter to Mr. Bacon. CHANGING at the exte-
rior, he introduced the new conner to his
sister as Mr.. Rupert Wythely, of Accomac
and breaking the seal read the contents.
| 81 am happy to see you" said he, "wher
he had perused the epistle, "und regret much
to hear of the course of the governor in dis
banding the volunteers. Can it be possible
that at this time, when the yell of the savage
resounds through our woods, Virginian!
must retire to their plantations, there to re
main until they are scalped 2"
"Ahl l am glad to hear you talk So" re
Piled Rupert Wythely, "ior have come ex
pressly to request your acceptance of thu
commission Of general. Here it is, signed
by over five hundred as brave men as ther
is on this continent"
"You surely are not asking my brother L
take up arms against Governor Berkley'
will p said Henrietta, with smile.
"Nay, miss but the country is in danger,
said the young man, who had already begu
to admire the fair Henrietta.
] ut is . grave question" remarked Nj