The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-12-26
THE HERO WOMAN.
BY GEORGE LIPPARD.

u
been erected in the early days of William
Penn, perhaps some years before the great
apostle Of pence first trod our shores--as
block house, intended for defence against the
Indians.
And now il stood, with its many roofs, its
numerous chimney, its massive square win
dows, its varied from. of logs and stones, its
encircling wall, through which admitiance
was gained by q large and stoutly'built gate;
it stood in the midst Of the wood with age
worn trees enclosing its veteran outline on
every side.
From its western window you might obtain
a glimpse of the Schuylkill waves, while a
large easement in the Southern front CON-
manded view tie winding road as it sunk
out of view, under the shade Of thicky-clus
tering boughs, into deep hollow, not more
than one hundred yards from the mansions.
Here, from the southern easement, on one
of those balmy Summer days which look in
upon the dreary Autumn, toward the close of
November, farmers daughter was gazing
with diating eyes and half clasped hands.
Well might she gaze earnestly to the south,
and listen with painful intensity for the
slightest sound! Her brothers were away
with Washington, and her father, grim old
veteran-he stood six feet and three inches in
his stockings-who had manifested his love
for the red coat invaders in many desperate
contest, had that morning left her alone In
this small chamber, in charge of some ammu
milton intended for band Of brave farmers
about to join the host Of freedom. Even MS
she stood there, gazing out of the southern
window, faint glimpse of sunlight from the
faded leaves above pouring over her mild face,
shaded by'clustering brown hair-there, not
ten paces from her side, were seven loaded
rifles and keg of powder.
Leaning from the easement, she listened
with every nerve quivefing with suspense to
the shouts of eombatants, the hurried tread of
armed men echoing from the South.
There was something very beautiful in that
picture! /! The form of the young girl, framed
by the square MASSIVE window-tho contrast
between the rough timbcrs that inclosed her
und that rounded face, the lps parting, the
hazel eve diating, and the cheek warming
and flushing with hope and fear; there was
something very beautiful in that picture, a
young girl leaning from the window of an old
mansion with her brown hair waving in CLOS.
sy masses around her face!
Suddenly the shouts to the south grew
nearer, and then, emerging from the deep
hollow, there came an old man, running at
full speed, yet every few PAGES turning round
to fire the rifle, which he loaded us he ram
He was pursued by party of ten or more
British soldiers, who came rushing on, with
bayonets fixed, as ii to strike their victim
down ere he advanced ten PAGES nearer the
house. h
On and on the old man came, while his
daughter, quvering with suspense. hung lean
ing from the window; he reaches the block
house gate-look! He is surrounded-their
muskets are leveled. at his head; he is down,
down Mt their feet, grabbing for life But
look again He dashes his foes aside-with
one bold movement he springs through the
gate; an instant it is locked. The British SOL
diers, mad with rage, gaze upon the high wall
of logs and stone, and vent their anger in
drunken curses.
Now look to yonder window! Where the
young girl stood moment ago, quivering
with suspense, as she beheld her father strug-
Cling for his life, now stands the old man
himself his brow barred, his arm grasping the
rifle, while his gray hairs wave back from his
wrinkled and blood dabbed face That was
a fine picture of an old veteran, nerved for his
last fght-a stout warrior preparing for his
death struggle.
IL. ~, WV o'u n'""'
among the British solders-tricked, foied,
cheated them too often to escape now! A few
moments longer and they would be re in
forced by q strong party Of refugees The
Powu.,' 'ne arms ~ 'ne o'ooN 'house-Per-
""ps w urs'e. TL no'sonI W '.e'
oIS ,u.n amS Su uo, "Ia 70 ',ouy S",; aVpe nor "e
S'u n,""' enu ye' "o ue'e'ii'neu W hi"he
ueSPv'"o sPv1 nsuu, >,
.;,. mus' o'uh oh 'nese 'aso''e ne M sa'u,
wnn n 'n 'n,,e' 'Irn'us " MS si"u; wow
pess NY s"', Wnen h'o .h's ,;ne w yvu
nana ,n lie ano'he.' ana 80 % on un,,' 'he whoIe
e.s.. Sno.s "e n'er ina' WI NeeP 'nel
On ..e o'hei sue y, the wan ,,, ~, ie~ 'no
aien'' Nv 'eas'' "nu ~, ,,e" VIZ nave W "'''
10 uou 'oI 'he rest!
LOON aown tne,e nno see, ,c, u n"nu s'ea,'ng
over we euse oI .he .. wan. l"e o.u ,ila'' ,ey'
e's n's P'ece-,ha' D,'''sh trooper '"''s oueh
WIN u crushed mana upon HIS co"raoeS
neaas. -.
no longer quSerlng WIN suspense, ous
suuaen.y grown ,rn' laa' young -" pa'st'
'oauou ',i'' .......e my " "o . sp' ""N
'ensy a"a's - .ne res9' rs, =; allan, ho,ou. nj,
ror hoinen' "'i 70 s"eut t'.. oe,o"; s.e LII LII
,sh braves are somewha, nota VI '""' wan,
~hen STOUT o'a heoe,, l,ne III r.a nahI' 10
looking IRON yohuer w,naum, ,no, i"e'I en,,is 70
pause; low oeep mu''nu''' '"ey "'e "o'u'"s "
council. IL,
moment Is gohe, anu mus neaus "re
.nrus. anoye ,ne e ~a' Id u",a,o us i.s Uns