Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-08-13
WING AND TORY.
A True Story OF tho RsvoInt;o

True Story Of the Revolution.
1t was chilly, dreary afternoon in Novem-
Der, and the winds whistled about the little
cottage where the remnant of Colonel Harper,s
scattered family drew around the hearth, from
which the blazing firelogs sent forth unwonted
cheeriulness. 1t was long since Madam Har-
per and the fair Mary had seen so happy an
hour. Never since the news came that the
stalwart man to whom they looked for protec
tion, to whom they clung with mingled love
and reverence, had been barborously murder
ed at the close of a disastrous skirmish with
the royalists on the Santec. The family had
some time before this sad event removed from
their plantation on the river to a small estate
In the more remote interior, where they would
be less exposed to the malice of their enemies
to whom the name of the Harpers was sufi-
clently obnoxious. And when their prime
stay was thus torn from them, the widow and
orphan felt doubly desolate in their solitude.
But young Master Frank was now at home
for short space, recruiting from the effects
OF a severe wound received in one of the re-
cent battles. He had come with the glad til
dings of victory; and promotion, well de-
served, was made more grateful by the special
commentator of his general. So the genial
spirits of the soldier communicated themselves
to all around him. the mother and sister smil-
ed at his camp jests, and were never weary of
listening to his stories of martial adventure
Old Caaar and Dinah also came in for their
share of social enjoyment and the few sables
which the little establishment still retained
participated in the common happiness, now
that, to use their words, sEMass' Frank
come home real Congress cap'n.' Notwith-
standing the outer dreariness Of chill No
vember afternoon, ,all was pleasant within doors.
As a fresh blast made the fastenings of the
shutter rattle, Captain Frank would hitch his
seat nearer TO the fire.
"Ah, my dears,'' he would say, .swould
not like that Marion and his soldiers could be
sheltered this night as well as l shall be But
dare say that the General is at this very mo-
ment, making bivouac at the foot of some oak
or hickory-may-be at the edge of a swamp,
or impenetrable mountain jungle. Eh, and
even our friend Castor, Miss Mary, may very
probably lodge this night on 'the cold, cold
ground the roundelay has it.''
'sAnd if it be so,'' replied the black eyed
nor will Charles CASTOR be the first to COM
plain.''
ssHo, no, my lady," rejoined Frank, laugh
ingly, spray take offence at my remark
meant no insinuation against the young gen
tlcman's hardihood. 1 am well aware that if
he should suffer serious injury, there is GER
tain warm hearted relative of mine who would
be much more ready to complain than he
would be himself. But, then, don't seek to
retaliate Twill give you the honors of the
field, and retire from the contest at once. BY
the way, has anything been heard lately of that
rascaIly neghbor of ours, that once was, Tom
Dashwood ~
ssIush, Frank - exclaimed his mother, with
an involuntary uplifting of her finger; while
Mary, with evident discomposure, murmured
something about affairs in the kitchen, and
hurried out.
Frank stared at his mother in surprise.
"What means all this agitation 7'' he inqui-
red. 81 have only asked simple question,
which methinks scarce demands such emotion
from either you or Mary. Iknow that the fell
low once pretended some uncouth attentions
to her, but what of that ~
nYou mistake, Frank replied MS mother.
..It must be, then, that you are ignorant of
what we have lately heard of this mans villai-
ny. You know not, then, that he is thought
TO have been the cause of your fathers deathE''
@Good Heaven 7-rol 1t is the first intl-
nation of the sort that have had But how'
s'You are doubtless aware" answered. MS
mother, ssthat the Dashwoods never bore a
good reputation for honesty in their dealings
Some years since this Thomas Dashwood was
implicated in fraudulent conveyance oi es-
tate; and your father was employed as ma
gistrate in ferreting out and Furnishing the
crime. 1t was just about this time, also, that
Eastwood received a rebuff in his rather oo-
trusiSe attentions 70 Mary. In the law busi-
ness, he succeeded in getting quite clear, as