The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-02-27
The Loyalty of Love.

8 Il AA1llsAJA AAlO - - NJ
The Loyalty of Love.
In the autumn of 1914, the present site of
Richmond was divided into two plantations, be-
longing to col. Byrd and Nathaniel Bacon, the
mansion ofthe latter standing Upon what is now
called Shockoe's hill 1twas one of those fine
mansions patterned after the baronial halls of
Old England, and since unequalled on this con-
tinent A spacious hail. decorated with por-
traits, large parors with furniture of carved
oak, dining hall, where battalion could ban
quet, and library with a bow window COM
tnanding prospect picturesque magni6cence,
especially when autumn had touched the foliage
with his magic pencil. The bright scarlet of
the maple, the deep crimson Of the dogwood,
the mellow boughs Of the ash, and the lively
yellow of the chestnut, contrastcd strlklngly
with the deep evergreen of the cedar, pine, and
hemlock, scattered over the forests. Below,
the river foamed over its rocky bed to spread
into lake like sheet, and was dotted with small
islands, whose shadows reached far down into
the earthtinted tide.
Nathaniel Bacon, the master Of this estab-
lishment, was a hale and handsome man, with
moustache, clear black eyes, and a florid com
plexion Educated in England, during the con-
yulsive struggles between the throne and par
lament, he believed that popular rights were
equal to royal sway. Not SO with his sister
Henrietta, who had passed winter with the
governors family at jamestown, where she
learned to reverence the fright divine" of her
sovereign. Her age at that time was about
eighteen, and although her form was not what
the yoluptuary would have called perfect, or
her face one that a sculptor would have chosen
as a model, yet there was a winning expression
in her eyes, and grace in her movements that
enabled her to charm all who knew her.
At the time our story commences, she had
just opened a letter, from which a printed pa
quet 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"
Bacon took the document, but as he read a
flush came over his cheek. At length he ex-
claimed in an angry tone
'Hear how governor Berkley closes his ac-
count Of us:
".I thank God there are no free schools nor
printing, and I hope we shall not have any
these hundred years; for learning has brought
| disobedience and heresy, and sects into the
world, and printing has divulged them, and Ii
bells against The best government. God keep us
from BOTH
Excellent, declarer' said the fair loyalst
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 ify you go only among the Man
haitian Dutchmen, and
Here the laughing was interrupted by the en-.
trance of stranger who presented letter te
Mr. Bacon. Glancing at the exterior, he IN
troduced the new conner to his sister as Mr.
Rupert Wythely, of Accomac, and breaking
the seal, read the contents.
Il am happy to see you,' said he, when he
had perused the epistle, "and regret much te
hear of the extraordinary course of the govern
or in disbanding the volunteers. Can it b
possible that at this time, when the yells OF thu
savages resound through the woods, Virginian
must retire to their plantations, there to remain
until they are sca}pedn'
"Ah, / am glad to hear you talk so,'' replied
Rupert Wythely, "for I have come e1pressl,
to request your acceptance of the commission
of general. Here it is, signed by FIVE hundred
as brave men as there are on the continent
"You surely are not asking my brother t.
take up arms against governor Berkey's WHY
asked Henrietta with, a smile
May Miss, but the country is in danger,
said the young man, who had already began t.
admire the fair Henrietta.
at is a grave question" remarked Mr.. Ba
con, "and I must ponder over it; meanwhile
my sister will escort you to the falls and to tn
rock where Pocahontas saved the life of capt
Smith, At dinner time will give you an an
swer.''
Rupert Wythely was a young planter nea
jamestown, who, with well proportioned per
son. and manly countenance, possessed a no
BILE heart, and a cultivated intellect. His ide;
of female excellence had been formed upon al
ideal model of perfection, in which he hat
blended the accomplishments of all the he
roines Of poetry and romance. Vain had bee1
his search hitherto, but ere he had been Ion!
with Henrietta, be imagined if her qualities Q
mind corresponded with her personal charms
he had at length found his beau ideal offemal
perfection.
Meanwhile, her brother had been sorely trou
bled at heart by the invitation to lead his fel
low citizens Like every true Virginian, h
felt that his country was in danger, for dealt
was ravaging the land under the hideous form
of savage cruelty. The force out under th
command of captain John Washington ha
proved entirely insufficient, yet the governor
instead of adding to it, had rebuked them 70
killing aparty of chiefs, because itinjured tn
beaver trade, of which he had a monopoly
That an armed resistance to the Indians wa
necessary, he did not doubt, but the thought {
rising in arms against the will Of the king
governor, rather staggered him.
; eat any rate" said he to Whythely, as the
sat enjoying their wine after dinner. Il will 6
to jamestown, and see how matters stand
Let the news reach me that single man ha
; been harmed By the sasages, and | will lea
you on to vengeance, commission or no con-
mission
A long storm, at the conclusion of which til
: fords were impossible, detained Rupert Whytf
ely week with the Baeons. He well limprov
ed the time; for ere he left, Henrietta acknow
edged that she was not disinclined to treasui
up the rich harvest Of affection which he lai
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