Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-10-29

10 love, yet she favored him not, for he
heart had long ago been given to another
But this did not repel the proud spirited eff
Ger. for although kindly, yet firmly rejecte'
by the niece, he appealed 10 the uncle, an
partially succeeded IN carrying his point; a
least So for as to obtain the majors promis
of assistance. e.-And Major Dawson had fol
filed his engagement, tor he hsd converser
with Mary upon the subject of Captain
Berks'ord's proposal, and heard her decided
refusal With smile of dscernment a. which
he considered the coyness of his nice, since
he could not understand how a maiden pos
sessing one particle Of common sense, could
thus rsshly throw such prize as the young
officer from her.
Thr hor,emsn LEAF ped from his steed, and
CIV NJ tie rejns into The hands of a waiting
groom, approached with familiar step tc
where the major and his lady were sitting.
"a hearty we icome to you, Captain' ex.
clained the polite host, meeting his guest
a: the stone door step. ard tux ing him Cor
daily by the rand.
sAh, MY dear Major, yOn lsok hale and
/ nearly d5 ever VIC huob 'A'
Father Time fasseth lightly over your head.
"lrue, Cap,sn-I have but little TO an
nov me, and so strive 10 render nv days as
free from vexati0n as poss ble.-But how is
it with y0u-have you been equally free
from sickness since parted from you last!
81 have no: enjoyed better health since we
sailed from the port of Dueer for the rebel
colonies,-nay, will not even except old
England, for must say vas never in bet
ter health in my life!"
II am delighted to hear that our climate
| agrees with you SO well, for now | have
some hopes Of prevailing upon you to stay
will US and make the new world your per-
manent home But we will talk of that
s"me future day, foI ct present you must BE-
fatirued aad ed some refreshments.
Then turning 10 Mrs. Dawson. he mildly
added: "Will you have The Captain attended
tcl'
"Stay. nv dear madam! | assure you that
suffer BOT the least from hunger; and an
hours exercise on horseback is FAR from
fatisuing to a soldier.'i
"Very well, Cap; ain; come in doors, and
we will have little chat; besides am anx
ions to show you The quality OF my wine"
By the manner in which the eyes Of the
Captain spsrkleG at the ment.on OF the Ma
ior's wine, one might indulge in the specua-
tion that its virtues were no stranger t. the
gallant officer. They entered the door, and
Major Dawson conducted his guest into the
spacious dining Hall OF his mansion. a
couple of richly cushioned chairs were
drawn up to the marble centre-tsble, and
the Major ordered an attendant to prOcnre
wine.
by the way, Captain. had torg ,tten to
ask YOU the state OF the army How Is it
do the rebels held out good couragei"
"Wel, no. Generally speaking they
make il point to avoid US if possible. ex-
cepting in few instances, where band OF
The devils own fellows, under a self styled
."Colonei," named james, have actually Of
fered US fight. One case in par,icuiar-it
was som. Two OF three weeks since, and
detachment IRON one OF our regiments was
out few miles from garrisoH, when they
were altack cked So iuriously by these devils
incarnate thst they were not able even to
retreat, and the few that escaped with sound
heads ere compelled to ride for their very
lives. Our men - ho returned, reported that
they had been attacked by the whole Amer
lean army; but have since learned from a
prisoner we took the other day, that they
were Only few from The brigade of james,
whom our meh out-numbered two to one"
sImpossibie! | think, Berksford' thst the
fellow musl have lied! 1t cannot be THAI the
followers OF King George are lowered thus
far"
.For the honor of our men hope am
mistaken, but they say his sable majesty
only can equa! these iellows-besides, our
men were surprised, and one-third of their
comrades aid low before they could recover
| 10 strike a slow in defence"
"But can you not hunt these rebels 10
their hiding place and capture themr
%. certainly! when we once set about 1t,
there will be no trouble in carrying The
thing through; but as yet, it has never been
convenient to get to them. When return,
shall urge The necessity OF immediate ac
,ion.-'
| Some time now passed without either
saying a word. Evidently their minds were
occupied by some important subject, and a
person acquainted with their secrets would
have aid that the same thoughts were pas
sing through the mind of each. The flush
of wine was quite discernable upon Berks-
ford's face-but nothing unusualwas appar-
ent in the MajorThe was see"inglY the
same as when al his breakfast table in the
1 morning. The moments rolled slowly by
until the stiffness was broken. Berksford
was the first TO speak:
"Major, you remember of the matter upon
which we cunversed when was here last.
| have been waiting with the most painful
anxiety for you TO bFoach the point. How
| did YOU succeed--haye you received favor
able reply"
Yes. Captain, may say ] have. OF
course she dissentei from my proposal
be fore had spoken three words-yet, con-
slider this almost equal TO an affirmative an.
swer. | think, Berksiord, you have seen
enough of the world to note the little pc.
. culiarities so common with the sex and il
so, YOU have found that at frs. they give you
a decided refusal, which only serves to make
!, YOU consider them the more valuable-urge
your suit, and then you gain very reluc.
tant consent, and you take her with the i'm.
NJ ,ressiou of having won 4 most costly prize .
els . general psin' Of view, you say