The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-04-23
WESTERLY, r L. THURSDAY, APRIL 90, 1857

Of Baltimore, had sometimes borne her
company for brief periods, but for the
most part Ella had been left only to the
companionship of the servants-faithful
blacks, who loved aud almost worship
ped their young mistress, aud her dog
Brave.
Circumstances had developed in Ella
Mortimer far more of self-reiance than
is usually found in girls OF her years.
Her mothers long illness had caused the
cares of the household to devolve upon
her, and her fathers frequent and pro-
tracted absences bad left her not only
her own mistress, but the responsible
head Of his large family of d pendants.
So well had she fulfilled the duties that
devolved upon her, with such mild and
gentle dignity had she commanded re,
Spect and reverence, that the had hesi-
tatcd to entrust to her care all the inter
ests that clustered about his home and
property. And, so quiet had been the
remote neighborhood where his estate
was situated, that he had felt no fears
tor her safety. But now he had heard
of prowling bands of tories led and rude
y disciplined by some discharged SOL
diers who had served in the British ar
my One of these bands, he had been
Uniformed, had rude camp in the woods
not many miles distant from his resi-
,lcnce, from which, from which they is
sued at frequent intervals, carrying on a
sort Of predatory warfare, and levying
forced contributions upon those whom
| they chose to call rebels.
Nothing but an imperative sense of
duty could have induced him to leave
his home at such a time. But his
country needed him, and the man who
.or years, had devoted himself to her
service, forgetful Of personal interests,
unmindfu of ease and regardless Of dan
ger, was not one to shrink at rumor,
Or to doubt the power Of the protecting
Arm that had been over his home in all
ais absences.
He had armed his servants, provided
'or the nightly barrcadc of bis doors and
windows, while the strong dog, Brave,
never left Elias side. Every other de.
.cnce he felt that be must leave to her
ready invention, strong nerve and re>o.
lutte will. A great trust, truly, to be
reposcd in a girl of sixteen, but those
were the days when heroines hourished
n our country.
As Ella sat at her window, absorbed
in sorrowful thought, the sun sunk down
ward behind the distant mountains that
formed a blue undulating line upon the
verge of the landscape. All unobsery-
ed its sinking rays gilded the trce-tops,
lighting them up with mellow radiance
than disappeared while the grey mys-
terry of twilight crept over the scene. -
The twittering birds were settling them
selves among the leaves and branches of
the trees, aud the shadows were filling
her room before she reused herself Her
attendant, pretty mulatto girl Of about
her own age, came in for orders, and
Ella remembered what her father lad
said about barricading the doors and
windows at night Accustomed always
10 implicit obedience, she rose ana went
down to attend to this duty, although
she smiled at the thought OF such a pre-
caution being necessary in that secluded
spot, guarded as it was, by so many arm
ed retaners, headed by sturdy middle
aged negro, who now acted as her faith
er's steward, but who had formerly ac-
compauied his master to the wars, and
had " Smelt powder" on more than one
hard fought field.
At length all the windows and doors
in the lower stories of the large house
were securely fastened Ella went the
rounds with Brave walking stately by
her side, and Hector, the steward, in ad-
vance, with his haripg torch She was
satisfied that all was secure, that every
member of the household was within,
aud then she sat down to supper Her
lonely meal was but a reminder of her
absent father. There was choking
feeling that prevented her from eating,
aud she was about sending the viands
away untastcd, when laundering knock
resounded through the house. Ella