Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-04-02
a ARsbolgticpafg Sketch.
THE REBEL PEDDLER.
az cn.prrR

:
night in the month Of September, 177S,
that party consisting Of some one hun
dfed horsemen, dressed in the uniform of
British Light Horse, rode rapidly along the
eroad trayefsing the right bank of the Santee,
South Carolina, and took their way toward
sthe dwelling house Of Walter Steel. They
were commanded by Hugh Langsford, a
bloody and cruel officer in the English SER
vice-who had been selected and placed in
the position be occupied, ION account Of his
adamantine heartand tyrannical disposition,
for the express purpose Of teaching the sur
rounding inhabitants due observance to his
majesty's laws. -si-ro'i r. sas7st =
-rsaOn many occasions be had exercised his
,authofities in the most barbarous manner,
.Santonlyg burning the houses of known
Wings and ruthlessly hanging the owners,
-Mithout proyocation, save their liberal opin-
ions. His name had become terror to all
the patriotic inhabitants of the State; the
more, so, as General Francis Marion, the
sonlys rebel lpartizan who offered any resist
.aleeasto the British troops, had been for
-s6me time absent in North Carolina, leav-
ing Largsford uhdisputed sway over the
region.
Walter Steel, towards whose house
Lam sssfthrd was now taking his way, was a
well know. sterling Mhis l,s,; and had bee been
heard to advance opinions boldly in fayoi
of. the Reyolutionists, and directlyin oppo-
sition TO King George. Many wondered
why he had escaped the vengeance of Langs-
ford, but there had been charm powerful
in its mature, hanging around the dwelling
of aged rebel, which had so far pre-
served his home scatheless. 7iia 81 i-5-i
MARY Steel had won the admiration Of
the captain, and this had ripened into love
on his part, and as is usual on such occa.
sions he wished and strove to appear in s
favorable light to her, and of course treat
ed her and her family with all the lenity II
his power. -.-.-e- srsF ssz'l
From the bottom of her heart Mary de
'spised the bloody. officer, but aware thai
her fathers life depended on her actions
she coquetted with I.angford in such man
ner as TO induce him to think he was lie
IDOL of her heart. But he was soon to be
undecelycS. sa.,
He had been ca,nsd to Charleston and
had been absent from Santee ABOUT 'w'
weeks, and at the time he is introduced, -
was returning with fond expectations tc
SteeIs, having determined to become a
once united to the object of his affections
As he was riding leisurely along tn
road, the distance to the farm being abou
three miles, he was suddenly aeeosted by I
man who sprang from the bushes by ths
way, and placed himself in front Of hi
horse ,af tsa- I'll.
Al; sYour mission is bootless," exclaimet
the conner. "Return at once to Charles
tom 81 s-,.,... .--s-
sv 'TWho are you? ?" demanded Langsford, II
vain endeavoring to trace the mans tea
.t1res IN the gloom of night
some who knows why Capt. Langsfor
seeks the house of farmer Steel,7 reptile
the man. .But 1 tell you Mary marie
another and more favored lover"
a. "Then his audacity shall cost him hi
life" returned the captain fiercely, as
put spurs to his horse and galloped ol
followed by his men.
.And l rather guess yours will cost yo
about the same," exclaimed the man wi
had aiyea the information as he disappeare
In the bushes. 80 a i4i
"A half hour sufficed for Isangsford
reach, the house of Steel, whichwas instan
surrounded in silence, he having orders
his men to dismount when some distan
from, the dwelling, leaving part IN char
of the horses, approached with the othe
on foot. .g.5
Having stationed his troopers so that ]
one could leave the house, he, approaeh'
ahe parlor window from which a light shol
and carefully discovered Mary in convers
ton with young man Of some twenty-thr
years of age, dressed in blue uniform
fhenebel army. The first word he hea
pronounced was his own name, and almc
breathlessly he listened
HI have been constrained" y he heard n
nv say, rs,for the purpose Of saving my ia.
er'slife, and preventing our house from
ing pillaged, to treat Langsford in a m,
nerthat Iwould scorn to do We're l placed
other circumstances. Ifyouknew how l
tested him, if you could feel how / loatt
hisadgancss.you would say that policy ale
dictateds my conduct. No, Harry, ne'
loved any one but you, and I would 500