Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-01-02
THE HERO WOMAN.
BY GEORGE LlpPARD.

Ia the shades of the Wissabi,ken woods
not more than bali mile from the Sebu,l-
kill, there stood in tue time Of the ReyoIu-
'icp, quaint old fabric, built Of mingled
legs aud stone and encircled BY palisaie
wall. It had been erected in the earlier
days Of William Penn, peihaps some years
before the grel apostle of peace first trcd
our shores, as block-house, intended as
defence against The Indians.
And now it stood withl,s many roofs, its
numerous chinneys, lis massive square win
dows,its varied front Of logs aud stone. its
eneireiiug wall, through which adnittance
was gained by large and stoutls tuilt gate;
1t stood IN the midst of The wood, with age
weFn trees enclosing its veteran outlines on
every side.
From he western window you could Oh
tain glance of the Scbuylk;il waves, while
large easement il the southern front co.n-
manded a view of the winding road, as i
sunk out of view, under the shade of thick-
ly clustered hOughs, into deep hollow, not
more than Que handred yards from the man
sion.
Here, from The southern easement, on one
of those baimy days which look 10 upon The
dreary autumn, towards the close Of Novem-
bor, farmers daughter was gazing with
dilating eyes aud half clasped hands.
Well might she gaze earnestly to the
south and listen intensely for the slightest
sound. Her brothers we're away with tie
army Of Washington, and her fathe7,a grim
veteran--he stood six feet ana three ieshas
IN his stockiBgs-who had manifested his
love for the red-ceat invaders in many des-
Eerate encounter, had that morning left
her alone in the old mansion, alone in this
snilll chamber, in charge of some anmuni-
iion intended for band OF soma brave far
mers. about to join the hosts of freedom
Egen as she stood lhere, gazing out Of the
southern window, faint glimpse of sun
light from the faded leaves above, pouring
over her mild face, shaded BY clustering
brown hair, there. not ten PAGES from her
side, were seven loaded rifles and keg of
powder.
Leaning from the easement she listened
With every nerve quiyering with suspense
to the shouts of the comba;ants, the hurri-
ed tread of armed men echoing from the
south.
There was something very beautiful in
that picture! The form of the youg girl,
Trained BY the square massive window, the
contrast between the rough tipbers that en-
closed her and that round face, the lips part
ing, ibe hazel eyes diIating, and the cheek
warming and flushing with hope and fear;
there was something sery bean'iful in tha,
picture--a young girl leaning from an old
mansion, with her hair waving in glossy
masses around her face.
Suddenly the shouts of the south grew
nearer, and then, emerging from deep
hollow, there came an old man running at
full speed, yet every few PAGES turning to
FIRE bis rife, which be loaded as be raO.-
He was pursued by ten or more British
soldiers, who came rushing on, their bay
onets fixed, as il to strike the victim down
ere be advanced ten PAGES nearer to the
house.
On and en- the ole man came, while bis
daughter. quivering with suspense, hung
leaning from The window. lie reaches the
block house gate; LOOK. He is surrounded;
their muskets are leyeled at his head; he IS
down, down at their feet, graphing for his
life. but look again. tie dashes bis foe
aside; with one bold uas sre,nent he springs
through the gatei an instant, and il is lock
ed; the British soldiers, uiad with rage, gaze
upon the high wall of logs and stone, and
reut their anger in drunken curses.
Now, look 10 yonder window, Where
the young gir! stood moment sg0, quiser-
Ing with suspense, as she beheid her father
struggling Tor bis life, Eow stands tie old
man himself. his bruw barred, h's arm grasp
Ing the rife, sbil2 his gray hairs wave eaea
from bis vsibkleG and blood-daubed face!
Thst va. fue picture G. an CID veteran,
neryed fa4 lis las. igbt-a stout warrior,
preparing for his death Struggle.
Death struggle. les. for the old man,
Isaac Wampoie, had dealt TOO maaf bard
blows among the British soldiers; trieke1,
ioiied, aud cheated them too often, to escape