Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-12-17

Have you conversed with Mary lately
he at length said. y
"Yes-but fear it was of little avail :"
"She met you with refusal, presumed
ayes"
"We may blame that young rebel, Henry
Raymond, for this conduct!' added the Cup.
tain morosely.
"Undoubtelly It's pity he isn't safely
lodged in the New York Jail, instead of be-
ing left 10 pursue his own course freely"
at cannot be done! | have attempted the
thing three times, and been foiled every
time"
90, that were young mani"
Captain Berksford WINGED perceptibIy un-
der the biting sarcasm of his expression,
and turning his gaze to another portion of
the room, was about making some remark
of an Indifferent nature, when hideous
yell, coming from the direction Of the door,
rang through the apartment. So unexpect-
ed break in the stiffness of the place. had
the effect ofsplacing both the MAJOR aRd his
i visisbs in staoding position.
| The Major hastened to the door, and
throwing back the bolt of the lock. swung
it back upon its hinges. Wha. was their
surprise TO see Caesar standing before them.
A miniature stream OF blood was rolling in
huge drops down his cheek, and leaving its
trace upon the polished surface of his black
skin. His eyes rolled wi.dly from the Ma
Jor to his master, and his white teeth chat
tered iiercely in the agony of his fright.
Gas lr,' Numbered the Captain, what in
the name Of ST. George has brought you
herel"
The negro heaved piteous sigh, and
,urued his gaze towards the ceiling.
"Wha:'s the trouble with you!'
81 tink Cesar's done over tor this world
--be wont live much longer!''
aDone over! hat in The devil has done
| you over!''
sBg red Injua, id long tomahawk.'
Killed with tomahawk. this is ri dicul-
Gus. Why, can't see that you are injured,
unless it is little scratch upon your iace."
"Casar's head cut all to pleces." returned
the desPairing negro, lowering his cranium,
and inviting an examination from his mas
fter. Hes scalped poor niger alive!"
Cannon! there's only slight mark up
on your cheek. Who did it!''
| Thus reassured, CRsar ventured to relate
his adventure. Ii seems that he had espied
Wilhasse tarryiDg near the door, and evil
diently listening to the conversation within.
The idea flashed to his brain of capturing
the caves dropper, and acting without rea-
SOD, upon sudden impulse, he had leaped
upon him with roughness of manner that
did not precisely coincide with the warriors
idea Of etiquette. In the first flush Of anger
! Wlllihasse determined upon finishing the
meddlesome darkey, by leaving him minus
his scalp. This, upon reflection, he con-
sidered Too cruel in nature, and conten,ed
himself BY siezing the negro by his wco!v
head, and scratching it iuriousy with the
point of his hunting knife. The blood
drawn upon Cesar's cheek was accidental,
yet it had the effect to awakening within
his heart terrible fear that he 4ss- about
l'to feel the maws of remorseless death.
| Notwithstanding the momentousness of
the demonstrating as we'll as mys-
| terious, the Captain could not repress the
smile which involuntarily arose to his lips
upon hearing Cesar's recital of the case.
! "Havn't you any idea, MAJOR, who this
Indian is.'' at length said Berksford after
short pause.
None, whatever"
| "Could it be possible that he is spy for
this young Raymond!'
"a spy in my house! The cursed rebel
placing a spy over Inc! If | deemed such
was the case, | could not rest until saw
him swinging from the nearest trees
May, Major-do not misunderstood me
Il merely asked if it were possible.
"But what could be the o5jectl'
81 couldn't say. Perhaps have been
watched and dogged here"
.sAnd this ludian is under the pay from
! him, perhaps, with Instructions to play the
caves dropper and report what ever he might
hear"
at certainly does look like something of
that kind" returned BerksforJ, for once in
| his life sincere.
"There is no way of remetying it now!"
"No--but it might be prevented from. oc-
curing u second time"
at shall be-" exclaimed the Major warm
ly; and with this determination the two
separated for the night
Nothing further occurred that evening to
disturb the quietude at Meadowdale. The
family retired TO rest, and all passed a
pleasant night excepting poor Casar.-
Visions of infuriated savages with gigantic
scalping knives, haunted his feverish dreams
he saw blood at every turn of his way,
and dangling scalps gbed at him with mali
cious tenacity. Caesar had been pretty
thoroughly frightened.
At the first faint tinge of morning Cap
tain Berks.ord was mounted and ready for
his departure. The obsequious groom watch
ed the mettlesome charger of Berksford
while he tramped over the heavy draw bridge
and down the fliniy way, while the fre-hies
played around his hoots at every step.
And there was another watcher, toe! It
was tine gentle Mary. She marked him dis.
appear among the overhanging foliage OF
the forest path. with u strange feeling OF
, of pleasure and pain. She could well d.
vine the object OF his visit, and was pleased
, that he had departed without pressing upon
her an intervicw--yet panied while she re-
fected upon the consequences of his mis-.
4 sion, and bethought OF the fearful doum
=, which the willy man was fastening upon
her young heart to dwell upon this dark
scene, yet size had hope--hope in her uncle's
4 sympathy-in her own firmness, aud in
Henry's protecting arm.
But Of Captain Berksford.
Ii was evident that the termination OF his
y visit at Meadowdale was pleasing charact'
:. er, or thus one would judge from the quiet
o smile OF satisfaction that made its way to
! his lips. He had obtained The Majur's un
\ qualified consent to his union with Mary
:. many weeks before, and now he had brought
n the regardless uncle TO promise that he
would use his ant hDrty as A Guardian shoulf