St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-02-04
NUMBER II.

1t was an old-fashioned frame build
ing, with low roof, aud gable windows,
enclosed in sort of meadow, which
stretched down in front of the cottage,
and was shaded with magnificent
elms at the side was large garden,
then in its early bloom and beauty,
and back, the stables, barns and out
! buildings, while behind these was Il
! fine orchard, the trees of which were
in full blossom.
The whole aspect of the place was
one of peaceful lovcliness, and afford
ed such a contrast to their late con-
temptations and frightful experience,
that they involuntarily paused to drink
in the grateful scene Poor Frederick
was nearly overcome with the weight
of his emotions; he leaned against
a tree, while his companion stood at .
little distance unwilling to intrude
upon his thoughts At last he opened
the gate, and they proceeded up the
tage They saw then, for the first
time, that some unusual circumstances
must have occurred, lights were dam
cling to and fro, some of the windows
were Open and ever and anon gay
laugh would break upon the stiffness
Of the evening.
1t was not grief at any rate which
caused these demonstrations, and
Frcdcrick's heart beat quick as he tap
ped at the low door
1t was answered by a domestic, of
whom he inquired if Mr.. Sammons
was at home.
(Which Onc?" said the man. "Mr
Jacob was at home, and the old gen
teleman, but Mr.. Frederick, Lord love
him, had not been heard from this
many month"
Frederick said the old gentleman
would do, at which the man hestatcd,
and finally thought his master would
not like to be interrupted, as his
youngest son, the major, had arrived
that day with his new wife, and they
were having a jolification like.
His wife. What wife? Frederick
could think Of only one person in tho
world to marry, and that was his
Mary, and his agitation became So
great that his friend took it upon him-
self to inform the man that they wan
ted to sec Mr.. Sammons upon impor-
tant business, Immediately. The man
disappeared, and Frederick uncon-
sciously leaned against the side of the
door, the rays of the moon falling up-
on his face, and giving to its care-worn
lines a spiritual beauty. At this mo-
mcnt his father came into the hall, and
instantly recognizing the features of
his long lost son, called to him by
name, and father and son wept in
each others arms. Soon the news
/ spreads. Jacob, reunited to his prct.
ty wife, and with two babies instead
/ Of one, had settled down at the old
homestead, and now pressed his brotll~
cr over and over again to his heart.
Our old friend Thomas, now Major
Thomas, and a splendid fellow in dash,
ing regimcntals, cleared a way for
himself and lovely young wife, whom
! he as well as Frederick rarely remcm-
bercd having seen before. Frederick
almost starts from her blushing, sis
terly embrace, as he recognizes the
daughter of Sir John Johnson,
But where is Lizzie, the darling sis
ter, who was always the first to meet
him on his return; and whom he long
ed to introduce to his friend and COM
rade Every one says she was here
a moment since, and went into tho
garden to find friend who was spend
ing some weeks with her, and in whom.
says Major Thomas, with mischicv-
Gus look, Frederick will find a friend
also. Search was volunteered for the
fugitives, but Frederick declared he
would find them himself, and started
off with a beating heart, half hoping,
half fearing, on his self-imposcd mis-
sion. He entered the garden, and
walked down the winding path till he
came to natural arbor formed by tho
interlacing branches of some old trees,
and where he shrewdly suspected tho
missing girls would be found. A low
murmur Of voices as he nearcd the
spot proved that the conjecture was
right, and he stopped, urged by an ir-
rcsistiblc impulse to hear what they
were saying.
:" DO not urge me, Lizzie said u
voice which his heart told him could
only belong to Mary Ellis.
" | cannot join in the mcrry-making
when it recalls all my fears, only with
greater bitterness for the fate of Fred,
crick; if he We're only here how he
would rejoice in his brothers happi,
ness !"
And III his own, also" said Fredo-
rick darting forward and catching
Mary, who fell half fainting into his
arms.
Poor Lizzie was quite cut out, and
feeling herself rather de rop, thought.
as she said, that it would be best to
save her hugging" till another time,
and go and get his supper, and find
out what it all means \ good many
Jokes came off at Frcdcrick's expense
when he came back at the end of half
an hour without Lizzie but with the
happy Mary Ellis hanging on his arm,
What long explanations must then be
made what tales of frightful adven-
turc and hair-breadth escapes, until
the dawn of morning made the lights
grow dim aud pale.
Sir John Johnson, the brutal father
of the young wife who now looked
upon Major Thomas with such proud
admiration, was dead, and the old hall.
the scene of their first Imprisonment,
which the reader will remember was
destroyed, had been bestowed upon
her husband us some reward for his
services to his country.
is unnecessary to dwell upon tho
! happiness Of the reunited family.
Frederick and Mary were married of
course, and the narrative of his terri.
ble experiences served to while away
many long winters evening in after
wears. In 1886 he was still living,