Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-07-08
MISCELLANEOUS,
THE WARRIOR MAIDEN,

Jasper, of Marion's Brigade, had the good
fortune to save the life of young, beauti.
full and dark eyed creole girl called Sally
st. Clair. Her susceptible nature was
overcome with gratitude to her preserver,
and this soon ripened into passion of love,
OF the most deep and fervent kind. She
lavished upon him the whole wealth of
her affections and the whole depth of
passion nurtured by Southern sun When
he was called upon to join the ranks of
his countrys defenders, the prospect of
their separation almost maddened her.
Their parting came; but scarcely was she
| left alone, ere her romantic nature promp-
ted the means of reunion. Once resolved
no consideration of danger could dampen
her spirit, and though of consequence
could move her purpose. She severed her
long and jetty ringlets, and provided her
self, and set forth to follow the fortunes of
! her lover
! \ smooth faced, beautiful and delicate
striplin3 appeared among the hardy, rough
and giant frames who composed the corps
to which Jasper belonged. The contrast
between the STRIPPING and these men, in
their uncouth garbs, their massive faces,
embrowned and discolored by the sun and
rain, was indeed striking. But none were
more eager for the battle, or 50 Indifferent
to fatigue as the fair faced boy. 1t was
found that his energy of character, resolu-
tion and courage, amply supplied his lack
of physique. None even suspected that
she was Il woman. Not even Jasper him
| SELF although she was often by his side,
penetrated her disguise, but treated her
with kindness and respect, and often ap-
plauded her heroic bravery The romance
of her situation increased the feryor of
her passion. 1t was her delight to reflect
that unknown to him, she was by his side
to watch over him, in the hour Of danger.
She had fed her passion by gazing upon
him in the hour Of slumbey; lowering near
him when stealing through the swamp and
thicket, and always ready to avert danger
from his head
But gradually there stole melancholy
present ment over the poor girls mind
She had been tortured with hopes deferred,
the war was prolonged, and the prospect
OF being restored to him grew more and
more uncertain. But now she felt that
her dream Of happiness could never be re-
allied She became convinced that death
was about TO snatch her away from his
side; but she prayed that she might die,
and he never knew to what length the Vi
| olence of her passion had led her,
1t was the eve before battle The
camp had sunk into reposc. The watch
fires were burning low, and only the slow
tread of sentinels fell upon the profound
silence Of the night air as they moved
through the dark shadows of the forest.
Stretched upon the ground, with no other
couch than blanket, reposed the warlike
form Of Jasper Climbing vines trailed
themselves into a canopy above his head,
through which the stars shone down softly
The faint flicker from the expiring embers
Of fire fell athwart his countenance, and
tinged the cheek of one who beat above
his couch. 1t was the smoothed faced
stripping She bent low down, as if to lis
ten to his dreams or to breath into his soul
pleasant visions of love and happiness
But tears traced themselves down the fair
ones cheek, and fell silently but rapidly
upon the brow of her lover A mysterious
voice has told that the hour of parting has
come; that tomorrow her destiny is con-
summated There is one last, long, linger-
ing look, and the unhappy maiden is seen
to tear herself away from the spot, to weep
out her sorrows in privacy.
Fierce and terrible is the conflict that
on the morrow RACES on that spot. Fore
most in that battle is that intrepid Jasper
and ever by his side fights the STRIPPING
warrior. Often, during the heat and the
smoke CLEANS suddenly upon the eyes of
Jasper-the melancholy face of the maiden.
In the thickest of the fight, surrounded by
enemies, the lovers fight side by side.
Suddenly lance is leveled at the breast
of Jasper; but swifter than the lance is
Sally ST. Clair There is wild cry, and
at the feet of Jasper sinks the maiden,
with the life blood gushing from her white