True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-06-30

good reasons for their objections to low.
ers. ra@-' 3
"That may be; but think John Ok
ford as good a young man as any in these
parts, and have determined TO have
him." 1 ......
"Where is your father! Will he not
pursue you 2"
"He has gone 10 the south to buy
stock, and | am to meet John somewhere
OIL the road" - .
-"But your father may return this way"
''No, he will 60 to Raleigh first"
| cheered up The runaway, whose name
was Martha Stoneham, as we'll as l
could, and she seemed to feel better after
she had disburdened her mind of the Sc
cret. | cautioned her not to throw her
self away upon worthless fellow, who
might be seeking her fathers property
rather than herself: for she had informed
me that her father was in easy clrcum-
stances. She knew John Oxford. and
didn't lear anything, and if her "pa" had
a mind, to forgive her after she was mar
ried, but she didn't care whether he did
or not -. .. n.
This was North Carolina bluf''
however, for | could see that she was
gentle hearted, and if she had been brot'
up in moro refined circle, she would
have been an angel. n...
We conversed till twelve o'clock and
Martha was in pretty good spirits by this
time; but was getting very sleepy and
couldn't hold ou. much longer. | had
started her tongue, and | might as well
have unearthed volcano, for she seemed
determined that | should lose my nap.
At last got 10 sleep and left her 10
ruminate upon her approaching nuptials.
1t was daylight when awoke, the stage
having stopped to change horses.
"How long before the stage to Raleigh
will be alongl" asked q person of ou,
driver. ..
"Mercy that's John Oxford!" ex.
claimed Martha, tearing open the door.
John Oxford, | thought, did not seem
to be particularly pleased to meet her,
and when the stage started they had a long
confidential interview, and l had the plea.
sure of two companions. I did not like
the looks Of the lady's lover, aud thought
1t quite probable her father was right in
refusing to accept him as son-in law.
"Why, what's The matter with you,
John :" exclaimed Martha, when we had
proceeded few miles. "Your coat and
shirt are covered with blood"
"Are they! so they are. Oh, I had
the nose bleed yesterday" he replied,
with good deal Of embarrassment.
The conversation continued on this
topic, for the North Carolina lady must
know all the particulars. John seemed
much confused, and tried to change the
subject, but she would not let him.
Pretty soon she discovered several
scratches on his face. which be declared
had been given him by the thorns in the
woods. .'' '--"
We were passing through wooded
plain, when the driver stopped his team
and shouted to me- | saw John OXFORD
turned pale, as leaped out. By the side
OF the road lay the form Of man. Around
him the grass and soil showed that {
fierce struggle had taken place on the
spot, indicating that the murdered travel
Ter had sold his life dearly.
l raised him up and be opened his eyes
. uttering a deep groan as he did so. Tht
driver came to my assistance and WI
discovered tnat he had received severa
| stabs and was apparently in the last ex
tremity.
"Is he dead 7" asked John Oxfor,
! from the coach. ''..,
! "No," replied the driver.
II seemed to me that could hear tn
lovers teeth chatter. but perhaps it wa
because I happened to think of the bloc
upon his clothes. Taking my "traveI
;, ing companion" from my pocket, II al
, ways carried one in those days to guart
against the accident Of unwholesom,
|, water, J poured a plentiful draught dow
his throat. II revived him. ,.;s adj,
"Oh, Martha" he groaned.
i Martha! Who was the murdere
traveller? ? The runaway maiden hear
!. the word and leaped from the coach !
! spite of the endeavors Of Oxford to detail
(. her. qs, s.h d. . ..y.,.-.l,- d b
"A "My, father!" she shrieked, THROWN
!. herself upon the body.
a a"0h Martha, John Oxford has kille
d me-" gasped the wounded man. in brc
a ken accents 5lo4 5Hf lalaitag
He Immediately relapsed into stupc
|, and then we lifted him into the coac
b amid the sobs of the wilful daughter
3" The lover got out as we approached, an
would have fed. had not the drive
i, drawing his pistol, threatened TO sho
I. him. He compelled him to mount Il
m box, lsI.. 4.. ,t...
(" Before we reached the village, sew,
miles distant, the father of Martha W
| dead. On our arrival, Oxford was han
ed over to the Sheriff. / never saw su
change ingan hour as the feelings
III the girl. Before, she loved him; nc
We she despised him. | was compelled
part with them at this point, for Mart
4t' u. .H Nfltll tilDd EU.,t sNal0ICl NflftHiaN