Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-03-30

/ cry :? OF what treason am [ accused p
. do not wsshsto use violence, sir" replied
the officer; '9bNtI arrest you by the order of
General Van Rensselaer,, and am ordered. like
wise, to conduct YOU 10 the fort l hope YOU will
go with peaceably We are also commission
ed to examine your papers"
The un fortunate man turned white and red
alternately, while Captain Morton spoke. Al
ter pause, he replied, with sarcastic smile
+" suppose resistance to such high authority
were worse than useless | will conduct YOU to
the library, gentlemen, where you can examine
my papers. In the mean time, there is a favor
| would ask 1t Is that my domestics may OBJ
serve nothing in your manner which NAV lead
them to suppose / am arrested. as | do not wish
my child's peace of mind to be disturbed this
night"
We will certainly do anything in our power
TO avoid giving Miss Seton pain" they replied
Colonel Seton led the way to the library
After remaining there for some time, they de-
scended together: and, as they were passing
through the hall, the colonel called a servant
and said
Then Miss Florence and Miss Aylmer re-
turn, tell them not 10 be the least uneasy, should
| not BE- home tonight" He then stepped into
the carriage with the officers and 1t Immediate
ly drove eff.
1t was late that afternoon when the young
ladies returned from the valley: the night SET
IN dark and rainy. The colouels message had
been delivered; and, after tea. they had retired
to Florence 5 room, where Mary occupied her
self with her embroidery while her cousin read
aloud from a work IN which they were both
much interested. They had not been engaged
long when the door was suddenly thrown open,
and Martha-an orphan girl of about sixteen
whom Florence had persuaded Mrs. Jones to
engage As her deputy assistant in the art of
-keeping-entered
oh, Miss FIorence!" she exclaimed, "Thorn-
ton has just come up from Lewistown, and says
as how that Colonel Seton has been rested for
beln an Englishman, aud is 4 goIn' to be shot
dead to- morrow :"
Florence heard more, but fell back faint
ing Mary sprung to her assistance.
- On, laws a massy, what shall | 90 ~ cried
Martha. have frightened her to death Oh
what shall | do. Miss Mary ?"
Hand me a glass OF water quickly and pull
toe brll-cord, saId Miss Avlmer.
In few minutes Alice, Miss Sefton's maid
made her appearance. She was a kind-hearted
atfcctionate English girl, who loved Florence
dearly.
She reyives," said Mary. after the usual re-
storatives had been applied.
Florence gazed wildly round, if she had
awaHed from some painful dream. 1t Is, in
deed, reality - sad she, throwing her arms
round her Cousins neck; and res ing her head
on her bosom. she wcPt and sobbed violently.
Dear, dear Florence r. said Mary, pressing
her closely to her, ." do not grleye 50 it may be
a false report"
Oh, laws a massy Oh, don't cry 50 dread
fully, Miss Florence r repeated Martha "
guess as how it's only story, after ali. Oh,
what shall do what shall / do :"
Alice whispered TO her the best thing she
could do would be te go down stairs until bfss
Seton was more composed, which advice she
took
After the violence of her emotion had some
what subsidized, Florence rose, saying, " Dearest
Mary, 1 must be alone. [ will soon return to
You. Entering adjoining chamber, she
threw herself on her knees ana prayed fervent-
ly TO that Being who never forsakes hose who
put their trust in Him. She felt her courage
and strength of mind return after her PRAYER.
and that she had friend who was mighty and
able to save She sat considering tor a few
minutes, aud then returned to her room.
Dear Mary, this Is what | have feared and
dreamed of" she said. g" But lhis is no time for
me to give way TO vain grief, " hen [ am called
upon to act. / am going down 10 the fort to
plead tor my fathers life and, should l not
succeed in that, to try and nberate him by 9TH
means"
Il viii accompany you, said Miss Aylme-
No, dearest, no :" replied Florence q vou
could do good. All You can do is to pray
for me. VIII only take Alice with me. Alice,
you are willing TO assist me ?'
My dear young lady. [ viii try to do it with
my lIte,'' she replied and | think | have
courage to help YOU in any plan you may judge
Il thought 50, Alice felt could put con-
hdence in you. Now tell Thornton | wish to
see him"
Thornton story was the same in substance as
that which Martha had repeated. Florence de-
sired Alice ''to 90 to her fathers wardrobe and
bring hera suit OF his clothes. with the case of
pistols which We're on shelf in the upper part
OF it These she had put in basket, with two
bottles of Wine and some crackers.
Now listen to me, Thornton" she said. "
think you would run some little risk to serve
me 2
Oh yes. Miss Florence" replied the good
hearted black will do anything in de world
Tor you and TO get Colonel Selfim free Mines
TO- zoo he tell me mus say to you he help US
too.
Is Minosto here ?" said Florence, her hopes
Frightening.
Yes. Miss Florence he here
Well, then, Thornton, pay particular atten-
ton to what l say First, 20 down 70 Caleb, and
tell him to have the carriage ready soon
possible; then q TO the boat-take MInesto
with you, and do not let any one know what you
are about-mulile the oars, and leave the Indian
in her. Return here for this basket, which you
will convey a. privately as you can, and put on
board then down to that cluster OF trees
that are on the bank, about half mile from here.
Now do you understand me perfectly, Thorn
ton 2? continued Florence.
g Yes, yes, Miss Florence, understands. 1t
( Is where Massa Howell put his boat last time he
come to Seflim Hill knows"
" You are right Remain there until you hear
from me. And now 90 quickly, Thornton"
. es, miss, do jas you say replied he.
Fastening u execute his orders.
There was one advantage Colonel Seton pos
sessed it was the love OF his servants. There
was scarcely a member Of his household that
could be brlhed to betrav him. He was a kind
master. Caleb. his coachnan, had lived with
him for years, and Florence well knew she could
trust him.
After making some alteration in her dress, and
putting on a bonnet that nearly hid her face. she
! threw a large cloak round her person, and kiss
ed poor Mary, saying, d" DO not weep God viii
help Us :" then telling Mrs Jones to be careful
. of her, she entered the carriage with Alice, and
was soon on her way to the fort. 1t rained fast,
and the night was dark; but for this she felt
/ grateful, as she thought it might perhaps favor
her purpose. Her heart beat violently, and,
though She appeared calm and collected out
wardly a thousand fears agitated her. She had
told Alice her plan, and The part she was to