Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-17
Gkoitt 4iteratars.
0BERON AND FAM Y:
B Tale of the Turnpike Gate.
BY ANNE wARDoUR.

reverence and honor every sentiment she in
spires Is there man on earth base enough
to offer the least insult to such virtue p
Rousseau
One cold foggy evening in November
1882, an old man, young woman upon
whose maternal knees reclined the head of
sleeping cherub, and man about thirty
years of age, in the habit of "a sailor, were
assembled round blazing fire In algate-
house on the Plymouth road. The sailor
had taken the hand of Fanny between both
his own, and was begging her to proceed
with tale in which he was deeply inter
ested when loud crash and vociferation
of oaths without, caused them to start from
their seats in extreme terror. A chaise-
driver, much intoxicated, just then entered,
covered with mud, and abused them gross
ly for neglecting to open the gate in time,
by which his chaise had been shattered to
pieces, ard gentleman within killed.
'God Forbid" exclaimed Fanny, who in
stantly few out with light. The post
boy, however, had exaggerated the case
for the gentleman, instead of being killed,
had extricated himself from the overturned
vehicle, and was walking deliberately to-
wards the house, wrapped in heavy box
coat, and covered with an immense hat
The old man offered him place by the
fire, which he sullenly declined and, after
ordering the driver to unharness one of the
horses, and ride to W for another
chaise, he seated himself in distant corner
of the room, and seemed more disposed for
sleep than conversation. The sailor, after
casting few significant looks towards the
stranger, requested her to proceed. Fanny
again commenced her tale.
"After the death of our poor mother, my
father went on very badly he seldom
passed day without treating me i'll, or a
night without fit of intoxication the lit
tie we had was expended without any econ
cmy, and | was forced to labor hard to
keep him and myself decent in appearance.
The squire of the manor was rich purse
proud man, but his son was the most en-
gaging and amiable youth | had ever
known; he regarded me with partiality,
and, in my uninformed mind, he was the
most perfect of mankind. Of his political
principles | must say little-they have
| proved riIe destruction VI aaft Uur happiness;
his father vainly tried to check the impet-
uous sallies of youth and the insurrection
that broke out in such an alarming man
ner, ,;and ragged through Ireland, gave young
Oberne too fatal an opportunity of showing
the part he intended to take yet his re-
gard for me in some measure restrained
him. but that restraint was Of short con-
tinuance, for, the death Of his father pla-
cling him in astate of afauence and indepen-
dence, he Immediately proved his disinter.
estedness by making me his wife. Need ]
say my first care was to make my father
comfortable, and for some time we were al
so; but Oberne could not long remain In
active; he headed large party of rebels
and attracted notice as spirited leader
from whom much might be feared, and be
came, in consequence, the object of pur
suit Reduced to the dreadful alternative
of death or fight, we abandoned our peace
| full home to the plunderers, and took refug
in hovel about twelve miles from ou
former residence; the affection of my hus
band made me bear fatigue and hardship
with patience, and the homeliness of m,
former life rendered my present situation
less irksome than it would have been ha'
passed my youthful days in luxury AM
Incidence yet Oberne's frequent absence
filed my mind with agony. One day, as
was waiting his return with the impatienc
of distracted love, beheld him fyin
breathless towards me, pursued by part
of soldiers; fell upon my knees; the bal
few round me and whizzed with a stur
ming noise as they passed over my heaC
They surrounded my husband; he fougf
desperately, but was overpowered Il sa
not the end; sense, and life forsook me
the moment that he was seized. The poo
ignorant girl who had accompanied US
our retreat wept over me daily, and expe
ted never more to hear me speak IN q n
tional manner; but did recover to ne
horrors; learned that my husband W;
in prison, condemned to die, having killc
two men in resisting the military powe
[ was not even allowed to share his prise
and my situation became dreadful indee
The officer who commanded the detac
ment sent to secure Oberne, felt compa
sion for SO young and unfortunate ere
ture; by my direction he applied to n
father, who inhumanly refused me prote
ton. The hovel was in was in every 7
spect improper for the state was then
for even necessaries were wanting. Ca
tain Rivers insisted upon my removal to
more commodious place, and promised
use all his interest for my husbands l
lease, but could not fatter me with hop,
r At that time suffered agonies inexpres
ble; indebted to stranger for support, q
: prived of husband / adored, by an ign
i minious death, and expecting to bring
3 infant into life without friend to cheris
: or prospect of support, was my dreadt
E situation and | should have sunk und
a it, but for the inspirations of that rehgi
a which teaches an implicit dependence up
: Providence A few days after my beco
ing mother, Captain Rivers came to I
: with looks of concern my mind suggest
!. the horrid tidings; but l was too has
n Some of the captives had escaped-my h
!, band among the number; but an imme
) ate pursuit had been made, and dread
S slaughter ensued; among the rest, Obel
n fell"
b A pause of distress ensued the strang
if awaking from deep sleep, Request