True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-07-07
aN INTERESTING Tale.
Royalty Of Love.
TALE OF VIRGINIA.

In the Autumn of 1874, the present
site Of Richmond was divided into two
plantations, belonging to Colonel Byrd
and Nathaniel Bacon, the mansion of the
latter standing upon what is now called
Shockoe's Hill. It was one Of those fine
old mansions patterned after the paronial
halls ofOld Englan1 Land since unequalIed
upon this continent. A spacious hall,
decorated with portraits, large parlors,
with furniture Of carved oak, dining hall
where battalion could banquet, and a
library with bow window, commanding
prospect Of picturesque magnifcence,
especially when Autumn had touched the
foliage with his magic pencil. The bright
scarlet Of The maple. the deep crimson Of
the dogwood, the lively yellow of the
chestnut, contrasted strikingly with the
deep evergreen of the cedar, pine and
hemlock, scattered through the forests.
Below. the river foamed over its rocky
bed 10 spread into lake like sheet, and
was dotted with small islands, whose
shadows reached far down into the earth
tinted tide.
Nathaniel Bacon,the master Of the estab-
ment was a hale and handsome man, with
thick black moustache, clear black eyes,
and Aorid complexion. Educated in
England during the convulsive struggles
between the throne and the parliament,
he believed that popular rights were equal
at least to royal sway. Not so with his
sister Henrietta, who had passed winter
with The Governors family at Jamestown,
where she had learned 10 reverence the
fright divine" of her sovereign. Her age
at this time was about eighteen. and al.
though her form was moi voluptuary. would
have been called perfect, or her face one
that sculptor would have chosen for a
mode!,yet there was winning expression
in her eyes, s,and grace in her movements,
that enabled her tocharm all who knew
her.
At the time our story commences, she
had Just opened letter, from which a
printed packet fell 10 the floor.
"Here brother Nat" said she, sis one
Of His ExcelIency's letters 10 the privy
council, sent back in good London print"
Bacon took the document, but as he
read flush came over his cheek. At
length he exclaimed in an angry tone
"Hear how Governor Berkly closes
his accounts Of us:
II thank God there are no free schools
nor printing, and hope we shall moi have
any these hundred years; for learning
has brought disobedience, and beresy,
and sects into the world, and printing has
divulged them, and libels against the best
government. God keep us from both %
Excellent, | declare p said the fair
loyalist.
Excellent! DO you call that excellent
girl?" "Why, have half mind to sell
my plantation, and remove TO the North"
"Ah, brother Nat. you would have
your nose frozen off, even if you only 90
among the Manhattan Dutchmen and"
Here the laughing was interrupted by
the entrance Of a stranger, who presented
a letter to Mr.. Bacon. Glancing at the
exterior, he introduced the new conner to
his sister as Mr.. Rupert WHITLEY, Of
Accomac, and breaking the seal, read the
contents.
"l am happy 10 see YOU" said he,
when he bad persued the epistle "and
regret much to hear of the extraordinary
course Of the Governor in disbandng the
volunteers. Can it be possible that at
this time, when the yells of the savages
resound through the woods, Virginians
must ritire to their plantations, there 10
remain until they are scalpedP'
"Ah!I am glad to hear you talk so,"
replied Rupert WHITLEY, for have come
expressly to request your acceptance Of
the commission of General. Here it is,
signed by five hundred as brave men as
tH6Io dI6 OH In0 cUutluonI'
"You surely are not king my brother
to take up arms against Governor Berk.
ley's will!" asked Henrietta, with q
smile.
"Nay, Miss: but the country is in
danger, said the young man, who had
already began to admire the fair Hen
Iietta.
"It is grave question:" remarked Mr..
Bacon. "and / must ponder over it;
meanwhile, my sister will escort you to
the falls, and TO the rock where Pocahon-
tas saved the life of Captain Smith. AT
dinner time | will give you an answer"
Rupert WHITLEY was young planter
near jamestown, who, with we'll pro-
porLioned person, and manly counte.
nance, possessed noble heart and a
cultivated intellect. His idea cf female
excellence had been formed upon an ideal
model Of perfection, in which he had
blended the accomplishment Of all the
heroines of poetry and romance. Vain
had been his search hereto, but ere he
had been long with Henrietta, he imsg-
ined If her qualities Of mind corresponded
with her personal charms, he had at