Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-03

And Langsford stood there and heard it all
1 on should have seen his brow contract and
his face turn red and pale in rotation. and be-
hold his teeth sink into his under lip until th,
warm blood ran trinckling down his chin, and
feli, drop by drop upon his heavinc bosom
yet he stirred not, but with every muscle quiY-
ering like an aspan. he listened for the replv.
g! believe you, Mary, and never yet have
doubted the real canse of your action; but
trust there viii be no more occasion for dis
scmbling. Marion has again returned to the
Santee-his blood boiling to avenge his conn
trymen upon this same Langsford; and woe
TO the puppet of English power if he leaves
me streets of Charleston for the open country
at presents
''But he is coming. got letter from him
.Ee other day; couched in the most loving
terms, IN which he said he should be ont in a
lew days to claim me as bis bride. threw
the abhored letter into the fire, and wished he
I: ight break his neck frst''
Langsford could stand it no longer. The
warm blood had rushed into his face until it
was red rs scarlet; and drawing back his right
hand, dashed the window in By vigorous
blow. and exclaimed in voice of thunder
'And he is here to claim his bride, and
hang the traitor who would seduce her love-
Saving which. he called his men TO advance,
ard sprang into the room.
Mary Steel uttered one couvulsive scream
of horror, and sank lifeless to the floor; while
terruption, retreated to the side of the room
and placed his bacl, against the wall, drawing
his sabre as he did so.
GA ay, my fine fellow. caught in trap of
your own setting.'' exclaimed Langsiord
sneeringly, as he glanced at the rebel. s.Seize
him, men, he added. to several soldiers who
had By this time crowded into the apartment,
Sand guard him weil.''
The men advanced 20 obey, and concluding
that resistance would be useless against such
odds the young patriot bent his knee, across
which he snapped his sabre and threw the
pieces upon the floor.
Langsford being left alone in the room with
Mary, advanced and bent over her senseless
form, which he was about raising in his arms,
when Walter Steel came into the apartment.
S;riding mp to the Captain, nc placed his left
hand against his shoulder and pushed LangS-
ford somewhat rndely from the body, at the
same time raising his daughter with the other
ga fathers attention is best given his
daughter at time like the present." he said
sternly, noticing the scowl gathering upon
the officers brow.
ssBut remember, Mr.. Steel, that am not to
be insulted with impunity,'' he growled
angrily.
ssAnd you viii recolect, Captain Lsngsford,
that | am master of my own household - re-
piled Steel, calmly, though little touched by
the officers taunt. elf you have anything to
say to my daughter, yoa must wait till she is
recovered
ssWell, have much to say, and will give
you two hours to prepare her for what is to
take place. said Langsford slowly.
.'Much obliged to you for your condeScen-
tom nlIttcred Steel in audible voice, as
he bore his child from the room.
CHAPTER II.
About an hour after the occurrence related
in the preceding chapter, figure obser-
we'd by the sentry, who was stationcd in the
road, 10 front OF the horse, coming quickly
towards him, and as it was bright moonlight
night, he saw that the person carried two pan
niers of tin, suspended from yoke over his
shoulder The sentinel Instantly surmised
the individual to be pedler, as there were a
good many travcrsing the country at that time,
and it being his duty to hail everything that
approached his post. he instantly shouted
s'W ho goes there ?''
seNotllin but a pedcr,'' was the reply lin the
regular drawl of the down easter.
'eAdvance and give the couaterSlgn," contin-
ued the sentry.
sI'lI advance if yeou want me TT, but II be
darned if / give anything away"
SO saying the pedlcr approached the sentry,
where he was met by the corporal OF the guard,
who had been attracted TO the spot By the
challenge.
s.W hat have yon got to sell?'' he demanded.
ssBetter ask what haven't got to seli,' re-
piled the pcdler.
- " ell VII tidNcu Ou SOb ~ oSii 1NPsi-
ed the corporal.
esNothin' that yeou want, unless it be this
pint bottle of rum
aWhat do you ask for it 70 demanded the
corporal.
s.Not much If yeou'u let me intew the
yard among the soljiers, I'll give it to yeou-D
sslt's bargaiu,'' answered the corporal
quickly, whose orders had been positive to
let no one out, but nothing had been said a
bout net letting people in.
Giving the officer on guard the rum, the
pedler passed into the yard among the soldiers,
who congregated Immediately around him.
ssWhat have you got to sell, old fellow ~
yelled one.
scot any rum ?" cried a second.
s.Get me out q pack of cards." said third.
81 want a jack knife" said a fourth
$50 TO thunder, every darned one OF yeou,"
replied the pedler in a loud voice, as he put
down his panniers. ssDarn it to darnation,
dew yeou think I've got forty tongues TO an
swer you all at once. Who is that wanted
rum 20 -
..Me,'' answered the soldier, stepping for
ward.
s.Well. L haint got none," retorted the Yam
kee to the crest fallen trooper. ssWho's that
wanted cards,'' he added.
"Me,'' said another advancing.
:sWeII here they be.'' And the peder took
them out. s'They are fifty cents for pack.
ssLet me see them" And the trooper held
out his hand.
e.Darned if do until you let me see the
money to pay for 'em.
The man paid the half dollar, and the ped
Ter was soon busy selling off his goods to the
troopers, most of whom wanted something.
Nearly all of these men were out OF money,
ord after endeayoring in vain to dispose OF
, somethinr to Them, be pettishly exclaimed
seWeli. darn il yeou won't buy anything
can't yeou tell me of somebody who will r.
ssYou see that fellow tied to that tree doii
-. ~, .o;d one Of the men. pointing 10 tne