Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-08-04
THE WARRIOR MAIDEN.


Sometime just before or about the beginning
of the revolutionary war, Sergeant Jasper, of
Marion's Brigade, had the good fortune to save
the life of a young, beautiful and dark eyed
Creole girl, called Sally St. Clair. Her sus-
ceptible nature was overcome with gratitude
to her preserver, and this soon ripened into a
passion of love, of the most deep and feEvent
kind. She lavished upon him the whole
wealth of her affections and the whole depth
of passion nurtured by southern sun. When
he was called upon TO join the ranks of his
country's defenders, the prospect of their sep
aration almost maddened her. Their parting
came; but scarcely was she left alone, ere her
romantic nature prompted the means of re-
union. Once resolved, no consideration of
danger could dampen her spirit, and no tho't
of consequence could move her purpose. She
severed her long and jetty hair, provided her.
self with a suit of clothes, and set forth to fol-
low the fortunes of her lover.
A smooth faced, beautiful and delicate strip
ling appeared among the hardy, rough and gi-
ant frames that composed the corps to which
Jasper belonged. The contrast between the
STRIPPING and these men, in their uncouth
garbs, their massive faces, embrowned and dis
coored by the sun and rain, was indeed stri
king. But none were more eager for the bat
tie, or Indifferent to fatigue, as was the fair
faced boy. 1t was found that his energy of
character, resolution and courage, amply sup
piled his lack of physique. None ever sns-
pected that she was woman. Not even Jas
per himself, although she often by his
side, penetrated her disguise, but treated her
with kindness and respect, and often applaud
ed her heroic bravery. The romance of her
situation increased the feryor of her passion.
1t was her delight to reflect that, unknown to
him, she was by his side TO watch over him in
the hour of danger. She had fed her passion
by gazing upon him in the hour of slumber;
lowering near him when stealing through the
swamp and thicket, and always ready to avert
danger from his head.
But gradually there stole melancholy pre-
sentiment over the poor girls mind. She had
been tortured with hopes deferred; the war
was prolonged, and the prospect of being re-
stored to him grew more and more uncertain.
But now she felt that her dream of happiness
could never be realized. She became con-
viuced that death was abnut to snatch her "a
way from his side; but she prayed that she
might die, and he never know to what length
the violence Of her feelings had led her.
1t was the eve before battle. The camp
had sunk into repose. The watch fires were
burning low, and only the slow tread of senti-
nels fell upon the profound silence of the night
air they moved through the dark shadows
of the forest. Stretched upon the ground,
with no other couch than blanket, reposed
the warlke form of Jasper. Climbing vines
trailed themselves into canopy above his
head, through which the stars shone down
softly. The feint flicker from the expiring
embers of fire fell athwart his countenance,
and tinged the cheek of one who bent above
his couch. 1t was the smooth faced STRIPPING.
She bent low down, as if to listen to his dreams
or to breathe into his soul pleasant visions of
love and happiness. But tears traced them
selves down the fair ones cheeks, and fell ST.
lently but rapidly upon the brow of her lover.
mysterious voice has told that the hour of
parting has come; that tomorrow her destiny
iS Tharp = long
gering look, and the unhappy maiden is seen
TO tear herself away from the spot, to weep out
her sorrows in privacy.
Fierce and terrible is the conflict that on
the morrow RACES on the spot. Foremost in
that battle is that intrepid Jasper, and ever by
his side fights the STRIPPING warrior Often,
during the heat and the smoke, CLEANS sud-
denly upon the eyes of Jasper the melancholy
face OF the maiden. In the thickest of the
fight, surrounded by enemies, the lovers fight
side by side. Suddenly lance is leveled at
the breast of Jasper; but swifter than the
lance is Sally St. Clair. There is wild cry,
and at the feet of Jasper sinks the maiden,
with the life-blood gushing from her white bo-
som. He hecds not the din nor the danger of
the conflict but down by the side of the dy-
ing boy he kneelS. Then, for the first time,
does he learn that the STRIPPING is his love /;
that often by the campfire and in the swamp,
she has been by his side; that the dim visions
in his slumber, of an angel face lowering a.
bove him. had indeed been true. In the midst
| of the battle, with her lover by her side, and
| the barb still in her bosom, the heroic maiden
| dies
Her name, her sex and her noble devotion
soon became known through the corps. There
was fearful group gathered around her grave
there was not of those hardy warriors one who
| did not bedew her grave with tears. They
| buried her near the river Santee, ssin a green
| shady nook, that looked as if it had been sto-
| len out of Paradise"