True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-03-24
A SEA SKECH.
Life for Life.

" OCu OhECH.
Life for Life.
+" Father, is there no hope for him p
Is the British General so heartless as to
condemn one so noble, so brave, so young,
to die without mercy :"
These words were used by a pale,
fearful girl Of great beauty, in the middle
portion Of the Revolution which gave
freedom home on our own beloved soil.
During that period when cruelty was but
too prevalent among both parties-when
tories, American born, were If possible,
more relentless and cruel than the British.
The father, noble looking man of a.
middle age, turned glauce out Of the
window which opened towards Long
Island Sound, the green waters Of which
could be seen sparkling beyond grove
that fronted his dwelling, near Hurl Gate.
He turned to this, to hide from her his
emotions, for she was bis only child, and
he feared that her young heart would
break when he told her all the sad news,
that lay SO heavily on his heart.
"Speak, Father, tell me, is there no
hope will 90 myself, and kneeling to
The lyrant, will plead for the life of him
whom love only as woman can love !"
she continued.
"Alas my child, mercy is dead in the
British Generals breast--hiS heart is
callous to pity! I have risked much in
pleading for him, but for your sake, would
be almost willing to die in Nathan's place. "
Cruel, cruel fate When is he ,c
die ? There must be some hopes of his
rescue. He was a favorite with Wash
ington, and be is at White Plains. / will
60 to hinl."
Alas, my child" said her Father,
i" nerve yourself tor the news. 1t is
already too lale."
Dead, dead!" shrieked the poor girl
10, father, say that is not so ~
"Alas, my child cannot! He vas
hung al sunrise, and was even refused a
bible to look at ere he was summoned
before his Maker"
For a moment the poor girl stood silent
, not tear came from her eyes but q
wild light illuminated them; flash as
bright asire itself gathered over both face
{ and brow-she clenched her fair hand:
f together until the nails seemed 10 enter
. the flesh, and with cold, bitter tones sht
, cried
Z" Life for Life +, l shall be revenged--
yes deeply revenged!"
, "Cbild, dear child, be calm," said tht
fond parent.
0 "Father, 1 am calm-very calm i
Calm as he is, almost. And | swear hi
shall be revenged, if my own hands hav'
t to reach the tyrant's heart who seale'
his dooml-I loved, Oh, how loved hin
and were not our betrothal vows plight
3 ed !! will act az widow-as the widow
9 Of soldier ought to act"
MY dear child, you will bring ruiz
: on our heads.
J, Mot upon yours, father but to me
1t what is ruin now But | will not be rasl
d Il will 60 to my room and pray, an
think Of him who now lies cold in death,
q She turned and left the room, Will
Is the father still stood looking out upon tn
waters, which were dashed with risin
e storm, and the trees which already bega
l. to writhe beneath the force Of the risin
b gale, like some huge giant wrestlln
10 with some unforeseen power.
d Meanwhile his daughter had gone u
to her room ia one of The cheerful gable
Ee Of the old fashioned house and forge
ting to pray, in the mad ,umult of ht
le wrung heart, was also gazing out upo
the storm which was not wilder than I'll
Ie tumull in her own heart.
/. From her elevated position she couI
8, look over the tree tops and the SER
id clouds, as like a battling host marshallt
Of to the charge, amid the sulphurous smol
le they rose and spread athwart the sky.
OF She could see the edyng Of Hurl Cat
!" tossing with whirls the foam caps, viii
id as drifting snow, in the alr--the breake
~ tumbling up against the black rocks as
they would hide their dangers from Il
le bold mariners view.
Suddenly, the sound Of cannon W
ed heard and as she looked upon the SOU
she saw that ship Of war had hove
o. above the narrow gorge Of the gate.
o. signal for pilot was flying at the toreto
and the hated cross Of St. George fl
ly from the spanker gaff.
'r- With one cry of fierce delight, the Il
tie girl bounded from the room.
ng "Life for Life-Nathaniel Hall SD
be avenged"
- What was her ideal Within anotl
de room 10 the house was the clothing o
iy brother, who had been laid under
nd sod /: and 10 this room she fed. and "
an soon arrayed in suit Of such clothing
lu- the young men generally wear when II
60 on boating excursion. Without