Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-05-11
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luton, in which highly accomplished young
lady, the daughter of distinguished officer
of the American army, played an important
part. The story being of most thrilling
nature, and exhibiting in striking manner,
the "Perils Of the Border" we have eonclud-
ed to give an extract from it, as originally
published, as follows:
The angle on the right bank of the Great
Kanawha, formed by its junction with the
Ohio, is called Point Pleasant and is place
of historical note. Here, on the 10th of Oc-
tober, IVA, during what is known as Lord
Duunore's War, was fought one of the fiercest
and most desperate battles that ever took place
between the Virgnians and their forest foes.
After the battle in question, in which the
Indians were defeated with great loss, a fort
was here erected by the victors, which became
post Of great Importance throughout the
sanguinary scenes of strife which almost i'm
mediately followed, and which in this section
OF the country were continued for many years
after that establishment of peace which ac-
knowledged the United Colonies of America
a free and independent natien,
A the landing of the fort, on the day our
story opens, fastened fat boat of the
kind used by the earliest navigators of the
Western rivers. Upon the deck CT this boat,
at the moment we present the scene to the
reader, stood five individuals, alike engaged
IN watching group Of persons, mostly fe-
males, who were slowly approaching the land.
ing. Of these five, one was a stout, sleek me-
gro, in partinl livery, and evidently a house or
body servant; three were b1atmen and Dor
derers indicated by their rough, bronzed
visages and coarse attire; but the fifth was a
young man. some two and twenty years of
age, ola fine commanding person, and clear
open, intelligent eountenance; and in the
lofty carriage of his head-in the CLEAN of his
large, bright, hazel eSe-thete was something
which denoted one of superior mind but as
we shall have occasion in the course of our
narrative, to fully set forth who and what
Eugene Fairfax was, we will leave him for the
present, and turn to the approaching group,
whom he seemed to be regarding with lively
interest
Of this group composed of middle-ag aged
man and four females, with black female
servant following some five or six PAGES in the
rear, there was one whom the most casual eve
would have singled out and rested upon with
pleasure. The lady i'll question was appar.
entity about twenty years Of age, Of slender
and graceful figure, and of that peculiar cast
of feature, which besides being beautiful in
every lneament, rarely tails to affect the be-
holder with something like e charm
Her travelling eostume-her fine brown
habit, high in the neck, buttoned closely over
the bosom, and coming down to her small
pretty feet, without trailing on the ground
was both Deat aud becoming and with her
riding cap and its waving ostrich plume, set
gaily above her flowing curls, her appearance
contrasted iorcibly with the rough. unpublished
looks OF those OF her sex beside her, with
fhpir ltuepv kad- u
coats, and bleached linen caps.
"Oh, Blanche" said one Of the more ven.
cradle Of her female companions, pursuing a
conversation which had been mainta ned since
! quitting the open font behind them, 81 cannot
bear to let you go; for it just seems to me as
| II something were going to happen to you,
and when feel that way something generally
| does happen"
| "WelL aunt" returned Blanche, with a
| light laugh, II do not doubt in the least that
something will happen-for l expect one of
these days to reach my dear father and blessed
mother, and give them such an embrace as Is
due from dutifui daughter to her parents
and that will be something that has not hap
pened Tor two long years at least. I"
"But don't mean that, Blanche, returned
the other, somewhat petulantly; sand you
just laugh like gay and thoughtless girl,
HnSA yOu DuSub ~ OS SGIlOH5 hECause YOU
have come safe thus lar, through a partially
settled country, you think, perhaps, your own
pretty face will ward off danger in the more
perilous widerness-but warn you that a
fearful journey is before you Scarcely SCAT
descends the Ohio, that does not encounter
more or less peril from the savages that prowl
along either shore and some of them that 20
down freghted with human life, are heard
OF no more, and none ever return to tell the
tale
4" But why repeat this to me, dear aunt"
returned Blanche, with more serious air.
" when you know 1t is my destiny. either
good OF bad, to attempt the yoyages My pa.
rents have sent for me to join them in their
new home, and 1t is my duty to go to them,
be the peril what it may"
You never did know what it was to fear"
pursued the good woman, rather proudly.
'oNo." she repeated, turning TO the Others
g Blanche Bertrand never did know what it
was to fear. believe r.
"Just like her father" joined in the hus-
band OF tile matron, the brother Of Blanche's
mother the commander of the station and
the midde.aged gentleman mentioned as one
of the party; "a true daughter of true SOL
dier. Her father, Col. Philip Bertrand, God
bless him for true heart never did seem
to know what it was to fear-and Blanche is
Just like him.
BY this time the parties had reached the
boat aud the young man already described
Eugene Fairfax, the secretary of Blanche's
iather-at once stepped forward, and, in a
polite and deferential manner, offered his hand
to the different females to assist them on
board. The hand OF Blanche was the last to
touch his--and then but slightly, as she
sprung quickly and lightly to the deck--but