Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-10-05
Written for the Spirit Of the Ago.
ELLA ELTON:
Or
THE ORPHAN OF YORK,
An Inddent Of the American Revolution.
ny VIRGINIA.

-
,sCome. Ella, I have commanded the Sea-
bird 10 unfold her wingsl See how anxious
lv thew iutter in the breezei The Gull is
impatient. and murmurs that beauty should
thus delay her fight Come my beloved,
lei us away over the blue waves Of the Ches-
Apeake"
'Nay, Charles, why do you thus Impor-
tune me2 Would you have me turn traitor
70 my home and countryr
These words were addressed to a young
man, who wore the British Naval Uniform,
by q pale, delicate girl Of scarce eighteen
summers. They we're standing under the
hank at Yorktown, near q cavernous rock,
which formed the base of the projecting cliff.
and has since been christened, "Cornwallis's
Cave"
"But, Ella, mia, you wrong me" continued
the young officer, for he was q lieutenant IN
the English Navy. "Your parents crossed
the wide Atlantic. You owe Virginia moth
ing but your birth"
FAnd a mothers last resting place." con-
tinued the fair Cir, as She vainly endeavored
It1f upon-ene enrR~n1dy6 Or 76ef gd5Hicree1 gaf6..
NAY, Ella, why distress yourself and me,
thus keenlyP do not seek to take you from
your parents grave; but would simply re-
move you from the charge Of those who can
NOT NOQTeCIAlt EEuulnC WOIln. IOuI u1Otkl-
er's spirit will hover over you as fondly in
England, as here. l am heartily tired of this
national strife, and with you as my bride,
can easily obtain leave Of absence from oul
Commander; and then as q liberated bird
how gaily will / retrace the world Of waters
bearing with me, this wild flower of the viii
derness, as my lawful prize"
A CLEAN Of satisfaction passed upon thu
maiden's features, as she said-"You believ,
the claims Of the Americans are just, Charles
Why then war against q righteous ~causes"
II must answer your question, Ella, By
another. Would you have me forfeit my al
legiance 70 nay king, in an enemy's land p
become dishonored and abhorred by all goot
men; like The monster who now ravages will
FIRE and sword the fairest portion of his lordl,
patrimony, in these extended Colonies? No
not to be king Of England would / become
second Arnold, | provoke no quarrels witt
the Americans. Our troops have the ascen
dAncy, and were it otherwise, | should onl,
act on the defensive. Our country, Ella, ma,
she always be right but right. or wrong,
am q Britonl'
"And right nobly do you sustain your cha
%actor," continued the orphan, q glow of er
thusiasm lighting up her spiritual face.
Charles st. Leger pressed the high-soule
girl TO his heart, and imprinted a proud XII
upon her brow. ..s-.,
'Whatl hoi Mr.. Sentinel if the willy O
Fox were here, instead Of on his way to m
lest Sir Harry's brood, in my poor iudgme
but few Of his majesty's troops would be Il
to tell the tale Of careless guards I Is it tn
that you leave your post on the rock,
take moonlight rambles with the daughte
Of the landf'
These words were uttered by Lord Coz
wallis, who, just Their emerging from an any
of the rock, stood confronting the youth
pair the very embodiment Of outraged n
iesty. But in an instant pcrceiving his err,
added, "Mr. 81. Legeri pardon the nome
tary ebscurity OF the moon. I crave VIC
forgiveness, ladyl Indeed / have caused
most un~intentional interruption to your to
a-tete." 1
I'VE are not alone, sir" interrupted I
with offended dignity; "there are few Brit
officers, with whom l would engage in
vate conversation at this hour of the nigf
Cecely, the maiden's faithful servant ar
from the elump Of Alder where she had b
sitting during her mistress's conversat
with the young officer.
eff your excellency will have the goodr
to LOOK up to the cliff, you will see Tom L
ton making his customary round - answe
w A0hSAh w - WV Va thukulH QcICIc
10 bis superior officer.
The commandant looked puzzled.
Leger," said he, II can arrange matters '
you; but the lady, Miss Elton, upon my
OF twas but half hour ago we were toas
youa at the Swan, as the White Rose of Yo
II shall scarcely excite such discussio
replied the lady with a slight touch of 50
and then turning to the young soldier
stood beside her, said in tones of mour
tenderness-'Charles, / have given yc
inal answer Seek not TO dissuade me
it. A British ship is no fit bower for a f
maiden; and in the heart of London,
would pine for the willows that bend
her mothers grave, and sigh for the
pines that oyershadow her native LAND
would not have you less honorable than
are you could not be more so. For
will nay prayers ever ascend to Heaven,
life remains y and pressing his hand
tionately, aud at the same time maxi,
slight inclination TO The commander