Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-04-22

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Burnside's mansion--which had reeeiye
the name of Laurelwood on account g
its proximity to Laurel Swamp-wasNt Z
far distant from towns and cities thatEil
flattered himself its quieiude would not b
intruded upon by marching armies o
wandering bands Of loyalists. II is tru'
that he left his beloved ones with reluc
lance, aud was often harassed with fears
for their safety; but duty-yea, necessity
called him to the field, and he went
hoping that providence would protect those
he left at home. So far, Laurelwood had
not been moested. The terrible tales o.
the atrocities committed in neighborina
towns and hamleis were daily reaching
him. The young ladies had recently, too
had their fears excited by the prosecutions
of certain persons, whose characters and
principles were alike obnoxious. With
these parties we shall become better ac-
quainted.
Wishing to conceal her detection of mind
and see if the open air were not more ex-
bilerating. Jessie Burnside opened the door,
and stepped out. as she believed. unobserv-
ed by Ruth and Judith. There was small
summer house overgrown with vines, few
yards distant she entered it. and sat down.
She had scarcely done so when she heard a
voice pronounce her name She sprang up
with cry Of terror. A large rough hand
was laid rudely over her mouth it was
the hand of Martin Vantassle.
aCome, Miss, don't be frightened for |
am neither wolf nor panther, but plain
Martin Vantassle---as good a man as you
can find atween here and the mouth of the
Santee. What's better, I'm kings man,
and the kings men have it all their own
way, now.
"You are rude and unmsnerly, sir :"
cried Jessie, pushing him from her indig-
nantly. :" If you have business with me,
speak it and begone >
"Well, Mistress, have matter Of bus
mess with ye, reckon, which shall last for
life, if you like it. / ant u person that
can talk much, and havn't a great deal of
time to spend in that soft palaver they call
love-making; but | want a wife right hard,
and you're the gal I've kinder fixed my
mind on"
"Oh, this is yonr woong " said Jessie,
contemptuously. :. Let me tell you, Mar
tin Vantassle, that your wooing is odious.
You are bear"
sThat's right Miss, call me pet names.
You can make me the best natured bear in
the world, if you will"
VantassIe attempted TO tap her p'ayfully
under the chin with his clumsy hand.
Don't touch me there is contamina-
ton in the touch Of one who turns traitor,
and betrays his own countrymen to foreign
invaders. | have no patience with you.
nor those Of your character or habits of
thinking, who are associated with you in
your crime and spoliation. The word To-
ry makes me shudder. your presence dis
gusts me, while your deeds fill me with
horror
She tried to escape from The summer
house. VantasSle caught her by the wrist.
]" Not 90 fast my scornful Now is the
reign of might over right. aw and order
are fled the land. Fear of magistrates is
not now before our eyes. We don't ask.
Shall we do this or that = but VIC do as
we list. want you, and am come foryou.
g This is frghiful gasped Jessie. +" ]
shall die with terror! Blinko Blinko +!
Help--Help!"
At that moment she heard the report Of
a rifle not tar off.
did you hear that? !" asked the tory
with triumph. I" 1t was for Blinko, III
be sworn / left man on his track that
can kr ock over dollar at a hundred
yards
"Spare me Have we not been neigh
bors /? Were we not friendly before this
terrible war Remember, | entreat OF
you, that am poor trembling girl, with
no protector"
Al shall have no trouble in remembering
the last, I'll warrant. | shouldn't trusted
myself here if you'd been surrounded by
the cursed rebels. Come, gal, our home is
in Laurel Swamp"
With quick, unexpected movement,
Vantassle drew her to him, lifted her in his
arms, and moved toward the dark and tan
ged mass of wood lying in the rear oil the
mansion at the distance of a hundred rods
and covering an area OF ten miles In cir
conference.
BY this time Ruth and Judith had miss
ed her, and came running 10 the spot as
he was bearing her away. They cried
loudly for assistance, while terror nearly
deprived them of sense and volition. AT
the moment when the catastrophe seemed
complete, tall man, with large black
patch over his left eye, and a long rifle in
his hand, sprang from clump Of shrub
berry, seized Vantassle by the throat, wrest-
ed Jessie from his grasp, and choking him
till he was black in the face, hurled him to
the ground. While Vaniassle lay stunned
upon the earth, his vanquisher took his
musket from his unnerved hand, discharged
it into the air and broke the stock against
the trunk of tree. He then drew the pis-
tosl from the Tory's belt and thrust them
into his own, from which already proiruded
the butts Of four. The blade OF Vantas-
sles knife he snapped by thrusting it into
the cleft of rock, but the heavy sabre he
buckled TO his side, leaving the ruffian en-
tirely unarmed.
:" In, gals, in! cried the rescuer. Bar
your doors and say your prayers, for the
Tory hounds have scented blood, and will
not rest till they have gorged themselves"
The tall wild looLiuy man glanced at