The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-04-25
CHAP Err III.
L A u 2 X L w o D ID

=
Twilight stole silently upon Laurelwood; !;
it curled in upon the mansion and surround
ing trees like a pale, soft mist. 1t was a
very quiet hour, and yet to Jessie Burnside
there was something inexpressibly oppress-
i've in the air. Her fair companions, Ruth
Haviland and Judith Burnside, her sister,
sympathized with these feelings of uneasi-
ness. With the exception of Blinko, a
black servant, and Jupe, mulatto girl,
these ladies were, at this time, the sole oc-
cupants of the house, Mrs. Burnside being
absent in attendance upon a sick neighbor,
while Mr.. Burnside was serving in Marion 8
brigade. 1t was at that period when the
struggle for liberty seemed dark and hope
less. South Carolina was overrun with pit
iless enemies, anG devastated with FIRE and
sword. Toryism was rife, and stalked abroad
like destroying angel, shifting old and
young. No man trusted his neighbor until
he stood shoulder to shoulder with him in
battle. No one knew where to find faith
and good fellowship till danger and death
had come to apply the test to friend and
brother.
Burnside's mansion-which had received
the name of Laurelwood on account of its
proximity to Laurel Swamp-was so far
distant from towns and cities that he fatter-
ed himself its quietude would not be in
truded upon by marching armies or wander
ing bands of loyalists 1t is true that he
left his beloved ones with reluctance, and
was often harrassed with fears for their safe
| ty; but duty-yea, necessity-called him to
| the field and he went hoping that Provi-
dence would protect those he left at home.
| So far, Laurelwood had not been molested.
| The terrible tales of the atrocities committed
| in neighboring towns and hamlets were
daily reaching him. The young ladies had
recently, too, had their fears excited by the
prosecutions of certain persons, whose char
acters and principles were alike obnoxious.
| With these parties we shall soon become
better acquainted.
Wishing to conceal her detection of mind,
and see if the open air were not more ex-
hilirating, Jessie Burnside opened the door,
and stepped out as she believed, unobserved
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 laidrudely over her mouth; it was
the hand of Martin Vantassle.
Come Miss, don't be frightened, for
am neither wolf nor panther, but plain
Martin Vantassle-as good man as you
can find atween here and the mouth of the
Santee. What's better I'm a kings man,
and the kings men have it all their own
way, now" ---... ... ...
"You are rude and unmannerly, sir ~
cried Jessie, pushing him from her indig-
nantly. " If you have business with me,
speak it, and begonel" sl t- ..5 --
We'll, Mistress, have matter of busi-
ness with We, reckon, which shall last for
life, if you like il. I arn't a person that can
talk much, and haven't great deal of time
to spend in that soft palaver they call love-
making; but want a wife right hard, and
you re the one I've kinder fixed my mind
! on"
"Oh, this is your wooing," said Jessie
contemptuously. "Let me tell you, Martin
yantassie that your wooing is odious. You
are q bear !" ...f -a
"That's right Miss; call me pet names
! You can make me the best natured bear in
the world, if you vii" -~...,f f...- =
Vantassle attempted to tap her playfully
under the chin with his clumsy hand. 49,.
"Dont touch me! there is contamination
in the touch Of one who turns traitor,
I and betrays his own countrymen to foreign
invaders. have no patience with you, nor
those of your character or habits of think
ing, who are associated with you in your
crime and spoliation. The word Tory makes
me shudder; your presence disgusts me,
while your deeds fill me with horrori"
She tried to escape from the summer
house. yantassle caught her by the wrist.
"Not so fast, my scornful Now is the
reign of might over right. Law and order
are fed the land. Fear of magistrates is no,
now before our eyes. We don't ask, "shall
we do this or that 1? but we do as we list
/ want you and am come for you"
This is frightful I" gasped Jessie. al
shall die with terror Blinkoi Blinko
Help-helpl" rs - s- -ss .t.
y At that moment she heard the report of Q
rife not far of. '-
-" Did You hear that?" asked the Tory
with triumph. at was for Blinko III