Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-04-23

ceIved the name OF Laurelwood on ac-
count Of lis proximity TO Laurel Swamp
was so far distant from towns and cities
that he fattered himself lis quie,ude
would not be intruded upon by marching
armies or wandering bands of loyalists. Ii
is true that he left his beloved ones with
reluctance, and was often harrassed with
fears for their safety; but duty-yea, ne
cessily-called him 10 the field, and he
went, hoping that Providence would pro-
tcct those he left al home. SO far, Lau-
REDWOOD had not been molested. The
terrible tales of The atrocities committed in
neighboring Towns and hamIets were dai
ly reaching him. The young ladies had
recently, TOO, had their fears excited by
the prosecutions of certain persons, whose
characters and principles were alike OBJ
noxious. With these parties we shall
soon become better acquainted.
Wishing t, conceal her detection Of
mind, and see if the open air were not
exhiliraling, Jessie Burnside opened the
door, and stepped out, as she believed
unobserved by Ruth and Judith. There
was a small summer house overgrown
with vines. few yards distant; she en-
tered it, and sat down. She had scarcely
done so, when she heard voice pro-
nounce her name. She sprang up with a
cry of terror. A large rough hand was
laid rudeIy over her mouth;it was the
hand of Martin VantassIe.
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 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.
nanlly. fyou have business with me-
speak and begone J
We'll, Mistress, | have matter OF busl-
ness with ye, reckon, which shall last
for life, if you like it. | amt person
that can talk much, haven'ta a great deal
of time to spend in that Pslaver they call
love. making: but want wife right hard
and you're the gal Eve kinder fixed my
mind on
.Oh, this is your wooing! said Jessie,
contemptuously. Let me tell you, Mar
tin VsstassIe, that your wooing is odiuus.
You are bear y
That's right, Miss; call me pet names.
You can make me the best natured bear
in the world, If you will
Vanlassle attempted 10 tap her playful
ly under the chin with his clumsy hand.
Don't touch me there is contamina-
ton 10 the touch one who turns traitor,
and betrays his own countrymen TO for
eign invaders. have no patience with
YOU, nor those Of your character or hsb-
lis of thinking. who are associated with
you in your crime and spolIallon.
The word Tory makes me shudder; your
presence disgusts me, while your deeds
fill me with horror !
She tried to escape from the summer
house. Vantassle caught her by the wrist
Not so fast, my scornGul Now is the
reign of might over right. Law and or
der are fled the land Fear of magistrates
is not now before our eyes. We don't
ask, Shall we do this or that? but we do
as we list, | want you, and am come for
yon.'
That is frighful = gasped Jessie. Il
shall die with terror |! Blnko Blinko !!
Help-help !
At that moment she heard the report OF
rifle not far off.
Did you hear that 2 asked the Tory,
with triumph. 1T was for Binko, III
be sworn | left man on his track that
can knock over dollal at a hundred
yards
Spare me Have we not been neigh
bors Were we not friendly before this
terrible war. Remember, | enTeat OF
YOU, that am poor, trembling glrl,wlth
no protector
:. shall have no trouble in remember
| ing the last, I'll warrant. | shouldn't
trusted myself here if you'd been sur
rounded by the cursed rebels. Gomez gal,
our home is in Laurel Swamp
With quick. unexpected movement,
Van,assle drew her to him, lifted her in
his arms, and moved toward the dark and
tangled mass of WOOD lying in the rear of
1.-The mansion a, the distance Of hundred
rods, and covering an area often miles in
circumference.
Bv this rme Ruth and Judith had mis-
sed her, and came rlnning to 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 a large black
patch over his left eye, and long rifle in
I his hand, sprang from clumP OF shrub