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


CHAPTER III.
FIRE AND SWORD.
The four defenders of I.aurelwood ran from
point 10 point to meet and repel the invaders
who eudpavored to force an entranre through
| he windows and doors simultaneously. The
voice of Tom Hutter swelled loudly above the
| lin of conflict The struggle was kent up with
determined .prit by the besieged. While each
was engaged with an enemy, Jessie Burnside
cried out that a party of them had beaten down
Mo of the doors and were pressing into the
hall.
Podiiah ard Hazelhurst sprang to meet them,
| For a time the result was doubtful, but the VIC
tory finally turned in favor of the defenders,
whose powerful blows and hearty courage they
rould not withstand Those who were not re-
pulsed were left upon the floor with broken
heads. The door was replaced and everything
movable piled against it.
| The Tories ANONYMOUSLY Withdrew to the
shelter of the surrounding trees and shrub
berry, and Hutter hoped that the attack
would not again be renewed.
The girls during this Scene behaved nobly.
Overc ming the natural timidity of their sex,
they made themselves useful to their brave
friends in various ways. Paul Hazehurst
fought like lion. IF he entertained featS, they
were not for himself, but for Jessie Burnside
and her companions. When he paused from
the conflict, painting and thirsty, she brought
him water; her little hand presented the COIL
ing draught to his lips. He would gladly have
imprisoned that ministerng member in his own
and pressed grateful kisses upon it, had pro-
prietv sanctioned the act.
| Sc Are Won wounded . she asked hurriedlv
Il do not know ne replieA,' have thought
only Of you and vour friend,, never have time
to think Of myself when you are near should
despise myself if did
You are too brave, 100 generous an
swered Jessie with emotion You expose
Yourself needlessIy You have too much con-
temnt for d,pger.'
There is no such word as danger. when
do battle for the safety of Jessie Burnside
| Too chivalrous too chivalrous ! exclaim-
ed Jessie.
| can't quite understand this silence said
| Hutter, approaching Hazeihurst.
WAX my fax, if don't believe the critters
has got enough ont said Po'lijah. You
see they can't STAN near so much hamme' IN
as folks can as are fghtin' for liberty. A few
right smart knocks takes the starch right out o.
'em
sThev're towards if they don't Try it again.
returned Hutter. There's dozen of 'em. al
least and they ought 70 be match, in the
course Of natur, for four ; bnt we've got some
thing within US that they haven't-love O
friends home, country and justice See what
work they've made Of your house, Miss Jessie
The wnders are rddled, the doors broke, the
furuitary ruined, and everything at sixens and
sevcns
| We love Laurelwood, replied jessie. but
we love the cause Of freedom better. The de.
Of will priavt. hint Ettl, 70
valuable lives are spared and the Tory miscre.
ants punished
Punished 1-he assured that they will ! ex-
claim4d Paul Hazelhurst. Heaven is Just
Some of them are even now reaping the re-
ward Of their villainy. Look at those expiring
wrctches who fell near the door. Listen Ia
heir means Of anguish What thought have
they to comfort them and soften their pains OF
dissolution They die horror to themselves
and every iustice-loving mind. What a re-
memhrance The tories Of South Carolina will
leave 10 posteri'y!
The word Tory will be the synonym of in.
| famv,' said Judith
| The night had set in quite dark. and objects
coud be seen at a short distance only. The
trees looked dim and misty in the nocturnal
gloom. Tom Hut,er and his comrades strained
their eyes in every direction in search of their
fnes, but without discovering them The sur
rounding scenery was as quiet as if il had new
er been disturbed by the sound Of human con-
4 Hict nothing broke the quetude save tile
crolns of the wounded in the house, and al
long intervals, The cry of wolf in the tangled
hedges of Laurel Swamp.
The fears of the young ladies began TO sub
side; an assurance-faint and trembling, al
4 frst-that those lawless men had retired and
would not return to renew the coafict took
possession Of their minds. A glow of hope
returned to their pale cheeks. As their own
danger grew less imminent, in their estimation
feelings Of compassion for the wounded Tories
visited their hearts. They would have pro.
duccd lights to examine their condition and
make remedial applications, had they not beer
lcautoned by their more experienced defenders
i Half an hour elapsed. The silence continued
unbroken. Tom Hutter was not at ease, bu
walked about nervously, casting prying glance:
from one window, then from another He wa.
suspicious and unsatisfed. He knew that The,
had suffered loss, hut not enough 10 prevent
brave men. or persons of ordinary hardihood
from making fnrrher attempts.
Paul Hszrlhmsi az first shared Hutier's in.
quirrude, but finally joined the ladies, confiden
thai there was no immediate danger to appre
eend
i emit comprehend il 7, mutiered Hotter
10 perplexed manner. There's alters mis-
chief goiR, ON when folks are still.'
That's abeout my own way O thInkIn', re
marked Poaijah, who heard Toms renal Il