Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-04-29
CHAPTER III.


% FIRE AND ORD
u The four defenders of Laurelwood ran from
7 point to point to meet and repel the invaders
" who endeavored to force an entrance through
the windows and doors simultaneously. The
II voice Of Tom Hutter sweIled loudly above the
din of conflict. The struggle was kept .sap
with determinedsspirit by the beseiged. While
each was engaged with an enemy, Jessie Burn
: side cried out that party of them had beaten
down one of the doors and were pressing into
the hall.
Podjah and Hazelhu-st sprang to meet
them. For time the result was doubtful, but
victory finally turned in favor of the defenders,
whose powerful blows and hearty courage they
could not withstand: Those who were not rcL
pulsed were left upon the floor with broken
heads. The door was replaced and everything
movable placed against it
The Tories ignominiously withdrew to the
shelter of the surrounding trees and shrubbery,
and Hutter hoped that the attack would not
again be renewed.
The girls during this scene behaved nobly..
Overcoming the natural timidity of their sex,
they made themselves useful to their brave
friends in various ways Paul HazeIhurst fought
for himself but for Jessie Burnside and her
companions. When he paused from the con-
fiet, painting and thirsty, she brought him wa
ter; her little hand presented the cooling
draught to his lips. He would gladly have
imprisoned that ministering member in his own
and pressed grateful kisses upon it, had propri-
| ETY. sanctioned the act.
care you wounded" she asked hurriedly.
II do not know" he replied. 1 have not
thought of myself have thought only Of ysu
and your friends, never have time to think Of
myself when you are near; should despise my
self if l did"
"You are too brave, too gefierodtts!' answer
ed Jessie, with emotion. "You expose your
self needlessly; you have too much contempt
for danger"
"There is no such word as danger when 1 do
battle for the safety and honor of Jessie Burn
side"
"Too chivalrousI too chivarous!' exclaimed
Jessie
81 can't quite, understand this silence" ap.
preaching Hazelhurst
WAX my fax, if don't believe the critters
has got enough on't!' cried Podijah. You see
they chn't stan near so much hammerin' as
folks can as are fghtin' for liberty. A few
right smart knocks takes the starch right out
of 'em.
They're towards if they don't try it again"
returned Hutter. There's a dozen of 'em, st
least and they ought to be match, in the
course Of uatur', for four; but we've got some
thing within us that they haven't-love of
friends, home, country and justice. See what
work they've made of your house, Miss Jessie:
10 aI kI.aI 4ho
furnitary ruined, and everything at sixens and
sevens."
"We love Laurelwood,' replied JESSIE "but
we love the cause of freedom better. The des-
truction, of property will grieve us but little,
if valuable lives are spared and the Tory mis-
creants punished"
"Punished?-be assured that they willP' ex-
claimed Paul Hazelhust Heaven is justE-
Some of them are even now reaping the re-
ward of their vilainy. Look at those expiring
wretches who fell near the door. Listen to
their means of anguish What thought have
they to comfort them and soften their pains Of
dissolution? They die-a horror to themselves
and every 1usticelo3ing mind. What q re-
membrance the Tories of South Carolina will
leave to posterity"
"The word Tory viii be the synonym Of iR9a-
N.Y." said Judith.
The night had set in quite dark, and objects
could be seen at short distance only. The
trees looked dim and misty in the nocturnal
gloom Tenn Hutter and his comrades strain
ed their eyes in every direction in search Of
their foes, but without discovering them. The
surrounding scenery was quiet as If it had
never been disturbed by the sound Of human
conflict; nothing broke the quiettde save the
groans of the wounded in the house, and, at
intervals, the cry of wolf in the tangled he'd
ges of Laurel Swamp.
The fears of the young ladies began to sub
side; an assurance-faint and trembling, at
first-that those lawless mei' had retired ard .
would not return TO renew their conflict, took
possession of their minds. A glow of hope
returned 10 their pale checks. As their own
danger grew less imminent, in their estimation
feelings of compassion for the woonded Tories
visited their hearts. They would have produ-
ced lights to examine their condition and make
remedial applications, had they not been eau
toned by their more experienced defenders,
Half an hour elapsed. The silence contin--
ued unbrcken. Tom Hutter was not ut eases
but walked about nervously, casting prying
chances from one window, then from another.
lie WIS Suspicious tiiO uIISdllSLfeNa AAC htfNW
that they had suffered loss but not enough TO
prevent brave men, OF even ordinary hardihood,
from making further attempts.
Paul Hazelhurst at first shared Hutters M
quietue, but finally joined the ladies, confident
that there was no immediate danger to aPPre'
hend.
Il can't comprehend itl' muttered Hatter,
in perplexed manner. There's SlleEs mis-
chief goin' on when folks are STILL"
That's abeout my own way o thinkin, reA
marked Podijah, who heard Toms Eenarks.---
The most mischief is done with the least
noise, 'corlin to my experience fust and asst
here and there, by and large as the world goes
Did YOU ever go u courtin, Mister!
Il never did" said Tom
"WeN that's abeout the stillest work yoT
can find, reckon, though sometimes there's
heap o haisiness DONE
"Hark.' said Tom.
~ don't hear nothin' but Paul and the gals.
Paul's ruther sweet on em, i should say,
though twould be hard to choose atween EN-.
Wax my flax, if il wouldn't"
at strikes me- said Tom, "that the air Is
growing hot and oppressive listen! be qnaeS
there, Paul and the gals"
Each of the parties became attentive.
A Kissing roaring sound was heard over
head.
"The house is on fre!" cried Hutter. Some