Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1859-04-28
CHAPTER | I
LAUREL ooD

LAUREL WOOD.
Twilight stole silently upon Liarelwood:
II eurIed in upon the mansion aud surround.
ing trees like pale, soft mist. IL was
very quiet hour, but to Jesse Burnside
there was something ineIpres,ibiy opp,ess.
I've 10 the air. Her iair companions, Ruth
Havilsud aud Judith Buruside, her sister.
sympathiEed with these feelings Of unea.i,
ness With the exception Of Blinko, q
black servant, and Jupe. a mulAtto girl.
these ladies were, at this time, the sole oc
eupsnts Of the house, Mrs Burnside bein,
absent IN attendance upon sick relative,
while Mr. Burnside was serving 10 Marion's
brigade. IL was at that period wien the
struggle for liberty seemed dark and hope.
less South Carolina was overrun With nit.
iless enemies, and devastated with ERE ana
sword. Toryism MAS rite, and stalked abroad
like = destroying angel smitiug old and
young. No man trusted his neighbor until
he stood shoulder to shoulder with him io
battle No one knew where 10 find faith
and good fellowship ill danger aud death
had come TO apply the test TO friend and
brother
Burnside's mansion which had received
tho name Of LAurelWOod on account Of IL.
proximity 10 Laurel swamp was 50 far dis
tant from towns aud cities shat he battsrsd
himself It's quIetuie wsaid not be intruded
upon by marching Armies or wandering
bands OF loyalists. 1t is true that he ief.
hrs beloved Suss with reluctance. aud was
often haTassed with fears for .heir safety.
but duty-yea necessity called him 10 the
field, sud lie went, h,ping that Providence
would protect those be left home So far,
LaurlWOo6 had not been noiested. The
terrible tales of the atrocities committed
~ neis boring towns aud hamlets were da.>
lJ reaching him The young ladies' had re-
cobtly, too, had their fears excited by the
prosecutions of certain persons. whose char
tc;ers aud principles were alike obnoxious.
With these parties We shall sOou become
better aclusiDted.
Wishing to conceal her detection Of mind
aud see II ibe open AR were not more exhil.
israting. Jessie Burnside opened the door.
aud stepped out ss shs believed, unobsetved
~ Rath aud Judith There wa.a snail
Summer house ovsrgrowB vi b tse., Af,w
yards distant she euterel it. aud sat doHn
SHe had scarcely done so. when she heard
voice proBoubcu her maze She spraus up
With a cry Of terror. A laIgs rough hand
was laid rudcly over her mouth il was 40
hand Of Martin Nauta,sle
Come, Miss, don't be ffiSLteud, fJr I an
neither a wolfe nor pshiher, bat plaia
Martin Nabtassle--ss good q man a. you
can 6nd atNoen here aud the mouth of the
ssnies What's better I'ma sirgs msn,
aud the kings meR have it all their 0un
way. nov.
You arc rude aud unmsnnerIy, sir 2 cried
Jessie, pushing hia from her Indignantly
IL you have basiRsss With ms speak 10. and
begone
We'll, Mistress. I have . mstier Il bust
nsss With ye. reckon, which shsli last for
life. ifyoa like IL. / ainta person thst car
talk much and haveDta great deal Of tine
TO spend IN that soft paiavef they call love.
mailing but ! uants wife right hard. .bd
yours the gal I've kinder sIsl py mind
on
'Ob, thi. is Jouf ~ooisg said Jessie. con
tsHptuop,ly LIT me isn you. Msftn
Naoisssle thst yOuf vooisg y odseas Yoa
are q bear
That's right Miss call me pet sames -
You oaB sake ne the best Bstared bear IN
lhs world, u you will
YAbtassls attsmpisi 70 tap her play fslly
under the ohih sith bis clunsy bsud
Don't touch me thsrs isa eOnismina.
tion 10 lbs touch q one who turns traitor.
and bs,fays be oousiry man % foreign %
vaders have % paiisbes 9Th ypu. nor
ihose of J0gf ehsTsetsT % habits " tbist.
iug, uho are associated with you 10 youf
enms snd spoliatiou. The vord tory mskss
me shaddsf your presence tisgusts me,
While you, deeds ell me vith horfof
sbo tFisi 70 ssoaps from the summer
boBss Vaaisssls sauFht bsf by The sfi.t
Not % fsst, mJ seofaiul Noe s tbs
reign u might over right Lsv aud order
are asi tbs lsnd Fear q msgistrnes is
nss BOZ before ear syss We 8snt ssk -
Shall - do tbs % tAs, ? tut us Do 81 We
lies vast you Gnd an cone fos y0a
This is frghtisl gtspsd Jessie 4 shall
die sith teFfos Blake BIihk0 Help
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