Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-05-11
miscellaneous.
From the Red, White and Blue,
A Cruise ON the ScuylkiII!
BY CHURCHILL FREEMAN.

him, which was situated on the west bank of
the Schuylkill, few miles above the Qua
ker city.
The family of Colonel Moreton comprised
only himself and his daughter, Lizzie-a fair
and accomplished maiden of seventeen sum
mers.
The lovers of Miss Lizzie Moreton were
two in number:
Walter Van Arlyn, the son of a rich old
neighbor. and gallant young patriot. who
often used to ride down from .'the farms
and inquire for the Colonel, but without hav-
ing anything especial to say to that gentle
man; especially after Lizzie ckanced to make
her appearance.
ish navy, who had been some time on patrol
in the vicinity, waiting to be exchanged.
Ofthese two lovers, it is evident that only
one could be beloved by Miss Lizzie, as she
was not coquette. That one was Walter
Van Arlyn.
Such being the relative situation of the par
ties, let us look at the combination of events
which succeeded.
One evening, party of laborers in the vi
cinity of Colonel Moreton's heard the clatter-
ing of horses hoofs, as it was ridden rapid
ly down the road which wound along the
bank of the river.
There comes young Van Arlyn," said one
| of them. ssHe is coming to court Miss Liz
ziel"
| Pistol shots succeeded, and the horseusn
came to halt. Then faint groan reached
| tue ears of the listeners, and all rushed for
ward in the direction from which it proceed
| ed. They soon bebeld man lying upon the
| ground. in the middle of the road, and anoth
er man bending over the PROSTATE figure.
u C. g IL
nized as Lieutant Clavering, the British lover
of Miss Moreton He was already dead,
pistol bali having passed through his heart.
The second figure, the one bending over the
corpse and ever holding pistol in his hand
was quickly recognized as Walter Van Ar
lyn.
ga clear case" said the spokesman of the
| laborers. THE patriot lover has killed his
| British rival!"
Under this impression, Walter Van Arlyn
was seized by the laborers and hurried away
to the county Jail. A great deal of excite
ment succeeded the publication of~the facts,
and host of revelations gradually came out
all tending to fix the crime of assassination up
| on the prisoner. 1t was shown that he had
quarreled with the English officer, and that
the two had been restrained from fighting a
duel only by the interference of friends. Even
Colonel Moreton, as we'll as he knew the
patriot. was compelled to bow to the strong
array of circumstantial evidence developed,
and confessed with the profoundest regret, to
his darling child, that there was but too much
reason to believe that jealousy or revenge had
betrayed her lover into the commission of this
most henious crime.
''No; mol" was her reply to these convic-
tions. 1.-The innocence of Walter may not
be susceptible of demonstration, but know
in nv own soul, that his hands aud heart ere
free from this bloodw
ssI fear the court will not be Of this opin
iou,'' was the invarable response of Colone
M. and his remark proved to be sagely found
ed When the trial came on, despite all the
efforts of his counsel and friends. young Wal
ter Van Arlyn was found guilty and condemn
ed to death.
The day fixed for his execution was nov
close at hand.
More than once Miss Moreton would have
paid the condemned visit in his gloomy eel
but her father restrained her, saying will
great justice:
'.You are not betrothed to Walter, m,
darling, but your relation was nevertheless
such as to entitle you to some sort of an ex
, explanation which he has never given
!, In fact, Van Arlyn had never uttered
,, word to any one, with the intention of ex
planning the suspicious circumstances whicl
, had led to this condemnation.
'.For this reason" urged Colonel NJ, ''
would have you see the propriety-'
!, 'Oh, father! will do as you desire! but
my heart is broken! He might have assured
;. me that he is innocent-oh, he might be
: mighV -
We will not attempt to portray the agon
> of Miss Moreton, as the day drew near o.
which Walter was to be hanged. What puz
zled the old Col was. that he himself ha.
been able to gain word of danial or explain
alton from the condemned, although he hat
repeatedly visited him in prison, unbeknow
to the child.
n ..He must be guilty!" he finally decided i
= his own mind Poor Lizzie. Her faith
:, his innocence must be less critical tina
r. mine."
e The evening preceding the day fixed fc
n the execution, Miss Moreton was walking
. the garden back of her fathers mansion
= and along the edge Of the river. Her teal
ful eyes were ere long attracted to boat co
tanning two persons, which was coming dow
h the river, keeping in the shadow of the ban
n but evidently directed towards the spot wher
IS she was standing. AS it drew near, headin
ii in towards little creek at the foot of the q
.e den, and with such precision as to show th'
L her guide intended to come ashore, the mais
IN en- would have fed, had not anxious curiosit
le detained her:
~