Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-14

beautiful her long heavy hair was drawn
carelessly back from a high white fore
head her eyes were very large, round
and black. with cruel aickedness of ex-
preston that bet kened reckless soul,
and Blanche Russell was reckless of life,
health or reputation for since the cruel
death Of her parents she had not been the
girl of former years.
At the age of %, few men would have
been pleased to call her wife; for there
was too much self reliance and reckless
dauntless daring about her nature for her
to bp4tyrannized over hY petty liosue mon
arcns-tbats SO. Men smiled and boas-
ted, but feared to touch, or hardly come
within hailing distarce of this LADY; and
in her presence there were covert hints of
strong female Amazons, &c. Women
watched, feared, eneieJ, and therefore
sneered at her, while none but Aunt Ellen
and sister Ella understood the noble heart,
the pure, upiight disposition Of the wrong
ed and misjudged girl.
But for all this Blanche cared not She
had stood at the font of affection, and been
baptized in the water of grief, and as long
as she kept clear reckoning between God
and her own heart, what caea she for the
opinions of gansaying world? Nothing.
Just as we enter the parlor, Blanche is
bandying words with handsome young
rebel, who stands near. Let's listen and
obtain the substance of their remarks.
Say. Blanche, why don't you join us r.
| qnered the young man, whose chesnut hair
was surmonnted with three -cornered hat,
on the baud Of which glistened single
star, and whose breast was crossed by a
rich white satin scarf, on which glttered in
! letters of gold, the words Liberty and
life, or Death aud Heaven" These badg
cs were the insignia of his company.
"Perhaps may, ere long" was the
careless reply.
The Young captain laughed merrily
saving:
=" You are not in earnest Blanche!'
"And Why not! Though YOU need not
own me as cousin among your dandy asso
ciates here" and she smiled good humor
ediy upon the rough clad band.
Come, come, Miss Russell, these 'ert
home pokes hurt like thunder sometimes,
was the sauey rejoinder, of an old hunter
whose powerful stced was neighing loudly
at the gate.
do they, uncle Morgan then forgive
"Kuow Sc, gal! Thank God, there ain
better woman in the State of ---
nor more faithful adherent to colonia
rights, nor more bitter enemy to tn,
cussed red coats, than she who wear
Blanche Russell's gound!" was the en-
thusiastic reloinder.
"Thanks ! thanks! God bless you 70
understanding me" Aud something aki
to a tear glistened moment in the burn
ing black eyes, aud then AS if scorched b
the fire of the soul, it disappeared.
The rebels departed about noon, youn
Captain Floyd wearing round his hat
wreath Of spring roses which Ella ha
woven for him.
Twas nearly sunset and the little ban
cf patriots u ere trotting slowly through
dense forest of pines, when they were sta
tied " the rapid beat of horses hoo
and looking around, they espied, comm
up the road they had just traver,ed, g
gantic American horse, bearing on b
sweaty back rider clad from top to toe
the same sadie hued garb as the steed.-
They reined up, and there, in the lea
twilight of the woods, awaited the ne
comer's approach. Not long did they ha
to pause, for the powerful beast can
3 crashing on with almost the speed of tt
wind.
Good evening, friend spoke the ca
tain, wheeling his horse from the rest
the PARTY.
Good evening, sir. Are you in ne
of recruits? 2"
Great Heaven! Blanche Russell,
all that's holy !" exclaimed Capt. Floyd,
voluntarily removing his hat.
6 Blanche Russell, at your service a
the black hat was gallantly lifted from t
short, heavy mass Of coal black hair.
How dismal you look, cousin. $;
Ed. Floyd, moment later, as he survey
the sable horse and the black garb of I
rider. I" And now, comrades, let's g
three times three for the Black Rebel, a
shall persist in calling Blanche while s
STAYS with us .
Every hat was swinging in the air, a
ever throat echoed the cheer, as the
words fell from the captains lips.
!, Miss Russell was pleased with her rec
ton; she hardly expected one so fatteri
and to Morgan's inquiry concerning
particular garb, she replied
, 'This horse, Mr.. Morgan, was my fat
er's favorite steed, Prince (here she stroll
his neck carressingIy j he bore my d
parept through two of our most decls
battles and as for my own garb, | 81
wear the sable hue of mourning unit
+, encounter, hand to hand, the party
: Tarlton's mnions who so basely murde
=, him. God grant me fair shot at
: damnable commander of that cruel ga
8 and then can die content! For this b
:, left home, for this have left weep
= : sister, for this have unsexed myself,
!" my purpose shall be accomplished, G
> will die in the cause of freedom [
/" on"
: So they followed the devious trai
h that warm, wearisotne night expec
E. every moment to be surprised by S,
toraging party of tories. About sun
in and just as they were leaving the d
OF forest, man in the blue homespun |
3o of the colonisis came gaHoping down
he main road, nrging his flying steed to
f. greater haste.
sc, "My God, thank thee y be exclail
n as he espied our friends. ''For the