Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-11-14
OLD BRUNO.
THE REVOLUTION
BY ". FERDINAND McxEnsos.

A'ii By " FERDINAND NICK ERsoy,
One warm and balmy day in the June Of
1880, occurred the event which our pen il about
to chronicle. The Revolution was raging with
all its horrors. and the invading army under
Montgomery. marching through the northern
part Of New York, laying waste and devasta-
ting many pleasant village and hamlet. mark
ing their pathway with smoky ruins of peace
fnl farmer 8 cabins, and the utter destruction
oftheir crops of grain. But away from this pic
ture of sickeniag sight let us turn, TO one Of a
more pleasant character. one where the calam-
tiles thai follow in the track of war; had not yet
reached to mar their quiet repose. though how
soon IT is TO follow the sequel will show. Let
Us imagine ourselves, by the aid Of one Of those
powerful imaginations authors usually possess
IN the pleasant village Of W., - ~ situated be-
tween lofty bills. whose towering heights as
pire TO catch the first tints of the rising sun and
receives last adien as be sinks below the west
ern hills. Here snagly ensconced, in its, smi
ling valley the. sillage Of W-has as yet
escaped the late of many Of the more cx-
posed frontier towns.
Having ioand our way into the village, let us
go sill farther along till we reach the head of
the valley, and here let us pause TO contemplate
the scene presented TO our gaze. Before us a
style, closing the entrance 10 what was once a
grand avenue shaded by lordly oaks rearing
their broad. sinewy limbs. gnarled and knot
ted by the wear of many winds. At the further
end OF this avenue, on slight eninence. stands
mansion now moss grown and crumbling with
decay, but which at the time We write, was re-
joicipg in newness of construction, and the
grounds that surrounded it now but forest Of
overgrown shrubbery, then luxuriated in the
growth OF many hued flowers. nicely laid out
plots; and smooth gravel walks.
This smiling Eden was the home of farmer
Griswold, a siaunch patriot, who with his three
sons were away in the army at Valley Forge.
leaving his wife and only daughter Maria at
home. with no other protector Than old Bruno
who had kept faithful watch and ward over the
farmers household for many years, but still re-
tanned much of his vigor and dog like proclivi
ties. and was terror TO travelling vagrants. did
their temerity tempt them TO approach the man
sion.
There was, however. apparantly little to fear
for their safety,as the village quiet was seldom
disturbed by strangers passing that way, and
the sound OF warfare was still heard alar off,
Mrs. Griswold and Maria therefore wen about
their daily duties unmolested. t.
This was the calm that preceded the storm.
One morning as Mrs. q. made her usual morn
ing visit to The spring for water, with which to
prepare their meal, to her dismay she beheld
approaching band of horsemen. wearing the
uniform of British soldiers On their near ap-
roach she was still more alarmed BY recogni-
zing them as a band of tories, of whose bloody
deeds she had often heard. l.,.
Reigniag up their ioaming steeds, the whole
party dismounted, and approaching the man.
sion, whi.her Mrs. G. had fled on their first ap-
proach, demanded, in loud and boisterous tones
something 10 eat.
Their manner showed then, to be drunken
with wine, and their bearing was insolent in
the extreme. .-,.
Mrs G., though almost faint with terror, yet
preserved her presence of mind; and haslened
10 comply with their request.
Seating themselves at The liable, they ate for
few minutes in silence, when Maria, wholly
unooncious of what had happened, entered the
kitchen
= Her astonishment was scarcely less than her
moihers had been, on beholding the room fill
ed with armed men. But feeling of terror
took the place ofastonishment, when in their
lea Ter she recognized Seth Jones. who had been
an old admirer of hers. but whom she discard
ed Tor his loose habits and unmanly conduct
Vowing vengance, he left her. and she had new
er seen him since. Now he had appeared be-
fore her as the leader of a band of cut-ihroais,
and we'll might she trcmble for the safety of her
mother and herself. at s1' dau 1l I
On her entrance the men arose, and Seth
staggered toward her, his eyes shooting forth
rays Of fendish passion. Catching her by the
arm he hiccoughed out: 1l lisl [n.
b "Ah. say pretty bird. SO we've met again, ,eh2
(hic) glad 10 see me. hain't you? Told you
my day had comel (bic) told you so! You cant
escape me this time! (hc) so make the best Of
it. Come and sit by me, (hic) my dear, while
i eat my grnb!'ef -laI -a4 oa1 Pridsaa
And seizing her round the wrist. he dragged
her to the table, and seated her in chair, where
powerless and benumbed with fright she sat
like marble statue, not daring to move sim
gle muscle, but her heart sent up silent pray
er to her God, who had never as yet deserted
her in the hour oftrial. that He would save her
now, and deliver her from the hands of these
ruffians. -.
Old Bruno, who, at their entrance lay in his
accustomed corner by the fire, raised his head
and not liking their looks gave low growl of
dissatisfaction, aud seemed about making prep
arations 10 commence hostilitics, but his mis-
tress, fearful that his noise might lncife them to
more mischief. hushed his cry and opening the
door leading to the cellar. badc him enter. Old
Bruno did not relish this command, but having
been accustomed to obey her, he slowly and
with great reluctance did as he was bid. By this
time he party nau nnlSneO lnelr meal, anu Setu,
approaching Mrs. Grswold, demanded liquor,
saying he knew "the Squire always had plen-
ty."
Mrs. Griswold meekly told him that she had
none IN the house. -s Idtsia .-Il7 h
At this he flew into violent passion. and be-
gan cursing at alerrible raie, declaring be knew
where it was kept, and he would find it him
self, and going to the cellar door disappeared
down the stairway ssri sflE 30 7sl
The men in the meantime were growing moi
BY, and their coarse jests caused the blush Of
outraged innocence to mantle Marias face, yet
she dared Eot move. fearing every moment they
would proceed to still greater Outrage.
All at once yell rose from the cellar, ac-
companied with curses and calls for help. Inn
mediately every man sprang to his ieet, and
each seizing his weapon, a simultaneous rush
was made for Il. cellar, from whence the noise
of struggle going on arose. Mrs. Griswold at
once comprehended the state Of affairs. Seth
had grouped his way down in the dim light,
not perceiving Old Bruno, who sill grouty over
his inglorious and disgracefnl retrcnt, watched
the TOrie' Is steps with jealous eye. All at once
as Seth approached him, he made spring, and
grasped the Tory by the throat. Then COM
menced battle for life and death. 7raT
I The timely arrival Of his companions, saved
Seih's life, and signed the death warrant of poor
Bruno; for the foremost man thrust his sword
I