The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-05-08
The Hunchback.

!
The relative position OF the colonies with England at
that period is well known; yet there many little
incidents of interesting nature connected with these
times which have never been made public and in which
not unfrequeny the brave American general took
active part We have something Of this kind IN view
which we will relate.
One dark clustering near the close of January
of the year above mentioned, man. wrapped in long
sable cloak, and closely mufed about the face came
forth from stately mansion Of the princely
streets in Princeton and passed on in an eastery drec
ton toward Brunswick
As he hurried forward a hunchbacked individual
crept away from dark nook under the wall of ada
cent building, ana followed stealthy after him.
On went the pursued and pursuer treading the most
secluded portions Of the town. until the formerreached
the front of a small white cottage, situated few rods
from the road and which almost entirely enshrouded
with the foliage of stately trees the branches Of which
inerminged above the roof 1t very dark, and the
air filed with sleet yet lamp burning in front of
the residence revealed the outlines Of the building and
trees
The cloaked man paused moment, and gazed suspi-
ciously around him. when he discovered carriage with
horses attached standing far away. He then opened
the gate, entered the lawn and moved toward the
house, with the evident intention Of calling. Let
precede him by few moments.
In a small, nicely urn he'd apartment-aw wing room
of the cottage sat young lady twenty years Of
age She was reading from a large volume, aided by
the light of globe lamp that stood upon centre-tabe
with refulgent light yet the windows closely
mufed in order give the appearance that the inmates
had retired
The young lady to whom we alIude had sat in the
position for at least two hours during which time
her eyes apparently fixed in steady gaze the
open book but she had turned over IA single leaf
1t evident that her mind wandered and there were
number OF spots the page, which appeared have
been caused by teardrops. Upon close examination
it would have been discovered that her eyes were closed
III h,, aglt, oh
few had rickled down her cheeks, and fallen upon the
page.
While she was thus occupied, the clock struck the
hour of twelve midnight when she started up closed
the book, and laid it the table That moments low
rap heard the outside Of the door, aud the
instant the mutied individual, whom sawapproach
ing the house. entered the apartment.
as he sate?n she exclaimed advancing towards the
man. her voice remuous, and anunuterabie expression
on her features. rs Ellit safe? Has he escaped"
Edna, there is nothing to hope" he answered, coldy.
Il have made Of every means in my power to effect
his release but have failed He taken spy, and
has probably, this suffered according to the com
mon usages of the law"
80 Cod" sobbed the Young lady, falling the floor
and wrngng her haudsin the most agony. Must,
0 must he die? Is there no possible escape?
Not the least" replied the man in the same frigid
tone. 81 do beg of you to be clm for you viii
Riure your own health you allow tlis trouble
you so severely"
ana ne attempted 10 assist HGt 10 Fise.
Her grief was instantly checked, and she sprang to
her feet The color had entirely torsaken her features
and she stood statute with her large ustrous eyes
fixed in steady gaze upon the face Of the man before
her.
"Henry what do you mean?" She stammered, the
moment she could command her voice Have been
deceived? Have you selfish motives in this matter?
Great God, Henry this is awful"
These words caused sudden tremor to pass over the
mans heart and his check to banch but the sensation
Immediately subdued and his countenance wore its
usual serenity.
Let ns pause here and make the reader better acquan
ted with the peculiar position Of these two persons
we proceed any further.
Col Dansford enthusiast in the cause of the colo
nies; and particular friend Of Gen. Putnam was the
owner Of the cottage to which have alluded. His
wife had been dead two years. dnrng which time Edna,
their only child had superntended her fathers domestic
affairs at the "Wow Cottage" the place famil
arly called
Edna was rich in knowledge and goodness of heart,
possessed Of great beauty, and her worldly prospects
were snch to have attracted the attention of many
sutor yet entertaining respects for the arts of
coquette she had tudiousy avoided giving encourage
mens where her heart could net sympathsc with the
object.
There one, however, as might have been expected
on whom the heart Of the hgh-mnded Edna could turn
with full confidence. Thatperson was Ellis Danforth-
private in the federal army under Gen. Putnam.
Ellis by his upright department and bravery had OBJ
tanned the good opinion of his general, and the conf
dence OF his tellowsolders He generous kind,
courteous and condescending yet resolute and deter
mined when in pursuit Of right, and exhibited will and
fixedness Of purpose Of than ordinary capacity.
Forty-eight hours preceding the interview between
Henry and Edna, Ellis, having been intrusted with the
important duty OF spying out the movements of the
British garrison Brunswick was detected and cap
tured. The appalling news fell heavily upon Edna's
heart and well nigh crushed it beneath the overwhelm
ing grief.
/ The young man-Henry Dansford-who held the
colloquy with Edna, her cousin. Five years
before this period he a her hand and had
been most determined in lis endeavors win her heart
She however had encouraged him, and supposed
that he had long since relnqUished all claims lover
and she had taken him into her confidence to a
! certain extent.
| Hewas captainin the American army, and very init
mate with Gen. Putnam, who looked upon the young
/ officer as a brave, honorable man.
! Edna being anxious to secure the aid of the com
mander in Tescung her lover from the British, had
perhaps opened her heart freely her cousnye
she had never questioned his faith, doubted his
professions OF friendship until that evening, and the
fact that he still entertained such feeling had chilled her
heart to the very core causing her to start back with
mute astouShment
! We now turn back to the time when Ellis Dahforth
took his leave Of Cen Putnam and started on the haz
ardous undertaking Of reeounoiteIing the British camp
The necessarily be attended with great
peril and there was not man in the American garrison
better qualified for the mission than young Danfofth
nor one in whom Gen Putnam would have placed more
confidence.
Ellis Danforth had received careful Instructions in
the course which he to pursue, and with tiaering
prospects OF success he passed the outer sentry his
way toward Brunswick.
He had not, however, proceeded two hundred rods
from the sentry post when three prang suddenly
upon him from ambush, and before lie could give the
alarm, he was firmly bound, gagged and blind-folded
In this manner he was conducted toward the British
camp nor toward tie American, but hurried Off in a
northcrnly direction
As they moving away from the scene of capture
hunchbacked individual rose up from behind bush
near by, and followed cautiously after them
At distance Of three miles north of Princeton was
an old castle residence which young Danforth was
conducted and there placed in cell after which his
captoFs turned towards the American camp followed
closely by the hunchback.
We will now return to Edna, in the wing room of
the "Willow Cottage"
II may as well tell YOU now, at any future period,
observed Henry the moment he had recovered his self
possession subsequent 10 Ednas exclamation of sur
PRISE that my heart is fully set upon obtaining you
my wife This has been the sole purpose Of my life for
the past five years, and cannot give YOU upI cannot
see you anothers"
For an instant there slight curl Of contempt on