Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-07-17
Alisfellaneous Reaoing.
IDA OF ATHENS.

During the heroic struggle of the modern
Greeks for independence, when the heart
of every liberal throughout the world was
beating with anxiety for the fate of the
patriots, the defenders Of Mssolonghi found
themselves beleacured by powerful Turk
ish army. Moslem cannon had reached
their walls the ground about them had
been mined by their antagonists their
ammunition was about exhausted their
wounded we're accommodating on their hands;
and finally. to complete the horror of their
situation, famine stared them in the face.
Yet there was nothing left for them but to
struggle to the last, for the foe was merci-
less, and capitulation would only bring death
to the men, and servitude worse than death
TO the women.
In the ruins of an old church, council
of war, hastily summoned, was assembled
by torch-light Mott Bozzaris, the Oldest
living member of an heroic family, distin-
guished in the annals of Greece, the aged
patriarch of Missolongh, presided at the
council. Grouped around him were the
wild and haggard faces Of warriors clad in
the picturesque garb Of their native land.
Some were giay-haired and bowed with age
Others in the flower of manhood, or the
vigor Of youth. but all bore traces of hard
ship and suffering.
The patriarch with trembling voice,
counselled patience. Succor might arrive;
be had no positive advices, but still hope
and faith whispered in his ear. In the en-
feebled state of the garrison, fighting was
no longer practicable.
Demetrius Pallacaris, a young Suliote
sprang to his feet when the patriarch had
concluded.
"Faiher," said he er ergetically, 81 grieve
to differ from you. But you are old. The
SHOWS Of seventy winters rest on your ven-
erable head Resignation-f orti t u e.
martyrdom-are the inspiration of your
years but we of hotter blood, cannot brook
the course you counsel. What? shall we,
in the flower of life, with arms in our hands,
sit here and starve to death like rats in a
dungeon? Forbid it. heaven! Forbid it,
our ancestral fame! The memory of Mara
thon, of Platea. of Thermopyla. speaks
| to us different counsel. Our ammunition
is almost gone-but we have yet our good
swords. Our ancestors had no other weap-
ons. With these we may cut our ranks
through Osman; and open a path for our
aged, and our women, to liberty and life.
/ My voice then, is for a sortie. Let us take
the sacred standard of the cross, and this
very night attack the foe. Your relative,
the noble Marco. died in such an attack,
but he died in the arms of victory. Re-
member that, Father"
A young man in foreign uniform, fol-
lowed Demetrius. Gerald Falconer was
an American of wealth, who had abandoned
the luxuries and endearments of home, TO
devote his sword and fortune to the Greek
cause. The friend of Demetrus, he shared
his opinions. and defended them eloquently.
The sorlie was decided on, and the council
of war broke up.
Within half an hour, small hut resolute
band was collected in the dark shadow oi
the ruined church, that rose like vast
bulwark against the glorious summer heav-
! en-, now beginning TO be lighted by the un
clouded rays of the full and rising moon
The bamy breeze breathed through groves
of olive and myrtle, and came laden with
the sweet perfume of flow ers. 1t was q
night for lovers to vsnder arm in arm-i
"ao iuiCt SOh'SASS
ful mplation-tyranny had willedit to
be night of deadly strife.
Demetrius whispered to his young friend
have sought my betrothed, my beloved
Ida, but found her not. If should fall
in the skirmish of tonight, and you survive
me, seek her out, pray you, and tell he'
$ that my last thoughts were OF her. More
than this you are rich and independent
Ida is poor orphan, her parents perishet
!, in this struggle When am gone, sh'
Will lave no one to care for her. Promis'
me that you will soothe her broken heart
} that you will leave this scene of strife, an'
bear her to your happy land. There sh'
Smay cease - weep-happy can she neve
V be while she survives me-"
Gerald grasped his friends hand AM
= gave him his required promise. Demetriu
thanked him, and turned to his command.
+" Forward, brethren" he said. Ever,
j moment is precious. Tread silently-an'
keep in my foot sieps-when the momen
: is arrived, viii give you the signal 4
n strike home. March! -
n Silently and swiftly, the little band
heroes, led by Demetrius and Gerald, issue
from crumbling breach, and keeping j
the shadow Of trees, and the Lollows of th