Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-09-07
MISCELLANY.
SOPHIA,
OR THE
GIRL OF THE PINE WOODS.
CHAPTER ".

We shall now return, for few moments, to
the cottage. In the thunderstorm which we
have mentioned, the cottage Of Mrs. Thompson
was struck by lightning, and in a moment
was in a blaze, and the son Of Mrs Thompson
was knocked down for dead, few steps from
the door without, as he was listening to the re
ports Of the muSkets IN the woods. The mo-
ther and daughter rushed shrieking from the
house. and the first object which arrested their
attention, was the son and brother lying hfeleSs
on the ground In this sight they lost all
thoughts Of trying 70 extingUish the flames, and
the cottage was consumed with all its contents
no great loss, 10 be sure but in their Situa-
ton most affective one, No tongue nor pen
can describe the heart-rending ag0nies Of the
mother and the daughter. The night was dark
the rain poured down in torreutS-the house
was demolished-they had no other shelter
they were two miles from the village, or any
other habitatiOn that would afford them any
shelter, and the boy was still ifelesS though
not stiff and cold,
In this dreadful dilemma, they concluded tofy
for the village, and carry the dead body with
them. But they had not proceeded far before
their strength was exhausted, and they were
obliged to stop. Resting awhile, they took him
I'D again, and after few rods again COM
PEELED 70 halt In this situation, what was to
be done7 The body appeared TO be warm, and
might possibly be recovered, with medical aid.
Finally it was concluded that one or the other
Of them should stay. and the other should gOtO
the village Sophia went and left the mother.
She arrived at the village, and went 70 the
house Of a benevolent physicion, awoke him
from his sleep, and in a few pathetic words IN
formed him Of their dreadful calamibes. He
called his servants, had his horses Immediately
harnessed TO a covered wagon, took lantern, a
servant, and Sophia into the carriage, not for
getting bis medical apparatus, and made all
speed to the scene Of distress He found the
boy with some faint symptoms Of life and by
the application Of the lancet, and other means,
he soon began to breathe BY day-break they
got him 10 the village, and they were landed at
the Inn where the stranger was detained as a
prisoner and as q rObber.
Here we shall leave them for short time, and
pay our respects to the unfortunate husband
and parent OF this afflicted family.
Mr.. 1hoEpson was one Of those hapleSS be-
ings, who possesses noble, generous, and feel
ing heart-a keen sensibihty, and of course,
warm attachments and strong anhpatbies-
His natural genius was by no means contempti-
bic, and although he had received what might
be called a liberal education, yet he had not
studied any Of the learned professions, and had
not in mis- youth been accustomed TO any regu-
lar business. lie had, however, served as a
clerk in a respectable counting house, for few
months, and having some capital, though small,
and being in good credit, be embarked in the
mercantile business, married an amiable and
highly accomplished wife, the daughter Of a
broken down gentleman, and for a number of
years acquired property, and what is more val
liable, acquired the reputation Of an honest, IN
telhgent, aud humane citizen. But meeting