Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-09-21

he named quite hppantly. n fl
For the benefit Of Sophias health, and not
wishing to offend the young man, the parents
consented, and persuaded their daughter to go.
This was in the morning, and they were to
start precisely at twoin the afternoon for Kings
bridge. about fifteen miles. t
She was ready at two o'clock, but no partner
appeared set. She waited until three, and was
about giving up the chase, when the beau ap-
peared before the door, in his tandem style, In
high gIee. He pretended that he had been de-
tained by unavoidable incidents, and begged
pardon for the delay.
Sophia skipped into the gig with apparent
pleasure, and of wheeled the vehicle,
"with Gathering, dashing. rapid fight,
Tin all was fairly out Of sight
But instead of steering for Kingsbridge, he took
the road leading towards New Haven, in Con-
necticut, for awhile driving Jehu-hke, on pre-
tence that the company had gone ON before,
and he was hasting to overtakethcm-
Sophia did not know the way, and did not
suspect any deception, until they had travelled
about three hours, and it began TO grow to-
wards the close Of the day when Mr.. Quill
driver drove up to public house, and ordered
some refreshments for themselves and for his
horses
He conducted Sophia into room, and pre-
sented her a glass of wine. She trembled
looked pale, aud enquired with faulterlng
voice. "where they were, where were the party,
and how much farther they had to go 2? adding
that 'it would be very unpleasant to travel
back after night"
He answered all these inquiries, by saying,
.,,tk,,,,c -,tfa for tho Measure
of riding. he should now alter his course direct
" for the place where the company were TO
meet. and that they would soon be there. "The
weather" he said, ''was fine, there would be
moon, and they could return III season, and
with much pleasure" -. r.
He called for his carriage, handed Sophia IN
to it, sprang in himself, and drove of, keeping
much the same course rs before.
Sophia, who had not been very well satisfied
with his answers began to bemore alarmed than
ever; especially as the night was approaching,
and she in a strange part of the country. She
however disguised her fears, and said nothing.
At length Van Dorman lsuch we shall call
him)broke silence, in words to the following
purport: .-....,
sophia, you will forgive the trick have
played upon you, when declare in the presence
Of God, that my love for you, above all earthly
objects, has prompted me to the act. cannot
live without YOU. Until We are joined in we'd
lock, or Joined in death, shall never let so my
hold need not tell YOU that there was no
party of pleasure formed-it was only a strata
Gem of nv own. Your virtue shall not be vio
lated-that is not my object. You must be
mine, OF l snail be eternally miserable. Here
IS pistol
This in a moment brings me to an end
Ii YOU refuse to make me happy Dy marriage
this night, your spirit shall accompany mine to
the shate; of death.
These words were uttered in a manner so firm
and frantic, as to rouse all the fortitude and
presence Of mind which Sophia possessed. The
horses were at a slow walk, in a bye road thro
a thicket Of woods, and it was dark. Shesprang
in an instant from the carriage, and darted into
thicket. like hare pursued by the hounds.
He leaped after her, and the horses started
at full run, with the empty gig, and soon
dashed it into a thousand fragments. The
thicket was a swampy piece of ground, full of
quag-mires, and our hero had not gone far be-
fore he found himself up to the chin in one. of
those clay-pits that are very 10th to give up
their prey.
In 2 word, he stuck fast, and found it impos-
sible to extricate himself without help. lie
called aloud, "Sophia Sophia l"-but Sophia,
aving with the nimbleness Of deer, was not
within tie reach Of his sweet voice and if she
was, did not know it was the cry of distress.
The horses, however, in their race, met
couple of the neighboring farmers who stopped
their wild career, aid led them back in search
Of carriage and owner. Coming near the place
whence they started, Van Doman still calling
on SophiaL"hark " says one, "hear the cry Of
fire" Yes, says the other, fire fire let
us fasten the horses, and go-it comes from the
grist-mill-let us cut across the swamp"
They had not gone half way to the mill, be
fore they began to think it was a bull-frog, so
hoarse was the voice To cut the matter short
they found the man-dragged him out, all be-
smeared with mud instead Of blood-took him
and his horses home with them, learned his story,
and went next morning at day light, in search
Of Sophia.
cAPTER Y.
Sophia fitted across the bogs through the
swamp, with the lightness of a fairy, and when
she arrived on terra-irma steered her course
across the cultivated fields, in that direction
WnlC0 Sle luuSeu 10 ue VOWdltS new lOIk, ull-
til she came to road which appeared to be
considerably travelled, running east and west.
Here she was at a stand but finally conolu-
ded to take western course, in hopes to find it
soon crossed, or turned to a southern direction.
She kept on until quite late, and found herself
in danger of being torn to pieces by those watch-
ful sentinels Of night-the farmers dogs. To
avoid these noisy and fierce assaulters, She ven
tUred, at last, TO knock at the door Of small
house, where she discovered light, and found a
kind reception.
The woman made her a dish of good hyson,
and Showed her into a clean room and whole
some bed The people were neither Suspicious
nor inquiSitive, a thing very rare indeed They
saw she was stranger in distress, and that was
sufficient
She arose at ay-break-found the people
up--thanked them, and was about going, when
they asked her if She would not stay till after
prayers. She consented with JOY, and kneel-
ing with the family, joined most fervently in
the devotiOns Of the morning, in the way in