The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-07-29
The Fair QssaEeress.
By HENRY A. BUCKINGHAM.
From the Sunday Times.


Ninety-five years ago there stoot
upon the summit of Murray Hill''
handsome country seat, the resi-
dence of Robert Murray, a Quaker
merchant of much eminence in New
York. It was beautiful country
mansion, surrounded with garden,
and fruit trees, and just far enongt
from the city, as it existed at that
day, to be delightfully."- rural and un.
disturbed from the encroac chmeats Of
unasked city visitors. -.'. .
1t was waxing toward the hour o1
two on a mild afternoon in Septem.
Der, near century by-gone, that a
lady in the garb of Quakcress stood
upon the portico of this dwelling,
looking anxiously into tho road which
passed about hundred yards in front.
Her ccuntenance was mild, but then
expressed great anxiety; and not
without reason, for ever and anon
was heard the loud peal Of cannon
and the rattling fire Of musketry, as
if men were engaged in deadly strife,
and now and then faint cbocr rose
amid the clangor Of arms. :
Up the road, in rapid retreat, pass.
ed large bodies of soldicry. Artil.
lerymen rode along at the head Of
their pieces, and baggage carts, and
ammunition wagons mingled in the
melee 1t was eyident that the
Americans were leaving tie city in
rapid fight, to save themselves from
being cut off from tho entrenchments
on the upper part of the Island.
Three or four negro servants. Of
both sexes, stood near her. to whom
she from time to time addressed her.
self A black fellow came rushing
toward the house from a branch OF
the road, his eyes protruding from
fright. and his mouth extended from
ear to ear. @s.f II .-
30, missus! down in de meadow
near de bay dar is hundred dead So
jers; and de English are dribing de
Americans wild guns and swords be-
fore dem ! Oh, missus, de sight is
horrible -
'Thee says truly, Cato-the sight
is horrible. Why, o God will men
thus butcher each ether, defacing the
image Of their Creator! --and fol
what?" 81. IL ...-t
"Ub, see, missus!" exclaimed sew
eral of the servants. ".
Four soldiers, in the blue and buff
uniform of the Continentals, had
turned from the road up the broad
avenue, lined with trees, which led
to the house, bearing upon litter Of
reversed muskets young man, from
whose body the blood was oozing SC
fast that it marked the track along
the whole path. On they came TO-
ward the mansion.
"Cato! Maggy bring instantly q
mattrass and pillows, and place them
here in this shady spot. Fly, all Of
thee! Poor youth-poor youth be
is dying"
The faithful negroes were absen,
but moment before they returned
with mattrass, pillows. sheets, and
blankets. and placed them in q COO
corner Of tho portico, which extend
ed the whole length Of the mansion
The soldiers came up, and the leader
of the party addressed the lady
Madam, our ensign is badly wound
ed. Our captain directed US, claim
ing your liberality, to leave bim here
The surgeon will speedily follow"
/ "Thee hast done right. The shell
ter God has bestowed upon me shall
ever be opcn tho unfortunate. Poo
youth! poor youth" she exclaimed
as they laid, him upon the mattras,.
| The young officer opened his eye
and gazed around him. His age wa
not more than twenty-fair-hairc
and fair skinned, but pale, very pale
for the signs Of death were too strong
ly marked on his white even brow t
be mistaken. His eyes were Of dee
blue. and Is they fixed their glanc
upon tho 6ne expressive features Of
Quaker lady, be murmured. almos
inaudibly-'tMotaer!"
! .Poer boy! thou hast mother Ii,
ing then-one, perhaps who is no
lifting her voice to God to save the
from the dangers Of the bloody cal
ing in which thou hast fallen. Rails
his head. soldier, . little more. H
| will soon be at rest!" The last sci
tence was murm ured to herself.
The surgeon now came rapidly U