The union Democrat., 1870-08-20
THE FAIR QUAKEREss.
By HENRY A. BUCKINGHAM.


Ninety-ive years ago there stood uron th
summit of MURRAY Hiil' handsome coun
try seat, the residence of Robert MURRAY
Quaker merchant of much eminence in New
York. 1t was beautiful country mansion
surrounded With gardens and fruit trees. an,
just far enough from the city, as it existed
that day. to be delightfully."- rural and undis
turbed from the encroachments of unasket
city visitors.
1t was waxing toward the hour of 2 on ,
mild afternoon in September, near a centur,
by-gone. that q lady in the grab of Quaker
ess stood upon the the portico of this dwell
ing, looking anxiously into tho road which
passed about hundred yards in front. IIel
countenance was mild, but then expressed
great anxiety and not without reason, fol
ever and anon we're heard the loud peal O
cannon and the rattling fire of musketry, o.
if men were engaged in deadly strife, ant
now and then faint cheer rose amid th,
clangor of arms.
Up the road, in rapid retreat, passed larg,
bodies of soldiery. Artillerymen rode aloD;
ct the head of their pieces, and baggage carts
and ammunition wagons mingled in tht
melee. 1t was evident that the American.
were leaving the city in rapid fight to save
! themselves from being cut off from the in
trenchments on the upper part of the island
| Three or four negro servants, of both sexes
stood near her, to whom she from time ad
dressed herself. A black fellow came rush
| ing to ward the house from branch of the
road, his eyes protrading from fright, and
| his mouth extending frcm ear to ear.
''Oh, missus down in de meadow near de
bay dar is hundred dead sojers, and dc
English are dribing de Americans wild guns
and swords before dem! Oh, missus, dc
sight is horrible ~
"Thee saws truly, Cato-the sight is horri
BILE. Why, God will men thus butcher
each other, defacing the image Of their Crea
tor-and for what?"
"Oh, see, missus !" exclaimed several oil
| 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 80 fast that il
marked the track along the whole path. On
they came toward the mansion.
"Cato Maggy bring instantly q mattress
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 absent but q
moment before they returned with mattress,
pillows, sheets and blankets, and placed
them in cool corner of the wide portico,
which extended the whole length of the man
sion. The soldiers came up, and the leader
Of the party addressed the lady: MADAM,
cur Ensign is badly wounded. Our Captain
directed US, claiming your liberality, to leave
him here. The surgeon will speedily fol.
low"
"Thee hast done right. The shelter God
has bestowed upon nee shall ever be open to
the unfortunate. Poor youth poor youth !''
she exclaimed, as they laid him upon the
mattress.
The young officer opened his eyes and
gazed around him. His age was not more
than twenty--fair-haired and fair-skinned
but pale, very pale; for the signs of death
were strongly marked on mis- white, even
brow to be mistaken. His eyes were Of deer
blue, and as they fixed their glance upon the
fine, expressive features of the Quaker lady,
he murmured, almost inaudibly, "Mother p
'Poor boy thou hast mother living, then
one. perhaps, who is now lifting her voice
to God to save thee from the dangers of the
bloody calling in which thou hast fallen.
Raise his head, soldier, little more. He
will soon be at rest." The last sentence was
murmured to herself
The surgeon now came rapidly up the
avenue, and was soon at the side ofthe youth.
He felt his pulse, opened his vest, and two
gun shots were seen, around which the blood
was fast congealing.
Poor Dick, he has seen his last fght!''
said the surgeon. EITHER of these wounds,
do 70 Il 1oo
half an hour. Follow your company, men ;
the foe is close behind. Ny good lady, fare
WE'LL can be no use here. Let ME ask OF
you the favor to get this poor boy decently
buried by the enemy, when they inter their
own dead" He bent hastily over the diving
ensign, wiped away tear, and rushed after
the soldiers.
The good Quaker lady took one hand Of
the youth in her own, and passed ker other
over his clammy brow, where the cold drops
of approaching death were fast gathering.
lie opened his eyes for the last time, smiled
upon the woman whose gaze was now fixed
upon him, murmured family, "Dear moth
er ~ ciasped her hand conyulsively, and the
next instant ceased to exist.
The lady said not word She rose from
her haif-recumbent posture, threw snow
white linen sheet over the body, and, with a
| stifled sob, looked down the avenue. In diff
ferent portions of the open orchard appeared
soldiers bearing the dying forms of their
comrades, which they laid carefully down,
and then rushed toward their regiments.
passing up the main avenue. In the space
Of moment, more than a dozen wounded
soldiers were placed in this way directly
around tho mansion.
Summoning her servants, one and all, the
good lady went into the orchard to aid the
poor dying soldiers as far as lay in her power.
Her attention had not thus long been given.
before an officer, in the buff aad blue uniform
OF Washington's staff, came riding at full
speed up the road, and turning. without
slackening his pace, toward the mansion.
He reined in his steed as he reached the
lady. observing her kind actions toward the
| soldiers.
Have I the honor of addressing Mrs
Murray?n
s'If thee means tae wife of Robert Mur.
ray, am what thou call'st me,n replied the
lady. looking up.
"My dear madam, pardon nv mode Of ad.
dress. The kindness / now see disnlavsd
tells me | am not mistaken. The Comman-
L INF 0henf H.