The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-08-19
/. She had given her all up

freely.
Time past Often, news Of the
Black Princes prowess fell upon her
ears she never heard his name but
iit was linked with bravery or with
goodness; the nation resered him.
The old grandame died. Barbara,
whose beauty became each day more
striking, was left alone. She sent q
petition to the Prince:
A cousin Of mine, friendless, for
saken, Graves situation as page, mes
senger, or in some post near your
highness. In remembrance Of the
faithful, BARBARA CLAYTON.
Perhaps Edward OWNED her mean
ing; perhaps it was only olden memo
ries that shook him; but he trembled
strangely as he detached the follow
ing, and signed it with his own hand
In memory of the brave Barbara
Claxton, tho Prince grants her re-
quest. Let her cousin come immedi-
ntely."
The next day youth OF tho most
graceful symmetry was ushered in,
and dropped on one knee before the
Black Prince. He looked for On in
stant on the beautiful contour Of the
noble face. the black, clustering curls.
and the gray. lovely, dreamy eyes,
shadowed by their heavy black lashes,
and sighed.
Rise; the Prince is thy friend, 4"
he said. III M unsteady voice, as he
laid his hand on the bowed head.
The touch thrilled him like mag
netic shock.
go to the wars" he continued,
must leave you behind me-"
No, no J" cried the youth, impul-
sively. 'I ct me go with your high
ness. can endure hardship, brave
danger-sell my life, il need be-only
let me 60"
How could lac resist ? The memo
ry OF the past was strong within him.
+" You shall r;o' so. . ne suia, xindIy
" And. il you repent. you shall return
here"
Ever after that, the youth was the
brave Princes ,hadow. He followed
him through danger md through VIC
tory. Ever near. ever sad, never
smi ing. ON the Prince trial ~ to-: ...:
his thoughts 10 something that would
cheer him, but every thing failed. He
grew more dc icate, more softly beau
tiful, each day but it was in vain the
Prince urged him to return to the pa
ace. and await his coming Il me.
My place is by your ,idc, my
prince" be would return, land my
only happiness is there. Surely you
will not deprive me of tha' p
At last, Just as the Princes army
had gained n victory over the French
one of the retreating foe turned delib-
erateiy, took aim at the Prince, and
then fired. His page saw it. and in
terposed before the Prince, and re-
ceived the arrow in bis own brea-t.-
He fell backward into his masters
arms. looked into hi. eyes with a
smile, as the life-blood streamed down
his br ast. and mnrmured, II die
happy Oh, my beloved, remember
that Barbara Claxton has given her
life TOR thee."
Barbara, my Barbara % he cried,
holding her IN close embrace, "would
had died for thee"
The weary eyelids closed there
was faint huttering of her breath, a
smile, which remained after death and
she was dead The Prince bathed
her face Ia tears. and his attendants
said, IS how strong is his affection
for that youth !"
He returned to England, but his
health began perceptibly to fail /; the
same arrow which pierced poor, faith
full Barbara Claxton's heart had reach
ed his own, in different way. He
sank, declined, faded away, and died
on the Sth of June, 1876. The nation
was in mourning for the good Prince,
for all loved him for his unsnllied pu-
rity, and England missed having one
of the best and purest monarchs to sit
on her throne.