Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-03-07
SeIettco Alistellanp.
A PERIL OF THE SEA.

Fifty years ago the little village Of
Malburg, on the Atlantic washed shore
of a New England State, consisted of
twenty or thirty old-fashioned houses
One of these was the tavern, without
which no village of any pretentions would
have held up its head. Like many a ho-
tel of later and more extended note 1T
had its peculiar renown for certain dain-
ties of the palate, aud various in degrees
Of character were the numerous parties
from the neighboring towns and farms
which. upon every legitimate holiday,
were wont to assemble at the mansion of
mine host Of the tavern at Malburg, i'll
order to feast upon eel-pie, and grow
merry over cider. But upon that espe-
cial day on which we are to introduce
our reader into the narrow confines of its
bar-room, the said room was crowded
with persons of a very different descrip-
ton from the peaceable oilers who were
ordinarily wont to empty mine hosts
larder, and forget the price of corn over
the divine inspiration of bad cider or New
England rum. Instead of the indolent,
satisfied air of the saturnalian merry
maker, the vagrant angler or the farmer;
instead of the quiet yet glad countenan-
ces of such hunters of pleasure and eat
ers of eel-pie, or the more obstreperous
Joy of urchins let loose from school to
taste some brief and perennial recreation,
and mine hosts delicacies at the same
tine; instead Of these, the little room
presented a decidedly martial aspect. In
short, it was general training" which
i'll those days meant gathering for drill
and inspection of the militia organiza-
tions of two or three counties. Malburg,
for the first time in its history, bad been
chosen for the place of meeting, and
great was the commotion within its limits
thereat
The country people had Aocked in to
see the pageant, and among them came
many women-mothers sisters ndsweet-
hearts Of the men who made up the ranks
of the militia But of all who viewed
the show that day there was no prettier
girl than Pet Barnlee, the tormenter Of
half the hearts in Malburg and its vcin-
ity. Not that she was firt or CO.
quette, for no truer-hearted girl ever trod
New England, but her beauty attracted
plenitude of lovers, none of whom
found exceptional favor in her sight
save ono. The exception was Will Bur
ton, who held proud possession of her
heart. 1t was his form, in all the glory
of blue coat, red pants, and gilt buttons,
that alone brought the spark to her pretty
eyes that day. He stood five feet ten,
and was heavily built--a strong, elastic
sort Of man. such as one would not care
to run against. and in one whom every
confidence could be reposed if once
friendship were established. Not man
to set the world on fire, to be sure; but
a most excellent person to put out such
an undesirable conhagration should some
hair-brained fanatic succeed in applying
the torch
The parade was over at last, and in
one room of the Malburg tavern the bril-
gade officers were dining upon the best
that the little village could furnish
Among the half-dozen officers was Col.
Louis Pangborn, man Of great wealth,
and resident Of neighboring CITY,
liz was not a handsome man, nor attract
i've in any way except to his boon com
panions over the bottle, aud when under
the influence of rotations he was noted
for his utter recklessness. Neither was
he stranger to the people of Malburg,
where business and pleasure had frequent
ly brought him lie had met with Pet
Barnlee and wooed her, whether with
honorable or dishonorable motives the
girl cared little, for she repulsed him
without hesitation.
When the party of officers had finished
their meal it was after dark. They had
drank freely, and the effect was plainly
visible Four of them had sailed across
the bay in Col Pangborn's yacht,
schooner of considerable size, and the
quartette now left the others and started
for the pier to re-embark for home
Their way led past Pet Barnlee's cottage
home, which was outside of the village
and close to the waters edge.
" Do you know, fellows" said the
Colonel, shat the prettiest girl in the
State lives there =
His companions did not deny the as
sertion. 4 sudden idea struck the half
/ drunken colonel.