The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-06-26

poems; and Topics of the Times" Home
and Society" are filled with their usual en-
tertaining variety.
81. Sochaias.
OF course St. Nicholas for July is mindful
OF Independence Day, and prominence is at
once given TO the subject by Rose Terry
Cooke, who, IN very entertaining story, tells
how Jack enjoyed the great national auniver-
sary. Ruth Kenyon continues the subject BY
a story about working on the 4th, and finally
our patriotic ardor is worked up to the high
est 4th of July pitch by George j, Varney's
graphic sketch Of the capture OF the Margar-
eta in revolutionary times by the people of
Machias 1t was after the battle of LeXing-
ton that the British commander at Boston
sent the Margaretta down to Machias, which
IS almost the jumping off place OF Down
East" in the State of Maine, for "plckets and
planlls" to be used in strengthening the
British works at Boston. On reaching Ma
chias, however, the captain of the Margaret
ia found the people so hostile that he conclud-
ed not to land, but dropped down the river a
few miles and anchored. The story goes on:
Early on Monday morning, Tour young
men took possession OF one of the lumber
sloops, and, bringing her up to the wharf,
gave three cheers, to call the attention of the
villagers. Thirty -tive athletic men were soon
gathered at the wharf and design of cap
turing the "Magaretta'' was made known to
them. Aiming themselves as we'll as they
were able at 50 brief notice, they set sail in
pursuit of the British vessel
When the "Margaretta" observed the ap.
prOaCh of the sloop, she weighed anchor and
crowded on all sail to avoid conflict. In
changing her jib she carried away thc boom
but, continuing her flight, she ran into
Holmes Bay, and took spar from a vessel
lying there.
While repairs were making the sloop hove
in sight; and the "Margarettan stood out to
sea, in hope still of avoiding her. SO anX
ious was Captain Moore TO avaid a collision,
that he cut away his boats to increase the
speed of his vessel; but this, too, was inef
fectua Finding the slope fast closing upon
him, he at length opened fire upon her.
The "Margarctta" had an armament of
four light deck guns and fourteen swivels
while the slOop had only single cannon, |
rudely mounted, ,ith which to return the |
fire. The first discharge killed the "Margar.
etta's" helmsman and cleared the quarter.
deck. The schooner preached suddenly to |
windward, throwingthe sails back, and bring. |
ING her deck into full view OF her pursucrs |
Those of the patriots who had firearms in
stantly discharged them.
In few moments the vessels came tOgeth-
err Then ensued a contest with muskctry, |
Captain More himself throwing hand gren
AIDES into the sloop with considerable effect |
An attempt was made by the patriots to board |
the schooner; but only one man-John |
,O'Brlen, brother of the Ommander-reach !
ed her deck Seven of the British crew dis.
charged TIER guns at him almost at the same
moment, but not ball struck him. Then
they charged upon him with bayOnets, but he |
escaped these by jumping overheard. The |
vessels had fallen some thirty yards apart;
but he swan to the sloOp, and was taken on
board without having received any worse
harm than wctting.
The American vessel was again brought
alongside the enemy, and twenty men, armed |
chiefly, VITA pi,chtorks. sprang on board the
schooner. Captain Moore had already fallen !
pierced by two balls; and the conflict was : D
fierce that the officer LETT in command fed,
panic-stricken to the cabin
Thus the schooner and her stores fell near
ly unlnjured into the hands of these brave
freemen of MacliaS. The loss of the Amer.
leans was IOuT killed Ond ClTnt or II ne wound
ed; that OF the British was more than twice
as many.
A Nebraska woman's story of How the
GrasshopperS Came" is a vivid portrayal of
the devastation and Gisuay which accom-.
pany the coming OF these destructive maraud-
ers There are number Of other capital
sketches, stories, poems, &c, with Jack-in.
the Pulpit, Letter Box, and numerous other
attractions which we lack space to mention.
Peterson's journal.
The July number opens with the begin.
ming o: a new serial, The Deserted Illus:
band" which we judge will at,rac; atten
ton. Why the newly.wedded bride should.
leave her young husband on his weddlngday,
of course Is yet can only be inferred. Mrs
May Agnes Fleming's popular story, The
Mystery at Blackwood Grange" Is continued
and grows sill more interesting. Among al
large number Of other stories and articles of
merit we may mention the lighthouse at
Avondale," by Ella Wheeler; Moody and