Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-04-26
Mrs. Garden 5 Party,
now GENERA. MARION Gor his RIFLES.

now GENERH. MARION GOT HIS RIFLES
The close Of the year 1850 was sad
period Tor America. The British held the
country from Charleston to the Upper
Santee. and in order to complete their con
quest had established chain of posts
throughout the state. each Of which was
strongly fortified and defended BY good
garrison. Organized resistance to the
British there was none. On the American
side, the principal actors in the struggle
were the men who composed the famous
light brigade of General Marion The
fnvorite rendezvous of Marion WAS at Snow
Island. This is a piece OF high river
swamp. as il j. called in the CaroliuaS,
and was surrounded on three sides hy
water. :" a. to he almost impregnable.
Here Marion had his camp. From this
ft~tncS~ be- issued forth at pleasure 81 range
the cutmy's granaricS or capture "A strag-
giIng party of troops. Secure In his re-
treat, he had no fear Of pursuit.
In tn" city Of Charleston, the despotiSm
of the British was At its height; the proud
spirited people of that capital were held
down by a grinding tyranny. MANY OF
them were SIN open and uhcompromiSing
IN their hostility 10 the English, while
'Atf' - A1A'NllA- tAN'f N'Al'l b'NA flNf lil'
cause 10 that way. affected 4 hearty sub
mission 70 the conquerers, and were seem
ingly the most loyal of all King Georges
subjects. Yet. while the English saw this
and congratulated themselves upon the
good effect il would have upon the colo
nl-tS. these vrrv 'loyalists' kept the
American commander constantly informed
Of all that passed within the British lines.
and many disaster Of the English was in
iA, E4Ntrefi GFtegi Wealth. mdred.
there were few persons IN all Charleston
over whole submission 20 the crown the
British were more clated than they Were
over that OF Mrs. Anne Garden. She was
a Young aud beautiful widow, just twenty
five. and for several years had been ;he
standing toast OF the beauN of the Caro-
liuaS. When the British took the city. she
wl> one OF the lr,t 10 submit 10 the king,
aud since then her house had been the
fIvorite gathering place OF the red-coat
gentry Many OF Mrs. Gardens friends
who were staunch patriots 10 the last,
quietly cut her acquaintance. and shook
their head n silent indignation when her
name was mentioned. and when they
dared speak at all il was only to condemn
the widows treachery. In the camp OF
Marion, however, there was one check
that kjndied with pride and not with shame
when the lady's name was mentioned and
as for General Marion himself. he could
have told tales that would have startled the
widows Charleston friends, had il been
safe to do so.
While Marion was creating 50 great an
excitement beyond the gates of Charleston
Mrs. Garden resolved to give a ball. Pre-
parations were made on an extensive
scale, and the local element of the city
was in high feather. The splendid man
sion was dressed with flowers from cellar
to garret. and blaZed with lights on the
evening appointed for the assembly, aud
the band Of the garrion dIsCoursed sweet
music 70 the assembled crowds. The en-
tertanment was at its height. when the
crowd suddenly parted, and young man
came forward hurredly. He was tall and
splendldlv formed, and carried himself
erect, with proud, martial air. He was
dressed in the uniform OF an officer OF the
Tory logion. and his general appearance
was that of man who had ridden far and
hard durin. the day As the young widow
saw him. her face flushed and then grew
deadly pale. aud she sDrang forward with
cry OF alarm.
What are you doing hereE she asked
hurriedly.
You will see he answered quietly. in
low tone, only, for heavens sake, swear
black and blue to what | may say! Then
he added calmly, and in alouder tone you
see, my dear cousin. have come back to
my allegiance.
Il am delighted to hear it, she replied.
warmly, taking the hint at once. 4 never
thought your heart would cling 10 the
rebel cause.
Faith he said, laughing. III my heart
had cl.tuU IN II IN stomach would nave
driven me from it. I'm not fond Of starry
ing, my fair cousin. while King George
lives well. Hereafter, Thomas lives and
dies IA loyal man
Col Watson had been standing by, dur
ing this conversation. watching the couple
closely. Now he stepped forward to the
ladys side.
Who's this geutlcman:' he asked,
somewhat sharply. lie seems wonderful
ly familiar
Oh replied the lady, laughing he is
my counsin Lieutenant Thomas Wilson, a.
YOU will perceive, ~ his majesty's service.
You seem rather careless of your dress,
| considering the occasion, sir said the
colonel, rather tartly. He was ANNOYED
| at the great, interest which the lady had
| shown the new comer.
NV business must be my excuse
| colonel, said young man resectfully, 4
am the bearer of letter from Major
| Gainey, and my orders are to lose no time
| in delivering il. | have ridden hard all
day. sir, and upon reaching your head
| quarters leaned of your presence here
This laday being my cousin, l had no
| hesitation is coming here at once trusting
for pardon to the urgency OF my mission.
As he spoke he handed to the colonel a
| sealed letter. Watson took IT hastily and
broke the seal. As he read II smile ol
satisfaction overspread his features.
This is very good he said gleefully.
'Gainey is picking up recruits by the
hundreds. Wants 400 rifles, 80 sabres, and
some ammunition at once. Will seno
them? To be sure | will. Have you wag
ons. lieutenant:'
no. SIR replied the young man. Major
Gainey was afraid to send them down
There's no knowing when and where ont
may meet that Swamp Fox and his sneak
ing cut-throats,
Very good said the colonel. Ill furn
ish you wagons and guard of 80 mount
ed men. You will start at sunrise in the
morning, lieutenant. Call at my quarters
at midnight. and you shall have the'neces
sary orders. Now. sir,you had better taxi
rest. as you will need it,
First let me offer him some refresh
ments.' said the widow quickly. He i
tired and, hungry, know, and no CUES
must leave my house In such state