Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1877-03-10
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HOW MARION GOT HIS RIFLES
s story of the Revolution.

The country from Charleston 10 the up
pp, Nauiec. and in order to complete
their conquest had established 4 chain
of posts throughout the state, each OF
which was strongly fortified and de
Tended bv \ GOOD garrison. Organized
resistance to the British there was none.
On the American side the principal
actors in the struggle We're the men who
composed the famous light bridgade
OF General Marion. The iavorite rem
devious OF Marion was SNOW Island
This i, pace OF high river swamp, as
it /, called in the taro.inaS, and WAS
surrounded on three side, by water 80
IS to he almost impregnable. Here
Marion had his camp. From his fast
ness he issued forth ut pleasure 70 range
the eucmy's granar!cS or capture Il
Struggling party nj his troops. Secur
in his retreat he had TO fear OF pursuit.
In the cIty OF Charleston the desp"t-
ism OF the British was At its hight the
proud-spirited people OF that capital
were held down by 4 grinding tyranny.
MANY OF them were still open and uu-
compromising in their hostility 10 the
English. while others. thinking they
could best serve the cause in that way.
affected II hearty submission to the con-
qIrrar, and were seemingly the most
Iowa. Of King Georges subjects. Ic:.
wAl.e the Eug,i>h saw this and congrat-
U.ateI themselves upon the good effect
it would have on the colonists. these
very ''.oya.i>t> kept the American Cnm-
mander constantly informed Of all that
passed within the British lines. and
many 4 disaster OF the English was III
this way directly attributable TO them.
One oi these persons was a lady of
fine society position aud great wealth
There We're tew persons III AL Charles
Ion over whose submission to the crown
the British were more etated than they
We're over that OF Mrs. Ann Garden
She WAS 4 Young aud beautiful widow.
iU>t twenty tive. and for several Wears
had been the Standing Least ot the hrluN
ii the Cagu.ina>. When the British
took the city She was one ~ the first L.
submit - the King. and since then her
house mad been the t]ayuritr resort OF the
reicoat gentry. Many Of Mrs. Gardens
friends. wup We're patriots II the .a>t.
quietly cut her acquaintance. and shook
their heads in silent indignation when
her rtiuc wt> mentioned. aud when
the dared speak ut all 1t was only To
condemn the widow 5 treachery. Ia the
camp 81 MIri"n. however. there WAS
'tt' ttltNN ltiiN N.LN1-tt WIN y nut anu
H"t with shame wheAthe lady'S name WAS
myu.iruct and - for Gen. Marion him
sell. he could have tnId tales that would
nave startled the widows Charleston
friends had il been >Aic t. do 80.
While Marion was creating 20 great
an excitement beyond the gates Of Char
lesion. Mrs Garden resolved to give a
ball Preparations We're made on an
extensive scale and the loyal clement ui
the cty was in high feather. The SpIcn-
did MANSION uf the Young widow WAS
dressed with flowers from cellar to gar
re-, and b.gEeI Win lights on the rvca-
M appointed Tor the assembly. and the
garrison banG d~iScuUrsed sweet music 10
tAeissemb.ed crowds. The entertainment
was at IL hight. when the crowd near
the uoor suddenly parted. and Il Young .
man came forward suddenly. He was
tai. and S~Y.endIdiy formed. and carried
himself erect with Il proud marital air.
He WAS dressed liz the uniform of All
officer OF the Tory Legion. and his gen
erai appearance was that OF u man who
had ridden long and hard during the
day. As the Young widow saw him.
hrc face flushed and then grew dcatl.v
pa c. and she sprIng forward with a cry .
u: alarm.
What are YOU doing here " she asked
hurgiedy.
You will see, he answered quickly
in / low tore. "On.y, tor heaven SAX. !
swear black and blue to what l may
say - Then he added calmly and in i
louder toue You see, my dear cousin.
l have come back to my allegiance"
/ am delighted to hear It," she re-
piled warmly, taking the hint at once.
Il never thought your heart would cliag
to The rebel cause"
Faith" he said. laughing, If my
heart still c,Ung to it. my stomach would
have driven me from It. ! am not fond
OF starving, my fair cousin, and kinc
George lives well, You Snow. Hereafter
Thomas Wilson lives and dies 81 loyt.
man
Colonel Watson had been standing by
during this conversation, watching tn"
coupe very closely. Now he stepped
t~"rsvlyd to the lady, side.
who i this gent!emau?" he a,ke',.
somewhat sharply. lie seems VOL
dertutiy familiar"
Oh" replied the lady, laughing. he
IS my cousin, Lieutenant Ihomas WI
son. and. a. You perceive, IS in his Ma
~ie>ty's service"
You seem rather careless OF Your
dress, considering the occasion. SIT,
said the colonel, tart.y. He wa, an
moyed ut the great interest which the
lady showed in the new conner.
My business must be my excus.
Colonel" sad the young man. respect
fully. Il am the bearer OF Il letter from
Major Gainey. and my orders are to lose
no time in delivering it. | have ridden
hard al. day, sir, and upon reaching
Eour headquarters learned o! YOUR pres
eUce mere. This lady being my cousin |
had no hesitation in coming here at
once. ii u-ting tor pardon to the urgency
OF my mission
A. he poke he handed to the colonel
asrti"l letter. Watson took It hastily
and broke the seal. As he read it Il
features.
This is very good" he said gleefu'-
~. ''Guucy i picking up recruits bv
the hundreds. Wants 400 rifles. ~
sIhg">. and some ammunition ut once
WIZ / send them? To be sure | will. ,
Have Iou wagons. lieutenant"
Nc, sir. replied the young man
'Major Gtin"y was afraid to send them
down. There's no knowing where or
when one may meet that Swamp Fox
and his sneak!ng cut-throats."
Very good, said the colonel. I'll
furnish YOU with four wagons and It
guard Of fifty mounted men. You will!
start at sunrise in the morning, licu-
tenan Call at my quarters at midnight.
and you shall have the necessary orders.
Now. sir, you had better take rest, rs
you will need it,
First let me offer him some refresh
mcnts." said the widow, quickly. HE
IS tired and hungry. | know, and no
guest must leave my house in such =
state"
Return quickly then" said the CO.
oncl. Il shail be miserable while you
are gone
The young man offered bis arm TO the
lady. and they left the ballroom; but ,
instead of going to the dining-room she
lead him straight to her chamber, and
then. locking the door, said anxiously:
"For heavens sake, Charles, what is
the meaning of this ?"
The young man did not answer YER
hally. but catching her to his breast.
kissed her p~assionately, and. to be frank,
the young widow did not resist him.
at means" he said at last in reply to
To-, o,o,,.l ,,,a-;..