The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-01-18
THE CAPTAINS RUSE.

THE close of the year 1850 was sad
period for America. The British held
the country from Charleston to the
Upper Santee, and in order to COM
plete their conquest bad established a
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 favOrite rendezvous of
Marion was at Snow Island. This is
piece of high river swamp, as it is
called in the Carolinas, and was sur
rounded on three sides by water, so as
to be almost impregnable. Here
Marion had his camp. From this
fastness he issued forth at pleasure to
range the enemy's granaries or capture
struggling party Of his troops.
Secure in his retreat, he had no fear
of pursuit. ...
In the city of Charleston the des-
potism 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
still open and uncompromising in their
hostility to the English, while others,
thinking they could best serve the
cause in that way, affected hearty
submission to the conquerors, and
were seemingly the most loyal of all
King Georges subjects. Yet, while
the English saw this and congratulate
ed themselves upon the good effect it
would have on the Colonists, these
very "loyalists kept the American
commander constantly informed of all
that passed within the British lines,
and many a disaster of the English
was in this way directly attributed to
them.
One of these persons was lady of
fine social position and great wealth.
Charlestonlover whose submission to
the Crown the British were more
elated than they were over that of Mrs
Anne Garden. She was young and
beautiful widow, just twenty-five, and
for several years had been the stand
ing toast of the bearx of the Carolinas.
When the British took the city she
was one Of the first to submit to the
King, and since then her house had
been the favorjte gathering place of
the red-cnat- oentrN Af-s~-se esttsafivrr
patriots to the last, quietly cut her ac-
quaintance, and shook their heads in
silent Indignation when her name was
mentioned, and when they dared speak
at all it was only to condemn the
widows treachery. In the campr OF
Marion, however, there was one cheek
that kindled with pride and not with
shame when the lady name was men,
toned; and as for Gen. Marion him
self, he could have told tales that
would have startled the widows
Charleston friends, had it been safe to
do so.
While Marion was creating SO great
an excitement beyond the gates of
Charleston, Mrs. Garden resolved to
give ball. Preparations were made
on an extensive scale, and the loval
element of the city was in high feather.
The splendid mansion of the young
widow was dressed with flowers from
cellar to garnet. and blazed with lights
ON the evening appointed for the as
sembly, and the band of the garrison
discoursed sweet music to the as
sembled crowds. The entertainment
was at its height, when the crowd near
the door suddenly parted, and young
man came forward hurriedly. He was
tall and splendidlS' formed, and carried
himself erect, with a proud, martial
air. lie was dressed in the uniform
OF an officer of the Tory legion, and
his general appearance was that of
man who had ridden far and hard
during the day. As the young widow
saw him, her face flushed, and then
grew deathly pale, and she sprang for
ward with cry of alarm.
What are you doing here?' she
asked, hurriedly.
"1ou will see," he answered.
quickly. in low tone. "Only, for
Heavens sake, swear black and blue
to what | may sayr' Then he added.
calmly, and in louder tone: "You
see, my dear cousin, have come back
to my allegiance"
" l am delighted to hear it, she re-
Piled, warmly, taking the hint at once.
=" l never thought your heart would
cling to the rebel cause.''
s"Fai.h," he said, laughing, "if my
heart had chung to it, my stomach
would have driven me from it. I'm
not fond of starving. my fair cousin,
and King George lives well, you know.
Hereafter. Thomas Wilson lives and
dies loyal man."
Col. watson had been standing by,
during this conversation, watching the
couple closely. Now he stepped for
ward to the lady's side. |
WHO'S this gentleman ?" he asked.
somewhat sharply. "He seems won |
derfully familiar"
"Oh." replied the lady, laughing,
e he is my cousin, Lieut. Thomas Will !
son, and, as you will perceive, is in {
His Majesty's service" &
You seem rather careless of your
iress. considering the occasion, SIR"
'aid the Colonel, tartly. He was an g
loyed at the great interest which the t
ady had shown the newcomer. f
80 /" My business must be my excuse,
Colonel" said the young man, re '
pectfully. 81 am the bearer of a t
etter from Maj. Gainey, and my or p
Iers are to lose no time in delivering a
!. i have ridden hard all day, sir, r
nd, upon reaching your headquarters, d
earned of your presence here. This n
ady being my cousin, l had no hesita- o
ion in coming here at once, trusting n
Or pardon to the urgency of my mis- t.
Ion.n ~ 81
AS he spoke he handed to the Colonel SC
sealed letter. Watson took it hastily Z
nd broke the seal. As he read it
nile of satisfaction overspread his
'atures, "a