Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-30
A Romantic Retic.

QulYer Wnlcn nau history, hut W
camo of the articles when the curiosities
of that museum were divided | do not
know.
An African prince, captured in battle,
begged so hard that his bow and quiver,
which had been his fathers might be
left in his possession. that the request
was granted. Captivity, OF course,
meant slavery. For beggarly sumhe
was sold by his black cnptor to a SLAYER,
and in time found his way TO South Car
olina, where he became the property OF
Colonel Mo.te. lie brought his bow
and qniver with him, and in his new
home, with arrows fashioned by his own
hand, he brought down many choice
bit OF game Tor his masters table. The
slave was strong and remarkably intelli-
gent, rs well as willing. and as the
master was kind and humane, the life OF
the dusky prince was Tar from unhappy
or irksome. TIE whole family priced
him, and be, in turn, became strongly
attached to them.
At length the slave died, and altor he
had gone, his bow and qlver, the story
of which he had 50 often told in eloquent
language, were preserved rs relics of
the faithful servitor in the Colonel's
family, Tor the family could mol but
gratefully remember his services. the
foriitude. and the unswerving fidelity OF
the strong aud gentle Iambo.
During the REVOLUTION, Colonel Note
fell while fighting for liberty. In the
campaign OF 1881 his widow was driven
from her house on the COngaIee river,
and the place was turned into British
garrison and strongly fortified. la time
this garrison was besieged By detach-
ment of the American army, bu. it, de-
fences were so strong that the force was
not sufficient to take it by assault. The
American commander, who was South
Carollnian, and an old time friend OF the
Motto family, went to the widow, now
living in poor hut within sight OF her
stately mansion, and told her that the
preservation OF her house and property
was The only impediment to the capture
OF the British.
"What would you do" asked Mrs.
Motto.
"Set the mansion eli fire and burn
them out" was the officers reply.
"And how will you set it on fire =
al have not yet thought. madam. !
had regard for your wishes in the mat
ter, aud wished first to consult you"
The widow reflected awhile, and then
asked
"When would be favorable moment
for applying the torch ?"
This very night, after the sentinols
are posted, and the rest OF the garrison
are asleep"
Make your arrangements" said the
patriotic woman, land at your signal |
will set the house on lire for you"
You p"
"Yes. | will DO it,"
The officer saw that she was in earn
est, and he went his way to make pre-
parations.
And then the widow went at her work.
One OF the children had brought away
with them from the house lambs's bow
ard culver of arrows. The arrows were
long and linely made, with steel heads
and delicately- -feathered shafts. With q
lot OF loose tow she made torches OF the
arrows, the prepared heads OF which she
set in pail filed with spirits OF turpen
tine.
At eleven o'clock at night the Ameri-
can commander came and told Mrs.
Motto that all was ready. Taking the
pail, with the soaking arrows, in her
hand, she called upon her stout negro
servant to attend her. He was power
ful fellow, aud used to the bow. Arrived
at favorable locality, she opened her
lantern, and lighted a pitch-wood splin-
ter. Then Cuffe fixed an arrowtorch to
the bow-string, and the widow set the
inllsmmable tow on fire. In another in
slant the fiery message was sped on its
way. and it aighted upon the roof OF the
mansion, far from the immediate reach ol
the garrison.
By the time five of these ignited torch
es had been surely landed upon different
parts Of the roof, the mansion was in
flames beyond the power OF the aroused
inmates TO subdue them.
And yet the brave, noble woman did
not lose much of her property. The
British, sorely frightened, and fearing q
horrible death by fire, laid down their
arms and surrendered, and then joined
with their captors in extinguishing the
flames, which was accomplished before
the fire had extended below the garrets.
-Aedger.
ANEcDOTE OF MR. LINcoLN--When