The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-10-11
A TALE OF THE OLDEN TIME.

n
In the summer of 1757, when we were
fighting against the encroachments of
France on our Northern and Western
borders, there lay among the picturesque
hills of Northern Virginia large plan
tation. The family mansion stood on
elevated ground, with sloping lawns, and
broad piazzas, shaded by an abundant
growth of ivy and tall poplars.
The owner of this beautiful estate was
an eccentric old planter, whose chief
pride lay in the immutability of his
word. A law of the Modes and Persians
could sooner have been broken than his
commands changed; and under his ar
bitrary rule he had brought up a
daughter-his only child. She was just
II, and was possessed of beauty so
rare and unconscious that, added to
her prospective wealth, it caused her
fame to spread far and wide.
About this time the atrocities of the
Indians grew so daring and terrifying
that the planter determined on getting
a son-in-law possessing strength and
courage, even at the sacrifice of his
daughters happiness; but he matured
his plans before he revealed them.
One afternoon, late in August. the
planters daughter stood on the western
piazza, leaning against pillar covered
with climbing roses. She was detected
that lay piled in the distant west, and
nervously pulling apart the roses, until
the floor at her feet was covered with
petals. "Oh, dear" she exclaimed at
last, Il wonder if anything can be
done!"
About what, honey?" asked moth
erly-looking darkey, looking up from
her knitting through a pair of large
brass spectacles.
Haven't you heard, NANNY, of faith
er's last whim?" sighed the girl 1--WE
are to have a jumping-match on the east
lawn in two weeks. All the young men
of the villages are invited to take part,
and / am to marry the one who jumps
the farthest."
Lord o. Massey, chile! de butchers
son might Jump de furdestI"
"Oh, no, there is little danger of that.
l fear others more"
Il reckon, darlin', dem savages is de
cause of all dis here trouble" said the
woman thoughtfully. "Massa is awfully
'fraid dey'll come up here an butcher
us widout judge or jury, an he's gettin
ole, honey, and needs a son dat can fife,
an larn de boys to fife, too"
A quick step on the gravel walk made
the young girl turn. "Oh, here is Tom
at last!" she exclaimed, as, with beaming
face and heightened color, she sprung
lightly down the steps to meet a fine
looking young military officer
am so glad to see you," she said,
extending both hands. "And SO old
Tim actually found you?"
eyes," he replied, taking her hands,
and then lifting her tell-tale face to find
a confirmation of her words in the inno-
cent depths of her dark eyes. "Tim
found me, and here / am, Nettie; but L
have only ten or fifteen minutes to stay.
Let us walk in that path yonder, where
we can talk undisturbedly and he
drew her hand through his arm. "Your
note tells me of this jack-a-napes within
of your fathers, and the consequent
son-in-law business. 1t fairly makes my
blood boil to think he would subject you
to such trial.
But you can jump further than any
one else, Tom, and you won't have to go
to Carlisle, will you?"
"No, thank fortune, not for some
time. We are at Fort Cumberland now,
but in a few days will be nearer this
plantation. Col. Stanwix sent me down
with a party of men to help dose these
Indians with gunpowder. They have
committed some fearful ravages not very
far off"
"I wonder where Col. Washington
is? Why doesn't he stop these cruel
ties, if he is as brave as they say?"
asked Nettie.
because Gov. Dinwiddie is always
interfering with him. He has scarcely
more than enough men at his own head
quarters in Winchester to protect Fort
Loudon alone AS to his bravery, it
can't be questioned. He received four
bullets through his coat mt the battle of
Monongahela, two years ago, and had
two horses killed under him, and he was
lust recovering from a fever, too. But,
Nettie, we can talk of this some other
time. Now to business: On the day of
the match if"
ooh, don't say it, Tom,' interrupted
Nettie, hiding her face on his arm.
"You know father is inexorable, and if
you faill''
"Fail or not fail, you belong to me,
darling exclaimed the young man,
emphatically, land nothing shall'sepa-
rate us. Wear this ring as pledge,
and, if the worst is realized, you and /
must be among the missing Immediately