The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-07-16

if he would rise. Had he been able he
would have died with his arms around
the old mans neck AS it was, the
strength was unequal to the impulse
He lifted his eyes to the old mans face
lovingly; moved his body as if he would
get little nearer, and as child might
speak a loving thought aloud, said: 81
am glad met you, John Norton" and
with the saying of the sweet words he
died. f.r
The Girl WHO Saved the General.
!. lSt. Nicholas for July.]
Far down the Carolina coast lies the
lovely Island of ST. John, where stood,
100 years ago. "a noble brick built. man.
sion, with lofty portico and broad piazza,
Ancient live oaks, trembling aspens and
great syeamores lifted q bower over it
to keep off the sun. Threading their
way through orange trees and beds Of
spacious walks played hide-and-
seek around the house, coming suddenly
full upon the river or running out Of
sight in the deep woods.
The owner of this place was Robert
Gibbes. With his beautiful young wife,
be kept an open house, and drew to its
hall many of the great and noble people
of the times; for he was wealthy and
cultured, and she. had such charming
manners that people loved her very pres.
ence. The great house was full at all
seasons. Eight children had already
come.to this good couple, and seven lit
tie adopted cousins were their playmates
the orphan children Of Mrs. Fenwick,
sister to Mr.. Gibbes. He himself was
a cripple and could not walk. In chair
which ran on wheels he was drawn daily
over the pleasant paths, sometimes by
the faithful black servants, sometimes
bv the still more devoted children, who
tugged at the rope like so many frisky
colts. In their careless joy he forgot
his own sufferings, and would laugh
heartily when they deserted him and hid,
with shouts, behind the great trunks, nm
til every tree in the park seemed 10 cry
out "Papaw and 'sUncle Robertr' The
loneliness of the spot and the happiness
of its dwellers suited well its name of
Peaceful Retreat" by which it was
known through all the country.
But in those troublous times it could
not always remain "peacetul In the
spring of 1779 the British took posses
sion of all the seaboard. General Pre-
vost marched up from Savannah and
laid siege to Charleston. The beautiful
city was about to fall into the enemy's
hands all night the men had toiled in
the trenches, the women had prayed on
their knees in their chambers, expecting
every moment to hear the besieging can
non roar through the darkness. At day.
light the next morning the housetops
were thronged with anxious watchers
but as the sun came gloriously out of
the sea it shone upon deserted fields ;
not tent was to heseen. Hearing that
General Lincoln was Fastening on with
his army, Provost had struck his tents
in the night, and was rapidly retreating
toward Savannah. He crossed the Stono
Ferry and fortified himself on Johns
Island, as the Island of st. John was
often called. :
For weeks now the noise of musketry
and heavy guns destroyed the quiet joy
at Peaceful Retreat" The children, in
the midst Of play, would near the dread
ful booming, and suddenly grow still
and pale. The eldest daughter, Mary
Ann, was a sprightly, courageous girl OF
thirteen. She had the care of all the
little ones, for her mothers hands were
full in managing the great estate and
caring for her husband. The children
never played now in the park unless
Mary was with them, and when the
frightful noise came through the trees
they ran TO her as chickens to mothers
wing. ssc @
After time the enemy determined to
take possession Of this beautiful place
A body of British and Hessians quietly
captured the landing one midnight, and
creeping stealthily onward, filed the park
and surrounded the house. At daybreak
the inmates found themselves prisoners
Then came trying days for the family
The officers took up their quarters in
the mansion, allowing the family to oc
cupy the upper story, They may have
been brave soldiers, but they certainly
we're not gentlemen, for they did every
thing they could to annoy Mrs. Gibbes
who bore all her trouble nobly and pa
tiently. Little Mary had entire charge
of the smaller children, which was nc
easy task, for they were continually get
ting into some sort of trouble with the
troops. aJ 10 FL fe91
Johns Island was less than thirty
miles from Charleston, and when. tbs
American officers in the city heard thai
"Peaceful Retreat" had been captured by
the British they determined to rescue il
from the enemy. Two large galleys
were Immediately manned and equipped
and sent to the plantation, with stric'
orders not to fire upon the mansion.
Sailing noiselessly up the Stono River
at dead of night, the vessels anchored
abreast the plantation. Suddenly out ot
thick darkness burst Q flame and roar
and the shot came crashing through the
British encampment. The whole place
was instantly in uproar. The officers il
the house sprang from bed and hastily
dressed and armed. The family, rudely
awakened, rushed to the windows, a
cold rain was falling, and the soldiers
half-clad, were running wildly hither ant
thither, while the officers were frantically
calling them to arms.
Mary awoke at the first terrible roal
and fed to her mothers room. The ex
citable negro servants uttered the mos
piercing shrieks The poor little chill
dren were too frightened to scream, bu
clung, trembling, to Mary.
Mrs. Gibbss was in great Distress
She knew not at first whether it was al
attack by friends on the camp, or an as
sault upon the house by the enemy. Sh'
ordered the servants to cease their wall
ing and dress themselves. Then he
husband and children were prepared
and, while the cannon beloved in quicl
succession and the noise around tn
house grew louder, the father and moth
er consulted what was best to do. /
was now evident that the attack was b.
their own friends, and its object was t.
dislodge the enemy. But Mr.. Gibbe
did not know that the house would no