Daily globe., 1879-01-26
COLONEL MARSHALL'S WHEAT.
FIELD.

Just one hundred years ago, on the after
noon of beautiful summer day, there sat, in
the vine-coyered porch OF a large mansion, on
The bank of the Mohawk, two young ladies.
Both were beautiful. One was dainty lit
tie lady with blue eyes, yellow hair and
plump form neatly attired in a quilted petit
coat of dark blue silk, over which was looped
robe OF soft gray. A muslin kerchief of a
sDotless white folded about her neck, and
pair of high-heeled slippers completed her
toilet.
Her sister formed a striking contrast A
tall, slender girl, with dark eyes and hair,
and an olive complexion, frightened by the
vivid carmine of lips, and cheeks. She was
also attired richly, wearing robe of crimson
silk over quilted skirt of black.
of Colonel Marshall, a noble patriot of the
| revolution, whose age and intirmites alone
prevented him from going forth to fight for a
cause, which, however, he strove to support
in every other way. His daughters shared
his patriotic opinions. In all the wide land
there were no women moro strongly devoted
to American liberty than Dora and Diana
Marshall.
On the afternoon of which we speak they
had come out upon the porch to enjoy the
beautiful scenery and fresh, invigorating air.
'How peaceful it all ISL Dora observed
mrsingF, gazing upon the rolling meadows
and shining river.
l.
some day, perhaps not so far distant, ali this
peace and plenty may fall under the devastat
ing hand of the enemy"
"Whatn' Is there really a possibility of
that, think your inquired Dora.
II fear there may be. Only yesterday
black Pete told father that Sias Ambrose the
scout, who has. returned wounded, informed
him that he firmly believed that it was the in
tention Of the British to send party of
Tories and Indians to ravish our beautiful
valley"
''What did father say?'
"Oh, he looked grave, and I believe, Dora
that his main design in riding down to the
Ambroses' to-day, was to question Silas.'
"And isn't that father returning now?'
hastily inquired Dora turning her eyes down
the road.
"Ah, yes; but why does he ride at such a
terrible pace"
ooh, God" cried Dora, excitedly, "see! he
is pursued by Tories and Indians! And, oh,
look! One is raising musket to shoot!
| Merciful heaven, spare my father!" and Dora
clasped her white hands implOringlV.
1t was moment of awful suspense. Dash
| ing along the road, with his noble head bare,
| his gray locks flying, was the old colonel, and,
close behind him in swift pursuit, like pack
| of hell-hounds, were the savages, yelling with
| murderous cries, Racer, the colonel's horse,
dashed on as If he knew it was a case of life
or death, but, alas! he couldn't out strip the
leaden messenger which now flew from the
| gun of one of the savages and buried itself in
the brave heart of the old colonel, who reeled
and fell from his horse inst as he reached his
gate. His noble horse stopped directly, and
stood looking at his fallen master with an al.
most human expression of pity in his great
eyes.
The foremost Of the enemy, brawny saw
age, hideously painted, sprang from his sad
die with the intention Of scalping the luckless
colonel Diana, suspecting his design, rushed
down the path, crying:
"Stop, stop"
and commanding appearance, and then ut
tering an "Ugh!" he approached his prey; bu
like a lioness defending her young, Dians
guarded the body of her father. Dora, too
who had now reached the scene, with tears
and pathetic gestures strove to ward away thu
savage.
Just then the remainder of the party rod,
up-two British officers, one about forty, thu
other twenty five or thirty-twelye tories, ant
eighteen or twenty Indians.
Diana Immediately addressed the elder 0
the two officers.
.'sir,'' said, s'our father is dead Ma,
we be- the privilege of having his remain
unmolested?'
The officer bowed low, and over his &C arse
face stole an expression of wonder and admi
ration.
Lady" he said, "the prayers Of the beaut
full ought always to be answered.; but yo
know the rules of savage warfare. An India
. always considers himself entitled to the seal
of fallen foe But on one condition will
prevent his doing thus in this case.'
"What is the condition. Diana asked, colo