Daily globe., 1879-01-05
A TALE OF THE OLDEN TIME.

lAAA OH 1IIA oLhIIN LII
In the summer of 1851, when we were
fighting against the encroachments of
France on the northern and western bor-
'ders, there lay among the picturesque
hills of Northern Virginia large planta-
ton. The family mansion stood On ele-
waited 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 ASedes and Persisns
could sooner have been broken than his
commands changed; and under his ar
arbitrary rule he had brought up a
daughter-his only child. She was just
seventeen, and was possessed of q beauty
so rare and unconscious that, added to
her prospective wealth, it caused her
frame to spread tar 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 cour-
age, even at the sacrifice Of his daughters
happiness; but he matured his plans be-
lore ne 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
ly gazing into the golden, hazy clouds
thatlay piled in the distant west and
nervously pulling apart the roses, until
the floor at her feet was covered with
petals. ooh, dear, she exclaimed at last,
81 wonderif anything can be donew
''About wheat, honeys" asked moth
erly-looking colored woman, looking up
from her knitting through. a pair Of large
brass spectiales,
Haven't you heard, nanny, of faith
er's last whim?" sighed the girl. "We
are to have 8 jumping match on the east
lawn in two weeks. All the young men
of the village are invited to take part, and
am to marry the one who jumps the
farthest."
''Lord O. massy, chile! de butchers
son might jump de furdestr
ooh, no; there is little danger Of that.
I fear others more"
81 reckon, darlin', dem savages is de
cause of all dis here trouble" said the
woman thoughfully. ''Massa is awful
ly fraid dey1l come up here and butcher
us wisout judge or jury, an he's gettin'
ole, honey, and needs son dat can fte-
an larn the boys to ite, too"
4 quick step OF the gravel walk made
the young girl turn. "Oh, here is Tom
ct last" she exclaimed, as, with beam1ng
face and heightened color, she sprung
lightly down the steps to meet fine
looking young military officer.
81 am so glad to see you," she said,
extending both hands. 'sAnd so old Tim
actually found you2"
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. "Iim
found me, and here am, Nettie; but I
have only ten Or fifteen minutes to stay
Let US walk in that path vonder, where
we can talk undisturbedly;" and he
drew her hand through his arm. "Your
note tells me Of this jack-a-napes whim
Of your fathers, and the consequent SON
in-law business. It fairly makes my
blood boil to think he would subject YOU
to such trial.
But YOU can jump frather than any one
else, Tom; and you won't have to go to
Carlisle, will you?"
mo, thank fortune, not for some time
We are at Fort Cumberland now, but in
few days will be nearer this plantation.
Col Stanwix sent me down with a party
of men TO help dose these Indians with
gnnpowder. They have committed such
fearful ravages not very far off,
81 wonder where Col. Washington is?
Why doesn't he stop these cruelties, it he
is as brave as they say2" asked Nettie.
because Gov. DinWiddie is always in
terfering with him. He has scarcely
more than enough men at his own head
quarters in Winchester to protect Fort
London alone. As to his bravery, it can t
be questioned. He received four bullets
through his coat at the battle of the Mon
'ongahela, two years ago, and had two
horses killed under him, and he was Just
recovering from fever, too. But, Nettie,
we can talk Of this some other time.
Now to business: On the day of the
match, if"-
sob, don't say it, Tom," interrupted
Nettie, hiding her face on his arm. ''You
know father is sinexorable, and if you fail !''
"Fail or not fail, you belong to me,
darling exclaimed the young man, en-
phatically, "and nothing shall separate
US. Wear the ring as a pledge, and, if
the worst is realized, you and I must be
among the missing Immediately after the
festivities. Will you do just as 1 tell you.
Nettie?"
eyes, Tom,' she replied, in low tone.
"Then we CO n make arrangements for
failure when we meet, for I can't think
it possible that I can fail" He spoke
hurrledly, for there was not moment to
spare. "Duty is Imperative" he contin-
ued, with smile, "and I have scarcely
time to reach my post, SO goodbye, Net
tie, for two weeks"
The appointed day dawned bright and
clear. Promptly the young men assem-
bled, each eager to win so much beauty
and wealth. The gentry and farmers al
so came to witness the unusual spectacle
The old planter, with his friends, took
places on the judges platform, while
Nettie, at her fathers command, stood at
little distance, under group of trees
VITA her old nurse and few young
friends. The contest began, and had
nearly closed, when horseman galloped