The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1886-01-06


weeks Of watching and anxiety wore
away; the line storm visited us with all
its fury, and then came the mild and
sunny Indian summer, the days Of soft
delight, when all nature seems In a
dreamy, quiet mood, giving us a gentle
smile before old winter, with raging ele.
inents, comes to bind her with his ICY
fetters.
About the middle Of October watcher
on the hill saw man-of.war heading for
our harbor, BE gazed with almost
breathless anxiety until with his glass he
deserted the English flag at her mast.
Then he rushed down the steep road
into the main street, shouting:
"The British are comingI Save your.
selvesl' -
All at once was noise and confusion.
The men left their work, the women
forsOok their spinning wheels, and all
ran to the beach or to the wharves.
Yes, it was true; size had anchored out.
side the harlor, and, too large to enter
herself, we could see a large boat just
leaving her filed with men, WHO would
probably land and plumber, perhaps burn,
our village. Resistance was useless, fol
the ship could easily shell the whole town,
lying us she did at the mouth of the har.
bor, but little more than mile away.
1t had been planned long before that in
case Of invasion the people should take
their valuables and flee to the woods for
safety,
So az quickly ns possible the large hay
carts were brought out, the best feather
beds were hastily thrown Into them, the
tall clocks were placed on top, as many
women and children as could he were
piled in, each carrying pillow case con.
tanning some valuables, the horses were
whipped into a gallop and the procession
started lclter skelter for the woods.
The servants Of Squire Cushmnn shared
the general alarm, and ;s the squire was
away from home, they, too, prepared for
flight, and urged the housekceper to pick
up the silver, and, taking Miss Rose and
her nurse, to hasten to a place Of safety
with them. But when she went to the
young lady's chamber she found her
watching the incoming boat with eager
eyes, and she firmly refused to leave the
house.
"They are not enemies to me, she
said. "Thev are from dear old England
my home, and l will not run from them
even if the whole village goes"
The housekeCper tried to reason with
her, but in vain, and not daring to leave
her in the house, sent of the servants
with the most valuable articles to n safe
hiding place and awaited tile result with
trembling anxiety.
Rose stood at the open window, watch.
ing the boat As It ncare,l the shore she
sent her maid for the squire's spy glass,
aid, resting II on the woman's shoulder,
obtained q good view Of the harbOr ana
all who were in the boat.
Nearer and nearer it approached the
shore, and the few fishermen who fingered
near tho wharf, their curiosity overcom.
ing their fears, saw that It was com
manded by q young officer, whose dress
betOkcned the high rank lie bore.
The boat came up TO the wharf, and
one Of the sailors sprung ashore and fas.
tened ii.
Giving a command to his men in a low
tone, the officer landed, accompanied by
two marines. Seeing the fishermen about
to run, he cried out:
"You have nothing to fear. II you lot
us come and go unmolested, your village
shall bO spared. Come here; l want to
ask you question.
One Of tho most daring approached him.
"Now, my man, he said, mo tricks,
but answer me correctly. Do you know
where Judge Cushman lives, and will you
show us the way to his houSei Do not
fear; no harm shall be done to any Of you;
only tell mo the truth"
The man, only too glad to escape 10
easily, pointed out the house, and the
officer, with lis men, hastened toward it.
In the meantime Rose had bccn scan.
ming the boat with eager eyes, trying to
discern the features Of the men. When
she saw the officer approaching tho house
she gave one long, fixed look, and shout.
ing to her nurse: ut Is hcl It is CharlesI"
flew down tho staircase, followed by her
servant and the housCkeeper, and, as he
entered the open door, Sprang into his
arms and was claspel 70 his heart in q
loving embrace.
But he stopped her eager questions by
saying:
~ have no time to lOsc. You SEQ the
ship at the entrance Of the harbori Since
YOU left England, my darling, have been
promoted to the command Of that noble
Crnft and ordered to America. You may
imagine how glad was to know ! was
to be near you, for, thanks to nurse here,
received your last letter, and since my
duty brought me to this part Of the coast,
l determined to find you. Yesterday we
overhaulel fishing craft from this port,
and learned was only n few miles
from you. at once shaped my course
for this hurbor, resolved 10 take you with
me, for ] can endure this separation no
longer. Where Is your unclCf"
"llo Is away from home, dear Charles, "
said ROse' "and nearly all tho people hero
fed, 80 frightened arc they Of the dreaded
British"
Good! That makes II easier for you
to go" said Charles.
"But what do you mean, Charles? How
can go alone with you on that great
ship shall be afraid"
"Afrail with me, sweetheart NurSio
will 80 with you, and Rs my wife, you
will be safe from all harm. Let us find
the clergyman here and hc will unto us.
Do you think hC lns llCdi"
"No," said Rose, "hc has always said,
/ believe, that he would never run from
the enemy; that lie was man Of peace
and would be left unmolcsted. But,
Charles, since l have been here, I have
thought much Of my disoIe,licnce to my
fathers wishes, and although ! could
mover bo false to yUI, dear Charles, l