Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-10-12

try on horseback. accompanied by
man servant. to look after his prop
srty, taking rs II were an inventory
~ the land
Mr.. Van Rensselaer, was kind and
courteous old gentleman. and after
<nowing Eliznbcth's sad story he felt
very sorry for her. He would always
stop TO see her when he passed
through Petersburg. and one day IN
summer he brought his daughter to
visit her. The girls were about the
same age. and they took 20 each other
az once. Both had passed their child
hood in England and they had much
. i'm common, although Miss Van Rens-
selaer's life had been gay and happy.
while Elizabeth had known great sor-
row They became very dear friends,
and the following year Mr.. Van Eens-
Eelaer found another tenant for the
farm and Elizabeth went to live with
them in Albany.
The man who took the farm OF Mr..
Van Rensselaer, was a Dutchman,
who knew nothing of Elizabeth or
the Brimmers. so six years after
John Brimmer's capture the tragedy
was quite forgotten in Petersburg
and the place was occupied by stran-
gers.
In the manor house of the Van
Rensselaers Elizabeth was surrounded
by wealth and luxury, but she was
not happy She stin mouned for
John Brimmcr. and would often sigh
when she would think of her loss and
OF the great happiness that might
have been hers but for the Indians.
Miss Van Rensselaer, was very fond
of society and liked 60 entertain her
friends. and although Elizabeth loved
her dearly and was anxious to please
her she seldom participated in the
social events of the house. One even
2 J ing in early spring rs she was watch
( ing the sunset, dreaming as she often
did of another sunset years before,
/ when John had asked her 10 be his
: wife. Miss Van Rensselaer, rushed in
! 20 tho room, saying: Dress quickly,
, Elizabeth. and come down To dinner.
4 Papa has invited an officer from the
American army and you cannot be 50
r unpatriotic as TO refuse this time.
Z just think low the soldiers have van
n quished the Indians"
n This had the desired effect, and
r Elizabeth promised to go down and
% meet tho soldier. although she had
i little heart for gayety.
.- When John trimmer had been cap
Il tured by the British and put into pris-
on he was almost home, but having
IS once secured his freedom from slavery
II hc did not lose hope. and az last plan
N ned and effected his escape. Tic
r reached Petersburg after an absence
r OF little more than seven years
W but 10 his great sorrow he learned
r. / that his parents were dead. and nc
n | one knew the whereabouts of Eliza
o. beth. After searching the entire
~ town and learning nothing of hel
,r he gave up i'm despair The farm
M was in the hands Of strange people
,n xho could not speak English and knew
as nothing Of the Brimmers.
n. Heart sick and wretched. the rn
n happy man sought the American arm.
an and volunteered as a soldier who wa
be ready 90 meet death unfinehingly
at His daring ON the battlefield, has couI
nd age and manly beauty soon made hin
of "a hero. and promotion in rank 10
or lowed. During the winter of 176
at the soldiers were in camp near \
ia bany The officers of tho arm
as were much sought after and royal
n entertained by the good old Dutc
in families in that section. As il hal
hc pencd MIR. Van Rensselaer, met Lie
.cnat trimmer and was much please
,, / with the officers manner and invite
,n, him 10 dinner. This was the Office
he Elizabeth had promised TO NEE
so, When she came downstairs and sa
ma him standing in the drawingroom al
pe- heard his voice she recognized him
,ns once and cried: My Cousin job
M alive and wei. thank Godl-
axe Lieutenant Brimmer was SO 81
ris- prised. yet SO very happy Ia find Ella
gho beth. that he forgot his dignity
rild an officer, forgot even that he was
nto the drawing-room of "A fashional
house with Mr.. Van Rensselaer, a
al his daughter. for he rushed TO Eli
yu,, beth and claspcd her TO his heart.
not The weeks that followed were &
,ad- and happy ones. The following ye
hen John left the army and returned
the Petersburgh. where he succeeded
de- obtaining the old farm and hon
at stead and became thrifty and 81
rim cessful farmer For many years Z
the good people in the vicinity of Pete
und burgh were made happy by the Xxi
silly deeds and genial hospitality of Jo
fate and Elizabeth Brimmer.-Troy
heir W Times.
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