Year: 1861




of the year 1850 sat an old man. his wife
and only sor. The face of the father up
reared troubled; at times he looked thought
fully on the floor, and then he would gaze
long and wisttully at his son, fine manly
youth of twenty. At length he said


David, this is disastrous ucws from Cam
den. God knows what will become of the
country nowl Congress needs every arm
that is capahlc---ah me. | wish this old
wound that got in the French war had moi
lamcd me, hut for it, ] should now be shoul-
dcring my musket, and marching 70 defend
my country.


Both the son and wife looked up at these
words. The old lady ceased knitting, and
gazed inquiringly at her boy, and it was cv-
ldcnt from the express on OF her face, that
patriotism and motherly affection were at
variance in her bosom. The son, however.
after encountcring his fathers eve for Il
moment, turned confuscdly away. The old
mans brow darkcnel, and he said warning
ly:


David, David. why do you lnger about
The village WHEN your country needs your
services SO much? Twice before have
spoken to you upon this subject but YOU
APP car to have no spirit What, Will you
sec us trampled upon 10y the marccuarics o.
Britain, and still lie here supiucly? For
shame ,David-iUr shame. lwilluot call You
my son. Long sil &C you ought to have
been in the army.


Joshua, Joshua intcrroscd the old moth
er, David is but youth, then do not speak
to him so harshly. He cannot feel what YOU
feel. who have ioug Int so often against your
country's enemies. Joshua. he is huto boy.


a boy indeed, Deborah such boys us
David have already gained mpcrishNhlc
nurcls since the war commenced. ! can
name II host of thcm.-why, were it not toi
the boys of this land where would tie our
army, which dare say is composed OF boys
OF Davids age" The old man was excited,
and it was the first u!kimd word lie had
ever used to his boy.


David rose and lc,t the house. He walk
ed some distance apparently in deep thot


what will not woman do?' he at length
said, here have been lingering about the
village when / should have been off long
ago. And for what why to meet pretty
girl and listen to her musical voice but
now will be myself again. What did he
call mc?-was it not coward? Now, by
Heaven, will learn him that he has a son
with the spirit of his father. Away then
with love, for feel that am called upon
to act, and no longer dream. Ere Il fort
night, my father shall hear OF me or else !
lose my life in striving for it, And with
resolution he turned about and rotraccd his
steps.


When he reached home he sought the
stables, struck into a gallop, which contin-
ucd for several miles. AT length he stop
ped and looked up t. the windows of n farm
house half hid between clustering trees.
This was the residence Of Mary Bunker
the lii, stress of his heart; the il ghs showed
that the family had not yet retired and he
resolved to pay her visit before his dc


arturo. She was alone when he entered
and u few words acquainted her of his de-
termination. She burst into tears.


Nay, Mary he said, you mustrot unman
me. At first resolved to leave on with
out farewell for l knew how you dreaded
my taking part in this struggle. But
could not be so cruel as to desert you with
out a word


Il will compose myself said the fair girl
with an effort to sm.le i know | have
been wrong to persuade you TO stay, but
you cannot imagine the anxiety | suffer ON
account of my brothers, and could not
bear to have you too encounter thcir dam
ger. But since this dreadful defeat at Cam.
den, feel that every man is wanted by our
country. Go, then, dearest, and God be
with you. My prayers shall attend you
night and day


David pressed the now weeping girl to
his bosom, snatchcd hasty kiss at the
sound of approaching footsteps, wrung her
hand and was gone.


The next day he left the neighborhood OF
his fathers house, armed w.th musHct
and mounted on sturdy horse. His dcst
nation was the American camp, then far tC
the northward, but as the intervening coun.
try was filled with the enemy, he knew
there would be considerable address re.
quired to effect his purpose. Before his
departure, he saw few Of his old playmates
who promised to follow him as soon as pos.
sible.


Night found him near lonely farm house
to which he proceeded boldly in search OF
lodgings. At first the occupant received
him coldly, but chance expression con,
vinced David that his host was tory he
affected the same political creed, and was
Immediately warmly welcomed. The roy
alist produced his cider after supper, and
insisted that David should join hnn in his
potations this the young man did, taking
care, however, not to indulge too freely;
while the former, overjOyed to find what he
supposed new recruit for his party, dranl;
without stint, and became more and more
and more communicative. To his horror
David soon learned that party Of royalsts
led by u Major Wilson, celebrated for his
toryism, was to start carly the ensuing day
on an expedition to seize and hang the two
BunEers, who had made themselves partic-
ularly obnoxious to the royalst leaders
David knew enough of this part2an warfare
to be assured that no mercy would be shown
to his frIcnds he knew enough of the char
actcr of the Major to suspect that some
strong personal motive had led to the plan
ming Of so distant an expedition, when there
were others as inviting nearer home. lie
accordingly set himself to discover from his
jncbriate companion the truth. 1t was not
long before success crowned his adrOit cross
examination.


why, you see,' said his host, 4 believe
there's a little revenge far slight received
from these fellows sister, mixed up with
the Ma jOr's desire to catch the Bunkers.-
The girl is very pretty they say, and the
Major when she was down here on visit
last year-betore tie war got SO bloody
wanted to marry her, but she would have
nothing to say to him. Ever since he has
vowed to make her rue the day. You may
depend upon it, he will have her on his own
terms now-thauk heaven! there's no law
any longer to prevent an honest loyalist
from doing as he ploagos to those rascally
rebels. But yonder is the Major, now sud
denly said his host starting up, I'll intro
duce you to him at once-a merry follow
you VIII find him-Lord love you! he's as
brave as a lion


David, though horriled at the diabolical