The Western Georgian. (Rome, Floyd County, Georgia) 1838-18??, November 06, 1838, Image 1
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Vol. 1.,
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BY
3SAMUEIL S JACK.
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_ b r.»aa > 3i , _
Hagar.
She fled, with one reproachful look
On him who hade her go,
And scarcely could the Patriarch brook
That glance of voiceless wo;
In vain her quivering lips essay’d
His mercy to implore,
Silent the mandate she obey’d.
And there was seen no more.
The burning waste and lonely wild
Received her as she went,
hopeless she clasp’d her fainting ’child, -
With thirst and sorrow spent.
And in the wilderness so drear
She raised her voire on high,
And sent forth that heart-stricken | rayct—
“Let me not sec him did”
tier beautiful, liter only boyq
Her all of hope below !
So long his fathet’s pride and joy,
And yet from him tho blow?
Alone she must hie head sustain,
And watch his sinking breath,
And on his bright brow mark the stain
Os the destroyer, Death!
“Let me not see him die,’’ and lo!
Tho messenger of peace:
Once more her tears forgot to flow,
Once more her sorrows cease.
Life strength and freedom now are given
With mighty power, to one
Who from his father’s roof was driven,
And he—the outcast’s eon.
How often wo like Hagar moarn,
When some unlook’d for blight
Drive us away, no more to turn
To joys wo fancied bright.
Forced from our idols to retreat,
And seek tho Almighty's care,
Porohance we are sent forth to meet,
A desert angel there!
XIBCELLA N V.
From the Southern Post.
A TALE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
It was one of those neat cottages, so often
to be mot with in tho Southern States, situated
on a commanding eminence, at a little distance
from the public road, and surrounded by all
the comforts unusually found upon the farm
of a Southern Planter, to which the reader’s
attention is now directed. The cottage was of
tho larger class, and divided into several com
partments, but built of log*, the interstices of
Which hod been filled with clay and plastered
ROME, FLOYD COUNTY, GEORGIA, NOVEMBER, 6, 1838.
over with white; On the side facing the’
road, a delicate wood! ine nearly concealed the
side of the house, while, near it, several grace
ful cedar trees shot up their tiny tops, as if to
vie with the majestic oaks which, growing in
their natural profusion around, nearly hid the
cottage from view with their overspreading
branches. Add to this, a neat little flower
garden in front, laid out with scrupulous exact
ness, and filled with a variety of flowers which
shed their fragrance, in every direction, and
you may form some idea of the residence of
Joseph Wilmer, with whom the reader may
become better acquainted - The interior pre
sented a scene, if possible, more prepossessing
than the outside. The furniture was plain
but extremely neat, and disposed with a nicety
about the room which betokened the taste of
its fair mistress. Near the window were sea
ted two persons, evidently deeply absorbed in
some important topic* The man, who the rea
der will recognise as our hero was about
twenty five years of ago, tall and straight,
and formed in a mould which indicated great
strength and activity.. His face possessed
great manly beauty, but, by long exposure to
the sun, had acquired a tawny color, which
characterized the frontier farmers in the ear
lier nges of our country. His companion,
whom we introduce ns Mrs. Wilmer, was some
years his junior. She was about the common
height, rather slender, but with a form of
such matchless symmetry, that it would have
done honor to the loftiest conceptions of a Ra
phael. Ilcr face was not what would be ter
med beautiful at first sight, but was of that
kmd which discovers some new charm to the
beholder whenever contemplated. Her large, |
lustrous, dark eye, surmounted by finely arch- j
ed eyebrows, formed a sinking contrast to the;
exceeding fairness of her skin, while her glos
sy hair, which might vie wlth’the raven’s wing,
was now neatly tied in a knot upon the crown
of her head, except a ringlet here and there
which hud escaped from its confinement, and
seemed to kiss her check, and revel in the
beauty it served to heighten. Such was the
woman lo whom Wilmer had given his best,,
his earliest affection; nnd whom he still loved ;
with an ardor which would bid defiance to all
description, and which could only be equalled
l>y the frivor with which it was returned. She}
had 1 een reared in all the luxury which
wealth, aided by the fondness of a doting fa- j
ther, could bestow. But this could do no fa
jury to a character like hors, formed under
the care of a pious mother, who early taught I
her the utter insufficiency of all worldly hon-'
ors, nnd tutored her to become what she then ',
was, the devoted follower of the meek and}
lowly Jesus. She had left her parental rdof,
and relinquished wealth nnd luxury, to share
the fortunes of the poor, but, in many respects,
noble Wilnter. What wonder then, tha*. he
adored her? What wonder that his hopes nnd I
destinies were centered in her? We have'
said, they were engaged in conversation, and
from the frequent recurrence of tho words
whig—lory—Gates—the render need not be I
told that our story opens soon after the defeat
of tjiat unfortunate General; when brother 1
was arrayed against brother, father against
son, and when the very name of wlrg was but '•
the passport to destruction.
‘‘But why not join tho army, Joseph?” said
the lady.
“What? Mary nnd leave you at the mercy ,
Os those n Branding blackguards?”
“Nay, do not fear for me; my sex will be}
tny shield. Surely they Would not injure an I
Unprotected female?”
“Trust them not. They, who would prove
reurcant'to the cal! ot their siifleriag country,
could not be moved, even by the cricS of atl
} injured woman.”
“But you would be safe then, and they
would have no reason to molest me.”
“I cannot trust them;” was the laconic an-'
} swer.
It was during tho nigh*, after this conversa
tion had taken place, when Wilmer had retir
od to rest, that he was awakened suddenly by
a negro at his window, who hastily told him
the lories were coining, and besought him to
|fl c. Disregarding the latter injunction, he
sprung from his bed, seized his rifle (in the
use of which ho was without a superior even
lin these troublesome limes) and posting him
self by the window, firmly awaiting the arrival j
of tho tories. Ho was not kept long in suspense, ;
for soon ho heard the trampling of horses, and
! tho fierce and loud laughter of the ap
j proaching company. Presently, he saw, by
■ the dim starlight, tho foremost tery entering
| the gate, he raised his rifle and took deliberate
* aim, when his wife seized his arm.
“Hold, Joseph, you will but seal your fate:
fly, for in flight only is there safety now. If
you remain, destruction is certain.”
“But you, Mary!”
“Will be safe—fly, or you are lost.”
He saw the danger of his situation, and
knowing the character of the marauders who
now threatened him; he was well aware of the
death, that awaited him if he fell into their
hands. Already were the tories at the door,
struggling for entrance, and donouncing ven.
geance against the unfortunate Wilmer.
Still was he undetermined whether to flee for
W Hdoni,Jnstice, and Mo deration.
life, or meet daath in defence of his wife and
his home.
“Flee?” again exclaimed his wife, as she
imploringly threw her arms around his neck,
and besought him to save himself before it was
too late. He waited for no more but bound- ;
ing through an opposite door, was lost to sight
just as the tories forced an entrance -
“Thank God, he ii safe/’ Said the agonized
Mary, as Wilmer cleared the door, nnd the in
furiated band rushed in .
“The scoundrel is gone, but we’ll save him
vet;” cried the leader of the squad, a tall ath
letic man, of a dark complexion, with large,
black whiskers, which gave him an exceeding,
iy fierce aspect.
“Had he consulted his own feelings,” said
Mary, “you at least, would not have been
here to traduce the excellence to which you
could never aspire.”
“ I suppose,” replied the tory, with an im- 1
pudent sneer, “he showed his courage by lea
ving you here to take care of yourself, while
he took to the swamp to save his cowardly
neck from the halter, he knows he deserves.”
The crimson blood instantly suffused her
checks —she felt the delicacy of her situation,
but resolving to defend her husband’s charac
ter as became a woman and a wife, she repli
ed. “For myself, my sex should be a protec.
tion against men, who, though they are tories,
should recollect they are Americans. As to
my husband, you perhaps may have an oppor
tunity of testing his courage in a manner you
will not relish.”
“No, I never relish running through the
[ swamps at night after a vagabond who trusts
j more to his heels than his hands.”
• “The scamp is a long ways off by this time,
Guess,” eaid an overgrown wretch, as he
1 rftdly thrust Mary aside with such violence
as to throw her against the wall, and was pro
ceeding to her apartment.
“Not so far as you think,” said a hoarse
voice from without, as the report of a rifle was
heard, and the villain fell prostrate, weltering
in bis gore.
Tn an instant, Wilmer rushed in, almost
frantic with rage: the veins on his forehead
were swelled .almost to bursting; his brows
were contracted until they almost met; his fist
clenched, and he seemed altogether the pic
ture of desperation. Seizing the rifle of tho
dead man, before the tories recovered fiom
their surprise, he prostrated another, and the
ponderous weapon was lifted oVer the head of
the leader, when ho received a blow from be
hind which staggered him, and before he re
covered, he was Overpowered by numbers.
■ Still, however, he continued to struggle with
the desperate valor of a man who is conscious
that his all is at slake, and aided by the faith
ful Pompey, had nearly disengaged himself,
when Mary, thinking her presence Would be
a shield against the repeated blows aimed at
her husband, threw herself between him and
his enemies. Regardless of her danger, the
leader directed a furious thrust at Wilmer,
which entered the bosom of his wife—it reach
ed her heart, and she fell without a groan.
“Unhand me,” cried Wilmer, in a voice of
1 thunder, as with a superhuman effort he dash-
■ cd them aside, and kneeled beside her pros
i train body. His feelings may be imagined—
they cannot be described. For sometime, not
I a weird waS spdken; but burst after burst of
grief which escaped him, showed but too
I plainly that his was a wound that time could
• not cure. The tories involuntary shrunk
from the contemplation of a scene in which
j they had baen such prominent actors, nnd
stood round silently awaiting the issue. Sud
denly he became calm, and erecting hiS noble
form to its full height, and raising his now
I pale countenance towards heaven, he swore,
by the lifeless corpse, of her he loved so well,
! that henceforth his life should bo devoted to
’ vengeance, until it should be Satiated by the
, death of her murderer. Then springing at
the tory captain, unarmed as he was, he Seized
1 him by the throat, and before they were a-
• ware of his intentions, by an art well known,
tripped his legs from under him, nnd they bo s h
rolled together on the floor. They struggled
violently for some moments, each endeavoring
to obtain the mastery and their motions were
so rapid, that the tories were afraid to strike,
lest they should wound their leader. By de-
| grees, Wilmer’s efforts become feebler, until at
last overcome by his own feelings, and exhaus
ted by the violence of his exertions, he sunk
upon the floor. Seizing the opportunity, they
bound him, placed him on a horse and setting
fire to the house, rodeotT. They proceeded
at a rapid pace about the distance of a mile,
when they arrived at a house bordering the
swamp. Dismounting they entered with the
freedom of those who were assured of’ a hear
ity welcome. Within was seated a man, a
lone and apparently absorbed in meditation,
whose open countenance, and broad thick set
form, proclaimed him a native of the Emerald
Isle. Between this man and Wilmer had long
existed an unalterable friendship; and although,
j at the commencement of the war, they had cs
-1 poused different sides, yet each had pledged
himself to assist the other, whenever occasion
required. Nothing could exceed his surprise
and indignation when he heard of his friend’s
misfortunes, and saw him before him; his
hands tier] behind him like a felon! his clothes
torn and bloody, and every feature giving in
dications of the intensity of his anguish. He
vented his anger against the captain in
such language as his feelings suggested, and
with the volubility that characterizes his na
tion. Stung with remorse, arid maddened to
desperation, lhe latter declared his intention
of sacrificing Wilmer in reVenge for his mur-
■ dered companions.
“Touch him if you dare!” said the gener
ous Irishman, in the Warmth of his feelings,
as he placed himself before his friend and pre
sented his rifle, “Touch him if you dare, and,
upon my honor, your life will be the forfeit.”
“But, come,” said he, suddenly changing his
manner, and producing a jug, ‘come let us
, take a drink,”
The tories crowded round the liquor, and,
he. seeing his opportunity, dexterously cut the
chords that bound Wihnei and handing him a
rifle, besought him to flee.
“No! life is of no use after I shall obtain
vengeance, and now is my time,” said the lat
ter as he raised his rifle.
“For God’s sake Wilmer;” said McDef
mot grasping the rifle, “for your owrt sake,
think! my life as well as your own is at stake
if you fire; you will have a better chance. To
the swam! 1 will manage the rest.”
Wilmer reluctantly left the house-, and di
rected his steps towards the swamp. Scarce,
, however, had he reached it, before the tories
j discovered his escape and immediately set out
in pursuit - Heedless of the directions of Mc
} Dermot, who tried to mislead him, and char
! grined at being twice foiled, the tory captain
[ hastily ordered a few of his men to pursue an
[ Opposite course and dashed into the swamp
I with the rest, in the direction Wilmer had ta
i ken. The day was dawning, and by the im
' perfect light he saw his enemies approaching;
| placing himself behind a tree, he cocked his
I rifle and awaited their arrival.
“I will have “revenge now,” muttered he
as he singled out the murderer of his wife,
and levelled his piece. The tories rushed on
' unconscious of their danger, until they came
I opposite the place he was standing, the report
' of a rifle echoed through the woods, the tory
[ gave an unearthly cry and fell dead upon the
‘ s P ot ‘ .
“Mary! you are revenged,” said Wilmer,
j a'S he stepped from his hiding place, and re
i ceived a dozen bullets in his breasts.
♦ *•*****
Tile farmer’s plough now passes over the
‘ spot where Me Dermot laid him, with the ash
ies of his wife; an I many years have rolled
i their careless course along, since he fell, a vic
i tim to his love and rashness. Stranger! A
tear to his memory. C.
I GYeenslorough Georgia.
THRILLING SKETCH.
“A portal of the arena opened, and the com
batant, with a mantle thrown over his fade and
figure, was led in surrounded by the Soldiery.
The lion roared and ramped against the bars
of his den at the sight. The guard put a
sword and buckler into jhc hands rs the Chris
tian, and he was left alone. He drew the
mantle from his face, and firmly looked around
the am| hitheatre. His fine countenance and
lofty bearing had raised n universal cry of
admiration. He might have stood for an Apol
lo encountering the Python. His eyes at last
raised to mine. Could I believe my sense*?
Constantins was before me?
“All mv rancor vanished. An hour past I
' could have struck my betrayer to the heart—
I could have called ou the severest vengeance
of man and heaven to smite the destroyerof
my child. But, to see him hopelessly doom
ed; the man whom I had honored for his no
ble qualities, wh >m I had ever loved, whose
crime was at the worst, but the crime of giv
ing way to the strongest temptation that can
bewilder the heart of man —to see this noble
creature flung to the savage beast, dying in
torture, torn piecemeal before my eyes, and
his misery wrought by me. I would hive en
treated heaven and earth to Save him. But
my tongue cleaved to the roof of my mouth.
My limbs refused to stir. I would have thrown
myself at the feet of Nero; but I sat like a
man of stone —pale, paralyzed—the beating
of my pulses stopt.
“ The gate of the den was thrown back,
and the lion rushed in with a roar and a bound
that bore him half across the arena. I saw
the sword glitter in the air; when it waved a
gain, it was covered with blood. A howl told
that the blow had been driven home. The
hon, one of the largest from Numidia, and
; mad? furious by thirst and hunger, an animal
• of prodigious power, crouched as if to make
sure of his prey, crept a few paces onward,
and sprang at the victims throat/ He was
met by a second wound, hut this impulsO was
irresistable, and Constantius was flung upon
the ground. A cry of natural horror rang a
round the amphitheatre. The struggle was
now for an instant; life or death. They rolled
over each other—the lion reared upon his hind
’ feet, and with gnashing teeth and distended
} talons, plunged on the man—again they rose
together. Anxiety was now at its wildest
height. The sword swung round the cham
pion’s head in bloody circles. The hand of
Constantius had grasped the lion’s mane, and
the furious bounds of the monster could not
loose the hold, but his strength was evidently
giving way—“-he still struck terrible blows, but
each blow was weaker than the one before—-
till collecting his whole force for a last effort,
he darlecl one mighty blow into the lions throat,
and sank. The savage yelled, and spouting
out blood, fled howling round the arena. But
the hand grasped the mane and there his con
querer was dragged whirling through the dust
at his heels. A universal outcry now arose to
save him if lie were not already dead. But
the lion, though bleeding at every vein, was
still too terrible, and all shrunk from the haz»
Card. At last the grasp gave way and the
body lay motionless upen the ground.
“What happened for some moments after I
know not. There was a struggle at the por
tal: a female forced her way through the
guards, rushed in alone, and flung herself upon
the victim. The sight of a new prey roused
the lion; he tore the ground with his talons
he lashed his streaming side with his tail; he
dreaded the sword, apd came snuffing the
blood on the sand, and stealing round the body
in circuits still diminishing.
“The confusion in tho vast assemblage was
now extreme. Voices innumerable called luf
aid. Women screaming and fainting; mefl
burst into indignant clamors at this prolonged
cruelty. Even the hard hearts of the popu»
lace, accustomed as they \Vere to the sacrifice
of life, were aroused to honest curses. The
guards grasped their arms, and waited for a
sign from the Emperor. But Nero gave no
sign-.
“I looked upon the woman’s face. It was
Salome! I sprang upon my feet: I called her
by every feeliag of nature to fly from that
place of death, to come to my arms, to think
of the agonies of all that loved her.
‘She had raised the head of Constantids on
her knee, and was wiping the pale visage with
her hair. At the sound of my voice she look
ed up, and calmly casting back the locks from
her forehead fixed her eyes upori me. She
still knelt; one hand supported the head’, with
the other she pointed to it, as her only answer.
I again adjured her. There was the silence
of death aqjOrig the thousand's around rtle; A
fire flashed in her eyes—her cheek hbrned.—
She waved her hand with an air of stiperb
sorr.O'V;
“1 am come to die,” she uttered in a lofty
tone. “This bleeding body was my husband.
I have ho father. The world to me
but this clay in my arms. Yet,’ and She kiss,
ed the ashy lips before her. ‘Yet my Con
starttius, it was to-saVethat father that your
generous heart defied the peril of this hour.
It was to redeem him from the hand of the
evil, that you abandoned your quiet home! —
you, cruel father, here lies the noble being
that threw open your dungeon, that led you
safe through the conflagration, that to the last
moment of. his liberty, only thought how lie
might preserve and protect you ’ Tears at
length fell in floods from her eyes. ‘But,’
said she in a tone of wild power, ‘he was be
trayed, and may the powers, whose thunders
avenge the cause of his pedple; pour down
just retribution upon the head that dared
’ p
‘I heard my dwn condemnation about to ba
pronounced by the lips df my child. Wound
up to the last degree of suffering, 1 tore my
hair, leaped upon the bars before me, and
plunged into the nrena by her side. The
height Stunned ine; 1 tottered a few paces and
fell. The lion gave a roar and sprang upon
me. I lay helpless under him- 1 felt his fie
ry breath—l saw his liicid eye glaring; 1
heard the gnashing of his white fangs above
me.
‘Ari exulting shout arose. I saw him reel
as if struck; gore filled his jaws. Another
mighty blow was driven to his heart, lie
sprang high in the air with a howl - He drop
ped—he was dead; Tho amphitheatre thun
dered with acclamations,
While Salome was clinging to my bosons.
Constantius raised me from the ground. Tho
roar of the lion had roused him from his swoon,
and two blows saved me; The falchion was
broke in the heart of the monster - The whole
multitude Stood up, supplicating for our lives
in the name of filial piety and heroism. Nero,
; devil as he was, dared not resist the strength
■of the popular feeling. He waved a signal
|to the guards; the portal w - as opened; and my
children, sustaining my feeble steps and show,
ered with garlands nnd ornaments from innu
merable hands, slowly led me from lhe are
na.— Salalhicl.
We think we do not transcend the bounds
of truth when we say there arc one hundred
rats for every human being in St. Louis.
There are at least one thousand m our office.
We could stand a siege as long as any body -
Missouri Argus.
A branch of the Illinois State
will shortly commence operations in Belle
viUe.—'
AO 43,