Newspapers / The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, … / Feb. 9, 1906, edition 1 / Page 2
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Fhow she saved him. 1 J A Narrative Connected With the Life of g t the Beautiful Flora McDonald. fl ^ By * Studont of Turlington Graded School. jjj The grand ball-room at Croes Creek was brilliantly lighieo one Dalmy nig tit in -lune, in tins \eur 177b, and the din of many voices -and hi err y laughter floated from the open doors and windows. As >we take an outside view of this pleasing scene we see group after g;roup of men, women and chil dren arrive, and ascend the broad steps. At last we see a group of six arriye and dismount from their carriage, who seem to be attracting much attention from the bystanders, liet us fol low in the rear and see more of this group. Oh! well might the inmates of this ball-room be wearing their well-brushed silks and ribbons And laces, for we see as the light Sails on her fair face, the elder lady of the party, the sweet face of .Flora McDonald. She seems to .harmonize perfectly with the beautiful hangings of pink and white with which the room is adorned. Dressed in a simple robe of white with low bodice, lon? flowing sleeves with the long plaid or scarf, which she wears Co-night asja symbol of her name, extending from her left shoulder, and with her long, fair hair caught back by a pin of gold, she surpasses all the other ladies of the room. Such expressions as "Look at her bonnie curls, so light and wavy, and her blue 2es" and "Why who would hae ought that she would hae been so fair seeing that her people were ever a dark folk with black hair and eyes," were heard on all sides. Now Governor Martin is bow tag before her and sheintroduces tier husband, a fine handsome man of middle age, and then her two sons, William and Roger, and next her two bright daugh ters, one a maiden of sixteen and the other a child of ten. The music begins and Governor Mar tin asks the honor of the first <lance with Flora and shesmiling consents. After tbe dance, Mora and tier companion cross the room and seat themselves beside Allen and Roger who seem to be busil.y en gaged in a conversation. Flora smiles and turning to Roger says: "What were you two so earn estly talking about, my son?" "() mother, father and 1 were speaking of the many unkind things that we have heard from the people about King George, even the short while that we have been here." "Yes," said Allen, "1 fear that we will have trouble at no far-1 distant day." "O mother," exclaimed Roger j at this point, looking at bis mother's leftshoulderfrom which the scarf was falling, "where is your gold pin? Y ou have I oet it," he added, as he saw the wild look that came into his uother's eyes. "O it is a presentiment! A dreadful presentiment of a death in tbe family!"cried Flora. "Y ou know my mother lost it only a few days before m.y father was killed by a runaway horse. Let's find It if possible." And then followed a wild search for tbe pin that had been an heirloom in Flora's family for the last three generations and seemed to hold the destinies of the family. The search proved to be fruitless and Flora gave it i up with a sigh but with a fixed determination not to let such a little incideut mar the evening's pleasure and so she gives herself up to full enjoyment and while she and others are keeping time to the music of the bagpiper with light feet and lighter hearts, let us try to account for the love, admiration and honor that we see depicted on every face for her Only a few years before this. time while she was yet in her na- j tive land, Scotland, she had saved, at the risk of her own, tbe life of Prince Charles, who was trying to regain the throne of Kngland, which was then held by Kiug George. She only exhibit ed her true character and only fairly represented the true and loyal spirit of a Scotch High lander in doing thin act. She showed her great ability ord greater daring when sue had tue Prince dress as her servant-maid and accompauy her to France, a place which she felt sure would be a refuge for her prince. She was not deceived in this but she found herself in great danger, for what she had done became known and she was immediately cap tur<d ami put in the London! ToWr-r. On account of the brave answer i f loyalty that she guvi l be king wben she was brought before him and asked to vindi-1 rate herself, she wan eet at liber | ty and treated with much honor and respect by all. She soon re turned to her native soil, how ever, and married Allen Mc Donald, a brave, true Highland er. She was finally induced by j the many glowing accounts that [ I their relatives in America wrote them, to eet out for North Caro-) liua. The fame of her great deed had gone before her and her Scotch relatives who crowded around could not help but feel proud of ner and rejoice that she had come to make her home with them. In a few days after the ball at which Flora had received so I much honor, she and her hus band purchased a stately house built upon a hill six hundred feet in height and about twenty miles from Cross Creek. This was a very pretty place and when many of her friends settled down near her Flora felt that her happiness was quite complete. She was very fond of home-life and had many pets?among which was a beautiful snow-white horse, that she rode when exercising and of which she was very fond. But this peace and happiness was of very short duration forthecloud which Allen had predicted had come at last. The colonists had revolted against the king but Flora and Allen remained true and loyal to their sovereign. Allen was appointed captain over a force of Highlanders, for these bad been aroused by the example of their leader, and re minded of their oath of allegiance to the king. Allen gathered his forces at Cross Creek whence he was to march at any time, to aid the cause of the king. Flora, too, made a much appreciated address to the soldiers in their native language which tended very much to arouse them to ac tion. At last the summons came and Flora, on her white horse, rode with the soldiers a mile or two on their way. She looked like a queen that bright morning as she rode along with the soldiers speaking a word of encourage ment here and there and these Highlanders seemed to regard her almost as such. They cheer ed her and finally, she bade Allen and her two sons good-bye and rode back to her lonely home on the bill. Here she and her daugh ters pass a most miserable day and night, only watchiug, wait ing and starting at every foot- ' fall for fear that it brought ill tidings. Finally she received news. A well known foot-step on the porch next morning caused Flora to rush out and. meet her son William. "What news, my son? What j news?" she gasped out. "Sit down, mother," he said ' quietly, and all the while holding his right arm behind him so that his mother might not see his blood-stained sleeve. "The fight was a severe one. mother, and we lost," he said sadly. "Hut? \llen? your father, child, where i n? ? " she cried. "Moi hi-, lather was captured and ta su u> Halifax. ' "To il 1 tax? And what will they d.i witu him there?" "Ob. probably keep him a month or cwo and then release him, he tuswers, as lightly as be cojhl ill the time evading bis mother - -earching gaze. At this point a i < iise of hurrying foot steps is n-ard and Roger rushes in and s ivs breathlessly: "Oh ?? other, father has been captured and 1 heard a man say that h> is to be taken to a camp iu the Finey Woods near Halifax and shot, for he is chief leader against the colonists," and here the boy's voice failed him and he sobbed aloud. His mother's face paled when she beard these words but she showed no other sign of emotion. Only a look of determi nation came into her eyes which had never been seen in them but once before?when she heart!* of the danger of Prince Charles. "Something must be done and that quickly," she said, suddenly rising from her chair and with the glow of strong excitement ?printed on her cheek and brow. 1 And now, let us leave Flora for a 1 while and see how Allen has come | to so much misfortune. Allen came up with the colon ists at Moore'* Creek. (Ju one eide oi the creek w in Colonel Lil liugtou and all bin force* and on the opposite eide wait Colonel Caswell with his army of 800 uien. Allen did not know tna Lillington had an army on tic other wide and a* he eueampeo on the name side with Caswell, be was very much pleased to think that the enemy was on the same side with him lie felt sure tba' be could easily win the victort with his army of i500 men. Hel decided, however, to wait until moruiug to begin the tight. Colonel Caswell now resorted to strategy. He had his men to cross the bridge as quietlv as possible, take up the planks be hind them, while all the time his camp fires were kept burning and causing the Highlanders on the watch to believe that their enemies were fast asleep incami). Before day-break next morning the Highlanders start to march upon the colonists by surprise. As Allen is sick, McLeod takes command. What is their surprise and con sternation when they find the enemy have fled while they slept! In the excitement tuat follows VcLeod starts to cross the bridge and orders his men to fol low, when some of the Americans on the other side call to know, ? "who goes there?" He answers that it is a friend to the king and is answered back by the re port of a gun. As but two or three can cross the bridge at a time, each one is shot down as fast as he rushes on the bridge. The Scotchmen seeing safety only in flight turn and flee for life. The colonists follow, killing not a few and capturing large numbers. All this while Allen has been confined in his tent but when he first hears the shots he drags himself to the opening of the tent and tries to see what is happening. He is prevented from this by the early dawn and the dense smoke. Finally, when he bears the rushing and running of the Highlanders in retreat he mistakes them for the enemy and sinks back with a sigh of relief. At this instant a soldier of his force rushes in and says: "We have been duped and we are completely at loss. There are reinforcements for the Americans on the other side of the bridge and our men are now in retreat." "What !"exclaimed Allen,"ours retreating? Surely man, you must be mistaken. Why I " here be is interrupted by the hasty entrance of two American officers. One of them lays bands on Allen and says: "Oh, here is the one we are looking for. He is the one who has been doing so j much mischief." "Yes, but he will soon be out of the way, for a few shots will put him where he will never do any more harm," said the other. They handcuff poor Allen who utters not a word of complaint and as they lead him out of the camp he sees the terror-stricken face of his son, Roger, and knows that he has heard the conversa tion of his captors. "To the camp in the I'iney Woods," orders the captain as Allen is carried near him. "All right Captain." they answer and poor Allen's heart sinks within him. t * * ? * * I The tirelight from the rude :amp lights up a scene in the apening in the I'iney Woods that would till any one with horror. \ semi-circle of men dressed in iirty costumes and armed with pistols face a tree in the back ground to which is bound hand and foot the tall figure of a man. \ spark of fire sends forth a light and we discern the pale features af Allen McDonald. A man with a pistol steps forward and says in a tantalizing tone: "Well, 1! j;uess you will soon join your wife, mister, for she was killed bhis morning by some of our men. She had interfered enough and we have decide J to get rid af you both in one day," and he mds with a short laugh. Allen's 'ace becomes paler than ever at bhis. A man on the right opens ais mouth to give the signal to Are, as the other raises bis pistol, when instead of the word to fire the words: "(lod hae mercy" aurst from his lips. All turn their eyes on him and iollow his outstretched finger to an opening in the dense woods, where there seems to be a loud, unusual noise coming forth. All hold their breath. They see some thing white shining from among the foliage. Quick as a flash! What is that white demon with tierv nostrils and flowing mane with a tall white something on its back, which comes from the opening on the left as swift as an eagle and rushes between the muzzle of the pistol and Allen's body? Fear a in J wonder is written on | nil faces Tiirv gaz j spell-bound at t tie place on the right where this apparition mysteriously dia appeaiv 1 Aud did not this tall >v I'eaoiiieK ii,ir on'iie denion'e ba. k r. - uit'ie Hie bgure of a ?Tomai ? V 1 could but one wo n in i t all tbe country ride like tha ? I'lie uiau win in to< give tiie rat.il word is tli-* tirsr to ri-cover tiinin.lt. Hesa.s. point ing to tbe prisoner wtio has clone 1 bin e\ t-S. UnCOnsciotjn of1 tbe oreadtui apparition and only awaiting tbe shot: "Why don't you do your duty? Lto it quick-1 ly.V Again the other tnan raises bis pistol wbeu with tbe trigger ( half-way drawn they are again ; startled by a noise whence the j apparition disappeared and a voice clear as a bell calls out: "Hold." Tbev behold now in tbe half-light the form of a worn an'draped in white and with one hare arm pointing heavenwards and again a voicecries "Beware." The men gaze with terror on this ghostly figure for an iustantand then, as though if the spell were broken they all throw down their weapons and fiee in every direc tion. They have recognized in this woman what they think to be the spirit of Flora McDonald. Allen was aroused by the noise of the men fleeing and now as he looks and sees the apparition he 'siDb.3 into a stupor and remem bers DothiDg save a hand too gentle for a man's on his arm and a voice sweeter than all music to him ?ay "Thank God."| ? ? ? * ? * When Allen recovers from his faint he is at bis own home on a couch. His wife bends over him and wants to know if he is suf fering in any way. He replies: "I am suffering in only one way, Flora, and that is to know how I have been brought back to life, and you too, Flora. They told me that you were dead." Flora turns to him and says: "Allen, we ought to henceforth thank God for the superstitious minds of the colonists. It was only by the workings upon their minds, which are very weak in this re spect, that you are now alive. It was I who disguised myself, and who had arranged before hand to have the false report of my death spread; and who dared to work upon their ignorance thus. And did you think that after serving my prince as I did in my native land, that I would desert vou in a foreign land, my husband, my more than prince, my all?" Frivolous Definitions. Reputation?What the world thinks about us; character is what our wives know about us. Gossip?The counterfeit coin of conversation. A Secret?Confidential informa tion that one woman gets anoth er woman to keep for her. Platonic Friendship?Enter taining Cupid unawares. Inspiration?A word used by poets in mistake for perspiration. The LeisureClass?Tramps and the very rich. The Dreamer?Tomorrow I made a fortune. The Engagement Ring?Matri mony's promissory note. A Contented Woman?One liv ing in the present, for the future and without a past. Poet?A good confider, but a poor provider. The Ideal Woman?One who! can keep house, her temper and a servant. Money?The root that most men are willing to dig for, re gardless of soiled hands. Education?What a man gets in returnforalimony?Exchange. Don't deceive yourself If you have indigestion take Kodol Dyspepsia Cure. It will relieve you. Kcv. VV. E. Hocutt, Mouth Mills. N. C., says: ' I was troubl ed with chronic indigestion for several years; whatever I ate seemed to cause heartburn, sour stomach, fluttering of my heart and general depression of mind and body. My druggist recom mend Kodol, and it has relieved me. 1 can now eat anything and sleep soundly at night." Kodol digests what you eat. Benson Drug Co., Rood Bros, and J. It. Ledbetter. FOR 8ALE. About 460 acres of land in Johnston county adjoining the lands of Ransom Allen and J. R. Massengill?Ingrams township. There is on the land, a clay de posit, which has been worked profitably. Mr. L. D. Snead, Sr., will give all necessary in formation Terms will be made very easy. Apply to Mis. Fan nie Holmes, Clinton, N. C. A man who once had rough horny hands made them soft and smooth with Witch Hazel Salve, but he used the genuine?that hearing the name "K. C. DeWitt ft Co. Chicago." For sores, boils, cuts, burns, bruises, etc., it lias no equal and affords almost immediate relief from blind bleeding, itching and pro truding Piles. Sold by flood Bros., .1, It Ledbetter and Benson Drug Co. < . ?I SHE CHANGED HER MIND By JEANNE O. LOIZEAUX Oipvrijlil. l'JOt. by llvbu puuglat fc- ~ = ? !? Marion rode at au angry gallop. The dust was thick and the heat intense even for July?no weather for riding. The girl wore a neat blue gown, and a wide straw hat shaded her golden hair and clouded blue eyes. As she passed the hayfleld, midway between her fa ther's farm and Jim Bradley's. Jim himself stepped to the road and motion ed her to stop. She reigned the rough bay colt up with difficulty and pushed her lover's hand away when he laid It ou her arm. She gave him no chance to speak. "Now, don't say anything. I shall ride whatever horse I please. See how quiet he Is, anyway. Well, suppose I am killed? Then you will be free to marry Agnes, since you seem to like her so well. You can ride with her every day. You are free now, for that matter!" outr kiirn it MUD au uujun *nuui bat Jealousy had the upper band. Jim Bradley was every inch a man, tall and good looking. His dark eyes flashed, and his jaw set. He had seen Marlon In a temper before. He tried to explain. "But, dearest, she only overtook me on my way to town. It was not planned by either of us, and I have al ways known her, as I have you. Would you have me tell her you did not allow me to ride a mile with a neighbor! Wberg's tb? barm? You know whom I, love, dear." "Rise's always after you. She's In love wKh you. St>e"? "Mo, aha Is not, but If she were ought you to ba angry with me? And even thee should you blame her? You love ma yourself, don't you? Come, dear, be reasonable. Let me lead tbe brute home, and. If you must ride and get a sunstroke, get ft on a safe horse." His masterful air of possession Irritated her as much as It ordinarily pleased her "I don't love you. I hate you! Come on. Prince." She gave tbe reins a little slap, and the colt danced and snorted wildly. Jim caught him by the bridle He spoke with repressed anger. "Well, love me or not, you shall get down! You shan't break your neck Just to break my heart. You know plenty of other ways of doing that. Prince has not been saddled half a ! dozen times, and I know your father ] does not allow you to ride him, though you are an old hand at horses. And you know perfectly well that Agnes Is nothing but a friend. She cares noth ing for me. She's a nice girl"? "That's it?stand up for her, Jim Bradley! She told Sue Field that she would take you from me, and she's done it. Not that 1 care?much. Let Prince go, 1 say!" "I will nog. I shall take you down and have your father forbid you to mount him. Sue Is only trying to make trouble. Agnes never said or thought a thing like that." Marion sat quietly a moment, as if to obey his command to dismount. Her eyes were widg, her cheeks glowing. He dropped the bridle and came to reach his arms up for her. Then sud denly the demon of pride seized her again. She gave Prince a cut that sent him out of Jim's reach with one bound. "Goodby," she called. "You are free. I wouldn't marry you if you?I would have to be dead and come to life again before I would say I love you!" I ne uorse was on ai au unruiy gal lop. Jim was angry, but his heart stood still as he watched the little blue figure riding away so lightly. Untrust worthy as he knew the eolt to be, she seemed to have him under fine control. She could tame anything but her own temper; it was a way she had. Per haps her own unruly spirit made the conquest of others easy. Of all her suitors?and she was much sought? only Jim had ever held his own and refused to bow utterly under the yoke of her will. That was why she loved him Mel quarreled with tiim?and had always eotne back to him. He was the stronger, and, while at times she re seated his (tower over her, she also tirled in it. This was the worst she d ever done?defied him, broken her promise to marry him, risked her lila to wring his heart. He watched horse and girl fly from tBin over the level roa#. Then he shouldered his hayfork, walked st\ 1ft ly to her father's place, entered the de serted barnyard?the men were nil in the fields- closed the open barn door and welted with set Jaw. hieanttrue Marlon and the colt were hiving a grand ride past grain lands and growes and faxnohonnes. flyibg past meadow and hayfteld The br#>k mo tion, the wind In ber face, cooled the girTs an jeer a little and utade her ashamed fihe thotght with a pang Qmt bad gen* too far this time that Jan could never make It up wdi Jim now she had been a fool. Then she remerribered ootid nab ark front shopping with Sne and tneetlng Blto riding gayly to town with Agnes Sutherland, with whom she had warred from the A B Cs up. Jim Lad always had a fondness f<# her. Her wrath rose agalh, and she twitched the bridle I'll nee was tired and lipglnning to he a bit sulky and nervous. With horse womanly Instinct she humored without yielding to him, let him drink nf a roadside trough and turned his head for home. As they reached Field's farm she no ticed preparations for thrashing going oh. The great red thrasher stood wait 1^ for ftp' engine and men and horses wcrt' standing ail about the conical yel low stacks. Sue came from the house and called to Iter to stop widen she did, to tiie colt's disgust. Sue leaned on the fence, and the two girls chatted a mo ment. "You better get off till the engine comes, Marion. You might meet it. You've no business on that crazy colt. It isn't sate. I don't see how Jim al lows it!" Marion's face flamed. "What has he to say? 1 am not en gaged to him any more. I"? Sue gasped, then, with remorse?too late, as usual?remembered what she Jiad told her friend on the way from town that day. "Marion, you weren't ever fool enough not to know I was Joking? What Ag nes really said was that Jim was so silly about you be didn't bear what she said half the time. Ob, May, I'm so sorry!" But Marion did not wait She rode away. Prince settled into an ugly, obstinate gallop, swerving and Jolting. They were uearing the crossing when an unearthly shriek made Marion look up to see the thrasher engine approach lng. She urged Prince on, trying to reach the corner where the road turned toward home before the machine came closer. Her hands trembled, but she remembered that it is fatal to lose nerve with an unruly horse. Prince snorted, laid back his ears, but went on well enough. They were almost at the corner when the tlendlsb shriek came again. The colt took the bit in his teeth and bolted In utter terror. Marlon knew her danger and kept her head as they turned the corner. She let her hat go. and the wlud whipped her long hair back lake a yellow banner, ghe spoke to the colt soothingly, patted his neck, tried to get the bit from his teeth?all In vala. They were still a mile from Lome and going so fast that the tlon was as easy as the rocking of a cradle. If they ojet no teams and he kept to the road alT might yet be well, but be might throw her. He swerved at the bridge and nearly dragged her against the railing. She felt cold perspiration on her face, ft teemed like the end ot things. She thought of Jim?all be had been, all he was to her, what sbe bad said to him? and now she? might?never be able to say she was sorry, that she loved him? get him to forgive her. She recalled a baby prayer, a little brother long dead, thought of her mother's face when they would take her home. As they neared the house she remembered that sbe had not weeded the pansy bed. Everything wavered strangely in her mind. As they passed the windows she saw her little sister's baby face. As the colt tore around the corner to the gate and Into the yard she grew cold with horror. She had left the barn door open. He would make for his stall and crush her. It went suddenly dark before her. and her head swam. Jim she wanted to call his name, but could not. He would have saved her, she thought. Against the closed door stood a brim ming pall of cold water. As Prince stopped with a jerk that threw Marion from her scat Jim Bradley came quiet ly up. She was hanging by all her skirts, that had caught on the pommel. Only a quick hand and a steady one could have disengaged her as he did. He drew her Into the shade and held her close. She opened her eyes and looked up Into his white face. It was like heav en to iter. "Jim!" she said. "Jim!" "Are you hurt?are you hurt? Mar ion, are you all right?" She drew a long breath, stood up and walked a step to show him she was uninjured. Then she went close to him and put her hands on his shoulders. Her face was very serious. "Jim." she said, "I have changed my mind." He saw n queer little light in her eyes and was wary. "About what?Friuce?" "About you. Couldn't you?ask me If I?love you? I think that I wouldn't have to lie to say?yes." Jim tried to get hold of her, hut she held off "I want to tell you what I think of myself. Don't you speak. I am a hor rid little?beast. Yes, I did say 'beast.' Will you take me back?" Jim thought he would. TliHrbrrnr'N DlaAarured KoHe. That ireorge V enables, Thackeray's schoolmate, was not entirely responsi ble for Hie novelist's disfigured nose is to be gathered fraro the autobiography of Str Wemyss Retd On one occasion, when bsth Vennbles and Reid were visiting lewsl Houghton, Held bluntly asked his fellow (fuest who broke Thackeray's nose. "It was winter, and were walking In Indian file through tho^wnods. As 1 piA this question to Venablcw he sud denly stopped and, turning around, glared at me In n manner that Instantly nwealed thai terrible troth to ray alann e<V Intelligence. He eonthuied to glare for several seconds, and then, apparent ly perceiving nothing, but Innocent con fusing. not unmixed with ndsrm. on my fare, his features becsnie relaxed Into a more amiable expreestau. 'IMd auy laidy tell you.' he said slowly siul with soSetnii emphasis, to ask me that ques tion?' I aouid truthfully any that no body had done so. My answer seemed to ynolllfy Tenables at once. Then, If nobody put you up to asking that ques tion. I don't mli^ answering It. It was I wno broke "ftiackeray's nose. We wesa only little boys at the time and quarreled over something and had the usual fight. If wasn't my fnult that he was disfigured for l)f?, It wns all the fault of some wretrl?4 d<>< tw Nowa days a hoy's nose can be mended so that nyfto'ly cap see that It lias ever been broken. f>t me tell you.' he con tinued, 'that Thnckerny never showed tnc any 111 will ^or the Ua -in I had done him, and I do nokbelleve he felt nny.' "
The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, N.C.)
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Feb. 9, 1906, edition 1
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