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AS,
Vortlanod
BY GOULD & ELWELL,
Office 80 Middle, near Corner of Exchange
AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, HEWS, Bo note
VOLUME XV.
POETRY
Written for the ‘Transeript.
“OUR BES ‘SSIE.”, °
“Our Bessie dear and darling heart,
Ilow much we love thee, for thou ai
A ray of fight
o flit across the path of care,
To banish sorrow, leaving there—
‘Things only bright.
“Our Bessie,”” dear and darling heart,
No word of thine shall e’er depart
From memory ;
And strong and deep within the mind,
There resteth, loving'y confined,
eet tho'ts of thee.
Jay
Boston.
REVOLUTIONARY TALE.
a TILE Doom
THE TORY'S GUARD,
BY N. M. CURTIS.
PTE R-XIT—CONCLUDED.
“J adepent entirely upou you,” replied Mervale,
“and T need not tell you that your reward shall be
proportioned to the interest I feel in» this matter.”
“Task no reward,” said Schuyler; “justice and
humanity deserve my exertions in this instance,
and I shall not refuse them.”
“That's the sort,” said Jacob warmly. “I rejoice
to find one lawyer that aint Partnership with the
» devil.” .
“What must be done, Schuyler 4 ? asked Mervale.
“TIow shall we proceed ?”
*] hardly know how myself,” replied Schuyler.
“As Van Loan'was her guardian, and the executor
of the will of her father also, we. may: find much
difficulty in securing her right or proving her per-
son, even though my client should prove to be. the
genuine Alice Van Loan, | The uncle could in all
probability, if he is the villain you. report him to
be, find a, sufficient number of witnesses to crush
us.”
He stood musing for some time, and then he con-
tinned, “I sce we must take advantage of the times.
Af we can gain intelligence that Alice is yet in the
Asylum, we must take her by force, and leave the
event with Providence. We can raise furce cnough
for that enterprise, I feel confident.”
“Force enough to flog one doctor!" said. Jacob;
‘Force enough to'flog one pill-pedler!, May I. be
chawed into sausage meat, if I can’t tear down his
rookery alone in that gal's cause!”
nite probable,” said Schuyler, viewing the
huge form of Jacob, drawn up to its full size, with
a look of admiration. “Quite probable, my dear
fellow, but the doctor would be assisted in case we
should attempt to seale his buildings, and then we
shoald need assistance... You and your friend Mer-
vale may be good in a brush, but as for myself, I
am not mach of a soldier.”
“All comes from eddication,” said Jacob.
you'd been trained as you orter been, you. might
made a fighter. I guess you've got pretty. good
pluck, and that’s half.”
We must get six or eight to accompany us, and
after we arrive there, be governed by circumstan-
ces,” said Schuyler.’ “I will precede you: by. two
days, in order to survey the ground.”
“When shall we start?” esked Mervale;
surely onght not to delay.”.
“Certain! nly not. I will start early in the morn-
ing. You select your comrades, and follow carly
in the day after.”
“So be it,” said Mervale; “Albany used to fur-
nish enough gallant souls, that would jump at such
an tcnserntise Idoubt not, but I can find such
‘we
TS chayler departed for his home to make prepar-
ations for his journey, and Jacob and Mervale sal-
lied ont in search of volunteers for the enterprise.
A general spirit of adventure seemed to pervade
all classes at this period, and they were not long
finding those among their political friends who
were willing to aid them. They were instructed to
keep the object of the movement a secret, and to
be prepared for starting at the appointed time. A
small inn near the water's edge, was appointed as
pal
“Ir
St.
One
PORTLAND, SATURDAY, NOVEMBEL 29, 1851.
the rendezvous, and from which place it was deter-
mined that they should start.
After accomplishing their purpose, Mervale | and
Jacob retired to their inn to arrange their own af-
fairs for the undertaking. ‘Time seemed intermin-
ably long to Reginald, but Jacob took the delay
very coolly, consoling his impatient ‘comrade now
and then with the assertion ‘they’s no need of fret-
tin’.” ee
CHAPTER XV,
After the departure of Schuyler, the doctor took
his seat in his office, and debated in his own’ mind
how he should act under the circumstances in
which he found himself placed. .-If he wrote to
Van Loan that his neice was discovered and: had
been promised a release, he argued that his salary
would be stopped, ‘and himself seriously, blamed
for permitting a stranger to see her. Ile therefore
concluded that it would never do to. write in this
manner to his employer. IIe next debated the
probability of the’ stranger's sincerity. He bore
the outward appearance of acandid and ‘substan-
tial man, it was tre, but the worthy. Doctor .Mor-
ton could not bring himsclf to think that any indi-
vidual would take a very. abidihg interest in the
fate of a young girlas forlornly situated as Alice
had represented herselt to be... Ie-could see no
interest that the affair could excite in any man’s
mind, for the only interest which the Doctor ree-
ognized was the interest of dollars and ¢
After a long cogitation, he’ therefore conclude
that the stranger was some crack brained’ poct or
another, and not the man he had represented him-
self to be; and therefore resolved not to trouble
himself conceraing the matter. If, thonght he, on’
arriving at these conclusions, I do escape this time,
the minx will want for visitors, I think, hereafter.
Alice, however, viewed the affair in ‘a different
light. , She thought that the stranger’ was sincere
in the offer of his services, and so completely had
the hope of escape from her lone ‘cell taken’ pos-
session of her heart, that she found it utterly im-
possible to contain herself. She wept and laughed
by turns ; sometimes she lay upon her | wretched
pallet, and at others she paced the room in the ut-
most agitation. ‘It was some time before she be-
came tranquilized and felt the invigorating influen-
ces of hope upon her mental and physical faculties.
The weeks of the stranger's absence, however, be-
gan to hang heavily upon her hands; and a few
gloomy visaged doubts of his intentions or success
began to intrude themselves upon her daily reflec-
tions.
One sultry afternoon in the July following the
stranger's visit to this institution, Doctor Morton
had sauntered to the inn, before mentioned, as was
sometimes his wont, and was indulging himself in
a glass of punch, and hearing the somewhat excit-
ing gossip of the day. . Whilst the. doctor was
thus engaged, a stranger rode up to the door,’ and
in a few minutes after, the doctor, in great dismay,
saw him enter the door of the inn. ; A sudden
trembling seized the worthy’s limbs, and his usually
ale face seemed a shade or so paler. The stran-
ger, however, approached him with an open smile,
and cordially extended his hand, he exclaimed—
“Doctor, I have stopped on purpose to see you,
and am happy in meeting you thus early. I have
come, sir, to ask pardon for my impertinent and
unwarrantable condact, on the day I visited your
Asylam. But I beg you will attribute more to my
womapish softness of heart, rather than to any dis-
respect for you. To tell you the truth, I never
was so egregiously deceived in my life, as Iwas by
the tale of your patient. Do tell me, dear doctor,
if you can find it in your heart, to forgive my un-
gentlemanly rudeness.’
Whilst Schuyler was delivering this specious
harangue, @ great load was removed from the wor-
thy dispenser of cordials and cures. Ilis face
brightened, a warm smile gradually extended over
his features, and it was evident to his interrogator
that he took the bait like a trout, Grasping tho
extended hand of Schuy! ler and shaking it warmly,
and at the same time assuming a Patronizing air,
he replied —
“My dear fellow, I never blamed you in the least,
I cannot say that I did not become a little woman-
ish at one time, myself; but as soonas I reflected
a moment, I saw the folly. You inexperienced in-
diyiduals would make sad work in managing an
Asflum of lunatics, ‘They are so cunning, ha!
ha!” and the doctor uttered a good-natured laugh.
“It did grieve me, doctor, most decidedly, when
I found I was so completely deceived. - The fact
is, I prided myself a little on my sagacity, and
when I found myself so gompletely fooled, as I
may say, by a lunatic, I did feel mortified. _ I how-
ever resolved to sce you, and ask your pardon, aud
as I had business that called me to New York, I
came this way to make you satisfaction, due from
one gentleman to another under the circumstances.”
“All right, all right;” replied the doctor; “but
you surely was not weak enough to go to the frou-
ble of enquiring as to the proofs she gave you?”
responded Schuyler; “and that is
what; increases my mortification at being deceived.
Ifvit had turned out any other way, I should not
have felt such chagrin at the result.”
“I freely forgive you, my dear sir, freely forgive
you. Isaw you was deceived and knew: you was
acting from that deception.”*
“Well, doctor, Ithank you for your. courtesy.
and beg you will join me in a glass of punch.”
*Oh certainly,” said the doctor, who by the way.
had a peentiar passion for the punch of the wortby
publican, in whose inn he now was; and ina few
moments after, the two were seated side by side,
enjoying the beverage and a discourse.
Although Dr Morton was not an intemperate
man, he soon found himself considerably exhilara-
ted, inasmuch as the glass of which he was partak-
ing, was his second. The doctor, in fact, became
quite merry, and thought his friend a very fine fel-
low indeed.” Schuyler at once saw the advantage
that he was acquiring, and he accordingly urged
the doctor to another glass,
“Certainly,” said the worthy doctor; “yut mind
you, it must be at my expense ;"—an unheard, of
piece of liberality in that worthy individual.
“Certainly, if you choose ;? said Schoyler, and
the punch was shortly forthcoming. By the time
the third glass was finished, the doctor’ was em-
phatically a“corned man,” and although he would
have fought the man, who had aceused him of it,
yet it was plainly apparent to the landlord, and to
his bottle companion.
“Docto:,” said Schuyler, “you may think me a
droll fellow, but really, I should like ,to. see that
cunning jade once more and witness her confusion,
or sagacity when I tell her of the deception she
practised on me.” +
“Come on ;” hiccoughed the doctor; “but mind
you don’t get deceived again.”
“Never fear that ;” said Schuyler, and they sal-
lied out of the inn, arm in arm, and walked to-
ward the Asylam.
In a short time after their arrival, Schuyler stood
once more before the cell of Alice Van Loan.
“Here’s the man you deceived so my lady ;” cried
the doctor, after several efforts. 1 “What have you
got to say to him now.”
Alice turned pale, at the announcement, feari ‘ing
that Schuyler had failed to obtain proof of her
statements, from some cause or other, and that he
would desert her cause, and she be left again to
the solitude of her dungeon. She turned toward
him to read her destiny» in his countenance, and
Schuyler, unperccived by the tipsy doctor, slipped
a closely folded note into her hands; at the same
time denouncing her for her deception. Alice, in
a moment, comprehended his meaning, and she re-
tired to the farther end of her cell.
“She dare not face you,” cried the delighted doc-
or.
Schuyler expressed his satisfaction at the inter-
view and they withdrew. After arriving at the door
of the doctor's office, Schuyler shook him by. the
hand, and promised to meet him again on the mor-
row.
After the doctor and Schuyler quitted her apart
ment, Alice advanced to the grates and tore op!
the note handed her by Schuyler. Her limbs could
scarce support her as she did so, so great was her
emotion. The note perhaps, contained the whole
history of her future destiny. Her head swam,
and a weakness almost overcame her. She at
length ventured to read the note, which ran thus :—~
“Be of good cheer, I find all to be as you in-
formed 'me. A. sufficient force will be here in a
day or two at farthrest, when we shall attempt
TERMS: $150 PER YEAR. nt
Dollar for Eight Months, in advance,
NUMBER 33
your rescue. Act promptly, and watch for an op:
portunity to second oar plan CHUYLER.”
raising her eyes to heaven, she sank on the floor
overcome by her feclings. After atime she, pro-
ceeded to tear the note to pieces, secreting the freg- ,
ments in her bosom, for she knew their presence
in her ecll, would excite the suspicion of the Ama-”
zon who guarded her. , It would be a bootless task |
to undertake to depict her feclings. She had often
wondered that Reginald had not attempted to as- «
certain her fate, but like a true woman, she never
doubted his constancy. Poor girl! she knew not
the detestable expedient her uncle had resorted to,
in order to stifle all enquiry in relation to her ab-
sence, and he knew not how Reginald’s heart had .
bled for her supposed death.
In the morning after his arrival in the little vil- «
lage, Schuyler found that his plans were to meet
with an ugly obstacle, for a band of tory militia,
on their way to some other portion of the country, ,
had halted in the village, with the intention of
waiting several days, in the’ expectation’ of being
joined by another squad. This was extremely un-’ |
fortunate. . The doctor was a warm tory, und
Schuyler well knew, that in case the Asylam was
attacked, the tories would volunteer their assistance
in behalf of the doctor. He did not expect but
six or cight individuals to accompany Mervale and;
Jacob, as he had deemed that number sufficient for
accomplishing his designs. However as there was
no help for his dilemma, he was obliged to bear his
disappointment as well as he might,
During the day his fries arrived, one afer
that very night as the one in which to attempt the
rescue, . Ie briefly detailed his interview with
Alice, and the*advent of the tory band. He had
surveyed the premises, and all that remained for
them to do, was to arrange some plan and attempt
its execution. This they determined to arrange
after they had retired for the night. Jacob express-
ed his fears that a disturbance with the tory leader,
would throw some obstacle in the way of their en-
terprise, and all coincided in his opinion. Howev-
er, there was no help for it now, and they must act
as well as they could, under the circumstances of
the case. There was no hopes that the tory band
would leaye the village, until the arrival of their
comrades and that evén might be deferred two or
three
The sleeping apartments of the little inn were ad-
} mirably adapted to the present wants of the con-
federates. ‘They were, ushered by the landlord in-
to a large square room, which contained some four
or five beds, and which had been occupied in more
peaceful times as a ball-room, whenever the young
people of the village and surrounding country wish
ed to “trip it on the light,fantastic toc.” Here they
made their arrangements for the consummation of
their enterprise. ‘They. determined to wait. until
the village had become hushed in slamber, and J
then rise and leave the house,without alarming the
landlord. In order to do this effectually, Jacob.
had carefully examined the fastings of the bar room. ¢
door, and had taken such observations in relation
to their locality, as would condace to thoir success.
They were then to proceed to the doctor's residence
and awake him and demand admission to the asy- «
Jum. Ifhe refuscd, as no donbt he would, they
were to seize and gag him, if possible, and then en-
deayorto obtain the person of his assistant, who
was to be served ina similar manner. They were
to obtain the possession of the keys, and piloted by
Schuyler, go te the ccll of Alice, and release her,— *
In case they failed in any of these arrangements,,
they were still to persevere in their attempts to re-
Jease Alice. It would never do to desist, as long.
as a ray of hope remained, that they conld accom-
plish their designs.” If they failed, steps would cer-
tainly be taken to place Alice beyond their reach,,
and owing to war and the causes attendant upon it
it would be futile to undertake to bring the doctor
to justice. They were to force the asylum doors, in.
case they failed to get possession of the keys. Ia
case they obtained Alice, they were to flee to the
river, Where. Mervale had secured several s
that had been obtained at the sett!ment a few
above. ' Once arrived in’ Albany,. all was. safe.
They were all convinced that, from thé circamstan-
ces of the tory band quartered close at hand, the ©
The note dropped from her hands, and faintly. «
another, to prevent enspicion, and pitehed upon .
