Bildungsromans; Communities -- Juvenile fiction; First loves -- Juvenile fiction; Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- History -- Juvenile fiction
Grandmere looked up from her work when they had gone out. "He is a
fine lad," she commented. "And they are of a good family. Daffodil is
nearing sixteen. Though there doesn't seem much need of soldiers--it
is a noble profession. It seems just the thing for him."
"She is such a child yet. I don't know how we could spare her. And her
father is so fond of her."
Mrs. Bradin had a rather coveting regard for the young man. And a
pretty girl like Daffodil should not hang on hand.
Ned Langdale made friends easily at the Fort. And during the second
month, on account of a little misbehavior in the ranks, he was
advanced to the sergeantship.
Meanwhile feeling ran higher and higher. Those who understood that the
power of the general government must be the law of the land were
compelled to keep silence lest they should make matters worse. Even
the clergy were forced to hold their peace. Processes were served and
thrown into the fire or torn to bits. Then the government interfered
and troops were ordered out.
Bernard Carrick had tried to keep his father within bounds. It did not
do to protest openly, but he felt the government should be obeyed, or
Pittsburg would be the loser. Bradford and several others ordered the
troops to march to Braddock's field, and then to Pittsburg. The town
was all astir and in deadly terror lest if the insurgents could not
rule they would ruin. But after all it was a bloodless revolution.
Governor Mifflin, after a temperate explanation, softening some of the
apparently arbitrary points, commanded the insurgents to disperse.
Breckenridge thought it safest to give good words rather than powder
and balls. So they marched through the town in excellent order and
came out on the plains of the Monogahela where the talking was
softened with libations of whiskey, and a better understanding
prevailed, the large distillers giving in to the majesty of the law.
Some of the still disgruntled insurgents set fire to several barns,
but no special damage was done. And thus ended the year's turmoil and
business went on with renewed vigor. There was also an influx of
people, some to settle, others from curiosity. But the West was
awakening a new interest and calling for immigrants.
Mrs. Janie Sanders came back with glowing accounts of the town on the
Ohio. And now trade was fairly established by the line of boats. And
from there down to New Orleans continual traffic was established.
The older log houses were disappearing or turned into kitchens with a
finer exterior in front. People began to laugh at the old times when
there was much less than a thousand inhabitants.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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