Autumnal leaves: tales and sketches in prose and rhymeChild, Lydia Maria
General
Autumnal leaves: tales and sketches in prose and rhyme
Child, Lydia Maria
American essays -- 19th century; American fiction -- 19th century; Short stories, American
Success alternated between the contending parties, and kept the country
in a state of perpetual alarm. One week, the widow of Colonel Campbell
was surrounded by victorious friends, and the next week, she was in
terror for her life. At last, Camillo himself came with a band of
successful insurgents. During a brief and agitated interview with his
mother, he learned how kindly she had been sheltered in their
neighbour’s house, and how tenderly the remains of his father had been
treated. When she pointed to the crucifix on the wall, and told its
history, his eyes filled with tears. “Oh, why cannot we of different
faith always treat each other thus?” was his inward thought; but he
bowed his head in silence. Hearing loud voices, he started up suddenly,
exclaiming, “There may be danger below!” Following the noise, he found
soldiers threatening Friend Goodman, who stood with his back firmly
placed against the door of an inner room. Seeing Camillo enter, and
being aware of the great influence his family had with the Catholics, he
said, “These men insist upon carrying out the dying Orangemen who are
sheltered here, and compelling me to see them shot. Is it thy will that
these murders should be committed?”
The young man took his hand, and in tones of deep respect answered,
“Could you believe that I would suffer violence to be done to any under
_your_ roof, if I had power to prevent it?” Then turning to his
soldiers, he said, “These excellent people have injured no one. Through
all these troubled times, they have been kind alike to Pikemen and
Orangemen; they have buried our dead, and sheltered our widows. If you
have any respect for the memory of my father, treat with respect all who
wear the peaceful garb of the Quakers.” The men spoke apart for awhile,
and soon after left the house.
As Camillo passed by the kitchen door, he saw Alice distributing boiled
potatoes to a crowd of hungry children. A soldier stood by her,
insisting that she should wear a cross, which was the emblem of the
Pikemen. She mildly replied, “I cannot consent to _wear_ the cross, but
I hope God will enable me to _bear_ it.” The rude fellow, who was
somewhat intoxicated, touched her under the chin, and said, “Come,
mavourneen, do be a little more obliging.” Camillo instantly seized his
arm, and, exclaiming, “Behave decently, my lad! behave decently!” he led
him to the door. As he went, he turned towards Alice with an expression
she never forgot, and said, in a low deep tone, “Words are poor to thank
you for what you have done for my mother.”
The next day, when he met Alice walking to meeting, he touched his hat
respectfully and said, “I scarcely deem it prudent for you to be in the
roads at this time, Miss Alice. Armed insurgents are everywhere abroad;
and though there is a prevailing disposition not to injure the Quakers,
still many of our men are too desperate to be always controlled.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account