Alida Part 7

"Who knows," said she, "but that the sun of peace may yet dispel the glooms of these distressful hours, and restore this throbbing bosom to its former serenity?"

In the meantime, Theodore remained in the neighbourhood of Alida until he heard the family had left and gone to the city. He then prepared himself to set out early the next day for the habitation of his parents.

He informed Raymond of his promise to write to Alida, and to transmit letters through his agency for her inspection every convenient opportunity.

After pa.s.sing a weary watchful night, he arose at the first dawning of day, and proceeded on his journey with a heavy heart and painful reflections.

After he had pa.s.sed through the neighbouring village, and gained the bridge, he looked over and bade the residence of Alida a mournful farewell. Fearful forebodings crossed his mind that they were separated forever; then again those more consolatory, that, perhaps, after a long delay, he and Alida might yet again meet and be happy.

Traits of glory had painted the eastern skies. The glittering day-star, having unbarred the portals of light, began to transmit its retrocessive l.u.s.tre. Thin scuds flew swiftly over the moon's decrescent form. Low, hollow winds murmured among the bushes, or brushed the limpid drops from the intermingling foliage.

The dusky shadows of night fled to the deep glens and rocky caverns of the wilderness. The American lark soared high in the air, consecrating its matin lay to morn's approaching splendours.

The woodlands and forest tops on the high hills caught the sun's first ray, which, widening and extending, soon gemmed the landscape with a varying brightness.

It was late in the afternoon before Theodore arrived at his father's. He found his parents contented and happy at their present residence, which was extremely pleasant, and afforded them many accommodations.

"You have been long gone, my son," said his father: "I scarcely knew what had become of you. Since I have become a farmer, I know little of what is going on in the world, and we were never happier in our lives.

We live as independently as we could desire, and realize the blessings of health and contentment. Our only disquietude is on your account, Theodore. Your affair with Alida, I suppose, is not so favourable as you could wish. But despair not, my son; hope is the harbinger of fairer prospects; rely on Providence, which never deserts those who submissively bow to its dispensations. Place entire confidence and dependence on the Supreme Being," said his father, "and the triumph of fort.i.tude and resignation will be yours." His father paused. His reasonings, however they convinced the understanding, could not heal the wounds of Theodore's bosom. In Alida he had looked for as much happiness as earth could afford, nor could he see any prospect in life which could repair to him her loss.

Unwilling to disturb the serenity of his parents, he did not wish to acquaint them with the whole affair of his troubles. He answered, that perhaps all might yet be well; that, however, in the present state of his mind, he thought a change of place and scene might be of advantage.

He said, moreover, that he no longer had an excuse, and that circ.u.mstances now compelled him to join the army.

A sorrow unknown before seized upon the minds of his parents as Theodore repeated these words. Sad and dreadful ideas crowded their imagination at this gloomy period, when in the war's dread emergency they must risk the life of an only son, to march to the field of battle. 'Tis true, he might be again restored to them, but were there not a thousand chances to one? They were overwhelmed with sorrow at these thoughts, till at length they finally felt themselves obliged to consent to what they considered his inevitable destiny, leaving the result of their united wishes and prayers for his safe preservation to an over-ruling Providence.

His father then offered him money he had on hand to defray his expenses.

Theodore refused, saying, his resources had not yet left him. He then disposed of his horses and carriages, the insignia of his better days, but now useless appendages.

After taking an affectionate leave of his parents, he set out the ensuing day to join his companions on their route to meet the army, which was far distant. When hostilities first commenced, Theodore had said, that when it became actually necessary, and his father's affairs were settled, he would enlist in the service of his country.

Nevertheless, he journeyed with a heavy heart and an enfeebled frame of spirits, through disappointment, vexation, and fatigue. The scenes he had so lately experienced moved in melancholy succession over his mind, and his despondency had not abated, even in a small degree, when he reached the army.

He now joined the forces under Colonel Van Renssalaer, "who, with a detachment of about one thousand men, crossed the river Niagara, and attacked the British on Queenstown heights. This detachment succeeded in dislodging the enemy, but not being reinforced by the militia from the American side, as was expected, they were ultimately repulsed, and obliged to surrender. Eight hundred British soldiers now came to the aid of the others, and pressed on to renew the attack. The Americans for a time continued to struggle against this force, but were finally obliged to surrender themselves prisoners of war."

The fate of war was hard for Theodore, on his first expedition. He was taken, and carried among the rest on board a prison-ship, and sent with a number of others to England.

This disastrous event, however, was shortly followed by one more fortunate for the Americans. "General Dearborn embarked at Sackett's Harbour, with sixteen hundred men, on an expedition against York, and succeeded in the capture of that place.

"York was the seat of government for Upper Canada, and the princ.i.p.al depot for the Niagara frontier. More naval stores were taken by the Americans than could be carried away. The government hall was burned, contrary to the orders of the American general."

CHAPTER XIV.

"See, winter comes," and boisterous on its way, See darkening clouds obscure the cheerful day; Its hollow voice is muttering in the gale, While chilling hail and snow the earth a.s.sail.

Some length of time had elapsed since the family had been settled in the city, and the cool breezes of autumn had changed to the hoa.r.s.e murmuring gales of winter. No sound scarcely was heard except bl.u.s.tering winds, or their whistling murmurs around the angles of the mansion, blended with the more slow, monotonous cadence of the advancing waves of the Hudson.

The evenings were cold, dark, and gloomy, except when the resplendent rays of the moon's mild l.u.s.tre was seen dispensing its light and cheering influence, dissipating, in a material degree, the dreariness of the evenings of this inclement season. Winter had commenced, "sullen and sad, with all his rising train." "Vapours, and clouds, and storms,"

succeeded each other. Instead of copious showers of rain, snow and ice were spread over the pavement in heavy ma.s.ses.

One evening as a storm was approaching, and the winds blew tremendously, and the snow began to fall in abundance, Where now, thought Alida, is Theodore? though the cold may pierce and storms molest him, yet there is no friend to sympathise with him in his distress, or to mitigate the heaviness of his cheerless hours, and shed the rays of gladness over his troubled mind.

How great the contrast is now with his former fortunes, how severe his afflictions! He feels not so much the loss of wealth, but he sighs for the smiles of former a.s.sociates and friends. She looked upon her finger, there was the ring he had given her in happier days. This she vowed to keep and cherish, through every trial and affliction. It was Theodore's last gift. Where was he now? What dangers he may have encountered, and what hardships endured! and what might he not yet have to suffer, ere she should behold him again, if indeed she ever should.

She had not heard from him in a long time. He had promised to write--why was he not faithful to his promise?

Thus meditated Alida. At length she articulated in a calmer tone, and her feelings became more composed.

Infinite Ruler of events! Great Sovereign of this ever-changing world! Omnipotent Controller of vicissitudes! Omniscient Dispenser of destinies! In thy hands are all things terrestrial, and the condition of our lives are at thy disposal. The beginning, the progression, and the end is thine. Unsearchable are thy purposes!-- mysterious thy movements!-- inscrutable thy operations! Thy will must be done. To bow in submission to thy decrees, is right:-- for we are unable to scrutinize the past, and incompetent to explore the future.

Alida had lived retired since she had been in town, although in the midst of gay scenes of every description. The acquaintance she had made were few. Her second mother had no relatives there, except her sister's children, which formed a princ.i.p.al part of her society.

Her oldest nephew was about twenty-five years of age. The personal appearance of Mr. Bolton was highly prepossessing. He was particularly distinguished for his genuine politeness, affability, and witticism.

He inherited a considerable patrimony from his grandfather, which proved to be a disadvantage, as it prevented him from applying himself to any particular occupation. Since his aunt's marriage, and his acquaintance with Alida, his visits had become frequent, accompanied with partial attention; though on her part, indifference was visible, as his earnest a.s.siduities, were altogether unexpected, and implied a thing she had not thought of.

No one had as yet observed his growing fondness and predilection for Alida, except her father, to whom it was by no means pleasing. The habitual idleness of this young gentleman, caused him in a great measure to pa.s.s over the consideration of his many excellent qualities.

Among those, with whom Alida had become acquainted during her residence in the city, was the son of an old friend of her father's. This gentleman had place among the merchants in Broadway, and who, by a long course of industrious trading had ama.s.sed a handsome competency. There was something peculiar in his air and manner, which distinguished him among the men of business.

Speak of a person of commanding aspect, tall, slender, and majestic; quick in step, fluent in speech, with large light blue eyes, and light hair, approaching a little to the yellow. That was Mr. More. There was a neatness and uniformity in his appearance and dress. He might have been known by his blue suit, white vest, and cambric handkerchief. He was polite and agreeable, and by his a.s.sociates, he was much esteemed as an acquaintance. His judgment was mature in regard to his business. He managed his affairs with prudence and economy, and still stood firm amid the shock of failures around him.

Though his means were ample, his expenditures were not extravagant; every thing about him partook of the convenient and useful. Suitably free from the fashion mania which sometimes attack young people like an epidemic, he preferred rational pleasures, and the company of a few young men of liberal views and sentiments, to the empty display and unsubstantial show, which wins the smile of moneyed plebians.

His general deportment, his countenance and manner, discovered a mind and disposition, that had always been accustomed to unremitting indulgence. He was ardent in friendship; possessing a heart of the keenest sensibility, with a scrupulous regard for the feelings of others. He had been much in female society--in company with the amiable and intelligent. Still he had never seen any one that he thought was possessed of congenial feelings, or whose mind would a.s.similate with his own.

When he became acquainted with Alida, his sensations were awakened to a new influence;--that he did not attempt to banish from his mind. He never before had seen any one he thought so worthy of esteem, or so calculated to inspire him with lasting friendship. "The kindness, and sincerity of her heart, speaks in her artless manner," said he, (as he was one evening returning home from her father's.) "She delights the old and captivates the young. Yet her beauty is not so dazzling at first glance, but every day that she is seen, the more her features charm, the more her manners please. Innocence dwells in the silvery curls of her light auburn hair, that waves over her shoulders in simple elegance. She has been reared with proper care and attention, and educated not to shine in a ball-room, but with a soft soothing friendship, to dissipate ennui and gloom, and make the happiness of the domestic circle."

CHAPTER XV.

Come, Contemplation, with thy boundless gaze.

Inspire my song, while I his merits praise, A true description of his greatness name, And fame's bright annals, shall record the same.

Many were at this time risking their lives in defence of American liberty, and privileges;--nor were there at present any prospects of conciliatory measures between the contending powers. It became necessary for the people in the meantime, to call forth all their energies and patriotism, with the utmost exertion on their parts--in support of their country, in order to maintain the burden of the arduous conflict in which it was engaged, and sustain the present contest with honour to themselves, and with the hope that its final settlement might be to the satisfaction of America, and the future prosperity of the nation.

Many heroes ventured forth to the field of battle, with the ardent endeavour, still to preserve their independence; while at the same time the hearts of many were failing them with fear. It was a time for the patriot to use his influence to animate others anew to bravery, and persuade them to be zealous, in a just cause; at this season of general excitement, in which the feelings of the whole community had become strongly interested. Party spirit, and the conflicting interests of the different states were found to operate injuriously on many in their commercial transactions. The people were impoverished by the expenses of the war. Some were in debt. Creditors resorted to legal measures to enforce a collection of their demands, which involved many families in deep embarra.s.sment. Peace was sighed for by the mult.i.tude, but there were yet no signs of its realization. An engagement had just taken place on Lake Erie. The American fleet was commanded by Commodore Perry, a young officer; that of the British under Com. Barclay, an old and experienced officer, who had served under Nelson. After a contest of three hours the Americans gained a complete victory, and captured every vessel of the enemy. Commodore Perry announced this victory in the following laconic style: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." The Americans took six hundred prisoners, which exceeded their whole number engaged in the action. This battle was succeeded, several weeks afterwards, by another that was alike fortunate, between the American army under General Harrison, and the British under Gen. Proctor, in which they were defeated, and Detroit fell into the hands of the Americans. The success of this action may be entirely attributed, (under the favour of heaven,) to the abilities and military skill of General Harrison.

After General Hull had tamely surrendered to the British this important post, with the gallant force that composed the garrison, an event which spread consternation far and wide throughout the western country, and greatly increased the difficulty and arduous nature of Gen. Harrison's duties, he immediately organized the brave troops under his command, and commenced a course of rigid discipline, and military trainings, with the confident hope of retrieving the consequent disasters of this proceeding.

The American army advanced in order of battle, and were in the immediate neighbourhood of the enemy; the reconnoitering parties brought in intelligence of the dispositions Proctor had made, wherein he had committed an irretrievable error in ranging his regular soldiers in order, and extending his line by placing the files at a distance of three or four feet from each other. Harrison, with the rapid decision of an able general, instantly availed himself of the error of his opponent.

The extended and weakened line of the enemy, could offer but a feeble resistance to the charge of his gallant troops, who dashed forward at the earnest solicitation of the people of the territory,--and with the public expression of the most flattering approbation, on the part of the chief executive;--till at length they gained a complete victory.

The various and arduous duties of the governor of Indiana, required, for this office, a man of very superior abilities--one possessed of stern integrity and prudent moderation, accompanied by the most unwavering firmness. Such a man Governor Harrison, in the long course of his administration, fully proved himself to be. And in acting his part as a general he merits no less the applauses of his countrymen, in training and leading their armies to victory. The nervous and impa.s.sioned eloquence, and cla.s.sical felicity of ill.u.s.tration, with which he enforced his arguments, gained him much applause and influence,--and discovered his abilities to be of the highest order, blended with the truest republican principles;--in which were manifested an ardent zeal for the good of his country, and an earnest desire to serve her best interests. Though vested with unusual powers, both as governor and general, he was never known during the whole of his command, to exercise his authority in an unjust or oppressive manner. His measures were energetic but always qualified by his characteristic moderation and humanity, joined with integrity, prudence, and capacity for civil government. Many high encomiums were lavished upon him by those whose friends and neighbours had partic.i.p.ated in this campaign, and who were consequently familiar with its details, and with the merits of their commander.