The Bride of Fort Edward

The Bride of Fort Edward

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Title: The Bride of Fort Edward
Author: Delia Bacon
Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7235] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 30,
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Edition: 10
Language: English

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THE BRIDE OF FORT EDWARD.
FOUNDED ON AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTION
BY DELIA BACON

PREFACE.
I am extremely anxious to guard against any misconception of the
design of this little work. I therefore take the liberty of apprising the
reader beforehand, that it is not a Play. It was not intended for the stage,
and properly is not capable of representation. I have chosen the form of
the DIALOGUE as best suited to my purpose in presenting anew the
passions and events of a day long buried in the past, but it is the
dialogue in scenes arranged simply with reference to the impressions of
the Reader, and wholly unadapted to the requirements of the actual
stage. The plan here chosen, involves throughout the repose, the
thought, and sentiment of Actual life, instead of the hurried action, the
crowded plot, the theatrical elevation which the Stage necessarily
demands of the pure Drama. I have only to ask that I may not be
condemned for failing to fulfil the conditions of a species of writing
which I have not attempted.
The story involved in these Dialogues is essentially connected with a
well-known crisis in our National History; nay, it is itself a portion of
the historic record, and as such, even with many of its most trifling
minutiae, is imbedded in our earliest recollections; but it is rather in its
relation to the abstract truth it embodies,--as exhibiting a law in the
relation of the human mind to its Invisible protector--the apparent
sacrifice of the individual in the grand movements for the race,--it is in
this light, rather than as an historical exhibition, that I venture to claim
for it, as here presented, the indulgent attention of my readers.

THE AUTHOR. _New-York, July 7th_, 1839.

THE
BRIDE OF FORT EDWARD,
A DRAMATIC STORY.
SCENE. _Fort Edward and its vicinity, on the Hudson, near Lake
George_.
PERSONS INTRODUCED.
British and American officers and soldiers.
Indians employed in the British service.
ELLISTON--A religious missionary residing in the adjacent woods.
GEORGE GREY--A young American.
LADY ACKLAND--Wife of an English Officer.
MARGARET--Her maid.
MRS. GREY--The widow of a Clergyman residing near Fort Edward.
HELEN, and ANNIE,--Her daughters.
JANETTE--A Canadian servant.
_Children, &c_.
_Time included--from the afternoon of one day to the close of the
following_.

PART
I. THE CRISIS AND ITS VICTIM
II. LOVE

III. FATE
IV. FULFILMENT
V. FULFILMENT
VI. RECONCILIATION

THE BRIDE OF FORT EDWARD.
* * * * *
PART FIRST.
* * * * *
INDUCTION.
DIALOGUE I.
SCENE. _The road-side on the slope of a wooded hill near Fort
Edward. The speakers, two young soldiers,--Students in arms_.
_1st Student_. These were the evenings last year, when the bell From
the old college tower, would find us still Under the shady elms, with
sauntering step And book in hand, or on the dark grass stretched, Or
lounging on the fence, with skyward gaze Amid the sunset warble. Ah!
that world,-- That world we lived in then--where is it now? Like earth
to the departed dead, methinks.
_2nd Stud_. Yet oftenest, of that homeward path I think, Amid the
deepening twilight slowly trod, And I can hear the click of that old gate,
As once again, amid the chirping yard, I see the summer rooms, open
and dark, And on the shady step the sister stands, Her merry welcome,
in a mock reproach, Of Love's long childhood