The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-01-25
JANUARY rs, 1927


nights, when fierce north wind added to
the usual cold. His watch was the most ex-
posed situation of the place, and he had
scarcely recovered from severe indsposi-
ton; but he was soldier, and he declared
his readiness TO take his round. 1t chanced !
that he had pledged his affections to ayoung |
woman of the same city, who no sooner
heard of his being on duty, than she began
to lament bitterly, declaring it to be impossi-
bic for him to survive the insutferable sever
itv of such a night after the illness under
which he still fingered. Tormentei with
anxiety. she was unable to close her eyes, or
even to retire to rest; and as the night adj
vancee, the cold becoming more Intense, her
depicted him struggling against the fearful
elements, and his own weakness, and at
length, nc longer able to support himself, O.
ycrpowered with slumber, and sinking to G.
ternal rest upon the ground. Maddcncd at
the idea and needless OF consequences, she
hastily clothed herself as warmly as posi-
,ib]c. a;l,l ran out Of the house, situated not
tar from the place of watch, and with the
utmost courage arrived alone at the spot
And there she indeed found her poor solaier
nearly as exhausted as she had imagined,
being with difficulty able to keep MS le,t'
owing to the intenseness OF the frost. ShV
earnestly conjured him to hasten, though oh-
" fora little while, torevlye himself at hef
house, when, having taken sonle refresh
tmcnts he might return; but aware ut the
consequences of this he resolutcly, though
kindly. refused to do so. But only tor = few
minutes she continued, while you melt the
horrId frost which almost congeals you a
live Not an instant returned the soldier,
1T were certain death even to stir from the
SPOT Surely not, cried the affectlonate
pirl. il win never be known; and if you stay
your death will be still more certain; you
| have at least chance, and it is your duty,
if possible, to preserve your lite. Besides,
should YOUR absence happen to be discover
ed, heaven will take pity upon us, and pro-
vide in some way for your preservation. =
Yes suid the soldier, but that is not the
Iuuestion; for suppose | could doit with I'M
ipunity. is it noble or honorable thus vilely to
abandon my post without any one on guaras
4 bat there will ne some one, it you consent
to 90; will remain here until you return.
am not in the least afraid. SO be quick, and
give me YOUR arms This request she en-
forced with so much eloqucnce and tender
ness, and SO many tears, that the poor SOL
der, against his better judgment, was tain
to Weld, more especially as he telt himself
becoming fainter and fainter, and unable
much longer to resist the cold. Intending
to return within few minutes, he lett the
kind hearted girl in his place, wrapping her
in his cloak. and giving her his arms and
cap, together with the watch word, and such
was her delight at the idea of having saved
, the life Of her beloved, that she was tor time
i, inseDsible to the intense severity of the wea-
ther. But Just as she was flatterng herself
with the hope of his return, an officer made
. 1, ,to nc che F,r
t confusion to give the sign, suspected that
the soldier had either fallen asleep or fed
:, What was his surprise, on rushing to the
spot to find young girl overpowered will
e alarm. and unable to give any account y
n herself. from extreme agitation and tears
n Reinr conducted to the guard house, and re
stored to some degree of confidence. the poo
u;rl confessed the whole truth; soliciting
: with the anguish of doubt and distraction,
q nardon for her betrothcd husband. lie wa
!. instantly summoned from her house, but wa
found in such state of weakness from tn
III sufferinrs he had undergone, as to leav
at littlc prospect Of his surviving them. 1t wa
le with much difficulty, with the assistance Q
medical advice, that he was restored suit
c;entlv to give an ineligible account OF him
VI self after which he was placed in close Gus
todv to await the period of his trial. 'Fa
is hammer had it been for me- he exclaimed
lie on being restored to consciousness, far haT
II pier to have died at my post. than to be tht
" reserved for cruel and ignominlous death
'y The dav of his trial coming on, such VIZ
lis the polite severity of martial law, as he ha
m we'll foreseen, that he was condemned to
= executed within few days after his SCI
tence. Great as was his affiiction on hea
- inc these tidngs, it was little in comparisd
m with the remorse and terror that distracte
en- the breast of his beloved girl. who, in add
~ ton to the grief of losing him, in 50 publ
and enominious manner, accused herse
Oh as the cause of the calamity. He, to who
she had been so long and tenderly attache
ty vas now to fall as it were by the hand OF i
,- petrothed bride! Such was the strangene
and sudenness of the event, that her teeln
'es heinp wrought up to the highest pitch
rs, recitation and terror, her very despf
ng seemed to give her strength; and casting
for fear of consequences aside. she made vt vv
to save him or perish in the attempt. b
terlv weeping, and with dishevelled ha
w she ran wildly through the city, beseechi
my pity and compassion from all her friends a
in acquaintance, and soliciting every person
49, nix and influence. to unite in petition
"h foe pardon for her lover, or that her u
m she being the sole author OF the fault, mig
md be accepted in place of his.
Iall The circumstances being made kno,
=, such was the tenderness and compass