The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-01-09
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From the Northern, Wing.
AAN AFFECTING TALE.


IIighlanders, then on THEN march for
Cork, where they were to embark for the
Netherlands. 1t was beautiful morning
in the spring of 1915. The sun was shin
ing bright, and their arms and accoutre-
ments were glittering in his rays. The
waving plumes, martial dress, military
music, soon dissipated the clouds OF des-
pondency from an Imagination young ana
ardent, and opened long vista of glory.
In few moments fancy had glided oyer
the whole career, and restored me, hlghi IN
rank, and covered with honors, to my nd
tive village, to my mother, and to my
friends. The first step to this ideal pro-
motion was easily obtained. In few
minutes had the honor of being enrolled
a private in the 18th Highlanders; and,
before nv arrival at Cork, was fully equip,
ped in the garb of the warlke Celts.
need not detain you with an account
of nv dull and uninteresting life, after our
arrival in Belgium, previous to the memoir
able fight of Waterloo. The night before
the battle ! was pacing backwards and
forwards, a solitary sentinel at one OF our
out posts. There was weight IN the
midnight atmosphere that spread an un-
wonted gloom over my soul. There was
silence throughout the whole OF our army,
which formed striking contrast to the
loud shouts of the enemy as they passed
in carousing round their watch hres. L
should not perhaps call 1t silence, and yet
it was something like 1t; put not the 81
lence of sleep. The stern and sullen
sound with which the word anu counter
sign were exchanged; the low but deep
tone in which the necessary orders tor the
following day were given; tie sign oil
contendlng feelings in the soul, which al
most resembled the groans extorted ny
bodily pain from the wounded, were all
still more audible than the distant clang OF
the armorer, and the snortlng ana pranclng
of the steed, and showed that ali around
was waking, watchfulness and anxiety
About the middle oil the night recelV-
ed visit from young man with whom
had formed an intimate acquaintance. tie
was the only son of a gentleman OF large
property in the south OF Ireland; but, nav
ing formed an attachment to beautiful
Girl in humble life, and married her against
the will of his father, he had been dlsln-
herited and turned out OF doors. Inc
youth had soon reason to repent OF his
rashness. His wife was beautiful, vlrtuous,
and affectionate but her want OF educa-
ton, and entire unacqualntance with tnose
polished manners and little elegancles OF
life to which he had been accustomed, soon
dissolved much of the charm which her
beauty and artlessness had at hrst thrown
around him. After struggling Tor some
time in poverty and discomfort, nc enlisted
in a regiment of heavy dragons ana
being ordered to the continent, LEFT his
wife, with an infant daughter, IN wretch
ed lodging in London. Chance brought
us together in Belgium; and a similarity
of tastes soon produced friendship.
Depressed as | was In spirit myself,
was struck with the melancholy tone IN
which that night he accosted me. lie telt
presentiment, he said, that ne would not
survive the battle of the ensuing day. lie
wished to bid me farewell, anu to entrust
to my care his portrait, which, with ILLS
farewell blessing, was all he had to be-
queath to his wife and child. Absence
had renewed, or rather doubled all MS
fondness for the former, and portrayed he1
in all the witching loneliness that had won
his boyish affection. lie talked OF her
while the tears ran down his cheeks, ana
conjured me, if ever | reached England, 70
find her out, and make known her case tC
his father. In vain, while pledged my
word to the fulflment OF his wishes, en-
deavored to cheer him with better hopes
He listened in mournful silence to all
could suggest; flung his arms round my
neck wrung my hand and we parted.
saw him but once again. 1t was during
the hottest part of the next and terrible
day, when, with noise that drowned
even the roar of the artillery, Sir William
Ponsonby's brigade of cavalry dashed pasI
our hollow square bearing before them, IL
that tremendous charge, the flower o.
Napoleon's chivalry. Far head even Of
this national regiment, | saw the manly
figure of my friend. 1t was but for mo-
ment. The next instant he was fighting
in the centre of the enemy's squadron
and the clouds of smoke that closed IN
masses round friend and foe hid him
from my view. When the battle was over
and all was hushed but the groans OF the
wounded, and the triumphant shouts and
rolling drums of the victorious Prussians
who continued the pursuit during the en-
tire of the night, | quilted the shattered
remains of the gallant regiment In whose
ranks had that day the honor OF standing.
The moon was wadng through scattered
masses of dark and heavy clouds, when
commenced my search for my friend. The
light was doubtful and uncertain; yet it
was easy to keep along the track that
marked the last career Of Ponsonby.
Shuddering, lest in every face should re-
cognize my friend, passed on and some
times trod upon cold and motionless heaps,
which now lay inanimete. Oh !! how I'M