Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-11-01

which bound him heart and soul, to his
native soil.
In the neighborhood of his fathers cot
tage there lived farmer with large
family Of daughters, with whom there had
grown up in his heart strong affection
Mary returned it--and, in the smpeness
OF their young hearts, they had beIrothed
themselves one to another, long before
prudence offered any prospect of their
marriage pledges being accomplished. II
mattercd not-they had pledged their
VOWS. Judge Of her situation, then, when
she witnessed Hcnry's lall--imagine her
feelings when it had reached her that he
had enlisted lie came TO bid her fare
we'll, but he could only say 1t with the
bursting of his heart, and the eloquence
of tears. She wept upon his neck, and
besceched him not to leave her; but his
tic was not to be broken, to break 1t IN
truth was not now within his power
Mary becoming sensible OF tins, formed
the heroic purpose Of leaving her faith
er's roof, and joining her fortune to her
!ovcr's-the next morning she hired her
self as a servant of the recruiting officer,
and the same night these two young
morntaniers bade adieu to the scenes
and the friends Of their native valley
Shortly afterwards the regiment was
ordered to this station, and fortunately
Henry and Mary were passengers in the
same vessel, and thus enjoyed frequent
Of whispering to each 9TH
er those loving thoughts which were bea-
ting at ei,her's hearts. Upon landing
here their separation was almost imme-
diate, for the officer took quarters at the
extreme end of Dutch Town, While
Henry was stationed at the North Bar
rack. Unable to meet as they were
wont, the lovers pined 10 absencc.-lIen-
ry had soon become Disguised with the
duties and confinement of a soldiers
life, and one night, about three months
after his arrival here, stole from his
quarters without leave, and made direct
ly for Mary's residence Their meeting
was happy one-hours glidcd by, and
allho' when no had left, he had not for
mod any deliberate plan for desertion,
was afraid to return.-IIe confessed at
length 20 Mary the uneasiness which
was preying on his mind; and she, with
that promptitude and daring which dis
linguish the female character in all strong
emergencies offered to furnish him with
one Of her gowns, and to leave the town
with him Immediately for the country.
She had saved about three pounds, and
with this to pay their travelling charges,
and with the buoyancy of young hearts,
they sci out on their perlous adven-
ture.-They had not proceeded far on
the road round the basin, before they
heard noise, behind them, among
which Henry recognised the voice OF
one Of his comrades. Mary and he
Immediately left the road, and covered
among the bushes, and now they began
to feel the desolaiion Of their situa-
ton, and the danger to which they were
exposed, in strange country, and
among strangers For two days they
kept beating about the woods, in the
nelghborhood Of the basin, but at length
hunger forced them from their retreat.
They came out just at the nine mile
house, and scarcely had they reached
the main road before they were recog-
nised, and seized by guard of soldiers,
who were just returning in hopelessness
from the search. They were seIzed
and reconducted to town-Henry was
consigned % the cell as deserter, and
Mary was sent TO Jail for having offered
him assistance. =
When Mary, however, was brought
before the commanding officer, there
was something so ineffably sweet and
podest IN her appearance, that he deter
mined to enquire thoroughly into the
merits Of the case before punishment
should be pronounced upon them. He
took Mary aside, and with fatheIly re-
gard, questioned her as to her motive:
her heart openedto his kindness, and she
confessed while the blush mantled high
upon her cheek, her love for Henry
and that they had deserted from the be.
lief that their union could only be con-
summated by her lovers freedom. There
is something noble and generous in the
human heart, il only the right chord be
touched. The officer was so affected by
her SIMPLE narrative, and by tho purity
and strength Of their love, that he exer-
csed his influence and had both pardon
ed. Nay, he went further, he promoted
Henry to a brighter station, and placed
it in his power to make his beloved Mary
his betrothed wife. II is also added that
he was present himself at tho marriage:
and as he kissed the young bride, that
tear had fallen on her check. l give
you the story as I heard, if it be true,
this is higher laurel than ever a gallant
officer won in the field Of battle; the lau-
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