Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-20
MfSCNILA4aX.
THE TWINS.
I" tell 1t to you ss twas told to me-"

| HcCtICut river. MY DuriDeSS leu inc 10
the house OF B, lawyer Of three
score and ten, who was now resting from
the labors, and enjoying the fruits Of d
life strenuously and successfully dc: oted
to his profession. His drawing room
was richly furnished, and decorated with
several valuable paintings. There was
one among them, that particularly at
tracted my attention. 1t represented a
mother with two beautiful children, one
in either arm, light veil thrown over
the group, and one Of the children press
ing its lips TO the cheek OF the mother.
That SAID |, pointing to the picture,
lis very beautiful. Pray, sir, what is
the subject of IT, 1t is n mother and
her twins, said he; 'thc picture in itself
is esteemed fine one, but | value it
more for the recolections which are as
sociated with it, turned my eye upon
B; he looked communicative, and
asked him for the story. 'St down.
said he, 'and | will tell you it, We ac-
cordingly sat down, and he gave the fol-
| lowing narratives:
During the period Of the war Of the
revolution, there resided, in the western
part Of Massachusetts, farmer by the
name of Stedman. He was man OF
substance, descended from very re-
spectacle English family, well educated,
distinguished for great frmness OF char.
acter in general, and alike remarkable
for inf1eyibla integrity and stedfast loyal
ty to his king. Such was the reputation
he sustained. tha: even when the most
violent antipathies against royalism sway
ed the community, it was still admitted
on all hands. that farmer Stedman; though
tory, was honest in his opinions, and
firmly believed them to be right
The period came when Burgoyne was
advancing from the north. 1t was time
Of great anxiety with both the friends
and foes Of the revolution, and one which
called forth their highest cxertions. The
patriotic militia focked to the standard
Of Gates and Stark, while many of the
tories resorted to the quarters Of Bur-
goyne and Baum. Among the latter
was Stedman. lie had no sooner de-
ciced il to be his duty, than he took
kind farewell Of his wife, a woman Of
uncommon beauty, gave his children, a
twin boy aud girl, long embrace, then
mounted his horse and departed. He
Joined himself to the unfortunate expe-
| ditIon Of Baum, and was taken with other
prisoners ofwar by the victorious Stark.
| He made no attempt to conceal his
aamc or character, which were both
soon discovered, and he was accordingly
committed 10 prison as a traitor. The
jail in which he was confiaed, was in the
western part of Massachusetts, and near
| y in a ruinous condition. The farmer
was one night walked from his sleep by
several persons in his room. Come
said they, 'you can now regain your lib
erty: we have made breach in the prs-
on, through which you can escape To
;helr astonshmcnt, Siedman utterly re-
fused to leave the prison. In vain they
expostulated with him; in vain they rep
! resented 10 him that life was at stake -
His reply was that he was a true man,
and servant Of King George, and he
! would not creep out Of hole at night,
and sneak away from the rebels, to save
his neck from the gailows. Finding it
altogether trultless to attempt to move
him, his friends left him with some ex-
pressions Of spleen.
The time at length arrived for the trial
Of the prisoner. The distance to the
place where the court was sitting was
about sixty miles. Stedman remarked to
the sheriff, when lie came to attend him,
that it would save some expense and in
convenience, ifhe could be permitted to
60 alone, and on foot 'And SUPPOSE
said the sheriff, shat you should prefer
your safety to your honor, and leave me
to seek you in the British camp" Il
had thought said the farmer, reddening
with Indignation, that was speaking
to one who knew me- II do know you,
indeed said the sheriff, Il spoke but in
Jest; you shall have your way. Go, aud
on the thIrd day shall expect to see
you at S. The far
raer departed, and at the appointed time
he placed himself in the hands of the
sheriff.
was now engaged as his counsel
Stedman insisted before the court. upon
telling his whole story; and, when ! would
have taken advantage OF some technical
points, he sharply rebuked me, and told
me that he had not employed me to pre-
varicate, but only to assist him in telling
the ruth. had never seen such dis
play Of simple integrity. II was affecting
to witness his love Of holy, unvarnished
truth, elevnting him above every other
consideration, and presiding IN his breast