Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1833-02-28
THE TWINS.
al ten !, YOU y ',.sas told . me =

uate0 on the western Dank OF the COnnoc-
ticnt river. My business led me 10 the
house Of B.. lawyer Of threescorc
and ten, who, was resting from the labors
and enjoying the fruits Of life strenuous
" and successfully devoted TO his profess
sion. His drawing room was richly fur
nislied aud decorated with several valla-
BILE paintings. There was one. among
them that particularly attracted my atten-
ton. II represented a mother with two
beautiful children, one in either arm, =
light veil thrown over the. group, aud one
oflhe children pressing its lips to the cheek
Of the mother. This said I, pointing
to the picture, is very beautifnl--prpy sir,
what IS the subicct7' ~, is mother aud
her twins, said he, tho picture in itself is
deemed a fine one, but / value it more for
the recollcclions which are associated with
it, turned my eye upon b; he
looked communicative, aud ! asked him
for the stery. Sit down., said he, and /
will tell it, We, accordingly sat down,
and he gave me the following narrative. q
Daring the period the war Of the rey-
olalion, there resided in the western part
of Massachusetts, farmer by the name OF
Stedman. He was man Of Substance,
descended from a very respectable English
family, we'll educated, distinguished for
great irmness of character in general, aud
alike remarkable for infexible integrity
and steadfast loyal,yto its king. Such was
the reputation he sustained, that even when
the most'violent antipathies against royal
ism swaycd the community, it was still ada
n,itted on all hands that farmer S,edman
though tory was honest in his opinions,
aud firmly believed them to be right.
Tile period came when Burgoyne was
from the north. Iiwas time
of great anxiety witt, both the friends and
foes Of the revolution. and one which CALI
ed forth their highest exertions. The pa-
triotic militia Aocked to the standard Of
Gates and Stark, while many ofihe tories
resorted TO the quarters of Bargoyne and
Baum. Among the latter was Stedman.
He had no sooner decided il to be his duty,
than he took a kind farewell Of his wife,
woman Of uncommon beauty, gave his chill
Ilren, a twin boy and girl. a long embrace,
then mounted his horse and departed. He
joined himself to the unfortunate cxpedi-
lion of Baum, and was taken with other
prisoners of war by the victorious Stark.
He did not attempt to conceal his name or
and both were soon discovered,
and he was accordingly committed to pris-
on as a traitor. The jail in which nc was
confined, was in the western part of Mas
sachusetts. and nearly in a ruinous condo
lion. The farmer was one night walked
from his sleep by several persons in She
room. Come said they, 'you can now
regain your liberty we have made a
breach in the prison, through which you
eau escape To kis astOHishment, SEED
man utterly refused to leave the prison.
In vain they expostuIated with him: in
vain they represented to him that his life
was at stake. His reply was, that he was
D true man, and a servant Of King George.
and that he would not creep out OF a hole
Mt night, and, sneak away from, the rebels,
to save his neck from the gallows. Eind-
ing il altogether fruiiless to attempt to
move him, his friends left him with some
Of spleen.
The time at length arrived for the trial
Of the prisoner. The, distance to the
place where the court was sitting at that
time WINS about sixty miles. Sledman re-
marked 10 the sheriff, when he came to at
tend him, that il would save some expense
aud Inconvenience, IL he could be permitted
TO 60 alone and on foot. And suppose,
said the sheriff, you should prefer your
safety to yonr honor, and leave me to seek
you IN the British camp = : had thought,
said the farmer, rcddcning with indignation,
.thatI was speaking to one who knew me.
$ / do know you indeed said the sher-
ID, II spoke but in jest ; you shall have
your way. Ge, and on the third day
shall expect 10 see you at H. The far
mer departed, aud Ut the appointed time he
placed himself in the hands Of the sheriff.
was now engaged as his counsel
Ste,iman insisted before the court upor
telling his whole story and when | would
have taken advantage Of some tecbDica
points he sharply rebuked me, and told
me he had not employed me to prevaricaie
bat only 70 assist him in telling the truth
never had sucl, display of simple intcg
rity. Ii was affecting to witness his low
of plain unyarnisl,ed truth, elevatiRg bin
above every other consideration, aud pre-
siding IN his breast as q sentiment even So
psrior to the i've Of life. s 49, s,s
saw the tears more than onee springinl
20 ibe eyes Of his judges; never before o
since, have felt such an interest IN . eli
ent. ] plead for him as / should havl
s,lAaaed ins sat o,vn life. 4 dpew fears bu