Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-08-23

resting on him who had made her heart
dssolate. Not word was spoken by
the group that surrounded the dinner
table; the merry smile was quenched
on the warm lips of each gay ndividu-
al as he looked on the young Ameri.
can, who stood before them in the beau
tiful majesty of her grief. Howe ad-
vanceI with stately politeness to re-
ceive her, but she shrank from his ap.
proach, and with steady dignity, re-
quested the body of Nathan Hale for
christian burial.
Howe was evidently surprised at the
nature of the petition, but courteously
replied that it could not be granted !;
Capt Hale having already been buried
three days
Yet sureley he might be disinter.
red," persisted she eagerly stepping
forward-then seeing denial in his
look, she added beseechingly, "you
viii not refuse his old parents last
look on the face of their son ; if you
are a father you cannot be so cruelty
deaf to humanity"
care you sister, or wife, ofthe.de.
ceased, that you thus urgently ask for
his remains?
Neither, oh neither % replied the
tortured girl, pressing her hands over
her eyes to hide the burst of tears the
question had unlocked.
A young officer plying her distress,
handed her a chair. She sat down,
and was endeavoring to check the un-
timely tears when another advanced
a thing Of laced scarlet and huge epau-
lettes--and touching her white neck
with the tip Of his insolent finger, de-
manded, If she were neither the wife
nor the sister of the handsome spy,
what else could she be, unless it were
a sweet heart ~
The blood flashed into the marble
cheek Of the insulted gIrl, like sud-
den sunset but without answering him
she turned to Gen. Howe, and said
al expected at least to be secure,
but | find myself mistaken; | request
an answer to my petition, and liberty
to withdraw"
! Howe cast on the young impertnent
look of stern anger; then turning to
Sarah he said, with the smooth suavlty
of manner so common to the unieeling
man of the world, and difficult to con-
tend against, so artlully does it charm
away opposition
" Young lady, | regret that is not in
my power to grant your request. Inc
remains you now seek, have been dis.
posed Of according to law in such cases,
and must not be disturbed. | should
be extremely happy to crafty you, but
/ in this, as have said, 1t is entirely out
Of my power"
Sarah was about to speak again, but
with a bow of dismissal, he requested
the young officer who had handed her
the chair, to conduct her to the boat in
which she came. Sarah shrank from
the offered arm Of her conductor, tho
much her trembling limbs needed sup
port, and walked silently to the shore;
but just as she was about stepping into
the boat he drew close to her side, and
whispered" Be in that little cove yon.
der at midnight, and | will help you to
the possession of the body you are so
DESTROYS to obtain"
Sarah, with stihed cry of Joy, sci.
zed his hand.
[ "And will you indeed help me God
bless you"
"Restrain YOURSELF" he said, "we
shall be observed sail out Of sight of
the dam, and at midnight come as |
have directed, TO the cove-the grave
is near by, you can see the tree; ne
hesitated, but too late; Sarah's eyes
had fallen on that fatal old oak, stand.
ing bleak and alone, spreading its huge
branches against the sky, like the con-
gregated arms Of giant executioners.-
A remnant OF rope dangIed from one
of its gnarled limbs. Sarah gave one
long, piercing look, and her heart see-
med for moment in the clutch of
vulture then, with shuddering gasp
of horror, she sprang into the boat and
shut out the fearful sight with her lock-
ed hands.
The same moon that witnessed the
parting of Hale and his betrothed, now
shone upon her as she sat by the side
( of his old father in the boat that lay up
on her oars in the cove, rocking in the
swell of the rising tide, and drifting by
degrees towards the shore. The watch
ers were anxiously waiting for the appea
rance ofthe generous Englishman within
hearing of the sentinel stationed near
the grave. His heavy measured tread
a: length ceased, and the sound ofsome
voices came from where he was stand
ing. There was silence for few mo-
ments. A cracking in the brushwood
that skrted the cove, and then the
young officer stood onthe beach within
r Il