The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-08-15
AN INCIDENT IN THE REVOLUTION.
BY MRS ANN s. STEPHENS,

unfortunate HALE's contnemenfr
committed to paper and sec''e" inc 'hio''''"''oN
ho bod vontpred his life 10 obtain. lie knew
=. .,,o1 ~, 10 blessed sunlight for the last
'.'N' IRE felt that in few hours, portion
60 -, ,,.autiful earth, now spread out SO glorI-
o,,s,, would be lying a cold mass upon his bo-
som. lie knew this and his heart crainped like
a diseased thing within him. He thought of his
parents in their bereaved loneliness; of his be-
trothed in her proken-he hearted grief and again it
expanded with ssrrowing tenderness. lie was
as brave man as ever confronted death; still he
felt it fearful thing to yield up life in its young
hopes to enter into the unknown boundlessness
Of eternity, with few hours preparation. He
asked for the company OF clergyman, but none
came; for bible, but none was procured. lie
knelt down in his last prayer, and the outpouring
of his soul was broken in upon by those who
came to conduct him to the gallows-tree. He
went forth to his execution, not seeking mans
applause on the very brink of eternity, by false
bravado against nature, rusing, with his proud
soul cased in pride, up to the very presence of
the Most High, overcoming natures just fears,
and challenging after ages to admire the boldness
with which his ambitious soul could pass to the
awful face of Jehovah. There was no such
presumption in Hale's death. With full and
solemn sense of the awful event, he went to meet
his fate as chrslian-a soldier. His soul was
bowed in humility to God, and his last words
were, "Oh, that had more lives to offer up to
my country"
1t was splendid scene,. the dinner table of
the English commander. From his own land of
luxury he had imported the massive plate and
delicate china that covered it, loaded profusey
with viands. British gold had purchased the to-
ry farmers cutlery; goblets sparkled with wine
like "molten rubies or liquid amber" and brlm-
med to the lips of the gay young officers, who,
in their gitering uniforms, surrounded by song
and wine, revclled on the brink of intoxcation.
Loud rose their voices of merriment in gleeful
chorus, when servant entered with information
that female had arrived at their camp with a
flag of truce, and demanded an interview with
Gen. Howe.
A naughty smile curled the Englishman's lip,
as he addressed an aid camp.
"What trick is this, think you? The rebels
must be in extrenities, indeed, when they send
us a woman instead of ambassadors"
The Aid-de-camp answered his generals
smile, and demanded Of the servant if the lady
were young or old?
"Young, sir"
"And pretty?" asked dozen voices at once.
"Rather pale, your honors."
"Young and interesting; our gallantry is be-
stirring ITSELF" exclaimed some of the voices,
general, pray admit her.'
"Silence, gentlemen, silence! the wine has
made you noisy" replied Gen. Howe, rising from
the table, and ordering the servant to admit the
vister Immediately.
Most of the young officers were on their feet,
and all eyes were turned to the entrance as SA-
RAH EAsToN advanced-her deep mourning
rendered her pale features almost ghostly, and
her Grape veil thrown back SO as to display her
white forehead, and eyes touchingly sweet in
theiI expression, even while resting on the form
of him who had made her heart desolate. Not
a word was spoked by the group that surround
ed the dinner table; the merry smile was quench-
ed on the warm lips of each gay individual as
he looked on the young American, who stood
before them in the beautiful majesty of her grief
Howe advanced with stately politeness to receive
steady dignity, requested the body of Nathan
Hale for christian burial
Howe was evidently surprised at the nature of
the petition, but courteously answered that it
could not be granted Capt. Hale having already
been buried three days.
"Yet surely he might be disenteredo persisted
she, eagerly stepping forward-then seeing de-
NAL in his look, she added beseechinglv avou
will not refuse his old parents last look on the
face of their son; if you are father you cannot
be SO cruelty deaf to humanity"
'Are you the sister OF the wife of the deceas.
ed, that you so urgently ask for his remains"
"Nelther, 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
nef chalr. She sat down, and was endeavor
ing to check the untimely tears, when another
advanced-a thing Of laced scarlet and bupe on
auletts-and, touching her white noel, Ill -