Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-09-13
STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.

tuaied by n sordid interest and the fear Of thd
loss OF property, there were some Of generous
feelings, who maintained their allegiance
from integrity OF principl and purity OF mo-
tive. Of the lulter class was a poor ma IN
tho western part Of Massac husctts who was
in the habi, of attending all the meetings that
grew cut Of the expressions aud usurPations
OF England.
At the same time that he did not attempt
to Justify the measures of the Parliament, ho
end, avorcd in his plain rustic way to palliate
them and deprecated the active measures OF
the Colonies as a subverslon OF all order, and
the introduction of anarchy and confnsion.--
lie was man eminent for integrity and love
of truth, so much SO, tbut in his own neigh
borhood his word was considered as good NJ
4 bond; therefore, while his arguments against
the resistance Of the Colonies were not per-
mitted TO weigh q feather in the scale Of pub
lie opinion, his undoubted honesty OF heart
exempted him from the hatred whi % the to-
RES as they were called al the time, so com
monty excited, and ffom the exhibition OF
that hatred in the usual forms of forcible alb
luton and q cost Of tar und feathers.
Atfairs ut length reached a crisis. Tho
battles Of Lexington and Concord reused tho
people to arms, and the Congress which us
stuDltu W w uttTLOWu IcrolNtu w t"tSN oo,-
coo iroops und the business of enlisting and
drafting was Immediately commenced with
great vigor. There was, therefore, no alter
native left for the simple rustic, OF whom |
Lave been speaking, but to take up arms a
gainst England, contrary to his conscicnce.or
to Join the forces under Gen. Gage. lie de-
te,mined on the latter, and in so doing expe-
rienc. all the bitterness which is incident
TO civil war, in leaving his wife and chIldron
urproyidcd for and 10 the projection OF those
who necessarily would become his enc mics.
IL was beautiful evening in the early
part of May. The labors OF the day w"ro
over, aud The father had returned to enj'y
the hours Of rest with his little family. lie
occupied his usual seat in the arbOr, by the
door Of his whitewasiied cottage. Before
him were two children playing on the green
grass plata third lay 10 the cradle, aud be-
side it sat the mother watching Its slumbers.
How many were the pleasant images OF past
conjugul happiness aud paternal love that b"-
~ memory conjured up IN The stiffness OF
that soft evening hour but the very rccol-
lection of them caused melancholy iorcbod-
ings to cast gloom over the spirlis-for now
they were 10 bu forgotten for time-perhaPs
forever.
The hour Of prayer arrived, and oh with
what carnestness did the parent wrsstle with
heaven, and implore its protection tor ths
young and the helpless lie was leaving BET
hind. The parents shed copious tears from
the ovcrtiuwing scnsibilities OF nature, and
the Children wept from sympathy, and from
an indefinite sensation of evil, which they
could not comprehend. Yet there was relief
in those tears, and the sanctiiying efficacy ot
prayer Gained the tuinults OF the breast, ana
poured a soothing balm into the wounded
ftclihg,-whIch was not OF earth.
The children were put to rest. The father
kissed them aifectionaley as they lay smiling
in slunber, unconscious OF the bereavement
they were about to sustain-embraclng his
disconsolate wife again, took up his nusket,
aud aided by the shades Of night, started Tor
the royal army. AS he pursued his way, tho
moon, that had been obscuIed, broke FROM
the surrounding clouds, and on turning tn
take u look of his dwelling, the lamp shono
through the open door in which his wife stood
to catch the last echo Of his footsteps. Tho
light of heaven and Of faithful love he ielt
were united to cheer him on his way.
On the evening of the following day, as ho
approached Boston, he fell in with the scouts
OF the American army. then parading IN the
vicinity, and his answers not proving sails
factory, he was captured and taken before
the proper officer lie disguised not his m
tcnt,ons, but made known his determination
of joining the royal army. lie was accord
ingly sent up into the country and lodged III
jlll IN one Of the western towns to await iiis
trial. The place was almost thirty miles from
his own home, and as whatever Of interest
transpired was n,ade known through the dif-
ferent committees Of correspondence the iroe
character of the prisoner was soon learned.
The picty the undoublcd honesty Of the pri-
soner, The affecting circumstances in which
he had left his family, and the awe Of punish
ing man with death who had followed the
dictates of conscience in what he believed Ia
be his duty, all conspired to awaken intense
interest in the breast of the Sheriff, and ha
determined to give him an opportunity to es'
. cape.
T lie accordingly observed to him one even
ing, these CHAINS, fear, wilfgall your an
cles will therefore substitute smooth p,o-
ces of leather tor the iron bands. but don't
you cut them of, and break out; for will
certainly catch you it you dn." "iou need
not tear me-" replied the prisoner, rs smile
passed over his features, and he bade tho
keeper good night. The sheriff retired 10
bed with light heart, determined to take q
nap IN the morning of an extra length; but
he was disappointed, for the loud voice OF
the prisoner, chanting his morning psalm M
usual broke his slumber. The next night, ON
leaving his prisoner, he Informed him that
there was something the matter with The key,
and that, unable to lock the door, he wou'd
tie it with rope on the outside. Al mo
same time hc charged him not to THINK o' es,
Gaping. a. he had a very fleet horse, ~"
would certainly overtake him. A. he VAIN
ed away, lie muttered 10 himself, "'ne iei'o"
is fool il he don't understand thot,
/, Mex, morning the prison door was open
but on entering he found the prisoner ns he
lett hin,a wind during the night having blown
onen the door. The honest hearted r,istio
considering himself la the hands of lawful au-
,,bori,y. could not bo tempted To break tho
oblicn,ions Of that authority, holding as hp
did. The maxim which his Bible had taught
him. tba, hc who breaks the smallest law of
order is guilty Of a violation Of principle,--
which tends to subvert the whole. lie then
thanked the keeper for the kindness whicl,
he had shown him, ss hc had given him op-
portunitics Of escape, which he could not co''
scien,iously use, no besonght him Tor per'ns..
sion To 90 into the harvest field by dsv. and
earn bread for lis suffering family. The re-
quest was 2ran,ed---the leather straps ihs'
bound ON his chains were severed, sud dur
ing the months Of harvest, and some time ~,