The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-02-23
sT. JomMsHsUsY Y, VIZ, E.ERn VAssY e:s. lsaa.

and gadness prevailed through the American EN-
cainpmcnt Washington, with few of his Off
GERS, were assembled in his attending to
affairs Of State, when o fcer entered and hand
cd letter to the commander in chief, stating that
I yeung woman with tears jD her eyes, had beg
ged him to present it to the General, and that she
was new awaiting answer without.
! Washington took the letter and opened it, A
tear stole down his sunburnt cheek as he reloidcd
it, when he had fnished: and taking pen he
wrote slip of paper the following ,aa
J To Mrs, FoyteSLue: .5.r l.rr-sr o.. I'D. .f.s
"MadamYou have desired me 10 rescue your
son from an ignominious death from the death Of
a deserter. You say that he deserves not the lille
i--thut he is innocent-and tina, it affection to
you that brought this dsgrace. know all this
Il have inquired closely into his case, and / my
self deem him clear of guilt therefore assured
that all that lays il ny power shall be done IN his
| behalf '' GEORGE WAsmINeToN.
| "Take her ihs, said he handing the paper TO
tho off Ger; Sand see that she is conducted safely
without the encaippment"
! AS soon as Lucy Gratan, for it her. had
been conducted by the officer without the bounds
of the encaupnent, she quickened her pace, and
| in short lime reached the place where Charles
Fertescuo confined; which was small farm
sing the guard to whom orders had been given for
| admitting her at any time, she rushed into the
room, and ainging the paper the lap of female
who sat reading, sank into a chair almost exhaust.
| ed.
| The woman 10 whom sho threw the noie W as
Mrs. Fortescue, who Immediately on recovering
from her sickness, had out with Lucy to soothe
and comfor: Charles in his confinement. Deep and
her af md I hrol 70
the dreadfhLaews TO her; but when hope held out
to her the probability of his yet being saved, she
! determined TO triumph over her feelings, and
! ert hetssl to obtain for him pardon. AT first
she thought Of the stranger guest, and of his part
ing words: and she resolved to apply to him to aid
! her: but then she remembered that she did not
know his name, and consequently did not know
who to inquire for. II is true lie had told her lie
was an officer in the army, hut she not u
ware of his rank. La vain Lucy looked in the lii
tie bible he had gwen her, to find some clue to
lead to his discovery.-Nothing could be found
sirs. Fortescue then had but course TO pursue,
that ofspplying, we have seen, to the Comman
der In Chief, and Lucy, unk nown 10 Charles had
been The nearer of the letter. nss
"Thank God!-ihank God'' exclaimed the moth
er, as she threw herself upon the neck Of her son.
and wept tears ofjoy; "and we may bless the greai
and good Washington"
ayes, God bless him! mother" said the young
soldier, casting his eyes the paper; sIor he
thinks mo innocent. 1t is TO him, too, owe these
comforts" he added, pointing TO many little arli-
Giles which were not commonly granted to prison
ers, r .t,rs -- -s .ra. s,.t
The hours which before seemed gloomy, now
passed away in cheerful verse, and the day flew
rapidly by.
Night had drawn its sable mantle over the earth |
as the trio seated Ives beside The fireplace
the little apartment IS" h u ttt#
Lucy said Mrs. Forescue, breaking the silence
which had prevailed for some moments, ain your
way through the camp this morning, did you see
nothing of our stranger guest'' 'sf ie'thtf&
mo; | looked, but could not see him, was the
answer. n5 Us HsHa A.,.
1T is singular he did not tell youshis name,' OBJ.
served Charles, ITO whom Mrs. Fortescue had rela-
ted the circumstance. s,..sg.... .,.tt 4
sYes,' said the mother: yet strange as it may ap
pear we did not even think 10 enquire his rank in
the army
'And he slid he knew meg
'Yes, he said he saw you the night before he left
the camp. fsf.lae .s rs. b55e. So s.v psst So
Il don know who it could have been, said
Charles thoughtfuly. ,.sr W.. lad. laes aau
Il, was an oversight in u.s., observed Lucy; but
L
10 him. l think it was to his influence in part we
may attribute shpglon's favor rgs t1tl
As she finished speaking, tho door OF The apart
ment opened, and tall, ajestic figure, enveoped
in a horsen,an's cloak, stood before them. xNel
captain Fortescue, said he, advancing, and
handing Charles paper; there is an order for your
release-you are Zee. .ieinf,o
General, General! how kind you are, exclaimed
The young man, graspipg the others hand. MothS
er-LLcy-thunk General Washington for his
goodness, 10 sssEuo4.3tlsD noieaiAse'# ear
AS The General turned, and extended his hand;
he raised his hat from his head, and revealed TO
Mrs. Foitescue and Lucy well remembered coun
tepance, eH lailn7rf t4ra1 pa .9lsic -tft Be- rsl
sTis our stranger guesl!' they exelaimed,-
'Thanks-lhanks!' 1t was all they could utter,
sNot to me my dear madam, and you my tender
nurse-no, to me return thanks; but to Him WHO is
all goodness and mercyf'
u All tst,f .af{estya afl3 80 ll aG#U alii sagJ