Richmond palladium., 1843-02-25

Gsa ppenring in The woods. Then came a squad
ron of horse, broken and rereating; and then or.
tiliery drawn at full gallop came into the road
/ The American flag flew from staffs stuck on ihe
gun carriages, and Annette knew that her coun
! Try men were defeated Louder and more feartu
now grew the uprcar of battle bevond the wood
and reg ginent after reg iment, broken and terrified
filed the road and were re,reating along il to
wards Chester, and past the cottage. Anuet'e'S
anxiety for her countrymen, aud for her father
and brother, would no, let her qui; her post; and
the tide of battle came rolling past her-a terrific
spectacle! The Dragons gsIioped by, each horse
man riding by himself, with his rens thrown up
on his saddle bow; then came the artillery ihun
dering along, followed by multitude cf soldiers
without order, flying at the top of their speed.
"Oh, shame shame" she cried with hot tears
in her eyes; "oh! that | were man, and in the
saddle, methinks my single arm would retrieve the
day! Where is Washingto ton? He certainly cam
not tly!'
AS she spoke, she heard on her right. down the
road, a loud, commanding voice, calling on the
retreating men 10 rally! She turned and beheld
Washington himself, who, hearing OF The giving
way of the right wing, had come up at the head
Of "A regiment snstainl 1t. HIS voice and pre-
sence now inslilied new life into The flying SOL
dierv, and they soon rallied in the road, and pre-
senied a front 10 the columns OF British tina, were
pursuing. General Howe, seeing this demonstra
ton Of resistance, and knowing Washington to be
there in person, withdrew from pursuit, satisfied
with having routed the wing. The American
troops then slowly retreaied IN good order towards
a strong position on he heights not far off
Annel,e was delighted to see ,ha, among those
who fled were neither her father nor brother; but
she panied 10 discover among the pursucrs
her false lover. who, seeing her at a distance
reined up hi, horse and turned aside hoping to
escape her notice. When she saw This, she resoI
we'd she would no, only ban.sh him from her heart.
bn, from her Thoughts But the resolutions Of
maiden in love, are made only to be broken, cspe
caIly when ,he lover is the objec, Of them.
1t was about eight O'Clock, The evening of the
battle. when Annette was seated 10 her door,
listening to every ioo,step expecting her father
and her brother. Ii was pleasant night, bu, the
time was sad one. She iancied ,he winds waf
ted TO her the means OF the dying and wounded,
from the woods aud fields around where the fgh
had been and her heart was full of forbodngs OF
evil to those dear 10 her. All at once she heard
the approach Of horses feet, and starting up with
soici,ous rxpec,ation-for she knew neither her
ia her nor brother were noun ted-she waited ner-
vously the advance of ,he horseman along The
road. He came at a very slow pace and as he
drew nearer she discovered by the light Of the |
moon that he was officer, and that his horse !
wounded. Instead Of passing the house to-
wards the town, he turned up 10 the door and rode
towards her. She was too familiar with scenes
Of danger, and the incidents Of those warlike
times TO feel Alarm and waited quietly his APP
proach TO the door stone.
Good evening maiden, - he said, with foreign
accent; IL pray thee give me your hospitality
brief pace-1 and my horse are both wounded.
a I'D he will carry me no further, fear"
There was something in the gentle tones of The
voice OF the stranger, we'll his noble figure
and engaging addr ess, that immediately Interes-
ted Annette in him; and without asking him
" he her he were friend or foeman, she invited
hin aight and ter the dwelling. With some
difficulty he go. to the ground, for his leg was /
stiff with his wound. She assisted him and re-
ceived III. grateful thanks. He Then examined
first his horses wound, and with her aid dressed
u, and had hun put into the shed and protected
from the nigh, air, with plenty OF hay. When
this done, he went with her into the house,
a nd submitted his foot md ancie, which had been
shattered By a cannon shot, TO the skill of the
mother and daughter. Annette then provided
him with refreshments, and made him comfor
"a BILE as possible, without knowing wheihnr he
were one of her couniry's aders or defenders;
ou, his for elgn accent led her to suspect that he
was the former. But Annette was Christian,
md she remembered and oheyed the injunction
Of Saviour-"lf thine enemy hunger, feed
him; If he thirst, give him drink"
The ensuing morning, the grateful stranger
was about TO leave. His horse was at the door.
much improved as we'll AS his master
INV swee, maid - said he officer 'you must
AXE gold, for can repay thy hospitality in no
other way"
&C ase To fight against my country IS All ask
sir,-' sad she warmly.
The officer smiled and said, shave you then re-
,ded mo fne, and still done all this for me!
-! have done ms duty. sH."
"Yon are a noble g,rl. and | am happy to let
YOU know you have thrown your benev"lence
away NJ on one undese.vinR Of IT, am an officer
under Washingi"n.'
The stranger then re.mounted his horse. and
was about taking leave Of her. and Annette had
/, on her tongue 10 ask him who he ~as. when
wo men made their appearance before the house
with guns and knapsarks.
Father and bro,her.'' cried she. jns fully re-
ceiving their emhracee. az they FASTENED towards
her, ..Whst officer ls this! he Gays he - under
Washington. /
The Young man glanced at his face. ~hich hao
been turned from them. and answered wi'h pride
and pleasure do Won MT know him! Ii IS Inc
: Dung French General. LAFAYETTE