The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-04-19


and this should unite your sympathies will
us. at least
You need not speak, dear Annette.
am resolved in battle to draw nv sword 70
my KING. CORVALLIS and Howe are nov
+, within few leagues, marching on-Wash
) Ington and his forces have taken ground t.
, oppose his passage of the Brandywine-ant
Tomorrow the battle will take place, anc
Philadelphia be in our hands,
The MAIDEN was silent for an instant, with
her face hid 3; at length she spoke, and SAID
gravely,
Dear George, feel as if | was called
: upon TO sacrifice my love for you TO my
country's honor How can love my hlee.
5 ding country, and at the same time him
whose sword is ready to pierce its bosom
Turn, for my sake, George, land be an Amer.
| lean in heart as you are by birth, and as you
should be in honor
You need not urge me, impatiently; |
will never draw my sword in favor of reb-
ell cause
Be it so, and pledge myself never TO
give my love TO traitor answered the
maiden, with spirit. Thus perish the troth
that has been plighted TO one who has pro.
we'd false TO himself and his country' And
thus speaking, the spirited girl took from
her finger her betrothed ring, and cast it at
J his feet
The young tory lover looked upon her
with surprise and anger, which. as he saw
her re>entering the dwelling with resolute
step, without even casting glance upon
him, instantly changed into one of entrea-
ty.
Stay, Annette, do not leave me thus
You are not surely in eancst. Come back,
and LET me talk with thee. you can thus
idly break your troth, love you too well to
do so myself.
You love me, George Lee' she repea-
ted with scorn, you love me when you
are now ready to 60 forth and draw your
weapon and aim your rifle at the hearts of
my father and brother, who are in the ranks
of Washington, ready TO do and TO die for
their country Out upon such love ] will
have none of it ! Go traitor to love and TO
honor fight for thy tyrant King George,
and be his slave as he is thy MASTER
With these spirited words, the young girl
entered the house and closed the inner door;
thus shutting out all further speech with her
unworthy and recreant lover. The young
volunteer of toryism stood for a moment
looking both mortified and angry, and hap
pening to see the ring at his feet, in the sud
den and bitter feeling of the moment he
ground it into the earth with his iron heel.
Yes, let it and her perish, if they will
| fool IN, loya rahala Ja,rbfar nj
a rebels sister,
Thus speaking, he strobe modify to the
elm before the door, where his caparisoned
horse was standing, and vaulting into the
saddle, spurred AT full speed away in the d.
rection of the British army.
The following day, the country for miles
around the cottage was echo'ng with artil-
lery and roar of musketry. Two conflic-
ting armies were engaged in deadly contest,
close at hand, and in the scene of death and
horror Annette had a father, brother, and
shall we say tia lover: for though
her patriotic feelings made her cast him Off
her affection still retained his image in her
heart. On all sides columns were charging,
engaging, Ietreating, and still came in
the direction of the road that led past the
cottage.
Annette was part of the time fearfully
watching the clouds of smoke that marked
the progress of the combatants, and part of
the time on her knees in prayer for those
she loved and was George Lee excluded
from that petition Let each maiden's own
heart answer.
Nearer and nearer came the sound of ar.
tillery, and The roar of the battle Sne
stood with her aged mother and gathered
neighbors. upon the green beneath the elm,
in painful expectation. The smoke of the
battle field rolled onward, and now they
could hear the shouts of the soldiers in the
fight. Their position commanded view
of mile along the road, and soon they be.
held scattering troops flying across it, at it:
extremity, and disappearing in the woods
Then came a squadron of horse broken and
retreating; and then artillery, drawn in full
, gallop, came into the road. The American
, flag flew from stats stuck in the gun car
/ riages, and Annette knew that her coun
! trymen were defeated. Louder and NOR
fearful now grew the uproar of the battl,
= beyond the wood, and regiment after regi
ment, broken and terrified, filled the roa,
t and were retreating along it towards Ches
Ter, and passed the cottage. Annette's anx
) iety for her countrymen, and for her fathe
and brother, would not let her quit her posi-
and the tide of battle came rolling past he
: "a terrific spectacle! The dragons gal
a loped by, each horseman riding by himself
e with his reins thrown upon his saddle bow
S then came the artillery laundering along
S followed by multitude Of soldiers withou
s order, flying at the top of their speed.
e Oh, shame shamep she cried, wit
e hot tears in her eyes. 'Oh that were
5. man, and IN the saddle, methinks my sin
gle arm would retrieve the day Where
is Washington He certainly cannot fly I!
De As she spoke, she heard on her RICH
b. down the road, a loud commanding voic,
I'd calling on the retreating men to rally Sh
is turned and beheld Washington himself,wh,
hearing of the giving way of the rigt