The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-08-30


home here in '76- but ! am forgotten
now!' .t..f.... aIl y.r
A transient gleam of anger flashed
from the veterans eye--but in mo-
ment it passed away, and the vacancy
of bis countenance returned.
"Where am L! Oh! have been to
take the gift of Congress--let me 60
and pay my debts before die" p
The gift!--here again his eye was
lighted--and his bearing spoke the
proud and wounded spirlt--broken, but
not subdued. An honest feeling of in.
dignation mastered him; striving, as if
strong in the pride Of youth, to avlod
the unfee ling and Impertinent curiosity
of the crowd who surrounded him, he
sunk exhausted on the pavement.
stake him to the police cGce tor
uagrant" said one OF the crowd.
"Take yourself off for an unfeeIing
brute!' said the honest fellow who had
first addressed the veteran. "But"
catching him by the collar as he essay
ed to walk away-"stop first and give
me the old mans pocket book! saw
YOU take it hand over, or l'Il tear you
limb from limb!'
"Throttle him. cried one Of the
crowd-'a scoundrel! roba pensioner!"
"Take ham to the police!' and the
old mans wallet fell from the culprit in
the scuffle. .....s.....,.. ..........
The pensioner was recognized by
some one in the crowd, and he passive
~ suffered EimseIfto be put intoa coach
He was conveyed to a shelter, and hav-
ing happily fallen into good hands, at
tention for a couple of days partially
restored his exhausted energies. An
indistinct remembrance OF the events
we have narrated fitted occasionally
across his mind, but he remembered
the events Of '76 better than those of
Yesterday. and the countenance of
those who had been his companions in
arms were more distinctly marked in
his memory. than the new ones he had
seen the day before. When about to
be put on board the stage to be con-
veyed home, his mind again wondered.
"Tha,'s right-carry me to Congress
give me my due. ] have fought for
it! Congress said should have it,!
The old mans wallet was put into his
hand. ..I..
"Oh, yes, knew ! should get it; they
could not so soon forget the old SOL
der; bot so ate-Iet me pay my debts
and die! can live no longer! But
somebody stole it--they got it away
from me; they couldn't do it fifty years
ago! but I've got i, now,havn'tI! No,
they didn't keep it-they would steal
the old mans money! They could
not keep 1.-THE God of battles would
blast them for it-God have mercy on
them-they didn't fight for it! Let me
pay my debts and die! My children
are all dead-my wife died in-in--the
poor house-and mel don't want to
live any longer--no body knows me
now-let me die!
The stage stopped at Hither-
to during the ride the old man had
been silent. Forgelful Of the present,
inattentive to things about him, his
mind was back among other scenes.
A long, long reverie--and one from
which he was never to awaken! His
lips moved rapidly, though no sound
was audible; inv vountary and spasmod-
ic emotions evinced the activity ofhis
mind. He was busily communlng with
the friends and reviewing the events of
youth. Poor old man? fifty years since
seemed TO him but Yesterday. One Of
the lone isolated survivors of another
race, he had no communion with those
around him. Dwelling upon the hard
ships, the privations, the dangers, the
escapes, the victories of another age.
his frame infrm and old, could not
support the recolIections, as once in
the day Of his strength, he withstood
Inc reauty.H }oloia is s.laoi aN it,s baod
-ap"Harkw wmurmured the old man. All
eyes turned towards him. He raised
himself on his staff and leaned forward.
His eyes beamed with supernatural an
imation, and contrasted fearfully with
his shrunken countenance; his hat had
fallen, and his silver locks moved on
the light air--his lips compressed, his
posture firm! Oh God! was il his death
struggled The roll Of a distant drum
fell on his ear-hs grasped his staff
firmly as once he held his firelock. A
bugle sounded clear and full beside the
coach--"For Congress and the peo-
pie, cha" His voice ceased, he fell
back cEi 10 his seat, husky rattling in his
throat succeeded-t.,,, Nh .,.,,,s !. .,i.,..,
The spirit Of the Revolutionary pat
riot had departed wv s,s NH, ,,s,gase