Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-03-19

dlers lying upon the grass near the door OF the
! farmhouse
George had not gone quarter of amile when
he met Catharine.
Whittier were you going! he asked surpri-
sed, at meeting her.
TO share your fate. | could not remain a.
way and hear the firing and not know where
and how you were. Has the enemy passed
| byF
Yes, but their Colonel has fallen by my
handp
ooh, George Have YOU slain MANI Do
you confess it, Oh what fearful thought
But it is war, and we must look on things with
different eyes But l shudder as look at
you!
Indeed you ought mott But it is dreadful
thing to take human life. hesitated to fire, but
| thought Of my country, and how he was her
invader, and that his fall would greatly aid us,
and fired
Did he fall dead!
Il do not know, indeed, if he be dead
am now going to ride back They enemy have
passed on, and | must Join in pursuit. Look
around, and see the people running across
the fields from hill to hill following on the track
of the foer
'The very hedges and walls seem alive with
men and ever boys with guns.
Yes, boys feel themselves men to-day. ]
must 90. Return to your uncle's, dear Kate!-
Tonight I will see you again
The maiden would have spoken, but he was
ont Of bo1rino bo 4,,rnod L,ol- fou, cto,g
until he passed out of sight, when she once more
took the pathway towards her dwelling. She
approached cautiously and with fear. The noise
of the firing was full mile distant from her,
and only here and there could be seen farmer
on foot or mounted on his plough horse, without
a saddle, Fastening to join in the pursuit with
their countrymen
4 Step by step slowly Catharine Acton advanced
7 towards her house She passed through the
garden and stopped near the porch, and listened
attentlycly. All sounds Of war were stilled She
I took courage and entered the house. She pas
sed not without palpitatng heart, to the from
= door, and looked cut. In the road she saw ly
ing two bodies in scarlet uniforms They were
stiff and dead, She closed her eyes with shud
} der. A groan reached her ears, and looking il
Q the direction, she saw seated upon the well-curl
C the wounded soldier
r lie could not speak, but pointed to the waite
and then to his parchcd lips. In an instant SIT,
forgot all fear She remembered only her hu
mainly The soldier wore the uniform of tn
; invaders, but she only saw in him the image 0
II Christ She fastened to the well, and, DRAWN!
j. up water, gave him to drink, holding the buckle
, to his lips. When he had drank, he thanke,
d her with few grateful words, and then ponte
c to an elm a few feet distant She looked in tn
d direction, and saw wounded officer, whom b.
t. his elegant uniform she knew must be of hg
y rank. lie sat supported by the tree, and pal
S as death, His hand pressed a han dkcrchief re-
S with gore against his breast His eyes faint
S regarded her, and once or twice he made an e
l. whom her lover had shot.
The remaining grenader had fled and left hir
d to perish alone
G As soon as Catharine saw him she felt assure
n that it was the officer who had fallen by George
o rifle She fastened to him with prayer tina
nC Ill1Hl IlhC anu llOl ulC CHC Otu lieu WulC
n in her hand and placed it to his lips. He rev
+ we'd and family smiled.
e AT this moment village surgeon and thrc
= men rode by in pursuit Catharine with diff
Guilty prevailed on him to stop and examine an,
y dress the wound. He pronounced a possibiIii
c of recovery.
+ But it is bad policy, Miss Caharine, he SAT-
: to take such care of our foes. But ] will he'll
you with him into the house and dress hi
S wound but you must be answerablc for his ap
pearancc if he lives, as lie is prisoner of war
It i will answer for his appearance, sir repli
= ed the noble girl.
CHAPTER II
The wound of the officer did not prove to b.
= fatal. Owing to the kind care and nursing o
e the lovely girl, aided by George, who was quit
:, as anxious to save his life as she was he recov
; cred, and was in few weeks exchanged. A
- he took leave of her. he placed upon her finger
= costly and singular looking ring, saying
Should you or any one dear to you get int
trouble during this war, and it is in my power Il
aid you, will do it. Whoever bears this rim!
to me shall be my friend.
Two months after his departure, George an,
three other daring young men, who had formc
. plot to seize the person Of General Howe b
= entering the town in disguise, were discovered
imprisoned, and George, as their leader, was sen
fenced to be shot as spy
An hour before he was to have been led fort
i to suffer the sentence, Colonel --- sought al
interview with General Howe-He told him tn
, history of his being wounded, and how his lif
, was saved by Catharnc Acton, and that he ha
= promised her his influence and aid whensoeve
she should send him ring he left with her, O
ask for it in behalf of herself or others il
person.
, Just now,' continued the Colonel, 4 hay
h had this ring presented to me by young farmer
8 with letter from her asking pardon for Georg
l..n