Democratic banner., 1846-12-07


in helping to retrieve what had been unfor-
tunately lost.
"Go, my son. said he, Il am beyond SER
vice myself; but, like Abraham of old,
am willing to offer my son to the sacrifice.
Let the plea of protection 10 your parents
be no longer an cxcusc TO keep you from
the ranks Of those brave and devoted men
who follow Washington-rcccive our bless
inss, and bid farewell to your young wife,
whose love of her country l am sure can
not be less than her affection for you. If
Jou fall it is in a just and holy cause"
This was the heroic advice, but nowise
uncommon in tie mouths of our venerable
sires. George communicated his designs
to his mother, and afterwards to lis wife,
but the latter would not listen to his argyll
men's, and bcsought him no. TO leave
thcmto the mercy of the m~crccnary robbers
that over-run tie country in the neighbour
hood Of the British armies. Earnestly did
nc plead the necessity of his presence a.
mong those who were battling for the bless
inSs Of libcrty-to nothing would she list
en-no argument could convince her
What was a single man in a mighty strife.
Despairing End impatient, our hero at length
resolved TO leave for the army the ensuing
night, for this purpose he made the ncccs-
sary preparations for his departure. His
gun and knapsack were deposited in the
barn, and a letter of farewell which he
would leave to be read after his departure.
Midnight a: length came, melancholy
and gloomy TO George; but he arose from
his bed. % which lie had retired in the early
part of the evening to lull suspicion, and
his wife aficctionatcly as she lay
he hied to the barn, ~accoutrcd him.
self as well as his few equipments would.
allow, and was soon On tic way TO Join the
arIny He had not far 10 travel. as WASH
had cncamrcd within eighteen miles
Of Germantown, and BIZ: half that distance
of his own residence, and long ere daylight
on the first Of Oc,"hcr. he had presented
himself within the lines of Tie American
and made known Iii: d,sirc to enlist,
and that mornings revcillc, as it beat the
to rise, was answered also by the
presence Of Geo. Maiden.
But what CONSERVATION did the mornings.
dawn BRING TO tie hearts Of his wife and
parents! His non-appcarance was at first
scarcely noticed till the former perceived a
letter lying on the table directed TO herself.
George informed her Of his rcsolu-
ton, ard urged the necessity Of his assist
ing in the struggle for freedom.
"If fall" it said, "rcmember mel
shall die in a just and glorious cause. If
li,e-trust me l will be in the enjoyment of
Il frecman's glorious privileges"
Ere the letter was concluded, the forsak-
en- wife had fallen scnsclcss to the floor
The father felt a glow oil patriotic pride
thrill through lis heart his devotion in his
son, while the mother knclt and claspcdI
her hands in silent prayer.
The poor wife at last came to her senses,
but it was to wander about the house weep
ing, continually calling upon her husband,
and insisting that she should never see him
more. She was not a Spartan mould, and
possessed not those stern virtues which
prompted those ancient heroines TO lay
their last drop Of affection upon the altar Of
their country's freedom. No! she asked
nothing more than the love and presence
of her busband-a devotion that rcigned
paramount in her, permitting the presence
of none else. Full of grief, she could not
submit TO be left alo-e. The act must be
revoked that made him of the army. She
would seek him to come backto those who
loved him, and TO whom he was all the
world.
So, that same day, ere the sun had reach
ed the maridian, unknown to any one, She
left her home, and after three hours weary
travel. she stood beside her husband in the
camp, beseeching him to return. Those