Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-12-03
TIE YOUNG HEROINE.
A Romance of the Revolution.
A woman's hand is small and slight,
Her cheek is like flower,
But smaller odds have turned the fight
In many n dnanarafa hnur

II was during one of the darkest periods OF the
Revolution, when the main body Of the American
army was reireating through the Jerseys, that
council Of war held at the house Of plain far
mer by the name of Ashton. Although man of
but moderate means, John Ashton had made him
self name through all that section Of the country
as the most vigorous aud determined enemy Of the
pretended rights Of the British crown. And now
while the American army was in the neighborhood
his dwelling had been singled out as the favorte
residence of the commander in chief-an honor
which valued more by its owner than il all the
monarchs of Europe had combined together TO hold
their court under his roof.
After the council had broken up, and the subor-
dinate officers that composed il had retired their
quarters the commander.in-chief called Ashton to
his SIDE and inquired whether he knew any person
in the neghborhood who worthy to be intrust-
ed with a message of great importance. Mr. Ash.
ton studied moment ere lie replied, that there
was he thought, one individual who, il he could
be prevailed upon to act in this matter, might be
relied upon for his integrity aud hlulness though
it would probably take some hours before he could
be found.
"In how many hours will you engage to bring
him before me y said Washington, pulling out his
watch.
81 cannot promise in less than three hours" said
! Mr. Ashton.
at will do" said Washington, musingly, "a few
days and the crisis may be passed either for good
or for evil. cannot spare you three hours Ash
tou-cannot you find some other person in a
shorter time 2"
"No-I cannot think of any other in whom |
would have implicit confidence" said Ashton, after
a pause.
"Well. then, we must even risk il, l suppose
but bring him here as soon as possible, for delay
breaks down the bridge before the horsemen have
passed over"
81 will do my best-he is an able man that does
more" exclaimed Ashton he hurried from the
room.
While this conversation was going on, young
girl had been sitting, quietly sewing, at the window
OF the ROOM hardly noticed by either Of the speak.
ers. Il was the only daughter Of Mr. Ashton a
maiden Of seventeen summers, "the sweet rose oil
the Jerseys" as the young gaants called her. She
had listened attentiyey to the words Of w ashing
ton, and now after her father had departed, she
marked his unusually serious manner as he strobe
slowly up and down the apartment, unconscious oil
her presence The department Of Washington wa;
always calmly rious,-there none OF that quiv
ering Of spirit about him which marks more com
mon men when in the midst OF great enterprises
when the mind, like bird on pole exposed tc
the aim Of the marksman, Auters wildly and fear
fully,-no his soul kept its own tenor aud poise
even when set up, il were, a mark for fate L
But now the counienance Of the great commando
, wore that shade Of gloom which il did aiterward
when the news came of Arnold's treason for back
wards, backwards league after league, had that on
little army, the lorlorn hope Of America, been drv
en- and false lips were sullying his wisdom and in
tegrity in the eyes of TOO many Of his countrymen
and the undaunted spirit that had nerved thei
hearts up TO this trying hour, was beginning Il
bend beneath the weight Of continued adversely AM
woe.
: ''Oh my poor country p exclaimed Washington
: at length in a smothered tone, as he sank into
chair, and shaded his face with his hand
h Mary Ashton started these words fell Upo
a her ear but knowing they were uttered in entr
l Inconsistencies Of her presence she kept her sea
i quietly for few moments, and then stole soItl
: from the room--entered her own chamber, aud 50
: down upon the bed breathlessy.
- "And have things come, then, TO such fearfI
J. crisis" thought the young gIrl-ior she knew thu
i no common por,ent of evil could have drawn sue
J, an exclamation from the heroic heart Of Washing
ton,-"Oh, my poor country ~ IL bearded me
% should utter such mournfu prophecies of wo'
o should not women and children weep bitter tears
~ So thought Mary Ashton, and she buried her fac
in the bedciohes and wet them from her overflow
ing eyes. For these were times When wives an
daughters and mothers felt that they had as gree
stake in their counlry's cause as their husband
and fathers and sons. There were times when III
fame Of liberty, like strong fire in the fores
caught from iwig to twig and cnwreaIhed with i
brilliant light each bough and little teudrl as we
: as The tall and massive column that sustained an
) bore up into the fresh air and sunshine the iree.-
And so ali, men, women and children, we're ill,
with living enthusiasm, aud felt how glorious
thing il was to die, if need be, for ones country
: even so, that mothers girded the deadly weapon u
y, on their sons and the betrothed sent her young 10
La frnf. kar EtaOt hat M
E. chance he might fall in the fury of the bloot
charge. and she see him never more But Ihl