Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-01-21

5elertc0 Gales.
From the Phil. Saturday Courier.
GRACE WHEATON /;
OR THE
Rebel Maiden and Loyal Hnzzar.
A story Of Philadelphia i'm th,
Revolution.
BY j. H. Ingraham.

BY ]. H Ingraham.
l"There be honest rebels and honest kings men !;
Fer if man be hones in his compunclons,
He 5 honest"
AT a window which opened towards the
western sky stood youth and maiden.
He was very manly looking and prepos-
sessing in his carriage and countenance.
He wore the uniform Of British officer
His tall and graceful form was bent ten
derly towards the maiden, as he listened
TO words which seemed to flow from elo-
quent and earnest lips.
She was fair, inconceivably. Small,
slight IN stature, she Tesembled classi
C cal statue, animated with intelligence, and
that nameless divinity that emanales from
purity of spirit and virtue of heart. Her
eyes were large, clear, and ofa blue so
heavenly, that one could not look into
them without thinking Of the azure skies
OF Italy, when stars are sparkling in their
depths.
Grace Wheaton was indeed beautiful
She was also as good as she was lovely.
Religion seemed to be the element in
which she lived, as the air is Of singing
winged birds, and like the birds she was
happy because she was snless; and like
them, her heart had wings Of Joy and
gladness, and in her song her voice ri
vailed in richness and glee their merriest
carol.
We speak of Grace rather as she vas
than as she is now, as we behold her
standing in the window, her hand in the
hand of The young English soldier. Chan
ges had come over her bright soul. War
had cast its dark shadow upon the land
and every patriot breast felt the chill -
She was not less good, not less cheerful;
but she had become also grave and had
learned to think.
Philadelphia had been six weeks in the
possession of the British army, under
Gen Howe. Grace Wheaton had re-
mained with her father in the city, with
other patriot families, for the British
General had promised protection to patri
OF and loyalist alike. Trusting in the
good faith ofthe Commander-in. chiel, Mr..
Wheaton, an eminent merchant of great
wealth had remained with his only daugb-
ter.
A young British captain Of huzzars, Of
noble lineage, being an Earl's son, four
and twenty years Of age, and possessed
by nature with accomplishments every
qualification TO win such heart as that
of Grace Wheaton, saw her and became
deeply enamored. The heart OF the
young American girl long strove TO resist
the power oflove, for she felt that TO place
her affections upon one who was in arms
against her country, would be unworthy
of her: for she dearly loved her county,
and all the sympaihies Of her true heart
were enlisted in its welfare. She tri-
umphed IN its triumphs; she sorrowed ~
its mistortunes. But she soon discovered
that her patriotism had found powerful
rival in her love for LindaIl Beverly. -
She could not conceal from herself that
the young soldier had found the key To
her happiness, and held over her pow
erful charm, that no reasoning, no resort
to patriotic pride, no resolution Of the
will could resist
Mr.. Wheaton, though pure patriot,
still, from certain policy and a natural
inclination to hospitality, kept open house
Tor British officers Of superior rank. BY
this course, he was enabled to obtain
from the British general favors and ex.
emptions for his fellow citizens, especial.
ly the poor and unfrended; and be thu.
proved their benefac,or, though twice II
week General Howe and his staff dined
at his table, and outwardIy seemed TO be
no better than the loyalists, his neipbbors
But Mr.. Wheaton was not insensible to
the interests of his bleeding country, and
while he was receiving the censures oi
his coun,rymen, he was in secret cor.
rcspondence with Washington, aud do
ing service to the army that attributed
materially to its subsequent successful
operations.
II IL was thus, while Mr.. Wheaton wa,
openly receiving the English officers n
his mansion, tha, Llndall Beverly form