The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-10-03
MISCELLANY.
From the Ladies National Magazine.
THE INNKEEPER'S WIFE.
A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.
BY JOSEPH D. COBB, ESQ.
CHATTER 1.

/ the heNOlutlOni ana curing the whole OF that
eventful struggle it had been favored resort
of the travellers, and of the soldiers passing to
or from the scene of action.
During the war; the proprietor of this an
cient establishment was Major Joseph Moore,
an Englishman by birth, but known through
out the struggle for independence as an I'M
wavering and active Wing, though holding no
office in the army, or under Congress In
times of dismay and general misgiving, when
the Old Dominion was crowded with hostile
troops, and the wearied, halffamished troops
of Greene & Lafayette were everywhere driven
| before their victorious arms-this old gentle
man took heart of grace by greeting daily
with his morning cup mserably painted pic
turs of Gen. Washington which adorned his
parlor mantle, and encouraged his desponding
neighbors by examples of daring and cease
less activity in serving the good cause. He
had provoked, to an irreparabe extent, the
vengeance of the British and IIessian officers,
not only by adroitly Guiding their most eau
tious searches, but by his zeal in forwarding
provisions Of food and clothing to the suffer
ing troops OF his adopted country. From the
beginning, lie had calculated the price of his
adhesion TO the colonial authorities, and brave
~ resolved TO meet the issue Of his patriotic
decision by the sacrifice Of all he owned if
such became necessary. Whilst his pursuers
were in the neishborhood, he was often forced
to take to the woods with his negroes and stock,
where he would live for days and weeks in a
large cave, the existence of which was known
| to none but staunch friends.
When it is told, that during these ever re-
curing absences, the young wife of this deter
mined Wing reSolutely kept by her troubled
board, steadily dscharging her duties as mis-
tress and landlaly, it will easily be conjec-
tuI ed that she could have been none but an
extraordinary woman, such as, in those days,
stamped an undying influence on their neg
lectcd and moderated sex. The writer OF
this sketch recalls at this period with peculiar
pleasure, not unmixed with some pride, many
tale of the heroic fortitude and Spartan
courage which distinguished his venerable an
cestress, and charmed many an hour of his
youthful days. She was emphaticaiiy aco-
man Of The Rerol,ttion.
Unlike her husband, who was originally
| ship-bui!der, she was wcll-born and inherited
an ample fortune. In the earlier years of mar
riage She had TO endure the reflection, not a
little Notifying to her pride, of being thought
welded to a man rather beneath her station
and pretensions. But after the war broke out
| and laudatiers were showered on her husband
for his indomitable cxertions, both by his neigh
bors and by officers Of the army who had ex-
| perienced the benefit of his aid, all pompous
clamor was silenced, and his station was con-
Sidered suited to any family. Pope's famous
cOuplet was never moro strikingy illustrated
Than by kis history.
"TIonnr and worth fom condition rise;
| Act well your part, there all the honor lies
The year 7S1 was prolific in important G.
| 60 A., LII nj
ginia was all anxiety. On one side she was
held in terror by the naughty and ruthless
Hessians under Sir Henry Clinton, expect
ing hourly invasion and devastation whilst
on the other, The fierce veterans of Cornwall
lis and the 'invincible legion of Tareton threat
ened to crush all within their reach. Greene's
army, that heroic column which had fought
through all obstacles, and suffered and bled in
utter despair of all relief; which had defed
the discipline of British regulars, the pangs of
famine, the fury of the elements, the pitiless
severity of the seasons, naked and half armed,
and had triumphed over all; this army, hS6y
pursued by CORVALLIS, was in the neighbor-
hood. In the very sight, and under the guns
of their incensed enemy, they had crossed the
| Dan, and the whole country rang with shouts
of exultation at the brilliant feat. The stur-
dy Wing population of the surrounding coun-
ties poured out en- mdSSc, to relieve their wants
in foed, clothing and accoutrements. The ex-
piring spark of patriotism was rekinded. and
the torch of freedom and of the revolution
burned with new vigor.
As may be supposed, these circumstances
and their results, so well calculated to counter
vail the recent depression, which was vainly
thought the prelude to universal dismay and
fsubmission, greatly exasperated the British
leaders, and they wreaked vengeance iE WAYS
utterly repugnant to all rules of civilized war
fare, and degrading to humanity. Houses
were ransacked, beds ripped open, furniture
spoiled, and provisions and property destroyed
without discrimination and without mercy.
, Parties were sent to scour the country, who
scrupled not to murder or impriSon the men.
or insult the women. It was time for the
daughters of America to summon all their for
titude; for husbands, fathers and brothers, un-
prepared to provide for or protect them under
the rapid assaults and sudden onsets of the
British cavalry, were forced without choice or
remedy, to leave them to what meagre courtesy
and forbearanee their sex or their situation
could extract from nheir fierce invaders. Nor
did woman's fortitude and courage fail or finch
in these appalling emergencies.
Now ii so happened, that OH a cold night in
The year above named, whilst our family at the
Ordinary were quietly seated around the
cheerful Preside, engaged doubtless in recount
ing the stirring news developed at each day
close, negro who ha6 been on the lookout,
} entered breathless and trembling, with the un-
welcome and ever terrifying announcement,
that the red coats under Tarleton were in the
neighborhood, and might ride up at any mo-
ment.' All was instantly alarm and confusion.
The wife refused to sleep in such suspense,
and bracing herself against the depressing ef-
fects of unnecessary fear, actively sbetted her
husband in his preparations for flight. In a
short time all was ready, and filed with mel
ancholy presages, the husband and wife babe
a silent adieu, each resolved toencounter with
firmness their respective duties and difficulties.
Not a living thin which could lay claim to
the name Of property was left on the premises,
if we except an old negro and bis wife, who
volunteered to remain with their mistress.