Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-03-29


clustering abundantly about his high, but
somewhat narrow forehead Brows as fair
ly defined as those of girl overlooked a
full grey eve, which appeared black in the
shadow of its long curved lashes A nose
slightly aquiline gave an appearance of spir-
it to a face which otherwise might have
seemed too gentle-he was tall and lightly
made, with an air at once proud, yet respec-
full
Washington regarded the youth with an
evident look of surprised admiration, and
then glanced almost reproachfuly at Ham
iIton, as if he would say the sacrifice is
too great" it may be that the shadow of
the unfortunate Andre, SO Justly, but pain
fully doomed, fitted before his minds eye
whatever it might have been, he stayed
TO afiix his signature to document, which
he did, and then pushed the paper aside
Looking steadlastly in the face ofthe youth,
he began
i" 1t is no ordinary man that must serve
on this occasion. You remember the devo-
ton of Sergeant Champ"
Blanch started with something like impa-
thence, and answered with boldness and
promptitude which carried its own charm.
General, we all love and reverence you
there is not one in the ranks who is not
ready to lay down his life first for his coun-
try, next for your excelency-but to save
time, | must declare, for one can 90 on
no service that will cast stain upon my
good name"
Washington now gave gesture of impa-
tience. "Young mani honor your SEN
In ord,
tlal--but now we need men who can forget
all--forget kindred and friends, for coun.
try"
Turning to Hamilton he continued, -
Time wears-can you divine nothing fur
Their p
Hamilton touched the shoulder of Blanch
and they turned to the widow, while Wash
ington followed them with his eyes, his face
assuming an expression of intense melan
choly-both were eminently beautiful-botl
in the flush Of youth, and as they stood il
the pale light of the moon, there was some
thing still and unearthly i'll their sharp out
lines, as If coming events cast their shad
ows BEFORE" and invested each with ;
strange interest.
Hamilton would have spoken-but Blanci
frame, and with a faint smile broke the 81
lence--
"Say nothing, my friend. Washington
has made the only available plea Let NJ,
have ten minutes for thought. Call mi
when they are past"
Obeying the first warm impulse of hi
generous nature, Hamilton threw his arm
around the devoted youth, and whispere,
Good bless you, Banch."
The young man stepped out upon the pi
azza, where, leaning his back to the wall
he firmly clasped his arms to his breast, ant
his eyes peered into the distance withou
being fixed by any one object. 1t would b,
difficult to follow the train of thought u
image after image arose to his mind. ThC
gesture of Hamilton had disposed him to
degree of tenderness, and the first gushing
of emotion went forth to his mistress. True
she was capricious, scornful and petuent
but when did ever love ask counsel of wis
dom? Many were the discreet, comely, ap
preciating maidens of the neghborhood
but they lacked the underlined graces of Ka
/ trina Mercein, who queened it over her ad
lnirers with an easy assurance that kept VI
Il perpetual rivalry amongst the youth o
the village. Notwithstanding this, she hon
ored Wendell Blanch with such an exuber
ance of lreakishness, wit, and smiles, tina
all regarded him as the favored lover.
"True, that very day she had spokei
scornfully, even harshly, If voice so swee
and lips SO fair could be thus disposed Sh
had stlgmatized the cause so dear to TIT
cause of Blanch as rebellious, treasona
! I'll 81: Al IL,
supporters thereof, they, the half.clad an,
hali-starving army, who had left the peac
and the comforts of home, to march an
countermarch before a nobly equipped foe
to watch and fight and die-aye, die and b
forgotten, leaving only the result ofthe con
flict to brighten the hereaiter-men lk
these Katrina had stigmatized as "ridicu
lous rabble," " a host of ragamuflins," VIII
must soon grace the gibbet in return 70
their folly.
Blanch thought of these things bitterly
and his love waned as he recalled the scorn
full curve of her pretty lip, and the hashin
OF her bright eye coupled with words lik
these. lie remembered that she had int
mated that more than one British officer
(who had found the way to the house ofhe
tory father) had spoken of himself with ap
provo and that wealth and promotion mgl
both be his by change of service ii
felt no temptation here, rather bitter scor
for himself, that anything should Turk abol
him, by which another should dare coup
with him so base a thought. No, insight
cant as he might be, he was all freedoms
douby so when peril and shame were heaI
+ ed upon her cause-douby so when his ow
hopes were baffled
Then appeared the image of Katrina, a
she had sometimes appeared, gentle, VIII
ning, and most womanly, aud his mood so
tened. She is worth the winning"
said to himself, " but must not through h,
learn to despise myself"
: Suddenly the thought ofhis mission flas
ed like pang through his nerves. He W;
as yet unaware of its precise import
had only learned that some one superior
the ordinary soldier was necessary to sacr
= hce somewhat for the public good. The
Y came the images of Nathan Hale, of Hayn
e OF Andre, and others whose deaths h;
been such that the mothers that bore the
t might well shrink aghast, as if the shame
the mode might leave its blighting shan
: upon the soul, and forever blend shan
a with their memories True these we