Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-04-05

he times and the places nave changed
since the period of our story but there are
those still living who point out the various
routes of the agents of Washington in GO
ing 10 and fro from the different encamp-
ments of the army. The road is still in
! preservation which he caused to be con-
structed for their convenience, four or five
miles to the north and west of the valley of
the Remapo, which was at that time in pos
session OF the British, whose foraging par
ties greatly annoyed and distressed the in
habitants of the district. There are those
who point out the path of Blanch down the
valley, and show point after point which he
passed, and how this and that position was
under the protection of our own troops, and
others were held by our foes. The walls of
stone are yet visible where stood the FORCES
sometimes worked by our enemies, and
sometimes by ourselves, in this region of ir-
on, as the district changed hands in the
I chances of war. Still do these mighty en-
! glnes of power belch forth their smoke and
flame from a hundred FORCES, making the
old woods to ring with the clanking of the
metal as they did more than a hundred
| years ago.
The battlements of Remapo no longer
bristle with artillery, nor resound to the
tramp of the sentinel the weary traveller,
as he descends the narrow dehle, no longer
trembles lest some outrage, justified by the
tumult of the times, be perpetrated upon
himself; but i'll place ofits ancient solitude,
disturbed only by the moccasincd feet of
warrior or hunter, and in place fthe pomp
and circumstances of war, the black and
fiery locomotive, like some huge dragon,
/, k,,x, Al ~.
way, and plunges into the gloomy defe,
leaving its thick vapors and breathings of
flame to mark the path it has trodden. The
footsteps of peace now mark this beautiful
and picturesque region, developing wealth
and enterprise sufficient to enoble any other
nation, but by us, unaccustomed TO limita-
ton, regarded only as a natural ard every
day affair. The Erie Railroad, one of the
grandest projects of any country, and the
largest in the world, when completed, cover
ing length of more than four hundred
miles, now threads the valley of she Rema-
! po passing under the very battlements once
held by our foes.
The stars of clear summer night look
ed softly downward as Blanch moved adown
the valley, and all the air was so still that
the sound of his horses hoofs broke upon
the senses with preternatural loudness at
once startling and annoying, hemmed in as
he was by the convergng hills, which upon
either side presented an almost perpendicu-
lar wall From their top and sides the stiff
pines shot upward, gloomy and unyielding,
their angular outlines afording no relief to
an excited fancy. The rapid torrent of the
Remapo rushed onward in its compressed
bed, and now and then screech-owl, start
ed by the unwonted sound of steps al such
an hour, tapped his heavy wings and sought
deeper shade. Forcbly did the appropriate
, imagery of scripture arise to his mind, as
thus in solitude and at midnight he moved
, along this narrow defle: Yes, though |
, walk through the dark valley of the shadow
) of death, will fear no evil, for Thou art
, with me-
Looking upward he perceived the stars
began to pale in the sky, and now was the
5 time to increase his speed as he neared the
$ ramparts. He put spurs to his horse, and
then checked him again, for he caught the
echo of hoofs gallopng behind him, AL
e ready the light cleaned through the term.
ination of the valley, and he heard the stir
!. ring sounds of the garrison, vigilant in their
early duty. Looking backward, the obscu,
4 rity prevented him from distinguishing the
:. form of the stranger, whether friend or foe
and he had hardly time to reflect upon Ell
| ther when the horseman dashed by him with
v speed that bailled pursuit but as he
N came into the faint light from the opening
e valley, Banch was appalled, to behold thu
square outlines of Jamie Haven tearing
S down the valley to the post of the enemy.
s. A terrible suspicion crossed his mind
y and he darted forward calling upon him t.
halt in loud voice. jamie paid no heed
e if indeed he heard the command and be
l. ing mounted upon fresh and vigorou
beast, left his pursuer far in the rear, whit
J. the valley resounded with the sharp rim
l. of the horses feet as the two approache
e the ramparts.
+ Should he prove traitorous,' though
lie Banch, drawing a pistol from his belt
e My God his treason or his mbecillty wi
be rulnous to the country'-and obeying tn
y terrible impulse, he discharged the weapon
to but Jamie was beyond his reach-and nov
is Blanch heard the loud challenge of the ser
at tinel-the roll of the drum, followed by tn
le sharp ring of voley of mushetry.
ut Sick at heart, he dashed onward and al
p rived in time to find the poor youth SUI
ly rounded by the enemy, who were liitln
+ him faint and bleeding from the ground
,g Springing from his horse, Blanch pushed a
IN aside and lifted the head of the poor boy
., his own arms.
c. jamie looked up, and loud and ghastl
n. laugh sent the blood in torrents from h
ld wound. 'Oh Mr.. Banch, got here fir
IN i have saved you. jamie had no friend
u he murmured, falling backwards.
IL The tears gushed to the eyes OF Blanc
nd MY poor boy dear jamie 7 he cried TT
Sc youth opened his eyes, smiled family, al
re was dead.
M There was such entire devotion in Il
III death of Jamie--based upon affection
ok single, SO Invested of all alloy, that Blanc
IN, found himself swayed by painful and CO
ay flcting emotions. He pitied, and this sen
,sy of pity was the more distressing that q
ell nobleness of the act allied to the hight
he heroism, and therefore, to pity was to
ull grade, while at the same time the actor "