The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-09-25
SACRIFICE OF AN AMERICAN FATHER,
A STORY OF TIE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

that their cause had experienced in the tedious |
campai gn that had just preceded. Washin rton |
had retreated from the White Plains, and had
distributed his troops in and about Forts Lee
and Washngton-the strongholds which COM
mand the entrance to the Highlands of the Hud-
son, above New York city.
1t was just after dusk, of the evening prece-
ding the attack on Fort Washington, and near
the middle of November, that prisoner was
brought before the commander, Genral Green,
OF Fort Lee. He was youth, tall in stature,
and of Herculean frame. His features wore on
this occasion an expression of deep detection,
yet there was smile of scorn playing about the
lips that seemed to bid defiance to the fate which
he knew awaited him. AS he was led into the
presence OF the commander, his head bowed
upon his bosom, and he stood before him like
condemned felon.
"Young man, said the General, "vou have
been guilty eff treason-treason against your
country, against that honor which every true
America holds most dear. Have you anything
to say?'
The prisoner remained silent, and the General
again spoke.
'"Conduct the prisoner to the guard-room, to
await my summons in the morning. and he
| was led off to his cell
That night Washington arrived at the Fort
and in conference with several of its officers,
when person, dressed in the apparel of an
American soldier, rushed irto their presence,
and with the accents of an agonized heart, broke
| forth
''Save the prisoner, implore you!'
| "What means the woman?' for the features
and the long hair that had fallen from conceal
ment, as she lifted thoughtlessly the close cap
from her head, discovered the sex; "what means
the woman?' said Washington, turning and re-
peating the question to Genral Greene
"a traitor who was just led to prison. We
will attend to his case Tomorrow
"Justice will be done him. said Washington,
gazing on her as she stood in abstraeted mood.
| "Young woman what could have led you risk so
hazardous enterprlse?''
ssTo save him." she answered, looking wildly
around. ''Say, is there not hope?"
! "AWalt the morning. In the meantime resume
the garments becoming your SEX said Wash
ngton, as he arose and led her to an adjoining
room, where she was received by couple Of
females.
The prisoner had been conducted, agreeably
to the order of General Green, to the guard
room. AS he passed through room leading to
that of the prison, an old soldier glanced at him
| with sudden movement, as if about to speak,
then turning away as one having committed an
indlscretiou, he walked to the other side of the
room, till the prisoner had quilted it,
AS the hours of ofmidnight shrouded the Am
erican camp in their deep gloom, an old soldier
of the guard paced to and fro before the prison
door-pausing anon, and placing his hand to his
wrinllled brow, he stood as one involved in some
great dilemma-on one moment he placed his hand,
as if about to open the door, and then again
resumed his walk. Once more, with resolution
fixed, .ic advanced and unbarred the door, and
entering with like prccaution, closed it.
The prisoner was seated low pallet in
one corner of the room with his head resting
on his hands; and, as the old soldier entered, he
raised it quickly, and glanced at him, and then
again bowed it upon his hands. There was q
faint ligh hit buring on low stand close beside
him, and shedding its Pickering glare around
made the wretchedness of his lone lot appear al
most appalling.
The old soldier approached him-he raised his
: head, and for an instant their eyes met
"Father!' murmured the prisoner. and the1
again let fall his head, in kind of dreamy apa
thy:
'My son, said the old soldier, "for by the tie
of blood you are my son-would to God [ coulc
feel proud in calling you that name' and he turn
ed away, while tear glistened in his eye
81 have wronged you!'' exclaimed the prison
er, starting at these words, "but-but, it was
my fate" and he again rclapsed into stupor.
"My son, when you were but lad had Of
ten looked upon you with the thought that 20,
would one day prove blessing to your father
a staff on which he could lean in his old age, ant
feel proud of such support But no-the princ
pies that | inculcated in your youthful breast
have been choked by the weeds of thrifty pas
sion, and am left alone!
"Heap your maledictions on me, father-spu,
my distracted thoughts on to more fearful cri
sis--despair has seized me, and feel deeply my
desolation."
IL could free you, my son. But no; you have
betrayed that honor which your father holds mos
) sacred-that of your country-besides my duty
| I..4 I.l
lived to see my son traitor!" and the old man
turned, and slowly left the room.
The prisoner now threw himself across thu
, bed, and was soon wrapped in profound slumbe
that sleep in which the mind sinks after Sc
we're shock-a prostration of the senses, that
when awakened, recovered dart such acute
pangs across the brain. Thus did he remain til
morning; and when its grey streaks stole through
the small apertures ofhis prison chamber, he
started from his bed; an overwhelming sensation
crowded his brain, and staggering few PAGES
forward, he fell PROSTATE on the floor.
At that moment a female form glided into the
room. Her features were pale and haggard, as
from intense suffering. Kneelng, she raised the
body partly from the floor, and gazed upon the
convnlsed features. els he dead!'' she murmur
ed-"no lie moves!'' she exclaimed. But he1
hopes only bouyed for an instant-thert
seemed to be pause in nature-he was motion
less-his muscles stiffened, and his eye-balls be
F came fixed with CLASSY stare.
"Oh, God! he is dead' she uttered, as she fel
across the body.
A deep silence, as of the chamber of the dead
now regned throughout the room, and was dis
turbed only by the sharp rattle oft drum
sounding reveille. . slE&
These notes, as they fell upon the still air, sen
a thrill through the maiden, and she startet
quickly to her feet. els this the signal of hi
DOOM" she uttered, gazing wildly around, "Phil
ip dear Philip she cried, frantically, agai,
kneeling by his side, and pressing her hand upor
his white forehead. r0,..r. ...-
The body now twined with a sudden tremo1
f and the quick breathing denoted the return O
life. For moment the maiden watched wit
almost breathless silence. Another shudder, tha
appeared to shake the whole frame, now cours
ed through the body; the respiration becam
stronger, and the eyes began to roll as in deli
rum. r, ..sa45 ..,,. ~ b
"Philip! dear Philip" the maiden again criet
"Do you not know your Marion'''
4 "What!" he exclaimed, starting in reelin
& position from the floor.
.come, aee,' she said, eagerly assisting hi,