The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-09-25

"Listen, Philp!''
"No cannot endure your presence longer!"
he cried vehemently.
These bitter words threatened to dry up the
fountain other soul, and obliterate the hopes
that he had allowed her to noursh towards him
Her proud nature had received shock that chill.
ed it's warmer currents and she stood as fixed as
a statue.
The door opening, two soldiers of the guard
entered.
"The court awaits your presence" said one,
advancing towards the prisoner.
For moment he seemed to hesitate, then,
folding his arms across his breast, he walked to-
wards the door.
There was apparently struggle in the maid
ems breast, as she saw him thus preparing to
meet the sentence that was to seal his doom, and
with cry Of horror she staggered back few
PAGES, when she was caug hit in the arms of the
soldier, just as the other, with the prisoner, had
left the room.
Entering another apartment, he stood in pres
ence of Washington, and jury of his country
men, composed of the officers of the Fort The
old soldier, his father, stood on one side, and as
he passed by, he glanced a, him, and then turned
his face away, to hide tear that gathered in his
eye
Washington looked at the prisoner for mo-
| ment, and spoke.
"The prisoner is arragned on the solemn
charge of treason. Bring forward the witness
es''
AS he pronounced these last words, the old
man heaved deep sigh, and stepped few PAGES
torward-and at the same time two young SOL
diers advanced with him.
| "You are the father of the prisoner" said
Washington, interrogating the old man.
He answered family, II am
ale was soldier of the American army?'
| "He was
Washington then turned to the other two wit
nesses, questioned the one.
"You arrested the prisoner
81 did, your honor
"Under what pretent?'
"You see, your honor, as how and my COM
rade here, was on guard. 1t was just getting
dark, when we something black moving
outside of our beat We watched little while
when it stopped. | thought, your honor, that il
might be a red coat, SO | hailed two or three
times; but it didn't say word; so | up with my
rifle and cracked away at him, and he started
towards the river, and l after him. had nearly
come up with him, when he turned and fired.
then rushed upon him, and we had pretty
heavy tussle; but the guards when they heard me
fire, had alarmed the Fort, and we soon had plenty
of help. We secured him, your honor, and yor
know the rest
"There were evidences of guilt about the per
son ofthe prisoner"
awe searched him, and found a letter, which
we gave your HONOR he REPLIED making in.
clination towards General Greene, who imme.
dia.ely handed the paper to Washington. He
read it aloud, of which the premises and purport
| were as follows:
"General Howe, desrous of obtaining a plan
of the Notifications of Forts Lee and Washing
ton, and location of the ground, he thought to
avail himself of the services of the young Amer
lean, whose affection for his daughter had led
him to desert his country, and made her the re.
ward; if lie succeeded. The letter contained in
structons and the conditions of the prize
Washington having submitted this, deep
silence succeeded. After a few moments delib
Grafton, during which all eyes were directed to
wards him, he announced the decision of thu
court.
n "The prisoner is found guilty of treason!'
These words sent thrill of pain to the hear
of the old soldier, and he stood as one transfixet
S but the prisoner remained unmoved
"Young man. resumed Washington, "have
you aught to alledge in extenuation for having
committed the crime?" &
The prisoner spoke not, and he continued:
"With one young it is indeed deplorable
and in any other case would call for an extenu
alton Of the court. For one to desert his coun
try, to engage III an act of treason against tina
country, is the highest offence recognised in th'
law Of man, and is punishable with the severest
penalty, WQlcn is Qeatn! lnere1Orc, Lle sen
tence of this court is that you be shot at sun
set"
AS Washington uttered the last sentence, hi
lips trembled, and the sternness of his nature
seemed to soften with sympathy for the prisone
and his aged father.
The prisoner passed from the room, and tn
; old man nerved himself to meet the crisis tha
t was to sever from him the only natural tie tha
bound him to earth He felt that it was grea
l>,,@. "a Al 1cl
try, and this one thought guided him in his fna
decision. He followed his to the prison
chamber to relieve his mind of the burden he fel
r pressing upon 1t.
"My son. he began, when they were lef
, alone, 'you little know the grief that racks my
,, soul, when | think Oft the inglorious death yol
are about to suffer-
"Speak not of this father, he said, leaning
forward on the old mans shoulders. "Forgive
the passion that led me to commit the act
OH that could engage in another battle;
live to bless you. But no! am Justly con
demned by tribunal ofmy country; and father
all now ask is your forgveness!"
The old man was moved to tears by this ap
peal, and in faltering voice he uttered
81 do, l do" and bowed his head upon tn,
youths shoulder. .s. .-.
"Listen, father,'' said the prisoner, assisting
TIE OlQ ludu TO q seat on the low palleL DeSlO
him, and will tell you of the passion thet LEI
! me to this crime"
81 have already heard it from the lips of he
i; who seduced you to betray your country. Las
night while guard at your prison door, sh
came and implored admitance. / refused hel
She then told me the story ofyour fall. l felt
could have spurned her from me; but then ther
was that gentleness in her tones that touche
s my heart, and I promised that she should Sc
: you in the morning
, Speak no more ofthis father. She wronge
! me, and in return have crushed her spirit!'T
'sNot that fair fower?''
;. eyes, father. She tempted me from the pa,
= of duty, and in moment of anger, that wa
n spurred by the. memory Of the past, discarde
y her-cast her off. Butno more Of this. mu
;, = brace myself to meet my death bravely, and sue
words only tend to melt and weaken me-
: "My son, said the old man, rising from h
seat, 81 bid you farewell, perhaps forever,
y ne faltered out. 81 cannot gaze upon you,
listen to your wordsthey move my SOUL
9 would speak of-of your mother; but no, far
! well! fare-well!' and with q faltering step