Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1851-04-03
haliing, stood in the path Of the Ameri
can Commander.in Chief.

ton clasped his sword-hilt. and he
would have drawn the blade from his
scabbard, but the man who confronted
him motioned him in kindness, and the
warrior stood in his tracks. Drawing
himself up TO his height, he gazed for
moment on the face Of the other, and
evidently recognizing him, he exclaimed
with evident surprise:
"Sir William Howe2'
"The same-and by favor of his
Majesty, commander Of the British
forces in these colonies"
"The tool of an unwise sovereign,
who rolls in splendid oxtravagance and
ease while the poor coonsls who
should have been the objects of his es.
pecial regard, are starving throughout
the land" quickly added Washington.
"a truce TO this, sir" replied the
British General quickly. "His Majesty
seeks to put an end to the contention
and strife that unfortunately have ex'
listed too long here"
you speak truly" exclaimed Wash.
ington, interrupting the General, and
deeply interested in his words.
On my honor, sir, the King would
see this conflict speedily terminated,
and ! but repeat his words, when ! say
that he looks TO Washington for this
result-so desirable to the colonists and
The mother land"
The American General advanced
towards Sir William Howe--he looked
into his eyes--he measured his form
and thousand emotions Of hope, Joy,
fear, suspicion, momentarly thrust
themselves upon the mind of the saga
cious warrior.
What meant those words Of encour.
agemenl? Was Sir William Howe
insane? How came he therein that
forest at SO opportune moment! The
King--the British General-these as.
surances-this stringent mee,ing-who
bodied all this mystery2 But in his
hand Sir William held a roll Of rarch.
ment, and again he pressed upon the
American Generals notice, the kindly
intentions of his noble sovereign, King
George.
With nervous movement, as if he
distrusted the foul act himself, Sir VIM.
Howe, raised the pure white scroll, and
gazing intcn,ly into the face of Wash
ingtop, he moved The outer covering of
the parchment slowly and with evident
emotion.
you may end these hos,iities, sir:
you may confer a permanent peace
upon this portion of his majejesly's
dominions; you may crash the turbu.
ence which has shown itself in these
colonies, you may acquire a lasting
name for yourself-if you accept the
. overtures which | am authorized tt
, make from The King. Behold his sig
nalure" added the General, as he ex
posed the contents of the parchment
, and the eye of Washington fell upor
the protfer Of his majesty, King George
5 10 the Commander.n, chef of the
| American Army.
For an instant film seemed to pas
, over his sigh, as he gazed upon the
gilded document bearing the sign man
, ue and broad seal Of the King upon il,
face--and the American General passed
5 his hand to his brow, for he coulC
scarcely believe himself awake. Blu
the pang was momehtary, and instantly
! recovering he found the document il
. his own hands, upon which he read th'
words:-"1o our beloved servant, Duk,
), George Washington, Of Mount Vernon.
I He started back, groan burst from
e his lps-and the next moment III,
, parchment was torn into a hundred
, shreds, and lay beneath the American
n warriors feet.
n "Thus--thus answer your vile pro
a posa, Sir William HoweW exclaime,
f the gallant Washington, contemplious
+ ly, as he stamped the fragments in tn
= dust beneath his feet and the Britis
IS General quickly gave way before tn
excited, insuled man, whom he feared
c as The latter moved forward toward tn
IS outer verge ofthe wood.
e "This may be my answer to you
d wicked master. The blood of thou