Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-07-14
THE TEMprER AND THE TEMPTED.
BY J. T. HEADLEY,

1t was morning. bright cool, glorious
| morning in autumn--alter the terrible battle
Of Brandywine. and the greatful beams Of
the sun were gliding the tops of,the trees
which formed the great forest lying within
sight of the American encampment below
Princeton. The disastrous result Of the
memorable conflict had we'll nigh crushed
the hopes of the bravest colonists, and the
commander:in.c himself was dispirited
and heart-stricken.
Hundreds Of his brave companions in
arms had bitten the dust in that illfated
fray; many of the best officers had been
cut down the energies Of his spartan band
were crippled lutte + was appr roaching and
shr ii5ofiy pros.
pects. ne. soldiers were without shoes:
scarcely a. decent tent was left with the
array; the ground was frozen and rugged,
and as the men were forced over it, their
bare feet were exposed, and many a rueful
cash had caused bloody foot print to be
left behind them.
But on that lovely and bright morning,
within the edge of that broad forest, there
sat an aged royalist, whose sympathies had
lattcrly inclined towards the American in-
terests, but whose personal veal had until
now induced him to pursue al inactivity, a
neutrality between the two parties. And
yet this man had son in Washington's
camp mere boy in years, who had taken
his musket and joined the American forces
some months previously. The father had
learned of the defeat Of the colonial army,
he knew they had been forced to retreat,
and lie came to the neighborl,ood of the
army, which had halted an hour or two, to
learn if possible the fate of his boy.
He dare not approach too abruptly, and
having reached the deep wood at last which
lay between him and the distant camp, he
mounted knoll, from the summit Of which
he had view of the vanquishcd, but still
determined band, who had comportcd them
selves so valiantly, but little time pre-.
viously, but who were now fastening to-
wards Princeton. The fathers heart throb.
bed audibly, as he gazed beyond him at the
remains of the gallant army, and questioned
il his child was there, Or whether fate might
have numbered his body among the three
hundred noble spirits who had been sacri.
feed but few hours before on the field Of
battle. And as he strained his aged sight
far down toward the camp, white horse
suddenly came in view, aud approached at
length towardathc forest.
The figure which bestrods this noble ami.
NAL was commanding and -, and the
old man quickly noted that his foges 9
coat aud chapeau indicated him an Ameri
can officer. He was at the verge Of the
forest, and turning his steed aside, he Sc.
cured the animal to a tree, and disappeared
within the confines of the wood.
Who could it be, and what was his pur
pose at this hour alone in that dark forest
The man turned slowly about, and he re
ioiced that the intruder did not observe hin
for he could not satisfy his curiosity.
Tire stalwart form, the proud step, the
manly face, the solemn movement Of thu
stranger greatly interested the watcher, whe
saw that deep burthen weighed upon hi
heart, and as he looked again he saw tina
noble form bend low, and on his knee thu
old man heard George Washington send NJ
a fervent, earnest prayer to the God o
Battles, for the deliverancc Of his countr,
from war, opposition and peril-and arden
suppication in behalf Of his suffering coun
trymen.
A tear of sympathy gushed from th'
grey eye Of the royalist, but as he dashe'
aside the fallen drop, tile brave warrior ros
from his knees, and was slowly vending hi
way towards the spot where his steed wa
secured when another figure from an oppo
site direction suddenly hove in sight, an
halting, stood in the path Of tho America
), commander.in.c chief. -; =
), In, an instant the hand of W'ashingto
clasped his sword, ,hilt, and he would hay
!, drawn the blade from the scabbard, but til
!, man who confronted him motioned him J
:. kindness, and the warrior stood in hi
/. tracks. Drawing himself up TO Ills heigb
he gazed fora moment on the face. OF th
, other, and evidently recognised him, he e.
ol,;,,od with oridont eurnrise. y =