Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-09-21
der with his inverted thumb to the door of the OBJ

serVatory.
Much about the time he had promised to return
crash, was heard upon the stairs land Finnegan'
voice in high key exclaiming, "The curse o'bla
zes on you for stairs, and hell presume all the reb
els in Europe, pray heaven this night! There
my nose broke between you ALL" He then stoop
ed down, and in torrent of imprecations-al
conveyed, however, in mock oaths, he collecte
and placed again upon the tray on which they ha
been, all the materials for Hewson's supper. IL
then ascended, and on presenting himself at tn
prisoners door, the blood was copiousy streaming
from his nose. The soldiers-who by the wa,
were yeomen-on seeing him, could not hel
laughing at his rueful appearance-a circumstahc
which seemed to nettle him good deal. eye
may Taught" he exclaimed, ''but I'd hould wa
ger Pve Shed more blood for his. Majesty this nigh
than either of you ever did in your lives"
| This only heightened their mirth, in the lnids
of which he entered HRwson's room; and ere tn,
action could be deemed possible they had exchang
ed clothes.
"Now,o said he, "f1y. Behind the garder
Miss Moore is waiting for you, she knows all
Take bridle-road through the broad bog, an ge
into Capt Coney's demesne. Take my advice
too, and go both of you to America, if you can
But aisy. God forgive me for pulling you by th'
nose instead of shaking you by the hand, an mt
may never see you more"
The poor fellows voice became unsteady witt
emotion, although the smile at his own humor wa:
upon his face at the time.
"As came in with bloody nose, "he proceed
ed, giving that of fHewson fresh pull, 'you know
you must 90 out with one. AM now Gods bless
ING be with you Think ofone who loved you a:
no one else did," ~.
The next morning there was uproar, tumult
and confusion in the house of the old loyaist mag
istrate, when it was discovered that his daughter
and the butler were not forthcoming. But when
on examining the observatory, it was ascertained
that Finnegan was safe, and Hewson gone, nc
language can describe the rage and fury Of Moore
Irwin, and the military in general. Our readers
may anticipate what occurred The noble fellow
was brought to the drumhead, tried, and sentenc-
ed to be shot where he stood but ere the sentence
was put in execution, Moore addressed him =
"Now, Finnegan," said he, 81 will get you off,
if you tell us where Hewson and my daughter are.
pledge my honor, publicly, that I'll save your
life, and get you free pardon, if you will enable
us to trace and recover them"
81 don't know where they are," he replied,
''but even if did, would not betray them"
''Think of what has been said to you," added
Irwin. 81 give my pledge also to the same effect"
Mr. Irwin" he replied, 81 have but one word
to say. When did what | did, knew very
we'll that my life would go for hiss an knew
that if he had thought so, he would be standing
now in my place. Put your sentence in execu-
ton am prepared"
..Take five minutes" said Moore. 'Givo him
up and live"
- I, arJ
gy which startled them, slam his foster brother."
appointed place, calm and unshrnkng, and at the
first discharge fell instantaneously dead.
Thus passed spirit worthy of place in a
brighter page than that of our humble miscellany
and which, if the author of this lives, will be more
adequately recorded.
Hewson, finding that the insurgent cause was
becoming hopeless, escaped, after two or three 9TH
er unsuccessful engagements, to America, instiga-
ted by the solicitations of his young wife. Old
Moore died in few years afterwards, but he sur
viyed his resentment, for he succeeded in reconci-
ling the then government to his son-n- law, who
returned to Ireland and it was found by his will,
much to the modification of many ofhis relatives,
that he had left the bulk of his property to Mrs.
Hewson, who had always been his tavorite child,
and whose attachment to Hewson he had himself
originally encouraged.
There are two records more connected with this
transaction, with which we shall cease. In nor
thern newspaper, dated some fifteen years after
wards, there occurs the following paragraph:
.AFFA1R OF HoNoR-FATAL DUEL.-Yester-
day morning, at the early hour of five o'clock, a
duel was fought between A. Irwin, ESQ.,, and j.
Hewson, Esq, of Mooredale, the former of whom,
we regret to say, fell by the second fire. We
hope the words attributed to one of the parties are
not correctly reported-'The blood Of Frank Fin
negan is now avenged"
The other record is to be found in the church
yard o., where there is a handsome mon
ument erected, with the following inscription:
'Sacred to the memory of Francis Finnegan,
whose death presented an instance of the nobest
virtue of which human nature is capable, that of
laying down his life for his friend. This monu-
ment is erected to his memory by James Hewson,
his friend and foster brother, for whom he died."