Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-11-14


place, passed close to me, and while my
eyes were riveted on his poor wounded
hands, he whispered, with smile, shall
never forget: " Do not be caught med
ding again with the curtain, my little
man: for can tell you the master hits
hard when provoked"
ri fell on my knees and sobbed till I
was sent out of the room. From that
time forth became so ashamed Of my
cowardice and nervous weakness, that [
determined to make every effort to con-
quer it; and trust, by the blessing Of
God, have at length succeeded"
And l think you told u.s." said one Of
the guests, "that you never have seen
the noble and generous hearted boy
since 2"
Never. am sorry to say. He was
not in my class, and l almost immediate>
~ after, and very suddenly, removed from
Westminster. assure you. my friends"
continued Sir Patrick, and as he spoke the
tears were in his eyes" 1 assure you
my friends. l would give up much of my
fortune to be permitted to sec him once
more. trust I may yet have this happi-
ness 90 70.
At this moment the royalist prisoner
said: l assure you, your memory fails
you somewhat, for it was not one dozen,
but good two dozen that the master
gave me. 1 got it on the double allow
ance for not coming for it at once"
&c 1t is quite true-I remember it we'll,
said the magistrate. "But can it indeed
be true that at length behold him whom
| have SO much longed to see Yes, yes,
l recognize the features; nay, the voice
seems scarcely changed. But in what
position do behold you ? In what uni
form ?''
''In the uniform of my king. Sir Pat
rick, and in the position prescribed as my
duty as subject and best betitting a
gentleman and a cavalier. I followed my
father to the camp Of Charles and my
father died in his service. A similar fate
be mine, it is only, think, as it ought to
be-"
And so saying the officer resumed the
seat Fl ON which he had risen 10 make
himself known to his host and quietly
went on eating his supper.
During the remainder Of the evening
Sir Patrick was absorbed in thought, and
that night he left the castle without men
tiOning to any one in what direction he
was going or the object of his sudden
journey.
At the end of three days he returned
and ordered the royal officer to be brought
before him, who, during his absence,
had, by his orders, been treated with ev-
ry possible consideration. The prisoner
was the first to speak " l imp'ore you
by tho memory Of the past, as the only
favor l can now ask at earthly hands. 10
end this dreadful suspense, and to let me
know my fate, be it what it may nothing
can be worse than this delay. have to
thank you for your kindly courtesy but
l had rather not stay too long with you,
lest might learn to regret life"
Lord D. said the magistrate. in
tones Of deep emotion, twenty years
ago, you showed me your hands, and
said TO me. DO not be caught meddiiug
with the curtain again, for can tell you
the master hits hard when provoked ;
and today show you your pardon sign
cd by him who is the master in England
and in my turn say to you, Do not be
caught again with arms against the Par
lament, for can tell you Cromwell hits
hard when provoked"
At these words Sir Patrick and Lord
D. threw themselves into each others
arms, end scaled with this embrace a
friendship, which, Notwithstanding the
difference of their political opinions, re-
manned uninterrupted during the remain
der Of their lives.