Washington telegraph., 1855-08-15

anu AHdp>dch were deposited IN the barn,
and letter of farewell written which he
would leave to be read after bis departure.
Midnight at length came, melancholy and
gloomy to George but be arose from his
bed, to which he had retired in the early
part of the evening, TO lull suspicion, and
kissing his wife affectionately as she lay
asleep, he hurried to the barn, accoutred
himself as well as bis few equipments would
allow, and was soon on bis way to Join the
army. He had not far to travel, as Wash
ington had encamped within 1S miles of Ger
mantown. and but half that distance from
his own residence. and long ere daylight on
the first of October. he had presented him.
self within the lines of the American army,
and made known his desire to enlist, and
that mornings reveille. as it beat the time
to rise, was answered by the presence of Geo.
Madden.
But what CONSERVATION did the mornings 8
dawn bring 20 the hearts of his wife and pa
rents His non-apppearance was at first
scarcely noticed. till the former perceived
letter lying ON the table directed TO herself.
wherein George informed her of his resolu-
tion, and urged the necessity of his assisting
''f | fall" it said. remember me-
shall die in just and glorious cause. If l
live-trust me it will be in the enjoyment
Of a freeman's glorious privileges "
Ere the letter was concluded, the forsak-
en- wife had fallen senseless to the floor
The father felt glow of patriotic pride
thrill his heart at this devotion In his son.
while the mother knelt and clasped her
hands in silent prayer
The poor wife at last came TO her senses,
but it was to wander about the house weep
ing. continually calling upon her husband,
insisting that she shOuld never see him more
and marveling at his cruelty in deserting
her She was not Of Spartan mould, and
possessed not those stern virtues which
prompted those ancient heroines to lay the
last particle of affection upon tie altar OF
their country's freedom, No; she asked
nothing more than the love and presence OF
her husband-a devotion that reieued para
mount in her heart, permitting the presence
of none else. Grief. she could not submit
TO be left thus alone The act must be re-
voked that made him of the army. She
would seek bim-she would implore him to
whom he was all the world
So that same day, ere the sun had reach
ed his meridian. unknown TO any one, she
left her home and after three hours weary
travel she stood beside her husband in the
camp beseeching him to come home Those
who witnessed her earnestness we're melted
by her tender entreaties-these rugged SOL
diers that would rush madly on bayonet and
cannon. march barefcoted over frozen ground
and deep snow. sustained only by fervent
patriotism they wept as they beheld this
fond but timid wife clinging to her husband,
and with eloquent endearment, begging
him. for the love be bore her, 10 return once
more to the desOlate hearth, now left with
out protector. Impossible. he could not
with any decent grace, retreat from a posi-
ton 50 recently assumed He consoleG her
as best be could, but assured her of the i'm
practicability of leaving the army She
must submit; it would be a sacrifice no
greater than had been made by thousands.
There was no remedy but TO wait in hope
the end was certain. and the consequences
would be glorions But what could the
poor wife do Ha thought struck her.
She will seek the tent of Washing,on-at
his feet will she lay her petition.
Behold the hero in his tent-the great,
the godlike, in whom are joined all virtues,
created for the age, and for the cause, doing
what none else could Before him is kneel- I
ing the wife of George Madden Her peti-
ton has not been in vain. her tears have
net been without effect. She holds in her
hat L
husband; but before she goes 20 the officer
of his regiment. she reverently takes the
hand of her benefactOr and presses it to her
lips; tear falls npon it which the good man
suffers TO remain, and sends her from his
presence with benedictiOn, and words of
hope and comfort.
Again she Is IN the presence of her hus-
band-she shows him his discharge with
beaming countenance and words of JOY.
Now you will 90 home with me, George.
and we viii again be happy-ah so happy"
But 10 glow of satisfaction lit mp his eye,
no gladdening emotions shed their radiance
over his features.
The discharge was recognized, and she I
led her husband from the ranks OF his devo- /
ted companions but be went forth with not
I hat manly dignity aud firm step with which !
he entered the camp as volunteer. The /
eyes of the soldiers were upon him-he fan /
cied seornfully-his head dropped upon his
chest. and suppressed whispers hissed in his /
ear Ike 50 many serpentS. each a voice OF
refroaeh and shame; but the timid and low 1
ing woman that led him from the camp OF I
war was unconscious Of al this She heard
no whispers Of reproach, she saw no scornfnl
eyes-she was only conscious that she had
recovered her husband. ard what cared she
for eyes and lips. The pickets were passed. !
and the last guard stared rudely in her face
as she approached him, and muttercd some