Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-11-12
Mlisfellanp.
Copyright secured according to act of Congress.
THE LOST FOUND.
TALE OF vERMONT,s EARLY HISTORY
CHAPTER VI.
4td tf
TIL E PLOT.


Ne siiqofF s CHAPTER VI. eatf7
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The hours Of the next day dragged slowly
away, and night came, and soon the boat re-
turned, bearing Milford, who Immediately re-
tired to the cabin, where Hattie was anxiously
awaiting him. When she saw him she fell on
his bosom, and after repeating the heart felt
words, MY brothsr, my lsng lost -brothss y
parted his locks. and imprinted kisses on his
Forehead.
When the first impulses Of her generous ma
ture had subsided, Hattie said 10 him that some
means must be devised to rescue him from his
hated position and return him to his friends,
who had long since ceased to be anxious about
him, supposing him to be dead.
~ wish first to know whether have friends
left in America replied Milford, " for you
have not yet told me whether my wife lives, or
my little son survived that awful night when
was dragged from my happy home to worse
fate than those who were slain before my eyes
Prudence forbade the anxious inquiry when
first met you, and as nothing has yet been said
relative to them, | cannot longer endure this
excruciating suspense. Do they yet live, and
can again see my Helen and my child if | gop'
Milford soon discovered from Hattie's strug-
Cling emotions that sorrowful intelligence
awaited him. Ev8 au
{" FELL me all, dear Hattie, for this suspense
is worse than my suffering as prisoner
" Be calm, my BROTHER" said Hattie, " ior
worse things could have happened than have
transpired since you left. Helen was alive and
well when we left America, and your little son
il perfect trnscript of his father. noble boy.
Helen returned to her fathers and mourned for
you, refusing to be comforted,' until we all
thought she would 60 down to her grave mourn
ing The same sad brow, day after day, was
exhibited to her friends, until they iorbore to
speak Of you, fearing that she would sink down
into u state of hopeless melancholy. After
years had passed away, and the last fond ray of
hope, that you would return, had fled, all sup
posing you to be t,she at length was married
to another
Milford moved not a muscle for some mo-
ments, and Hattie hoped he would not press
the subject farther; but soon he raised his
CLASSY eyes, and said with husky voice,
"And who is her husband9"
Hattie was silent; but Captain Wilson said
"My brothor, you who have endured so much
for your country will still be calm when tell
you that Frank Williamson is her husband y
Milford sprang from his seat with clenched
fist, stamped with his foot, his two eyes fash
ing,uttering the words, 50 wretch vengeance J"
and then oferingthe same prayer as on form
or occasion, " Father forgive my rash resolve, p"
and he was seated again in sullen silence.
Hattie ran to him, and was attempting to
calm the lumult of bis soul with sistery kind
ness, when Milford raising his hand implorng-
ly 10 his sister, said
" Let me die, for have nothing to live for
now betrayed by my iriend and my wife lost
to me forever Why should return to be
miserable amid the very Mountains where my
young heart has SO often beat with delight I
No! let me return to my destiny, and perhaps
missive from some friendly weapon will rid
me of life which has now become burden
Hope uas sustained me until this hour, but
that hope, which has been my strength and
sustaining power, is crushed
Here he rehearsed the circumstances relative
to the letter he found, which Captain Joe lost
and what Captain Horton had told him, and
said mournfuly,
g You tell me my father and mother are still
alive; | might he of some benefit 10 them in
smoothing the rugged path of life, but how can
endure the thought that Helen is lost to me
forever! /"
. 1t cannot be so," said Captain Wilson,
+" for the Green Mountain Boys will never per
init that rose to be thus plucked from your bo-
som. And besides, Helen would soon 20 down
to the grave with broken heart, if she should
even suspect that you were alive, and forever
separated from her. Cheer up, and hope for
better things. Hereafter it may rejoice you
to call to mind these days of suffering"
" If any means can be devised by which I
can escape. will go; and Captain Horton will
aid me, for he is my friend now
"Will it not bo best to 20 to Lord Cornwall
lis and make true statement to him and trust
to his maguanimity! asked Captain Wilson.
do not think he will permit that to be
done," replied Milford. "If get away. it
must be by strategem If he would compell
Inc to servo in the English army, knowing that
! was an American citizen, he would keep me
to cover up his infamy. And Captain Horton
sof the same opinion, for have informed him
that my sister was here. and he advises this
course
While this conversation was carried on be-
tween Captain Wilson and Milford, Hattie re-
mained silent, her .countenance indicating the
most fixed attention. After some moments of
musing, she exclaimed,
Is haye at length discovered q plan by which
William can escape You remember said
she, addressing her husband, +" that on our
outward passage the first mate died, who was
about my size. Now my plan is this by a