Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-09-23
faniIg GittLe,
From the Lady's Bock.
THE C
An Incident of the Revolution.
BY ROBERT HAMILTON.

hS%
| the rich and mellow sunset. The noble
Highlands, like giant warriors, clothed
in their panopoly of rock and foliage
threw their sullen shadows far out upon
the glorious Hudson, who rolling on in
its path of beauty, CLEANED like a fallen
rainbow to the innumerable tints of acct.
dental glory. Far in the distance tower
ed the venerable %cro'nest, begirt with a
diadem of purple and gold. The first
star was twinkling ON the brow of twi-
light, deep dark clouds were encircling
the zone Of creation, rock and mountain,
tree and shrub, hill and dale, valley and
rivulet, all commingled in one hazy soft
ness, rendered it a scene Of indiscribable
loneliness, beautiful as in those days oil
primitive innocence, ere sin was known
or desolation and decay had fallen upon
the blossoms Of our earthly Eden. Such
was the evening when a barge was seer
to leave the promotory of West Point, in
the n~eighborhood of which, we locate our
narrative In the years1782. In it were
several persons attired in the military
costume Of that period, who with we'll
measured strokes of their oars made il
dart over the waters like a ray of light.
In the stern was seated a man of about
fifty years of age, his head vas uncovered,
and revealed to view a wide and capa.
cious brow-his features were marked
and masculine, his mouth, which was pc
culiarly characterized by a closeness of
the lips, gave to him a look Of determine
ton. yet which in nc way impaired the
mild and merciful expression which
reigned over his general aspect. Like
the others in the boat, he wore a dark
blue coat, with broad buff facings, closely
buttoned to the throat, heavy golden
epaulets, buckskin small clothes, high
military boots with spurs of steel, while
a belt Of buff encircled his waist, in which
was fixed a straight sword. Such was
the costume of the parsonage who was
destined to achieve the liberty Of his
country, and to burst the letters of op
preston. Reader, need we say who it
was? In your minds eye" does he not
stand before you? Is not his name the
watchword of your independence, and his
memory enshrined in the heart of every
son of freedom? 1t was George Wash
ington.
AS the barge gained the opposite bank,
one of the rowers leaped ashore, and
made it fast to the root of a willow which
hung its broad thick branches over the
river. The rest of the party then landed,
and uncovering, saluted their commander
who respectfully returned their courtesy.
by ten o'clock you may expect me,p
said Washington. BE cautious-look
well that you are not surprised. These
are no times for triaing.'
Depend upon u.s. saidOne of the party.
" do" he responded, and bidding them
farewell, departed alono the hank Of th-
river.
That evening a party was to be given
at the house of one of his old and valued
friends, to which he, and several other
American officers had been invited. 1t
was seldom that he participated in festiv-
ity, more especially at that period when
every moment was fraught with danger f;
nevertheless, in respect to an old acquain-
lance, backed by the solicitations of Ruby
Rugsdale, the daughter of the host, he
had consented to relax from the tolls of
military duty, and honor the party, for a
few hours, with his presence.
After continuing his path, for some dis
lance, along the rivers side, he struck off
into a narrow road, bordered thickly
with brushwood, tinged with a thousand
dyes of departed summer-here and there
a grey crag peeped out from the foliage,
over which the green ivy and the scarlet
%woodbiue hung in wreathy dalliance at
other places, the arms of the chestnut and
mountain ash met in leafy fondness and
cast a gloom deep as night. Suddenly a
crashing among the branches was heard,
and like a deer, a young Indian girl
bounded into the path, and, stood full in
his presence. He started back with sur
prise, laid his hand upon his sword-bnt
the Indian only fell upon her knee, placed
her finger upon her lips, and by a sign
with her hand, forbade him to proceed.
What seek you. my wild aower?" said
the General. She started to her feet,
drew a small tomahawk from her belt of
an ~enemy-then again waving her hand
as %forbidding him to advance, she darted
into the bushes. leaving him lost in amaze
ment.
There. is danger" said he to himself,
after a short pause, and recovering from
his surprise. That Indians manner
betokens me no good, but my trust is in
God he has never yet deserted me, and
resuming his path, he shortly reached the
mansion Of RUFUS Rigsdale.
His appearance was the signal for joy
among the party assembled, each of whom
wed with the other TO do him honor
Although grave in council. and bold in
war, yet in the bosom of domestic bliss,
nc one knew better how to make himself
agreeable. The old were cheered by his
consolatory words. The young, by his
mirthful manner, nor even in gallantry
was he wanting, when it added to the
virtuous spirit Of the hour. The protes'
~tations of friendship and welcome, were
warmly rendered to him by the host
Fast and thickly the guests were assem-
oling, the smile, the laugh. and the ming
ling music, rose joyously around. The
twilight was fast merging into night. but
la thousand lamps oil sparkling beauty
gave brillianey Of day to the scene-all
was happiness-brigbt eyes and blooming
faces were everywhere beaming, but alas