Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-07-12

man he hdu IIleu w iuJutv, anu, JuuBlRS
of him by his own natures be atonce con
cluded that there would be no mercy
shown him. He had heard that Washing
toms revenge was sure, speedy, and fatal
TO blank despair, therefore, he yielded
himself-utterly hopelessl
AS soon as his protraeted absence from
home had excited surprise and then fear,
Clara, ever the affectionate laughter, after
soothing, as far as possible, the agony oI
her mother, determined toiIaceher absent
parent. She was natural led TO, seek
him in the British camp but tlleke she
learned that he had upQerta|len 4Re pefi.
lous Office that haJl led him ffonn fsnle,
She accordingly retraced her steps. and
stopping for her mother, together they sci
out to seek an interview with the patriotic
chief.
"Your father should die," he said to
Clara as she stood trembling before him,
and yet encouraged by the mild benignity
that shone upon his couutinance; "but |
have delayed his sentence for the present.
L cannot, however, release him. You are
aware that he would, through me, have
destroyed the cause in which l am en-
gagged. speak not Of my individual loss,
but of the leader of the patriots hope.
You and your mother are at liberty to
visit him when you will, but / consider
both her and you pledged not to aid his
escape"
"Must he die? Alas! he always said
you were revengeful."
"Had been like himself, private in
ch I, 4 4.
pass a sentence upon him. Do younoL see
my motive?"
"If did not, sir, I cannot impugn it,
and mother begged him to join you"
81 must be excused now; you will par
don the soldiers duty, 1 will order your
accommodation-poor, perhaps, yet all
we can offer. Captain Menick"
AS the person thus summoned entered,
Clara turned, and recognized HIM, even in
his uniform.
"Ah! you are he that"
She involuntary approached him, and as
he met her, he whispered
Fear not! the General is consijerate"
you will see that these ladies are al
lowed to provide accommodations for
themselves near the camp. They are at
perfect liberty"
He waved his hand, and they retired.
Merrick lost no time in bestowng his
charges in the best place he could find,
and, after they had become fixed, he ex-
planned to Clara h S action in the matter.
She could not help listening to his ex
cuses, and allowing that his duty was an
extenuating circumstance. She saw her
father, also, and in the hope derived from
Menick, she tried to cheer him with the
Eope of release.
Some three months had elapsed, and in
that time, notwithstanding the changes
and chances of military life, Clara aud
Merrick passed many hours together. AS
a natural consequence OF such association,
the guileless and unsophisticated heart OF
the fair girl, and that Of the young soldier,
became inextricably entangled. The
loved, and this fact would endorse . the
Of that passion, which knows
no time nor place, but finds its devotees
everywhere.
By some means-perhaps the confession
If Merrick himself-Washington learned
The fact. He sent for them, and finding
hat this was really the case-that they
had plighted their faiLh--he stated to
hem his determination of sending the
adY and her mother home. He handed a
etter to Clara to be delivered to her father.
1t read thus .
''You have deemed me revengeful.-
Perhaps l am, and, to support the charac
er, l am determined now to have a sweet
.ayenoe YoU ARE FREEl GOl and with
your wife and child. live better and wiser
ife. l have promised the hand of your
daughter to one that loves and is worty of
ler. When peace shall come to relieve
lim from duty, see that my promise is
,ept."
Peace did come at last, and the promise
vas kept by the now grateful and changed
Wilson.
Ard this was WAsHINGToN's REVENGE.