Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-04-14
5AiGteltQNtaug.
From the Red, White, and Blue.
INTERCEPTED DISPATCHES.
A TALE OF WASHINGTON 1T NOR.
RIST0WE.
by JACK BRACE.

"BCr what can you do dear Harry You
are unsklled in the horrid trade Of war; and
it is altogether unbecoming your sacred call
ing"
at is your woman's love that speaks, sweet
Ruth, and did not know how bravely you
sent forth your brother to battle for lis coun-
try, should fear you were not SO good pa
trlot as yon profess"
But this is no answer, Henry | ailudc to
your sacred calling What has a clergyman
TO do with strife and boodshel?"
Ruth, are not clergymen men? Have
they not the instinct, and the divine right to
defend their own? | did not mean to imply
| have IL horror of blood shed by human
hands but solemn duty tells me that in
this her desperate struggle, owe my life and
all to my country. design 30 seek the camp
of Washington, and to be guided by his d.
rections. look upon his mission as heaven
inspired, and may safely trust my conduct to
deem it sinful TO draw back from the prompt
inas which now urge me-"
''Woll, go. then, Henry 1t is the bitter
est word that Ruth Wilmot ever spoke; and
may this last sacrifice for her country he ac.
CtI1iHD!e 20 LDc c''l vi lCI IdliI. llcLIV, |
can trust you. Cor
The brave aud patriotic young clergyman
embraced his ncw-made wife, and turning
from the house mounted the horse, which
stood ready sadd!ed, and sped on his way TO
the camp Of Washington.
Henry Wimot had been only six months
married to Ruth Price. He was the pastor
of a congregation at Elizabethtown, New
Jersey They had been bctrothcd almost
from childhood. Ruth and her brother Charles
were orphans, and when the latter, with
Ru:h's full though reluctant consent, set out
to Join the army of his country, he had an
interview with Henry Wilmot which resulted
in the union of tho young clergyman with
his sister somewhat earlier than their engage
ment, or worldly prudence would have per-
mitted Ruth, who might have shrank from
the hurried espousals had she known that the
suggestion came first from ler brother, was
too frank, however, and too disinterested to
refuse the proposition of her lover Nor was
Henry Wilmot wanting either in ardor or af-
fiction. Modesty alone had prevented him
from pressing for the consummation Of lis
engagement, being conscious Of the small
means which he possessed on which to sup
port wife. Charles fingered only to witness
the nuptals Of his sister, and to transfer in
trust to his brother-n-law the family prop
crty before he joined the army of bis coun-
try. And Ruth bade him 60, with brave
and cheerful heart The young clergyman
aud bis beautiful wife enjoyed for time un-
disturbed happiness. his profession being a
guaranty against any hostile interruption -
After while, however, Henry exhibited oc-
casional longings for that field Of glory where
so many of his young coilege-mates were
winning renown in the cause of liberty
As the fortunes of the patriot army became
cleuded, the more eager was his disposition to
join the ranks of freedom Again and again
he argued the subject with himself he be-
thought him of his sacred profession, and he
recalled every instance, and every excuse,
which history furnished as a plea to Justify
his desires. And when he heard of the ex-
ample set by the Rev. Peter Muhlenberg,
of Virginia, who, after preaching a sermon
from the pulpit in favor of the Revolution,
and on the duty of every man to defend the
liberties of his country, threw aside bis sacer-
,lotal robes, ard, appearing in the uniform