Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-24
MAT WARD;
OR,
TIE TORY'S DOOM.
A Tale of the Days that Tried Mems Souls
CHAPTER XIV.
THE ToRY's doom.


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CHAPTER XIV.
THE roRY's DOOM.
The yoar Of TIT found the star OF Ameri-
can liberty, which it was SO often prophesid by
the lukewarm and disafected would set in
gloom, burning brightly, its rays cheering the
hardy patriots to renewed exertions in the cause
in which they had perilled their lives. The
altar fires OF freedom burned with brighter
glow, and day by day taught the oppressors Of
the Colonies, that the God-given right of Free.
dom is dearer to him who possesses it, than hh
own existence. The heroes who had fallen in
the strife served but to quicken into new life
the spirit which actuated the leaders of the
rebellion, and the great truth that the battle is
not always to the strong, had been abundantly
demonstrated in the success which crowned the
American arms. Wher the first cry of i" to
arms rang through the land, q shadow seem
ed to rest upon many soul, but the noble hero
ism which had been exhibited, nerved to action
gle, and from the old Puritan srock came forth
men into the field whose names will be rcvered
while America maintains the position she holds
among the Nations of earth. Mothers, in whose
breasts dwelt the feelings which only q parent
can know, offered up, like Abraham of old,
their sons for the promotion of truth and JUS
/: Il of fha lopd
than the crowns of Kings, or the honors ol
Courts, WAS the fact that their offspring had
perished while opposing the enemies of their
country. Throughout the length and breadth
of the Nation ran this spirit of patriotism, anc
with such an element permeatlng the who'll
mass of the people, it was not strange that mel
saw the day drawing nearer and nearer, whel
the lion of the Mother country should croucl
before the mighty power which her offspring
possessed.
The whole conspiracy instigated, and coming
SO near successful termination, by men il
whom Washington had placed such explici
confidence, had been exposed, and Hicks, to
gether with his confederates, had suffered thu
ignominious death Of those who, loving golt
more than the country Of their birth, strove tt
uuench the fires of liberty, that oppression
might oyershadow the land with its blghtine
influence.
Once more, and for the last time, We viii
take the reader to the mansion upon the High
lands. You would scarce have recognized tn
occupant Of the chamber as the man whom We
have before seen there. There are but few
threads of silver amid his locks, yet in the past
few days Joel Palmer has changed as if thu
weight of score of years had rested upon hin
during that briet space. The eye CLEANS nj
longer with the quick, intelligent look whcl
was wont to rest in it, and the haggard feature
but too plainly betoken the agony which tn
mind is suffering.
"Lost--all gono," he murmurs, as he sit
with bowed head near the window which com
mands view Of the majestic Hudson. "Lif
has been a scene of triumph to me, q succession
of fortune from the earliest period of my ca
reer, and now, with the weight of years hurry
ing me fast enough to the grave, must clos
my life by drinking to the dregs, the cup fa
would have meted out to others? Yes, it
thus Re verses meet me at every turn, an
even the grava seems to yield up its victims
torment me for the few days that have to liv
upon the earth. But it is only for few days
and then" Hepauscd. =" And then?"
Oh, what tremor shook the frame of Jot
Palmer as he repeated those words in scarcel
audible tone. They were but simple words
yet for the guilty soul of the man who uttere
them, they possessed fearful meaning Fa
back into the past flew his thoughts unbidden
and gladly would he have restrained them.-
Scene by scene, from the earliest moments Q
his recollection, came up before his vision, un
til he writhed before the mirror upon whic
memory was rejecting his deeds. as if scorpio
had stung him.
"And then?"
1t was but a whisper now, and tho eyes {
the sin stricken man seemed as if they woul
start from their sockets, as his lips moved to Civ
the words utterance. Far down the dim visit
of the future went his thoughts now, and if tn
past had wrought such fearful effect upon hi
frame, what should contemplation of til
scenes which awaited him in the future do
Great drops of sweat stood out upon his brow
and the veins seemed swelled as if to bursting
as he pictured in Imagination the inst retrbu
tion which should ovcrtake him?
"And then "
All, what to hlm now were the triumphs {
his former life?
There was loud summons upon the door. =
He started from his seat, and with trelnblin
hand opened it, and bade the visitor enter
You have come to tell me of my son
fate?" uttered Palmer, as man clad in til
uniform of British officer entered the room.
1T grievcs ma 10 pain you by the Intelligent
have to communicate, but our efforts ha,
been fruitless in this NATTER
Sir Henry has done all in his power to eff,
his liberation ?"
+" de has. AS soon as your message reache
MIN, he sent flag of truce to Putnam, d.
manding his release, and claiming him as one
Ills Majesty officers"