The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-03-02
!, The Patriot and the Traitor.

.ss .ssI The Patriot and the Traitor.
s& Fifty years agoa terrible storm shock
ed the city Of London. At the dead of
snight when the storm was at its highest,
Ga4A AAged minister, living near the suburbs
of the city, was aroused by an earnest
cry for help. Looking from his window
,,heSsbeheld a rude man, clad in the course
attire of the sweeper of the street. In
few moments, while the rain came down
IN torrents, and the storm growied above,
the preacher, leaning on the arm of the
scavenger, threaded his way through the
dark suburbs. s.I ita sissf. estsl .i.8 :
ThHtwery day q strange old man ad
fallen speechless in front Of the scavenger:s
rude home. The good. hearted street.
sweeper had taken him in, and laid him
on hisfovn bed-he had not spoken once
-5and now he was dying. : :. :,
This was the story of the rough man.
And now through dark alleys, among
miserable tenaments, that seemed to top
plS1dpwpiupon their heads, into the lone
,iiest Suburbs they pass, that white-haired
minister and his guide. AT last, in
narrow court, and up; flight Of stairs
,sshRtIcreakedsbeneath their tread, and then
into the death.room. s8HsilatF
In one corner on the course straw of
.Ythe rugged bed, lay the dying man. He
dNsy buts half sdressed-rhis legs were con-
ets6aled by military boots. s7Ha .alIarfI
;.esoThe aged preacher drew near and look
1ead ca upon him. :, And he looked -throb-
thrcbk1youIm might hear the death watch
,stiokifgi In the shattered wall. % . s.h
az TT was the form of, strange man,
,,stowh old With care more than age, y
vaa There was . face you might look upon
I6acei and yet wear it in your memory for
sever. LET Us bend over the bed and look
tSa that face. 81 ~. ,as s, -" rs, ,if e zil%g
a. IA, bold forehead scanned by one deep
wrinkle between the brows> -long locks
Of dark hair sprinkeld with grey-lips
firmly set, yet quiyesing as though they
had 8 fte separate from the life of the
= ManTapd two large eyes. vivid, burning
Aando ounnatural in their steady glareooH
tns Ah,s There was something so terrible
siina that faceGaisomething SO full of unut-
,terable loneliness, unspeakable despair =
chat the aged minister started back in
Bntiostl those snst strong ron arms arms are clutch
.,ipg Of, the vacant air, the death dew starts
in drops upon the cold brow--the man is
sdyibgl oGi bGa .Eaeo b7ili 800 sEGSF
s'o7fThrobi throbi -throbl-beat the death
watch III the shattered wall. - ,.s ,.a.
hon You'd you die in the faith of Chris
.,tianl ii falteredo the preacher, as he knelt
6there on the dark floor. h'ser oa : 1eiloii
The white lips, Of the death-stricken
man trembled but made no sound.
--Fhen, with the agony of death upon
Hfmi ihe rose Into ,aisitt:ng posture. For
Athefrst time he spoke:.E TaAI HlIpf
"Christianl,' he echoed, in that deep
tone which thrilled the preacher to the
heart swill that faith give me back my
honorl Come with me--with me far,
-sfar over the water. I Hal we are there!--
ss.Fhis is. my native home. Y onder is the
church in which I kneft in childhood =
--Yonder the green on which sported
when . boy. but another flag than that
Hfled the9 7 was child. And listen
off MAJ. were to pass this street as
passed when but child, the very babes
= In their cradles would raise their tiny
Hands and curse me. The graves in yon-
Fidetachurch-yardi would shrink from my
footsteps, and yonder flag would stain 6
- baptism. Of blood upon my heart"
That was an, awful death-bed. The
/, ,rmipister had watched the 5'last night
-slyifh 8. .hupdred convicts in their cells, and
fh;9 .sUfrpEfe0 .S-.i3ifeB 81 a
Suddenly, the dying man arose. HI
tottsred 2along the floor With those
white f.,gers, whose nails are blue witt
-;the death chill, he threw open the valise
- He showed his military coat, trimmed
!. With silver; an old parchment, piece o
cloth that looked like the wreck of battle
nag. % ~ .0IuaII ,aIaCI
abls sLeek ye,; priest this faded coat il
spotted with my bloodl", he cried, as ole
memories seemed stirring at his heart
This is the last coat that wore when
= planted the banner of the stars on Ticon
= deroga. That bullet hole was pierced il
= theafght at Quebec; now--I am--let M
8 whisper in your ear. -"
8 'AaNow help me, priest" be said in
y voice grown suddenly tremulous; "help M
q pps. on this coat Of Blue and silver Fo
e yot see," and d ghost1y smile came Owe
Q his face, ,"there is no one to wipe the coli
dfops ffom my, Brow; no wife, no child :
] must meet death alone; but / will NEE
p Nm, as I met him in battle, without fear.
20 o'whiie he Stood arfayihg himself in tha
Worm:eaten coat .of, blue and silver, TIL