Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-07-12
I'll / stGllanp. D
WASHINGTON'S REVEN GE
BY ARCOLA:

Every one who has read the great story
Of the Revolution, as it is written upon
the de"thless page of history. knows the
evils against which the great Washington
was forced to contend. Not the least Of
these arose in the base conduct of his
countrymen, who, in the light of justice
and humanity, should have been his COM
patriots, but were the servants of the
throne that was depressing the people,
One Of the most active of these Tories,
WAS one Gershom Wilson, who had, at
one time, held Office under the crown, and
who still clung, with a continued peril
nacity, to the cause of the monarch.-
Washington, i'll taking up his quarters at
Fort Washington or Kings Bridge, had
been fo!ewarned as to the mans conduct;
and had, accoldinglY, set men TO watch
his actions. The residence of Wilson was
between the city of New York and the
position Of the American forces, SO that
he could readily intoIm The enemy of the
dongs Of the patriots.
One afternoon, just as the day was fa
ding into twilight, the American scouts
perceived horseman draw rein at the
door Of the suspected tory. One of the
three men, Richard Merrick, who was an
officer among the rebel troops. had provi
ded himself with disguise, and in this
he at once determined TO seek i'm entrance
into the house, to learn what might be the
nature of the strangers errand. Dis
mounting, and giving the rein Of his horse
to a subordinate, he directed the party to
retire TO thcket not far off, there to
await his coming, and to respond to a
given signal. He then departed upon his
self-lmposed mission. Representing him
self a farmer, in the interests of the Brit
ish, and with which character his disguise
fully accorded, he succeeded in gaining
admission to the kitchen. He found the
evening meal yet spread, although the
family had apparently partaken of it
Beside the old woman, a domestic who
had admitted him, he found in the apart
ment young and beautiful maiden, who
seemed 10 be assisting the aged servant in
her household duties.
''Here is "A stranger from below, Miss
Clara" said the domestic, calling the
young lady's attention to the new conner.
Clara cast her deep dark eyes full upon
him, and although they reflected what was
probably some heart sadness, Captain Mer
rick thought he had never gazed upon the |
lidial OF more resplendent orbs. He |
bowed, as much to conceal his look of
admiration, as his confusion at being thus
scrutinized.
'Are you from the British camp" she
a ked, with half sigh.
Yes, Miss
And friend of the king?" Another
sigh.
Your father would hardly admit any
other" the officer replied. evasively.
"True! My .tather has 10 sympathies
I, tIo ,ohalc L. no11 l., tlaOo al 1un,1lA |
not afford them shelter or sustenance.
But have you supped! Seat yourself, and
partake in welcome
The captain would, under any other
have cheerfully complied,
as she was there TO do the
honors of the table; but he felt that his
errand was Of that nature that he could
not break the tory's bread. He declined,
politely, and seated himself to await the
course of events, or shape his plan of ac-
ton. He recalled the tone in which the
gill had questioned him, and the peculiar
emphasis she had laid upon the word,
father" Was lie to conclude from this,
that she, and the rest of the family, were
with her countrymen, as
against lheir oppressors? The doubt thus
created made him feel the more drawn
toward the fair creature. He followed her
through her various employ
ments, declaring TO biuself that he had
never seen anybody half 50 graceful. At
length, her duties finished, she approached
he captain, and inquired:
"Did you wish to see my father?''
He hardly dared deceive her, and yet
the task he had assumed would not allow
Of any other course. He replied, still ga
ling at her blushing face, and with some
nesitancy:
"Yes-I would like to-that is, if lie
s not On a ed"