Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-06-23

ed, captain MerrlcK entesed, and, al SIG
from his superior, arrested the baffled tra
tor. Seeing that he was detected, ali
knowing that his life would probably b
the penalty the wretched man began t
wall most piteously, and beg for freedom
With contemptous smile, Washingtol
ordered his removal.
"Keep close guard upon him, Captain
Jierrick, and let no one communicat t,
with him unless bearing my order,
Wilson knew that absolute power, 8 re
garded his punishment, rested with the mar
he had tried to injure, and, judging of hin
by his own nature, he at once concluded
that there would be no mercy shown him
He had heard that Washington's revenge
was sure, speedy, and fatal. To a blank
despair, therefore, he yielded dhimself--utter-
Iys hopeless!
As soon as his protracted absence from
home had excited surprise and then fear,
Clara, ever :he affectionate daughter, after
soothing, as far as possible, the agony Of her
mother, determined to trace her absent pa
rent. She was naturally led TO seek him
in the British camp, but there she learned
that he had undertaken the pcrilous Office
that had called him from home. She &c
cordingly retraced her steps, and stopping
for her mother, together they set out to
seek an interview with the patriotic chief.
your father should de- he said to Clara,
as she stood trembling before him, and yet
encouraged by the mild benignity thot shone
upon his coun,nance; 'but have delsyed
his sentanee for the present. cannot,
however, release him. You are aware that
he would, through me, have destroyed the
cause in which am engaged. Ispeak not
of my individual loss, but Of the leader of
the patriots hope. You and your mother
are at liberty to visi, him when you will.
but consiGer both her and you pledged not
10 aid his escape
Must he die! Alas! he always said you
were revengeful.'
sHad been like himself, private iudi-
vidual. should have had no right to pass
sentence upon him. Do you not see my
motivei'
and mother begged him to join you
Il must be excused now; you will pardon
the soldiers duty. willorder your accom-
modat ion-poor, perhaps, yet all we can
offer. Captain Merrickr
AS The person thus summoned entered,
Clara turEed, and recognized him, even in
his Uniform.
sAh! you are he that
She involuntary approached him, and as
he met her, he whispered:
sFesr not! the General is considerable
sYou will see that these ladies' are allow
ed to provide accommodations for them
selves near the camp. They are at perfect
liberty
lie waved his hand, and they retired
Merrick lost no time in bestowing his
charges in the best place he could find. and,
a ftor they had become fixed, he explained
10 Clara his action ia the matter. She
could not help listening to his excuses, and
allowing that bis duty was on extenuating
She saw her father, also,
and in the hope derived from Merrick, she
tried to cheer him with the hope o: release.
Some three months had elapsed, and in
that time, notwithstanding the changes and
of military life, Clara and Mer-
rick passed many hours together. As al
n atural consequence of such association,
the guileless and unsophIsticated heart of
the fair girl, and that of the young soldies,
became inextricably entanglod. The loved,
and this fact would endorse the supremacy
of that passion, which knows no time nor
place, but fnds its devotees everywhere.
By some means-perhaps the confession
of Merrick himself--Washington learned
the fact. He sent for them, and finding
that this was really the case--that they had
plghted their faith-he stated to them his
of sending the lady and her
mother home. He handed a letter to
Clara TO be delivered to her father. 1t read
thus:
You have deemed me revengeful. Per.
haps | am. and, TO support the character, ]
am deter mined now to have sweet revenge.
You ARE FREE! Go. and, with your wife
and child. live better and wiser life.
have promised the hind Of your daughter TO
one that loves and is wortv OF her. When
peace shall come 10 relieve him from duty,
see that my promise is kept
Peace did come at last, and the promise
was kept by the now grateful and changed
Wilson.
And this was WAsHrNeToN's REVENGE