Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-07-12

will come to you in short time. You
will not object to remain here until then:
l would ask you 20 the parlor, but my
father"
"Is suspicious" said Merrick for he
again perceived the saddened air. 'We
must all be cautious, will remain here
until l see him." -
With few words to the old woman,
Clara left the apartment; not, however,
without again casting look upon the dis
guised soldier. The domestic, thus left,
as it were, to keep guard, was not Ger
berus, for, in few minutes, after lighting
a candle, and seating herself comfortably,
she fell fast asleep. That this condition
had ensued, Merrick became satisfied, by
sundry mods of her cap. frill, and fnall '
by decided snore. He then, without
noise, opened the door communicating
with what he supposed to be the sitting
room, and in which he imagined Mr.. Will
son and his visitor were engaged in con-
versation. For some time, he heard only
low whispering, the subject of which he
could not understand. Sill he listened,
almost afraid to breathe. He knew how
important it was that something definite
should be discovered, that would serve as
a justification of Wilson's arrest, in order
to remove him from a position SO inimical
TO the interests of the patriots; and he de-
termined to remain at his post until he had
achieved his purpose, or should be dis
covered With a ready invention, he
framed story accounting for his presence
there, should the tory burst upon him.
For the rest, he feared nothing; save per-
haps, the angry glances Of the eyes that
haunted him.
His perseverance was at last rewarded.
The tones of the parties in the setting
room rose gradually, from whisper, until
it fairly drowned the noise Of the old wo-
mans nasal organ. He began to under
stand the conversation.
"lf we can thus steal march upon this
rebel and his forces,'' said one, whom,
flom the nature of the expressions, Mer-
rick supposed was the visitor, eve shall
have an easy and almost bloodless victory.
In this way only can we hope to put an
end to the war;
"But l tel you," answered Wilson,
"that Washington is too cunning fox to
leave his retreat unprotected. All along
the road, from here to the headquarters
there are placed numbers of scouts, who
keep a sleepless vigilance over your mo-
tions below. You cannot take the first
step in advance, but what it would ba
known TO him. L tell you, some other
plan must be invented, or this man will
never fall into your hands,"
Tricks and traps are not part of our
tactics, and form no portion of a soldiers
duty" the other replied; "a victory thus
gained, brings no eclat, and is seldom sue
ceeded by promotion. BY surprise, we
out-general him; by trick. we simply
prove ourselves private stratagists.
much prefer the former course"
''And the latter"
"But how know you that you can in
duce him to visit you?" demanded the
visitor.
81 am sure of it, and will be response
BILE for the result
Your wife and daughter, you tell me,
are opposed to you, and are warm sympa
thizers with the rebels.''
"True, but what of that?"
"Will they not betray any plan you
may form against this Washington, who
is almost idolized?"
"They need not know it. I design |
sending them on a visit to their friends in
Connecticut. They will be glad to get
away from here, where they cannot hear
of the evils that beset the rebels path"
CHOW rehearse, once more, your pro-
ject, and briefy!"
"Thus, then, it is: l will 90 to the
quarters of this Washington, and, with
some tale that will win his attention, state
the determination of the British generals
TO hold council al my house. He will
excuse my receiving them when offer to
conduct him, alone, to such concealment
as will afford him protection, ard enable
him TO hear the whole conversation"
tAnd you think he viii be taken with
such a shallow story?"
"He is fond of adventure, and brave
He viii come with me. You will have a
guard posted here, and of course, secure
him. With him falls the cause of the
rebels; and, once more, the rule of our
king will be acknowledgeGP'
''You speak enthusiastically; vet, how
evcr much | may wish it, l cannot agree
to your judgment. l know
lie is in my power. You may make the
attempt, but it must be done speedily"
''ln less than week he shall be in your
hands, or l will be-
His prisoner" interrupted the soldier
Captain Merrick had heard enough, and
Is the conspirators rose to separate, he
ieemed it best to take his departure, too
This he did, without even disturbing the
'leeping servants, and gained the grove,
where bis party was stationed.
Gershom Wilson's plan, however it
night have succeeded, had il still been a
secret, was, of course, doomed to a sad
allure. As he had agreed, he sought our
Chief, and told his story.
As he finished, Captain Merrick entered,
md, at a sigh from his superior, arrested
lie baffled traitor. Seeing that he was
IeIncted mud. knnrrin1r IlnnI Liz IL ,ro,,lL |