Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-11-09
T H e R | G. H 7 A R NJ
Or
The Patriot and the Traitor.

Fifty years ago terrible storm shook
the city Of London. At the dead of night
when the storm was at its highest, an aged
minister, living near tho suburbs Of the
city, was aroused by an earnest cry for
help. Looking from his window he be-
held a rude man, clad in the coarse attire
of the sweeper of the public street. In o
few moments. while the rain came down in
torrents, and the storm growled above, the
preacher, leaning on the arm Of the scav-
enger, threaded his way through the dark
suburbs.
That very day strange old man had
fallen speechess in front of the scavenger's s
rude home The good heared street
sweeper had taken him in, laid him on his
own bed--he had not spoken oncc-now
he was dying.
This was the story of the rough man.
And now, through dark alleys, among
miserable tcnemcnts, that seem to topple
down upon their heads, into the loneicst
and dreariest suburbs they pass. That
white haired minister and his guide. AT
last in narrow court, and up flight of
stairs that creaked beneath their tread, and
then into the death room.
1t was, in truth, miserable place.
! A glimmering light stood on broken
chair There was the rough walls, there
the solitary garret window, with the rain
beating through the rags and straw, which
stuffed the broken panes-and there amid
hemp Of cold ashes the small valise which
it seems the stranger had with him.
In one corner, on the coarse straw of the
| hnl lax, la I,,s. H.
but half dressed-his legs were concealed
by military boots.
The aged preacher drew near and looked
upon him. Andhe loeked-throb--throt
You might hear the death-watch ticking
in the shattered wall.
1t was tho form Of strong man, grown
old with care more than age.
There was a face that you might look
upon once, and yet wear it in your memo
ry forever Let us bond over the bed I'M
+, look on that face.
A bold forehead scanned by one deeI
wriE kle between the brows-long locks o
) dair, sprinklod with gray-lips firmly set
vet quivering as though they had separ
I, ate life from the life of the man--and ther
two large eyes, vivid, burning, unnatura
in their steady glare.
All, there was something so terrible il
that face-something so full of unuttera
I. bic loneliness, uaspeakablc despair-tha
the aged minister started back in horror
But look these strong arms are clutch
ing at the vacant air-the death.swea i
starting in drops upon the cold brow-th
man is dying
Throb throb throb beats tho death
watch in the shattered wall
"Would you die in the faith ofa Chris
tian ?" faltered the preacher, as he knel
there on the dark floor,
The white lips of the death-stricken maj
trembled but made no sound
Then, with the agony Of death upon him
he rose to sitting posture, For the frs
: time. lie spoke:
"Christian !" he echoed in that dee
tone which thrilled the preacher to tn
n heart, "will that give me back my honor
!. Come with me--with me far, far over tn
Is water. Hal wo are there This is m
native home. Yonder is the church i
: which ! knelt in childhood -yonder th
green on which l sportcd when boy
But another flag than that waived when
was q child. And listen, old man wer
l to pass this street as passed when br
child, the very babes in their cradle
would raise their tiny hands and cuise mi
The graves in yonder churchyard woul
> shrink from my footsteps, and yonder fla
would stain baptism of blood upon m
heart"
lg That was an awful death bod The mir
p lister has watched the last night with
y, hundred conviots in their coils, and y,
4 never behcld a scene as terrible as this
Suddenly the dying man arose. He to
tered along the floor. With those viii
fingers, whose nails arc blue with the deaf
chill, he threw open the valse. He shov
ed his military coat trimmed with silve
an old parchment, piece Of clot.. thS
looked like the wreck of battle flag.
Look ye, priest, this faded coat is spo
III ted with my blood " he cried, as old men
Ories seemed stirring al his heart. This
- !" the last coat wore when l planted Il
banner of the stars on Tieonderoga. III
lbullst-b -bola vas pioroed in kha R0ht al On