M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1860-03-29
A CRITICAL MOMENT.

vanced, crossed the Brandywine at
different points and attacked the main
bodysof ths-Americans, who sustained
the, assault with intrepidiY tor some
time, at length gave way General
Washington effected a retreat with ar
ItilIery and baggage to Chester, where
he hsited within eight miles of the
British army till next morning, when
he retreated to, ,Phildelphia. t
A little incident, (Which transpired
on the night referred to, will form the
subject of this paper, the first OF my
Pen and Ink Pictures. 's..a'
Between Chester and the point
where the battle Of Brandywine was
fought, about an equal distance from
the camping grounds OF both armies,
and somewhat ont of reach ofthe main
road, there resided in a small antique
iArm house, man named j osh hua
kenton. Kerton was an earnest pat,
riot and a brave man--one of those
who are ever ready to sacrifice prop.
erty or life in carrying out the prin.
cip!o which was part and parcel of
their nature. g s.. a..s.i~.t. oal
The battle of Brandywine had bee,,
iought-the Americans had returned
to- Ghester-both armies h,s4encamp..
ed:Rr the nidjt, and darkness had
settled upon i9ie whole scene, 700
Ktiiton had participated in the san
culinary strnggle-'had fought gallant.
ly almost side by side with Lafayette,
who there drew his first sword in de.
fence ofAmencan Freedom--and had
returned to hishome aitertIie engage.
ment was ended. va ja.l 9.i a.i -,
Covered with sweat and dust, and
the blood OF battle, the gallant patriot
had entered his home and confronted
his anxious wife and daughter--all the
family. .fs.i '..I's IaA y" '''air
"Safo, husband!' cried his wife,
JOYFUL, springing into his arms.--
|"Thank God.' .,,.2 ..ry
"Oh, father, | am so glad to- see you
againl SO gladp murmered his weep
ing daughter, as the next moment she
too was folded to the patriots bosom
in fond parental embrace. J-
"And the battle, husbandp inquir.
ed Mrs. Kenton, eagerly. ..
at was hard fought field, wife,
and tue army is now returning to
Chester, where Washington intends
to encamp for the night, aud where /
shall rrjoin my couutrymen before
daylight. The cause of liberty has
need OF every true man in the world,
and Joshua Kenton would not stay in
the back ground even to save his neck
from the halter. Honor, love of coun'
try, patriCtism-eyerythiug forbids it..
But am faint and weary, get me a
little something to eat, and let me
have few hours to recruit my ex-
hausted energies. d.. .w' @.' .
Comfortable food was at once plac.
| ed before Mr. Kenton, and alter he
had partaken ofsome rel'reshment, he
retired to back room, aud threw him
self on bed. In a few moments he
was last asleep. His anxious wife
and daughter kept watch by his side.
Must father go away againg" the
latter, whose given name was Martha,
at length inquired. !' e.. '. ~,
D"Yes, child" ,"rejoined Mrs. Kenton,
briefly and sadly. q" .sa''''4
81 am sorry" added Martha, in a
detected tone .'' @
80 am I, my child" said her moth.
er, "but your father is the last man
living to desert his country's flag"
"Father is good and brave, | know
land it is right that he should fight
Tor his country--but, oh, mother, if he
shonld be killed." 'h "l'.' Ah.,h s'
Mrs. lKenton started painfully.
hDon't speak OF it, my cl!ild, dop't
speak OF It'll" she cried in agonizcd
tones. si' '"..' .'''" ~ -' . '''..
! At that moment several lond raps
.Ifell quickly at the front door. -
The mother and daughter started
from their chairs, and tile patriot sud.
denly leaped from his couch. -..,
The first movement Of Mrs Ken.
ton was to blow ont the light, and al
most instantaneous y with the knocks,
the room was enveloped in darkness.
5"What is It wifeP' demanded the
patriot. hardly awake. ~ :" @''''.'' 40
'"Solne, one wrapping loudly at the
front door,n responded his wife, with
la shaking voice. 'g9os ~ h''
| |pdeedt Some ofthe, 'ppictketsI 81 Ihalyyee ave
found ms out, ! suppose, but whether
friends Or foes remains to be seen. It
lis as likely to be one as the. other, ,torwe
are about as near ths former as thelat.
liter. 1t was not prudent to remain here
'liust now, and | mus, have been crazy
\ mot to have, remembered chat before y
+ Again the ,rsps fell upon the door.
/ MWRat shall We do, husbandP in
ilquired Mrs Kenton, snxionsly.,6l rs.
Il 'HFa,a thafn no thpv friends or fopaf'