Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-05-17

ly diverted for moment, and only rendered
more hard to bear. On his way he again
passed the detested haywood As he ap
preached he evidently saw the young soldier
crumple in his hand paper he was reading
and hide it hastily about him. This was no
fancy. he repeated to himself this was reali-
ty. He had seen the look of confusion and
trouble upon Maywood'S face, the haste with
which he hid that paper at his approach
There was no longer any doubt. His hated
rival was in correspondence already with his
talthleSS mistress and the contents of that
written paper, what could they be, if not an
acquieScence in some demand, a rendezvous
granted, meeting at her window? With
rage IN his heart, Gerald again lOnged to spring
upon his rival and tear that paper from his
bosom. But again prudence prevailed over
passion. He felt that the life of his father
depended upon his caution-hiS father-hiS
father, whom he alone perhaps could serve
whose blessing was to be his recompense.-
Swearing to tear for ever from his heart the
vain, coquettish, heartleSs girl upon whom his
affections had been so ill-dispoSed-for thus,
in his passion, he qualified his lady loYe-he
crushed down within him the violence of his
angry feelings, and determined to defer his re-
yenge, defer it only, until those few hours
should be passed, those hours which should
witness his fathers safety-and then die will
ingly, if such should chance to be his fate, in
securing his vengeance. Strange mixture of
noble feelings and base passions Where
were now the strictly religious principles of
his uncle and instructor? The fierce nature
Of his hot blood prevailed for the time over
the better culture of his education.
AT length the hour arrived when the sol
dlerS were mustered in the outer court, before
the front of the mansion, and the names of
those called over who were appointed to the
different watches of the night How anXi
ouSy and eagerly did Gerald'S heart beat as
the midnight watch in the tower-coart was
named Was it by a gracious and happy
chance upon himself that the lot would fall !?
The name was pronounced. 1t was not his
own The sentinel appointed to this post, the
man upon whom depended the destiny of his
father, was another. But STILL in spite of the
first pang of dsappointment-fo dSappoint
ment would arise within him, although the
chances had been so greatly against hm-hope
again revived in bis heart The sentinel whose
post he coveted, whom he had to seduce into
an exchange, whose watch he was to contriye
to take from him as a favor, was one of the
most easy of the whole troop to deal wish, the
lazy, phlegmatic, somuolent Godlamb Gideon,
he whose very nickname was an augury and a
warrant of success the wight yclept GO-tobed
GOdlamb.
After waiting till the assembled soldiers had
dispersed, and proper time had elapsed be-
fore seeking Gideon, Gerald again returned to
the outer court before the house, where be knew
it was the habit of the indoleut soldier to baSk
aud doZe upon certain sheltered bench, in
the last rays OF the setting sun, absorbed, he
himself would declare, in his devotious Aud
there, in truth, he found the man he sought.
But, confusion there was another by his side,
and that other was the man who, among all,
be would have the most avoided. 1t was
Mark haywood. He stood by the side Of
Gideons reclining form, aud was speaking
with much earneStness to the phlegmatic sol
der, whose widely-opened eyes seemed to eX
press more animation than of wont. No time
however, was to be lost The night was ap-
preaching, and it was necessary to come at
once to an arrangement with the allotted seu-
tinel of the midnight watch
Overcoming his repugnance, and fully de-
tcrmined to act with caution, Gerald assumed
an air of unconccrn, and sauntcrcd to She spo.
where sat GodlamJ Gideon. After greeting
SuIkily the handsome young recruit, to whom
Gerald'S presence seemed in nowise pleasing,
he commenced with affected Indifference his
attack upon the heavy soldier.
You are ever Jealous, friend, in the good
work" he said
"Yes, and of truth these crumbs of CON-
fort have a blessed and pleasant SAVIOUR in my
,,O-trtl- - rr,ltol (t,lI,,,h (NilaaD u
his book between his hands, turning up the
whites of his eyes, and snufiing through his
nose, as though that member were stuffed up
by the pleasant SAVIOR of which he spoke.
But have care that your zeal be not
overmuch, continued Gerald :" and that you
faint not by the way from the heavineSS of
your burden. Methinks your check is already
pale from exceeding watching and prayer"
Verify have fought the good fight, and
l have run the good race, and peradventure
the flesh faileth Inc" snorted the Puritan SOL
der
"Ycur allotted post, then, falls heavy upon
you" said Gerald, with an air Of kind con
Germ, for you have the midnight watch, me-
thinks. Indeed. pity you, my good friend.
Hear me. will perform the duties of your
post, and you shall rest this night from your
labors my mind is troubled, and l heed not
the watching through the night. You will
rise from your couch ready for new outpour-
ings of spiritual thought, and refreshed -
"As giant refreshed with wine," inter
rupted Gideon with another snort yea, and
so shall it be-" Geralds heart beat at what
he considered an acceptance Of his proposal /;
but Godlam5 Gideon continued " Thou art
kind, and | thank thee no less that refuse
thy offer Verify it would seem to be q gra-
eious and an especial vouchsafng in my favor.
For, behold, another had released me from my
task"
Another !" cried Gerald with tone of
..,.+a-nnt t;,r, 1t nrnrcnrn mo hiS % ntinn