Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-08-23
MIS- Gel. A N Y.
ALBERT FEARING
ur LIEUT.. 4. crSriss nrSr.

Ing Ice. The trec.tops that crown the ro'
mantle highlands were covered with mas'es
OF snow. which In many cases took fantas-
tic forms. presenting images Of knights and
warriors Of the olden time, and sometimes
that OF regular cncampmen.'. I" tho eye
wandered over their singular outlines. In
the distance. toward the frownins ramparts
Of old fsrt Putnam, tbon in good repair.
for the period in which we have opened our
tale was that OF the American Revolution.
and the dull roar Of war was resounding
throughout the sno~.clad land.
Near tho rivers brink, at a'pot now oc.
cupied by Corrcn's Hotel at West Point. u
soldier va. slowly pacing to and fro, paus'
ing occasionally to iis,en Tor moment, and
then again rc.umins his walk. I, was one
Of the outposts on which that sentinel was
posted, and ono ON which il Was necessary
to exercise the utmost vigilance; hencs. the
the cautious manner in which the soldier
,rod his snow. beaten path and listened With
keen cars TO every sound that arose upon the
frosty air. twas about eleven o'clock at
night. and having come at ten. and hi. hour
Of duty being limited TO two hours hc had
consequently yet an hour to stand, which
Was long enough in such lonely position.
with tho thermometer five degree. below re-
70. The moon, however, was shining down
brightly upon tie .hce,ed SHOWS. and he vas
q young and hardy soldier OF the future re-
public. % he did not shrink from the duty
before him, but watchful and attentive, and
yc, rs II expecting something to occur, he
marched up and down upon his post. nor
needed tho chill blast rs IL wen, rudely
sweeping by.
! All at once q sound was heard nt little
I distance. n. OF some one ,ramping through
the deep snow. The sentinel paused In hi.
walk. and c,red toward the spoi from which
the noise PROCEEDED, and presen,l- tall
figure. wrapped in 4 large grey overcoa,.
va. sen to emerge from the shadows OF "a
neiehborirg ,h,eke,, and stalk with martial
stride out into the -il,ery moonbeam'.
"who goes ,herc'" shouted the .en,i.
mel. his voice awakening the echoes that
slumberei in the breast OF the lore-'.clO'hed
mountains.
a friend, Fearing-a friend Of America
and her cause" replied the intruder. a' he
advanced still nearer.
"S,and. and give the coun,cr'ign," said
the sentinel in a low. stern voice, as he
broush, hi, mu.ke, to = charge. "l know
who you are. cir. OF course, but then all
necdful forms mus, 10 gone through with. "
You arc right. fearing-always attend
to your duty to the letter. The counter
Sign is Putnam"
Counterign's correct" replied the
sentinel. bringing his muske, down a'hwar,
hi, brca., to the position known among mil.
i,ary men a. the port" and now, cir. We
will commence our conference.
"Ths conference need no. be long. this
bitter cold night" replied the tall stranger,
a. ho drew hls gray overcoa, more closely
abou, hi, noble figure; you know that when
wrote you TO come on from Virginia and
cnli,, in the army. expressly gave YOU to
understand. tha, although YOU would 5e
for the time being os,ensibly a private SOL
der. yet had higher and more important
du,ie. for you to engage in, which, II you
successfully performed. you should have a
commission rs lieutenant"
YES, cir, AN q patriot | would serve
my country to the las, drop OF my blood, IL
/, were necessary"
II believe you, Fearing. know you to
Do good man and true, and ,ha, is why ]
have selected you for the duty which !
wan, performed. could no, send for you
to come TO my quarters without exciting Gus.
pic,on. and rs 1t is necessary ,ouse great
caution and circum'pection. ! decided to
visit you when you were sentinel on the
outpost. q spot where We can converse with
out danger Of being overheard"
"Your plans are well formed, sir, and
am now ready to listen TO whatever inssrue'
ton you may have to give"
"To.morrow morning." continued the
tall stranger, in u low tone, "you will OBJ
tain q pass from your captain to go over
the river and spend the day. and to return
IN the evening. But 90 far from returning,
yon will make the be'. Of your way to New
York. represent to Sir Henry Clinton iha.
you have deserted IRON the American army
at West Point. and arc anxious to j,in that
Of the British. and return to your allegiance
to Epsland's king. or course you will be
asked many questions bv Sir Henry rs to
the strength Of this post, the number oi
troops and other matters, which you must
be careful to eIaggerate rs much as you can
with safety. By making him believe the
post is well defended. you may prevent his
planning an attack until spring. when we
shalt have rcinforcements, and DO better pre-.
pared to receive him should he think 6t TO
pay US u visit. Do you perfectly under.
stand ms, fearins'"
Perfectly, sir."
"well. then. give heed. Iou will enter
the British army. watch with keen eyes
everything that tran'pircs, acquaint your.
ssli with is movements its numbers. and
everything that would be likely to be inter.
e.,ins to me, and having obtained oil the
information in your power. you can watch
your opportunity. make Jour escape, and
return hitber. when you will obtain your