Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-10-17
Srlctt Gale.
LIFE FOR LHF II.
A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.

"Father, is there no hope for him? Is
the British General so heartless as to con-
denim one SO noble, so brave, so young,
to die without morcy?"
hesc were the words spoken by pale,
fearful girl of great beauty, in the middle
of the Revolution which gave freedom q
home on our beloved soil; during that
period when cruelty was but too prevalent
among both parties-when tories, Amer
lean born, ifpossible, were more relent-
less than the British,
The father, noble looking man of mid
die age, turned glance ont Of the win
dow which opened towards Long Island
Sound, the green waters of which could
be scene sparkling beyond a grove that
.ronted his dwelling near Hurl Gate
He turned thus to hide from her his en-
otons, for she was his only child; he
feared that her young heart would break
when he should tell her the sad news that
now lay so heavily on her heart.
"Speak, father, tell me is there no
hope? l will go myself, and, knccling
to the tyrant, will | plead for the life OF
him whom | love on,y as woman can
love-" she continued.
Alas! my child, mercy is death in the
British Generals breast; his heart is cal
lous to pityl | have risked much by
pleading for him, but for your sake would
be almost willing to die in Nathan's place
"Crucl, cruel fate! When is he to die?
There must be some hopes of his rescue
He was tavorite Of Washington, and he
is at White Plains; | will go to him.
"Alas! my child" said the father
nerve yourselff for the news. 1t is already
too late.
dead dead "sbrieked the poor girl
"Oh father, say that it is not So"
"Alas! my child cannot. He wa
hung at sunrise, and was summoned be
fore his maker.
For a moment the poor girl stooC
silent; not tear came to her eyes, but {
wild light illuminated them. "A flash a
bright as fire itself gathered over both face
and bro she clenched her fair hand
together until the nails seemed to entel
the flesh, and in cold, bitter tone sht
shrieked-
Life for life! l shall be avenged
yes deeply revenged."
"Child, dear child, be calm" said th'
fond parent"
g. Father, ! am calm, very ealm--caln
slmost as he, and swear he shall be re
venged if my own hands have to reach th'
tyrant's heart who sealed his doom.
will act as the widow of soldier ough
to act"
"My dear child, you will bring ruiz
upon our heads"
"Not yours, father, but to me what i
ruin now? But | will not be rash.
will go to my room and pray; and thin
OF him who lies cold in death"
She turned and left the room, Will
the father still stood looking from ii
window out upon the waters which wei
dashed with rising storm, and the ol
trees which already had began to wri.l
beneath the force of the gale like hug
giants wrestling with some unseen powe
Meanwhile his daughter had gone |
to her room in one of the cheerful gabl
of the old fashioned house, and forgetr
to pray was gazing ont upon the storr
:, which was not wilder than the tumult
her own heart.
r From ner elevated position she cou
-, look over the treetops and the serri
clouds, as lik, battling host marshall
= to the charge, amid sulphurious fam
and smoke, they arose and spread athws
the sky. .... ,...
She could see the eddying of Hurl Ga
tossing with whirls the foam csE
r white as drifting snow, in the ART
breakers tumulting up against the roo