The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-06-28

That stranger emerges from the boughs.
Stands there unperceived, gazing silently
upon the kneeling warrior.
A moment passes.
i Look! Washington has risen to his feet.
he confronts the stranger.
Now, as that stranger. with slight bow.
uLcovers his forehead. tell me, did you ever
see a stranger resemblance between two
men than between these two. who now con-
confronted each other in silence. under the
shade Of those dark pnesl
The same height, breadth OF chest. sine
wy limbs. nay. almost the same faces
save that the face Of the stranger. sharper
in outline, lacks that calm consciousness of
great soul which stamps the countenance
Of Washington.
That resemblance is most strange; they
are clad in the same coarse gray coat; their
costumes are alike. yet bold.
The stranger throws open his overcoat.
and you behold that han glnan's dress. that
British uniform. flashing with gold and
stars. Washington starts back. and lays
his hand upon his sword.
And as these two men. SO strangely alike
met there by accident, under that canopy of
boughs--one wandering from V alley Forge,
one from Philadelphia me tell you at
once that the stranger is none other than
the Master Butcher of the idol king-Sir
William Howe.
Yes, there they met. the one the imper-
sonation Of freedom. the other the tinesled
lackey Of q tyrant's will.
We listen to their conversation; il is brief
but important.
For a moment the British General. spell
bound before the man whom he had crossed
the ocean TO entrsp, and bring home the
rebel WI M had lifted his hand sgaiEst the
right Divine of the British King. To that
British General there was something awful
about the soldier VITO could talk with his
God as Washington had talked a moment
ago.
{ ,"I cannot be mistaken" at length aid
Sir William: II behold before me the chief
tain Of the rebel army. Mr.. Washington ?"
Washington coldly bowed his head.
'.Then this is happy hour. for we to
gether can give peace and freedom TO this
unhappy land.
At this word, Washington started with
surprise, advanced step and then ex.
claimed:
land who, sir, are you that thus boldly
promises peace and freedom 10 my coun
try.
"The commander Of his Msjesty's forces
in America" said Howe, advancing. along
that wood hidden rock towards Washing
ton. ''And oh, sir. let me tell you that
the king. my master has heard CT your vir-
tues, which alone dignity the revolt with
the name of war, and it is TO you that he
looks for the termination Of this most disas-
trous contest"
Then Washington. whose pulse had new
er quckened before all the panoply of Brit
ish arms. felt his heart iiutter in his bosom,
as that great boon was before his eyes
peace and freedom 10 his native land!
:Yes," continued Howe, advancing an
other step, my king looks to you for the
termination OF this unnatural war. Let re.
bellion once be crushed--let the royal name
be finally established by your influence, and
then, sir, behold the gratitude OF King
George to Mr. Washing ton.
As he spoke lie placed in the hands of
Washington massive parchment, sealed
with the broad seal of England, and signed
with the manual of King George.
Washington took the parchment. opened
it. read it. but his face did not change a mus
Gle. And yet that parchment named Mr..
George Washington. George Duke Wash
ing,on, Of Mount Vernon our we'll beloved
servant Viceroy of America
Here was boon for the Virginia plan
ter-here was a title and power for the
young man who was one day struggling for
his life away there amid floating ice, on the
dark Allegheny.
For moment the face of Washington
was buried in that parchment, and then. in
. low deep voice:
II have been thinking" he said of the
ten thousand brave men who have been
in this quarrel. l have been
Of the dead Of Bunker Hill. Lex
ington. Quebec. Trenton. yes, the dead of
Brandy wine, Germantown and
And yonr king" continued Washing
ton, with look aud tone that would have
cut into heart Of marble, would have me
barter the bones of the dead for a ribbon
and title!'
And then-while Howe shrunk. cover
ing baek--that Virginia planter. Washing
ton. crushed that parchment into the sod,
with the heel OF his warrior boot--yes.
trampled that title. that royal name into one
mass of rags and dust!''
That's my answer 10 your kiLgn'
And thsn he stood, with scorn on his
brow, aud in his eye, his outstretched arm
pointing at that minion Of King George.
Wasn't that picture for the pencil OF
an angel? And now that British General,
recovering from his first surprise grew as
red As his uniform with rage.
'Your head.' he gasped. clinched his
hand your head will yet redden the traitor
q blockl'
Then Washingtou's hand sought his