The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-07-26
The Presenti,ne,lt.
aasA TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.


agA TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.
"There was sound of revalry at night
The moon was shining brightly upon tn
polished musket and the gorgeous equip
rnent of a sentinel in the scarlet uniform q
the Buffs-the crack regiment Of the day
rs he traversed his brief round at the gate O
Greenwich street behind the residence Of. .Si
Henry Clinton, the ccmmsnder-in -chiet o
the British forces in America. = 'i9 y
His stalwart figure and high granadle
@cap, made his shadow appear gigantic be
meath the rays of our full and glorious orb
the Western moon. Occasionally he woult
pause, "a If listening to the itch music tha
ever and anon swellcd forth from the resi-.
dence Of SIR Henry, and his thoughts turned
upon the youth and beauty mingsing IN The
dance within.
Once or twice he passed the back of his
hand across his eyes, rs ito stay truan,
tear that was stealing from its Fountain
His memory rushed to the days Of his early
home in "merrie England s l,,s,r,
Try George !" he n,uttered, half aloud,
did not think could be childish. The
sound of the tune has put me in mind of old
Devonshirc." 5g
Saying this he broke out into the military
song of Gen. Wolfe, which, as tradition goes,
he sang while passing up the st. Lawrence,
the night before he fell on the Plains OF
Abraham .ssF ss
Why, soldiers, why, zoos T3
Should we be melancholy bows,
Whose business tits to die, &c.
His voice, naturally sweet, sounded per-
fectly melodiouslY, he forgot his duty as a
sentinel and gave to the song the full COM
pass Of his manly tones Alta little distance,
concealed by the shrubbery, was an officer,
upon whose arm leaned . beautiful girl-ab,
Sentees from the ballroom.
As the after fate Of this brave officer forms
q memorable page in our country's history,
my readers may perhaps like a description
of his person. He was rather under the
middle height, Of handsome, we'll made
figure, and erect military carriage. His face
gas oval, and the features decidedly hand
some. The main expression Of his counten-
anee displayed frankncss and sincerity. His
age seemed about thirty. His scarlet coat
was faced with buff, and buff brooches, with
white stockings adorned the lower part OF
his person. Such was the ballroom costume
of that period. You seem melancholy to-
night, Major Andre said his fair companion.
'On such night as this you should be
otherwise
And in such company, you should have
added, Miss Beekman. Pardon me for this
apparent quietness the thought that this
may he the last night that shall ever spend
in New York, it is enough to make one fell
sad. is it not fair ladyy'
Leave New York, Major Andre said the
young lady, with some surprise. Are you
going down South with Lord CORVALLIS ~
"a soldier, Miss Beekman, must inform
no one of his destination, and particularly
one like yourself, with touch OF the rebe
feeling towards your countrymen. This
much will answer, am not going South.
Some new plan Of Sir Henry's I'll BE-
bound,' said the laughing girl. 4 do love
Washington, and that is the truth. Ny
father it is certain, remains firm in his ale.
gicnce to King George but II go with
our Republican George -the soldier from
Virginia.
4 cannot say think less Of you for such
feelings, Miss Beekman,' said Andre 1T il
natural that we should love our country
Washington is brave soldier, and from al
hear, good man. Be that IS il may
however, he has no right to take up arm.
against his lawful king, and when he !.
taken, rs he must be, he will end his day.
on a gibbct.' sg ~ s s
H'l wager this rose, said the merry heart
edgiri,in alaughing tone, taking one from be,
hair, against the first novel you receive By
the London packet, that you viii suffer sucl
punishment first /; and that you know is i'm
possibae, Major, Cor my countrymen trea
the king g's officers with the highest respec
when prisoners, Spies only are hung. ant
neither Washington nor yourself are likel,
to undertake that profession
Itseemcd as il : spasm passed through
the frame of the officer, Cor he trembled 70
an instant like leaf incident whicl
was long after remembered by his fair com
pan,cn when mentioning his melancholl,
fate. !. - ssasvoa ias \ ss}
You are i'll, Major. Let us go in.'
NO. no. be said. fsiptingly /; it was but
momentary nervous affection, aud has nov
passed. There ara at times, Miss Bcekman
presentiments of evil in the human mind
that come without real cause, and troubl
ns we know not why. cannot say BY
that my physical health is as good as ever
was., The night Is beautiful, and the seen
in Sir Henry's mansion enobsRting; but sti
there is q heaviness about MY spirits that
cannot shake off, see danger before m,
yet know not where to guard against or no,
40 meetit. Though shadowy, it. appear
palpable and. distinct. Ahllthat song 7, &
At this moment the silver tones Of Il