The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-04-29
And the British arc bringing against

nun ttsl -.I ..
"Absut half that number. And there is
no doubt we will hxye glorious victory. |
only hope, sir, ! may return In time to par
take of It," said Howell,
The General surveyed the noble form, the
handsome face, and the dark, flashing eyes
lighted up by enthusiasm, of the young SOL
dier, and smiled but smiled sadly
O. fear you will be disappointed. Captain
Meredith; for have cause TO think that Cen
eral Hull s"-and here ho lowered his voice
almost to whisper, and the words came
through his teeth with kissing sound-"is
eopd,d, if not a traitor :"
Howell started, and almost involuntarily
laid his hand on his sword.
"This is the second time" continued the
General not noticing his emotion, "that he
has written to me TO forward his dispatches
to Major General Dearborn for moro men,
thinking one thousand could he spared from
this post. concluding suppose, that, were
the enemy to attack us here, even with the
remainder we would have the courage
which he seems to lack--to defend our
selves like men. But you are fatigued,
Captain Meredith seek some repose. You
can not return to Detroit until hear from
headquarters. | expect your friend, Lieu
tenant Seton, hourly from there"
Howell bowed, and withdrew. What the
General had said had opened his eyes to
much he thought singular in the conduct Of
Hull He was like one awakened from
sleep, and wondered at his own stupidity
in not discovering that cowardice, if not
treason, held sway at Fort Detroit.
lie did net retire but, calling Gotleib,
entered his boat and rowed q couple of
miles up. with the intention Of visiting
Seton Hill. lie had not seen Florence
since they had parted in New York nearly
| four months before. 1t had appeared to
him as so many ages. He walked rapidly
along, but paused few moments when he
neared the place they had crossed from on
their last picnic, and thought of the many
changes that lad taken place since. The
wounded Indian rose before him then their
departure for New York, his own travels,
the death of Mrs Seton, and the GOODNESS
which now existed between the Colonel
and his father. His uncertain prospects
of being soon united to her he loved so
deeply, and the dangers to which she
would, he feared, be exposed, residing, as
it were, in the very seat of war, were up
permost in his mind.
Such were the thoughts that filled the
breast of Howell Meredith as he entered
the long, winding avenue that led to tho
ColOnel's mansion. He observed, as he ap-
preached. that the lower windows were
closed. He ascended the steps and rang
the bell. In few moments, the door was
opened by servant in livery and, on his
inquring if Miss Seton was ut home, Mrs
Jones, who had been housckeepcr there for
years, and who was crossing the hail. stop
ped, and as Howell came forward, ex-
claimed
Bless my soul, it is indeed Master How
ell !" and the good woman pressed forward,
extending both her hands toward him.
al knew | could not be mistaken in that
voice said she, shaking his hand warmly.
And you look SO we'll" sho continued /;
"only u little sunburnt. And | should
have known those dark eyes and short
brown curls anywhere Master Howell"
"And should have known that good
natured, kind face of yours anywhere, Mrs.
Jones' he replied " and am happy to sec
that time has made TO change in it,
We'll | see you have not forgotten how
to flatter yet, Master Howell" she replied.
But walk in the drawing.room, and will
tell Miss Florence that you are here"
Howell entered the splendidly furnished
room. We have before observed that the
night was cool and damp. and comfortable
fire of hickory wood was burning on the
large, bright andirons on the hearth the
furniture covered with rich crimson velvet,
the massive mirrors, and curtains of yellow
and crimson damask that hung i'll rich folds
down to the gorgeously wrought carpets,
from which no football could be heard, and
the masterpieces of painting and sculpture
which adorned the walls-these had been
familiar to Howell. and he thought not of
them. His thoughts were of the fair being
who, in the midst Of all this splendor and
luxury, might, at no distant time, be in dan
ger of the savage's toulahawk, and of the
temerity of that father, who obstinately
persisted in remaining there, and of having
Florence with him, when she, at least
would be in far greater security in New
York, under the protection of his parents.
But Howell knew not then the motives that
prompted Colonel SeftUn to act thus, nor
the reasons he had for thinking they were
perfectly secure in remaining at Seton
| Hill.
He stood thus musing for short time
when, hearing the autter of dress, he
turned, and in an instant Florence was
clasped to his heart. "Florence - How
el"' was all their full hearts could say
After their first emotions of JOY had sub
slueu, IoWeh ilYuireu uitcE tne tolOHsl
and Miss Aylmer.
Mary had retired early, in consequence
of a severe headache and my father" con-
tinued Florence, "is in the library. where
he now spends much of his time in writing,
and does not often like to he disturbed.
Oh, Howell, much fear there is something
wrong, particularly when see that dread
full man closeted with him for hours !"
What dreadful man can you possibly
mean, dearest? do not understand"
Lazy O'Lear," replied she. "Do not
smile, as if you thought the insignifcance
of the man would prevent his doing mis-
chief believe he has art and cunning
enough to outwit those who imagine they
are making tool of him to gain their own
ends"
But of what are you fearful, dear Flo
renee, or what is it you think is wrong
You do not suppose your father could pos
sibly be connected with anything dishon-
orable, and employ this vile man to assist
him ?"
"0h no, nc did not mean that" said
poor Florence. But you know, Howell,
papa is an EDglishman, and he views things
through the medium of prejudice and not
as we do and fear this Lear is a trai-
tor, and thath is trying to work on those
prejudces, or should rather say that he
is employed by others in high station to
work on them, by bringing letters to papa,
urging him to join tho British. Some nights
since, before he left for Detroit, he was
here until past midnight when am sure
Van Rensselaer, thought he was on his way
to that place. | am apprchensive of somo
plot, which will be discovered, and my
fathers life forfeited. But he must be