The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-04-29

having attended her Tor ycare--noNlng gwen
his opinion that she could not long sur
vive, Henry, who was at Harvard Univsr-
sity, Cambridge, was Immediately written
fer and. day or two after, package of
letters was received from Howell. They
had been detained by some accident. and
were all forwarded together. That of the
latest date stated that he would sail for
America in few days; so they were in
hourly expectation ofhi arrival. But, alas!
he only arrived in time to be present at the
funeral rites Of one he had loved almost as
he did his own mother.
We will not speak Of the deep grief and
anguish Of those by whom she was omnch
beloved. 1t softened the Colonel's feelings
toward Howell, whom he permitted to
visit Florence ~ formerly, and the two
families again appeared to he united in the
bonds of love and friendship. But this
pleasant state of things did not long con-
tinue; the war OF politics waged high not
only in New York but throughout the Union.
Great Britain's aggression and insult would
no longer be suffered, and war was openly
talked of. Colonel Sefton had Joined those
who called themselves the "peace party"
Mr.. Meredith was for war that would
teach England lesson she would not soon
! forget. The former now made preparations
to return to Seton Hill Howell had, ac-
cording to his fathers wish, commenced
the study of law. hoping, at the end of the
year of Florence's mourning for her mother
in spite ofpolitical diiferences-to obtain
the consent of the Colonel to their union.
1t was the latter part of April, 1872, that
the Seton family left New York for their
home in the West. Mrs. Meredith shed
many tears in parting with her young friends
and Helen Manvers, who shortly after her
arrival in New York, had become Mrs. Les
lie. wept bitterly at parting from her former
pupils. Howell had intended to escort them
at least part of the way; but, rs the Colonel
seemed moody and irritable, Florence per
susded him to forego his intention, and to
come to Seton Hill in July, when his parents
proposed returning to Arcadia, when, with
her sanguiue disposition, she hoped that
the differences existing between the two
countries would be amcably settled, and
with the settlement, would end the GOODNESS
between her father and Mr.. Meredith. But
she was destined to be disappointed.
1t is known to most American readers
that, on the goth of May, the sloop Hornet
arrived, bringing the news that no change
/ of measures need be expected from the
British Government; and, on the 9Th of June
following, war was declared by Congress
against Great Britain. 1t was not an un
looked for event, and preparations had been
actively making for it. In January previous
| Congress had directed force exceeding
twenty-five thousand men to be added to
the army; but this law had been passed sc
short time previous to the declaration OF
war, that perhaps six thousand were not
yet enlisted. Volunteers were accepted
and militia called for from all the States
and Howell, as we observed at the com
mencement of our tale, obtained his father {
permission to join the army under Briga
der-General Hull. Howell accordingly
raised IA company of volunteers. consisting
of about one hundred and fifty men, and
FASTENED to Join Hull ut Detroit. before his
invasion of Canada.
Henry Seton had, about the same time
wrung indeed almost eafOrted, reluctant
consent from his father to join General Van
Rensselaer,, who commanded the center di
vision, az it was called of the troops who
were to invade Canada, and was stationed
then at Lewistown The British had al
ready established fort at Queenstown, i'm.
medately opposite. Henry, who was en-.
thusiastic in his love for his country, and
anxious to distinguish himself as one oi
her defenders, had prayed and pleaded, and
reasoned and talked his father into giving
him sort of permission to join a company
of volunteers under the command of Cap.
tain Bolton. Colonel Seton, though pos
sessing much pride and ambition, had but
little decision of character, particularly as
i'll this case, when his almost doting fond
ness for his son would not permit him to
thwart him, in what he saw evidently his
whole soul was set on, even to crafty the
ambition that whispered to him that if Henry
wOud bm espouse the cause Of England, his
relative, Sir Isaac Brock, would soon pro-
cure him a lieutenancy III the royal army
and if Florence couM bm accept the hand
Of Sir Edgar Lee, whom he knew had ac-
companied General Brooks army to Canada
for the purpose of renewing his attentions
to her, if possible--if they only aoOuld do
So instead of the former being led away by
his foolish notions of freedom and democ-
racy, and the latter being so silly as to love
a man without title, when the coronet
of countess was laid at her feet. 1t was
very provoking that they would not; and
though his affection would not permit him
to attempt TO compel them to adopt his
views, yet it was source of great annoy
ance, and he could only hope that some
change would take place that might alter
the position OF things.