The mountain Democrat., 1864-07-02
FROM wsemS Life Of Marion.
Marion and the HritI.h Omcer,


flag, after the usual ceremony of blind
folding, was conducted into Marion's en-.
campment. Having heard great talk
about Gen. Marion, his fancy had, natural
enough, sketched out for him some stout
figure Of warrior, such as O'lIara OF
CORVALLIS himself, of martial aspect and
flaming regimentals. But what was his
surprise, when, led into Marion's presence,
and the bandage taken from his eyes, he
beheld in our hero, swarthy, smoke
dried little man, with scarce enough Of
thrcadbare homespun to cover his naked
ness! ard in place Of tall ranks, of gaily
dressed soldiers, handful of suuburnt
yellow-legged militia. some roasting
potatoes aud some asleep, with their black
tirelocks and powder lying by them
on the logs! Having recovered little
from his surprise, he presented his letter
to General Marion; who peru>ed it, and
soon settled everything to his satisfaction.
The oIficer took mp his hat to retire.
'Oh no!' said Marion, it is now about
our time Of dining; and hope, sir, you
will give US the pleasure Of your company
to dinner
At mention Of: the word dinner, the
British officer looked around him but to
his great modification, could sec no sign
OF pot, pan, Dutch.oven, or any other
cooking utensil that could raise the spirits
of u hungry man.
We'll, Tom, said the General to one
Of his men, come, give us our dinner
The dinner to which he alluded, was
no other than heap of sweet potatoes,
that were very snugly roasting under the
elpbers, and which Tom with his pine
stick poker, soon liberated from their aShy
confinement; pinching them, every now
and then, with his finger, especially the
big ones, to see whether they were well
done or not. Then having clcanscd them
of the ashes, partly by blowing them with
his breath and partly by brushing them
with the sleeve Of his old cotton SHIRT be
piled some of the best on n large piece Of
bark, aud placed them between the Brit
ish officer and Marion, on the trunk ol
the fallen pine on which they sat.
i fear, sir said the General, our din
ner will not prove so palatable to you a:
would wish but it is the best we have.
The officer, who was well bred man
took up one of the potatoes and affected
to feed, as if he had found great dainty
but it was plain, that he ate more from
good manners than good appetite.
Presently he broke out into hearty
laugh. Marion looked surprised. 4 beg
pardon. General said lie, but one can
not, you know, always command his con.
ccitS. / was thinking how drolly some o
my brother officers would look. if our
government were to give them such bil
Of fare as this
Il suppose replied Marion, it is no
equal to their style of dining.
no. indeed quoth the officer; 'an,
| this, imagine, is one of your Academia
lent dinners q sort Of ban yam. II
general, no doubt, you live great dea
better.
Rather worse answered the General
"for often We don't get enough of this
Heavens rtjoined the officer. But
probably, what you lose in meal you make
up in malt though Stinted in provisions
you draw noble pay
Not a cent, sir, said Marion, not &
cent
Heavens and earth then you must bt
in bad box. | don't see, General, how
you can stand it,
'Why, sir, replied Marion, with Smil,
of selEapprobation, these things depen(
on feeling
The Englshman said, ne did not be
! lievc that it would be an easy matter tc
reconcile his feelings to soldiers life or
Gen. Marion's terms; all fighting and nc
pay and no provisions but potatoes =
why, sir answered the General, 'tht
heart is ali and, when that is much in
tcreSte1, man can do ANYTHING. Many
a youth would think it hard to indent
himself slave for fourteen years, But
let him be over head aud ears in love, ,and
with such beauteous sweetheart as
Rachael, and he will think no more q
fourteen years seIvtudc than young Ja
cob did. Well, now, this is exactly INV
case. am in love; and my sweetheart
is LIBERTY. Be that heavenly nymph NY
companion, and these wilds and wood,
shall have charms beyond London ant
Paris in slavery.
TO have no proud monarch driving over
the with his gilt coaches; nor his host o
exciSc.men and tax.gatherers insulting
and robbing me but to be my own mas
ter, my own prince and sovereign, glori
ousy preserving my national dienity,anc
pursuing my true happiness; planting my
vineyards, and eating their lucinuS fruits
and sowing my fields. and rcaping tht
golden grain; and seeing millions of broth
ers all around me, equally free and happy
as myself. This, sir, is what | long for.
The officer replied, that both as maj
and Briton, ne must certainly subscrib,
to this as happy state of things.
Happy! quoth Marion; yes, happy
indeed! and had rather fight for sucl
blessings for my country, and feed OF
roots. than keep aloof, though wallowlnt
in all the luxurics Of Solomon. For now
sir, walk the soil that gave me birth
and cxut in the thought that am no
unworthy of it. | look upon these ven
cradle trees around Inc. and feel that d.
not dishonor them. think of my owl
sacred rights. and rejoice that have no
basely deserted them. And when | lool
forward TO the long ages Of posterity
glory in the thought that am 6ghtin
their battles. The children of diStan
generations may never hear my name
but still it gladdrns my heart to thinI
that am now contending for their free
dom. and all its countless blessings
looked at Marion as he uttered theS
sentiments, and fancied | felt as when
heard the last words of the brave q
Ka!b. The Enclishman hung his hopc.