Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-12-19


ere his term OF service had expired. By
great good fortune, and not by any PEE
cullar favor OF the officers OF The gov
ernment, the two American prisoners
were not separated. Together they
toiled for seven long, weary years, the
spirit and hope Of the strong man being
often sustained by the cheerful disposi'
ton, patient endurance and constant ana
tender sympathy OF his young friend.
Ross bore up remarkably we'll in the
hard circumstances In which ne was
placed, but his extreme yoath ana del
icacy had awakened the pity OF those In
authority over him, and his tasks were
made as light as they consistently could
be.
Capt. HeustiS conduct during his con-
Wet life had been exemplary, and had
won the appreciation OF the officials, and
at last the long deferred hour sof liberia
ton and freedom arrived. A pardon for
one Daniel Heustis finally came, signed
by that merciful sovereign, Queen Vic.
tOris, who is never deaf TO appeals to
her cemency who executes justice with
reluctance, and whose heart is ever glad
OF an excuse TO show mercy. Heustis
was liberated; and now comes the de-
nouement of our story, which is simply
record of woman's devotion.
Il am ovej Dyed, he said to Ross, TO
secure my liberty and be able to return
|. TO my home and friends, and to her /
have so often told you Of; but l can
hardly make up my mind to leave you
to pine here in captivity. ] seems like
deserving friend
DO not distress yourself on that &C
count my dear friend returned Ross,
his eyes beaming with pleasure; 4 shall
accompany you.
How is that? You have not been
pardoned and you cannot escape
Il know you do not understand how
it is to be accomplished, though it seems
wonderful to me that in such length
Of time you should not have discovered
my secret
Your secret!
Yes but tomorrow all will be ex-
planned, and to morrow, too, you will
see your lady-love, whom you believe to
be across the ocean, for she is here on
this land
Ross, you are beside yourself My
dear boy, this thing affects you more
than dreamed. I will not leave you
Nay, it affects me only with joy. |
am not insane. Your lady is truly here
and will accompany you home and so
will |, All say is true and will come
to pass to. morrow. Good bye till then =
So saying ne turned away determined
to reserve the full surprise and expla.
nation until the morrow, while Heustis
remained in 3 perpleXed condition Of
mind, not being able to comprehend the
language his friend had used.
The same day Ross sought an inter-
view with the proper official and dis,
closed to him his secret,-the secret of
his sex for the young rebel volunteer
and convict was no other than the be-
tr0thed bride Of Capt. Heustis whom he
had parted with so long ago in Boston,
and to whom he was now SO anxious to
return. In the disguise OF boy she had
followed her lover-had risked her life
by his side and shared his hardships.
And upon the trial, when the discovery
OF her sex would have procured her dis.
charge she had carefully concealed it,
that she might thus be able to accom-.
pany her beloved to Van Diaman's Land
and help to alleviate the misfortunes Of
hissconditiOn. She had been obliged to
deceive him as well as others, or he new.
er would have permitted the self-sacrlflce
OF this loving and devoted woman.
When her story had been told, the Gov
ernor assumed the responsibility of her
release, and it is needless to say that his
action was confirmed.
The next morning Capt. Heustis re-
ceived note signed by his betrothed, re-
questing him to meet her at a public
house in Hobart Town. He FASTENED
thither and there found her arrayed In
attire beftting her sex. He was soon
made to comprehend her identity with
his young friend Ross Coe, and more
devoted lover or happier couple was
not to be found in all Australia. They
took passage together upon the next
ship that sailed, and upon their arrival
at Boston, were joined In wedlock. They
are yet living and occupying high po-
sition in society. The writer ofthis has
often enjoyed their elegant hospitality,
and in his last letter the Captain ex-
presses his earnest wishes for the success
and prosperity Of the Dominion of Can.
ada.