The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-05-01
My country

My country"
At this moment, while each of the la
dies held an arm of the young patriot,
eXhausting all their powers of persua-
sion to induce him toreturn to his home,
to be happy in the affections ofhis fami-
ly and of his afiianced bride, a number
of horsemen suddenly appeared in sight.
They wore the British uniform, and, as
they drew near, the leader was recOg-
nized as Colonel Tarleton. New appre-
tensions now seized ON the minds of
Mrs. Richardson and Letitia; they saw
the peril in which Alfred stood if his in
tentions should become known to the
severe and ferocious English officer.
Both females, therefore, besought the
son and lover TO depart instantly, if he
could not make up his mind to go back
with them. But there was something
i'll the idea of preeipitate withdrawal
which the high-spirited young man
could not brook. He, therefore, kept his
place until TarletOn and his followers
rode up and politely saluted them.
':Mr Richardson, said he to Alfred
1--WE hoped to have had you among Us
before this time. You have received
your commission, suppose ~
my father has received it, answered
Alfred, in a tone almost as supercilious
as that of the commander himself.
Tarleton was surprised at the cool and
naughty department of the youth, so lit
tie was he accustomed to meet with such
behavior from those with whom he con
versed, for the uncertain and tyranni-
cal disposition Of the man made him an
object Of general terror. Mrs. Ri ehard-
son perceived, from the kindling eye Of
TarletOn, that a storm was about to burst
forth, and the manner Of Alfred, his
look of proud defiance, was calculated
to invite that storm rather than depre-
cate it; she, therefore, called off Colonel
Tarleton's attention by giving him an
account of the hostile movements of the
''rebels" in that neighbOrhOOd.
The colonel dismOunted, threw his
bride to an attendant, and, offering each
of the ladies an arm, proceeded with
them towards the house. When they
had assembled the steps, Alfred saw the
two ladies look back with cOuntenances
full of sorrow; but even this last mute
appeal was lost on the steadfast soul Of
the youthful patriot. He turned away
in deep distress of mind, it is true and
who shall blame him for feeling like a
man while he acted like u hero p, and
in a few moments he was racing on foot
the same road which he had travelled
that morning on horseback, the change
in his mode of travel being APPLY figura-
tive of his reverse of fortune. And what
a reverse was that to have happened
within two short hours In the fore
noon of that day he was heir apparent of
a princely estate, he was the cherished
object of parental affection, and his fu
ture was irradiated by the bright beams
of successful love. But now he went
forth loaded with fathers curse, dis
owned destitute of worldly wealth,
stigmatiZed a. infamous by his own rela-
tiVes, and worse than all, he had lost
Letitia, and with that forfeiture alone
he had surrendered every hope of earth
w happiness. Yet Alfred Richardson
was not subdued by misfortune, and
never for one moment did he regret the
election he had made. He was not suffi-
GENTLY selfish 10 weigh his own private
sufferings with the public welfare, and
the consciousness Of the vast sacrifices
he made inspired him with the feelings
and determination Of a martyr.
As he walked with a firm step along
the sandy road towards the patriots
place of rendezvous, and when he had
proceeded several miles Oh his way, the
galloping of horses was heard behind
him. He then discovered that six or
eight British troopers We're coming after
him at full speed. Their purpose could
not be mistaken; TarletOn had been
made acquainted with his delinquency,
and these men had been sent to arrest
him. Possibly, 10y betaking himself to
the woods, which, on account of their
density, were impracticable for horse
men, he might have escaped; but Alfred
was brave. and retreat was perhaps the
last expedient which would have occur
red to him. He determined 10 stand his
ground. and scarcely had he time to
draw his pistols when he was complete
" surrounded by the Englishmen, who,
with broad-swOrds in hand, claimed him
as their prisoner. At this crisis a sheet
of flame burst from the thick foliage on
the side Of the road, and several of the
Britons fell. I'm the next moment twen-
ty or thirty men broke from the thick
underwood, and the remaining rOyalists
wheeled round with the hope Of escap-
ing. but not one Of them was so FORUM
ate. They were all brought TO the ground
by the American musket balls. Gen
eral Marion, To whose vigilance Alfred
owed his rescue, came forward and gave
the youth his hand.
"The die is cast said Alfred. Il am
already denounced rs a traitor To the
royal cause; and, but for your timely as
sistance, | might have died a traitor =
death Let me have a musket, General
Marion, and command my services as
YOU please.