Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-02-18
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wAsnINeroN,s rEmrrAIoN.
BY GEORGE LIPpARD.


4 air is very soft and balmy, as the early days
Of summer, when glad maiden May seems
% blow warm breath in the grim face Of
February, until the rough old warrior laughs
again.
Il was one morning ike this that the
morning sunshine was streaming over a
high rock that frowns far above the Wisabi-
kon.
A high rock, attainable only By long and
winding path, fenced in BY the trunks Of
giant pines, whose bougbs in the coolest
\ day Of winter form a canopy overhead
4 And near this nook-the chamber in the
forest, for it was nothing else-sat an old
man, separated from il BY the trunks Of the
pines, whose boughs concealed his form.
That old man had come here alone to
think Of his two sons now freezing at Val
4 ley Forge; for, though the father was tory
4 his two sons were continentals. lie was a
Well meaning man, but some half crazy idea
about ih divine right Of George'III, lurked
in his b;aia, and kept him back from the
camp Of Washington.
And now, on this bright morning 10 Feb
ruary, he had come here TO think the mat
ter over.
While he was pondering this deep matter
over, he heard the tramp of horse not far
1 of, and looking between the trunks Of the
/ pines, he saw a man dismount and advance
/ into the quiet hooks of the moss covered
rocks
Leaving this aged man to look upon the
intruder himself, let US look upon him with
our owu eyes.
As be comes through those thick boughs
We behold a man over six feet, with his
manly form enveloped in a course grey over,
coat; chapeau on his bold forehead-aud
beReath the coat you may see the military
boots and also the end OF a scabbard
And who is this man of kingly presence,
who comes here alone to pace this moss
covered recess with dropped head and fold
ed arms2 Washington
As be meditates upon the awful condition
Of his starving army at Valley Forge, anoth
er form, tall as his own, emerges from the
boughs, and unperceiyed gazes upon the
warrior.
A moment passes, and as Washington
turns and meets the strangers gaze, a
strong resemblance is noticed The same
height, breadth Of chest, limbs, nay, almost
the same faces; save that OF the stranger in
outline, and lacks that calm consciousness OF
a great soul, which stamps the eountenance
of Washington.
ThaIEesemblance is most strange they are
clad in the same coarse gray coat; their COS
! tunes are alike-yet hold
The stranger throws open his overcoat
and you behold that hangman's dress. that
British uniform, flashing with gold and
stars. Washington starts back, and lays
his hand upon his sword
I And as those two men, 50 strangely alike,
met there by accident, under that canopy OF
boughs, one wandering from Valley Forge,
one from Philadelphia, lei me tell you at
once that the stranger none other than the
Master Butcher Of the docking Sir vii
liam Howe.
Yes, there they met, the one the imper
sonation Of freedom, and the other the tin
seIed lackey Of tyrants will
We viii listen to their conversation; It j.
brief but important
For a moment the British General stood
spell bound before the man whom be had
crossed the ocean to entrap aud bring home:
the Rebel who had lifted his hand against
the right divine Of the British Pope T.
that British General there was something
awful about the soldier who could talk with
his God as Washington had a moment ago
Il cannot be mistakes" at length saiC
Sir Wil'ism Howe. Il behold before mt
the chieftain Of the rebel army, WisteI
/ Washington?
Washington coldly bowed his head
Then this is a happy hour, for We 10
gether can give peace and freedom to thi:
unhappy land
At this word, Washington started with
surprise, advanced a step, aud then exelaim
ed
"And who, sir, are you that thus boldly
promises peace and freedom to my coun
try ?"
The commander Of his Majesty forces
in America, said Howe, advancing alont
the wood hidden rock towards Washington
And, Oh, sir let me tell you that tb,
King, my master, has heard of your vir
tues, which alone dignity tie revolt witt
the name Of war; and it is to you that h,
looks for the termination of this most disas
ferrous contest
Then Washington, whose pulse had neve
quickened before all the panoply of British
arms, felt his great heart futier in his bo
-om, as that great boon was before his eye
peace and freedom to his native land
, Yes, continued Howe, advancing an
other step, my King looks to you for th
termination Of this unnatural war. Let re
bellion once be crushed-let the royal nam
t be finally established by your influences
then, sir, behold the gratitude Of Kin
George 10 Mister Washington. -
As be spoke, he placed in the hands O
Washington massive parchment, scale,
with the broad seal Of England, aud sieuet
with the name Of King George
Washington took. the parchment, opene,
and read it, but bis face did not change
muscle And yet the parchment nance
. Mister George Washington. GEORGE DUK
WAsHrNGroS, If lfL Vernon: ar ,eeR Be
Eored serUaRt, FICERoY OF AMERICA
Here was boon for the Virginia planter
here was a title and power for the younl
man who was one day struggling for bis If
away there amid floating ice, on the darl
} Allegheny.
4 For moment The face of Nashingio
: was buried in that parchment, and then
in low, deep voice, be spoke
ar - ]. 4