The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-04-07
Selfrf Sforr.
The Tsnpter and the Tempted,
BY J. r. HEADLEY .

1t was moruing-a bright.cool, glorious
morning in autumn after the terrible
battle of Brandywine, and the grateful
beams of the sun gliding the tops Of the
trees, which formed a great forest lying
within sight of the American encamp
ment below Princetown The disastrous
result of that memorable conflict had
we'll nigh crushed the hopes of the bra
vest colonists, and the commander in
chief himself was dispirited and heart.
stricken.
Hundreds of his brave companions in
arms had bitten the dust in that i'll .fated
fray; many Of the best officers had been
cut down; the energies of his Spartan
band were crippled, winter was approach.
ing, and the future filed indeed with
gloomy prospects. The soldiers were
without shoes; scarcely a decent ten,
was left with the army; the ground was
frozen and rugged, and as the men were
forced over it, their bare feet we're ex
posed, and many rue.ul cash had caus
ed a bloody footprint to be left behind
them.
But on that lovely and bright morn
ing, within the edge of that broad forest
there sat an aged royalist whose sympa
thies had lately inclined toward the
American interest, but whose personal
veal had until now induced him to pur-
sue an inactivity, neutrality between
the two parties. And yet this man had
a son in Washington's camp,a mere boy
in years, who had taken his musket and
Joined the American forces some months
previously. The father had learned OF
the defeat of the colonia, armv.; he knew
they had been forced to retreat. and he
came to the neighborhood Of the arrny
which had halted for an hour or two, to
learn if possible the fate of his boy.
He dare not approach too abruptly,
and having reached the deep wood al
last, which lay between him ard the dis
tant camp, he mounted knoll, from the
summit of which he had a view of the
vanquished but still determined band,
who had comported themselves so val
iantly, but little time previously, but
who were now hasteniag toward Prince
ton.
The fathers heart throbbed audibIy, ,as
he gazed beyond him at the remains OF
the gallant army, and ques ioned if his
child was there, or whether fate might
have numbered his body among the three
hundred noble spirits who had been sac
rificed but few hours before on the
field of battle And as he strained his
aged sight far down the camp, white
horse came in view, and approached, al
length, toward the forest.
The figure which bestrode this noble
animal was commanding and graceful,
and the old man quickly noticed that his
loose gray coat and chapeau indicated
him an American officer. He was at the
verge of the forest; and turning his
steed aside, he secared the animal to a
tree, and disappeared in the confines of
the wood
Who could he be, and what was his
purpose at this hour alone in the dark
forest? This man turned slowly about,
and rejoiced that the intruder did not
observe him, for he could now satisfy his
curiosity.
The stalwart form, the proud step, the
manly face, the solemn movement of the
stranger greatly interested the wat cher,
who saw that deep burden weighed
upon his heart, and as he looked again,
he saw that noble form bent 10 and on
his knees the old man heard George
W Washington send up fervent, earnest
prayer to the God of Battles, for the de.
liverance of his country from war, op-
preston, peril--and ardent supplication
in behalf of bis suffering coun,rymen
A tear of sympathy gushed from the
gray eye OF the royalfsl but as he dashed
aside the fallen drop, the brave warrior
arose from his knees, and was slowly
vending his way towards the spot where
his steed was secured, when another fig
ure hove in sight, and hating stood in
the path of the American COMMANDER
in chief
In an instant the han1 of W ashingtoinl'
ella ped his sword; and he would have
drawn the b'ade from its scabhard, but
The man who confronted him mo!ionef