River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-10-12
A HIDDEN CONTINENTAL.

A HIDDEN CONTINENTAL.
The eventful year of I7TS was draw
ing to a close when Colonel Campbell,
of the British army, landed near Sa-
vannah. and fell furiously on the Amer
leans under General Howe. Ilowe's
troops were in no condition to face
the enemy an unsuccessful campaign
in the Floridas had enfeebled his men
by disease, and, deeming s.discretiOn
the better part of valOr, he retreated
up the river.
OF course the then capital of Georgia
fell into the hands of the enemy, who
abused his triumph, and consigned his
name 20 an unenviable fame.
There was a strong Tory element in
Savannah, which had been kept in
check 10y the presence of the Cont
nentals hut when the British marched
into the city. it rose and asserted its
strength. Houses were plundered,
and number of patriots bayoneted in
the streets. Neighbor rose against
neighhOT. and Tories led a plundering
sOldiery to the homes of the patriots.
The Holly family, that dwtlt in Sa-
vInnah at the time of its capture and
suck, consisted of three persons
the mother and two children. The
father man of wealth and influence
in Georgia. had died during the year
that preceded the Outhreaking of the
war, and the home of the family was
enc of the very finest residences in the
city.
Miriam Holly, the Oldest child, was a
beautiful girl of nineteen, while her
brother was five wears her junior. If
the father mad lived. he might have
proven u Tory, Tor he was devOtedly
attached TO the mother country, and
when the Kings troops took possess
sion If the capital. Colonel Campbell
commanded that the HOlly's home
should not be ;ansarked.
Thus the house escaped pillage, and
Miriam FASTENED to thank the soldier
for his kindness.
Colonel Campbell was struck by the
girls glance and remarkable lOvliness.
AMI Detained her nj his headquarters
until he lad learned her family his
tory by many adroit questions.
There gnps the haHisomest woman
in Georgia" cried Campbell, as the
girl left the house.
His companion, who happened to be
his chief OF staff, looked after Miriam,
and remarked:
81 quite agree with the colonel
These American rebels are all beauti-
full"
Campbell was silent for moment.
1--WE Will not occupy this building
after To morrow" ne said, suddenly.
i am going to take up my abode be-
meath the same roof that shelters Mi
riam Holly
Love at first sight, colonel o. said
the chief staff. with a merry twinkle
in his eyes. lis Lady Bonn SO soon
forgotten, my dear colonel -
LADY Bonn be hanged - cried
Campbell. ~ soldier loves when and
whom he pleaSes and besides, major,
one is not obliged to marry these Amer
can girls because he loves them.
The conversation was interrupted by
the arrival of an orderly, and was not
resumed.
On the following day Colonel Camp
bell made Miriam HOlly's home his
headquarters.
The girl grew deathly pale when she
learned of tho sudden change, and
said in a whisper to her mother
This terrible event. lie is not
fit to depart yet, nor will he be for a
week to come"
Miriam. have been thinking that
it might be policy for us to give him
up to the army" replied Mrs. Holly.
''Give him up now! g cried the girl.
give him up. and hear every Tory
in Savannah cry for his blood g. No
Unless discovered, he shall remain
where he is until he is able to escape
Miriam Holly spoke with much firm.
ness, and tears stood in the mother S
eyes as she opened her arms and re.
ceived the daughter in her embrace.
Forgive me, Miriam" she cried
I'VE must keep our secret from Colo
mel Campbell. lie must not know who
lies to-day beneath our roof"
So Miriam FASTENED from her moth.
er's presence, and, by touching con.
cealed spring in the wall of an untin'
iSlIed room. revealed a narrow stair.
way. She at once mounted the steps,
and entered a very small apartment
into which light streamed from a sky
window.
The room was tenanted. On a low
cot lay q nan in his twentieS. lis
dark hair contrasJed wildly with the
deathly pallor of his face. and the suit
of faded Continental uniform, with q
sword, that hung against the wall OveI
! the bed, told that he was al American
| soldier. 4 hoy % fifteen, who sat OF
the edge of the bed, WAS reading aloud
| but in cautious tone, when the door
opened to admit Miriam.
The invalid's face lit up with smile
when the fair girl came forward and
| took his feveTed hand.
Then she told him about Colonel
Campbell's change of quarters, and he
/ listened without a question.
Well" he said at last, ''what are
We going to dog
I'VE are going to remain till we
get strong enough to leave the city,
answered Miriam. with a smile and
/ even while she spoke faint noise be-
| low told her that the British colonel
was moving into his new quarters.
The Continental was captain il
/ Howe's little army. He had served the
colonies with zeal surpassed by none
who rallied round the cause of free
dom hut disease had seized upon hin
/ in Florida, and h returned with the
| troops tn Georgia TO find an asylum il
Miriam IIolly's home, and to be nurseC
10y her through the long hours of hi.
fever. The attending physician was Z
man who knew how to keep secret
AMI. rs his sympathies were with tn,
patriot cause. he gave Miriam many
valuable hints that looked To the hid
den soldier 5 health and future safety
Colonel Campbell. bent on the con
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