South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-08-04
The Hidden Continental,
A STORY OF TIE REVOLUTION.


The eventful year Of l77S was draw.
ing to a close when Colonel Campbell,
of the British army landed near Savan.
nah, and fell furiously on the Americans
under General Howe. Ilowe's troops
were in no condition to face the enemy
an unsuccessful campaign in the Flori.
'das had enfeebled his men by disease,
and deeming discretion the better part
of valor," he retreated up the river.
or course, the then capital of Geor.
gia fell in the hands of the enemy, who
abused his triumph, and consigned his
name to unenviable fame.
There was strong tory element in
Savannah which had been kept in check
by the presence of the Continentals /;
but 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 neighbor, and to.
ries led 4 plundering soldiery to the
homes Of tile patriots.
The Holly family that dwelt in Sa-
vannah at the time of its capture and
sack, consisted of three persons-the
mother and two children. The father, a
man of wealth and influence in Georgia,
had died during the year that preceded
the outbreaking Of the war, and the
home of his family was one Of the finest
residences in the city.
Miriam Holly, the oldest child, was q
beautiful girl Of nineteen. while her
brother was five years her junior. 1.-THE
father had lived, lee might have proven
tory, for he was devotedly attached
to the mother country. and whcG the
kings troops took possession OF the cap
itai. Colonel Campbell commanded that
the ilolly's home should not be ran.
sacked.
Thus the house escaped pillagc, and
Miriam fastened to thank the sol lier
for his kindness.
Colone. Campbell was struck by the
girls grace and remarkable loneliness,
and detained her at his headquarters I'M
til he had learned her family history by
many adroft questions.
There goes the handsomcst woman
in Georgia cried Campbell rs the girl
left the house.
His companion who happened to be
his chief Of staff, looked after Miriam
and remarked:
"lquite agree with the colonel These
American rebels are all beautiful"
Campbell was silent for a moment.
I'VE will not occupy this building az
ter tomorrow he said suddenly. Il
am going to take up my abode under
the same roof that shelters Miriam
Holly"
Love at first sight, colonel" said the
chief of staff, with a merry twinkle in his
eyes. us Lady Bonn so soon forgotten,
my dear colonel?"
Lady Bonn be hanged T. cried Camp
bell. "A soldier loves when and whom
he plcases, and besides, major, one Es
not obliged 10 marry these American
girls because lie loves chem
The conversation was interrupted by
the arrival of an orderly, and was not
resumed.
On the following day Colonel Camp
bell made Miriam IIolly's home his
headquarters.
The girl grew dcathly pale when she
learned of the sudden change, and said
in whisper to her mother:
This is a terrible event. He is not
lit to depart yet, nor will he be for n
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" cried the girl
Give him up and hear every tory in Sa.
vannah cry for his blood? MOI 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 mothers
eyes when she opened her arms and re-
ceived the daughter in her embrace.
Forgive me, Miriam - she cried.
1--WE must keep our secret from Colonel
Campbell He must not know who lies
TO day beneath our roof"
SO Miriam FASTENED from her mothers
presence, and by touching a concealed
spring in tho wall ofan unfinished room.
revealed narrow stairway. She at
once mounted the steps and entered n
very small apartment into which linht
streamed from n sly.window.
The room was tenanted. On n low
cot lay man in his twcntics. His dark
hair cOntrasted wildly with the deatily
pallor Of his face, and the suit Of faded
continental uniform, with n sword. that
hung against the wall. over the bed, told
that nc was an American soldier. A
boy OF Fifteen who sat on the edge Of the
bed was reading aloud, but i'm n cautions
tone, when the door opened to admit
Miriam
The invalid's face lie up with smile
when the fair girl came forward and
took his feycred hand.
Then she told him about Colonel
CampbeIrs change Of quarters. and he
listened without n question.
We'll" he said at last, what arc we
going 20 do?"
we are going TO remain here till YOU
get strong enough 10 leave the city.'
answered Miriam, with smile. and even
while she spoke faint noise belowto
her that the British colonel was moving
into his new quarters,
The continental was CAPTAIN in