The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-03-13
VALLEY FORGE,


Hidden away there in a deep glen, not
many miles from Valley Forge, aquaint
old farmhouse rose darkly over wide
waste of snow. 1t was cold dark win.
ter night, and the snow began to fall
when from tho broad fireplace Of tho old
farmhouse the cheerful blaze OF massive
logs flashed around wide and spacious
room.
Two persons sat there by that fire, q
father aud child. The father, who sits
yonder, with soldiers belt thrown over
his farmers dress, is a man OF some fifty
years, bis eyes bloodshot, his hair
changed to an untinely' gray, his face
wrinklcd and followed by care, and by
dissipation more than care.
And the daughter who sits in the full
light OF the blaze opposite her iather-a
slenderly formed girl Of some seventeen
years, clad in the coarse insey skirt and
kerchief, which made up the costume OF
a farmers daughter in the days Of the
Revolution.
That farmer, .Jacob Mannheim, was a
peaceful, happy man, before the Rero'
luton. Since the war he has become
drunken and idle-driven his wife
broken-hearted to the grave-and, worse
than all, Joined band Of Tory refugees,
who scour tho land at dead OF night,
burning and numbering as they go.
Tonight, at the hour OF two, this tory
hand will lie in wait, in q neighboring
pass, to attack and murder Washington,
whose starving soldiers are yonder in the
huts Of Valley Forge.
Washington on his lonely journeys is
wont to pass this farmhouse; the cut
throats are there in the next chamber,
drinking and feasting, as they wait for
two o'clock at night.
The daughter, Mary, had been reared
by her mother to revere this man, Wash.
ington, who tonight will be attacked
and murdered-to revere him next to
God. Nay, more that mother on her
death bed Joined the hands OF thisdaugh.
ter in solemn betrothal with the hands OF
a young partisan leader, Harry Williams,
who now shares the crust and the cold
Of Valley Forge.
Yesterday afternoon she went four
miles, over roads OF ice and snow, to tell
Captain Williams the plot OF the refu-
gees. She did not reach Valley Forge
until Washington had left on one Of his
lonely journeys; SO this night, at twelve,
the partisan captain will occupy the
rocks above the neighboring pass, to
"trap the trnppers " OF George Wash
ington.
Yes, that pale slender girl, remember:
ing the words OF her dying mother, had
broken through her obedience to her
father, nfter long and bitter struggle.
How dark that struggle in faithful
daughters heat! She had betrayed his
plots to his .nemies-stipulating hrst
fer tie life, the safety Of her traitor
father.
And now as father and child are sit.
ting there, rs the shouts OF the Tory
refugees echo from the next chamber
as the haud Of the cid clock is Oh the
hour OF eleEen-hark! There is the
sound OF horses hoofs without the
fArmhouse-there is pause-thc door
opens-a tall stranger, wrapped in q
thick cloak, white with Snow, enters, adj
vances to the fire, and in brief words
solicits some refreshment and an hours
repose.
why does the Tory Mannheim start
aghast at the sight OF that strangers
blue and gold uniforn-then munblng
something to his daughter about "get'
ting food Tor the traveller" rush wildly
into the next room, where his brother
Tories are feasting?
Tell me, Why does that young girl
stand trembling before the tall stranger,
yelling he- eyes from that calm face,
with It's blue eye aud kindly smile An
If We may believe the legends OF that
time, few men, few warriors, who dared
the terror OF battle with smile, could
stand uaabashed before the solemn pres
ence Of Washington. =,
For il Was Washington, exhausted
with a long journey-his limbs stiffened
and his face nunbed with coid-it was
the great "Rebel" Of Valley Forge,
WHO returning to camp sooner than his
usual hour, was forced by the storm to
take refuge in the farmers honse. and
claim little food and an hours Eepose
at his hands. -.
In few moments, behold the soldier,
with his cloak thrown oil, sitting at that
oaken table, partaking OF the food,
spread ont there BY the hands Of the
girl, who now stands trembling at his
shoulder.
And look! Her hand IS extended as
il to grasp him by the arm-her lips
move as ii to VAN him Of his danger,
but Il Ike 10 sound. Why all this silent
agony tor the man who sits so calmly
there?
One moment ago, as the girl, in pre-
pairing the hasty supper, opened yondeE
closet door, adjoining the next room,
she heard the low whispers OF her faith
er and the Tories; she heard the dice
box rattle, as they were casting lots who
should stab George Washington in hil
AlAepl