Litchfield enquirer., 1876-03-23

s.Yes.'' ssfa got.,.Cf aat lsr-s-s...- Honor and power are not all-satisfy- ing eEas II sabHr linsla stt,A9 ass s, "NO, Frances. z
 tI no longer owe Theodore anything. do IF" 9 1s1 II .5..fsa "a sr.es1 {. No" "fafrE 3tf,e e a=sa=r'sT
 elf should say yes, should you, wish the two years were gone?" Yes.' -s4' f
 ."Very we'll. A week of waiting is a year when one loves. So my two years mourn ing shall be just two weeks. love you, John, with all my heart. I have loved you ever since can remember. I've ex- plated my sin Tn marrying Theodore-for it scGs sin-and next Saturday, please God, I'll be 8 happy wife at last" He c1asped her in his arms and showered hundred kisses upon her lips. ' "My Frances mine at last p he ex- claimed. Presently, in calmer tones. but with his arms still folded about her, he said. 'I understand your generosity, but you shall not make sacrlfice of yourself. how Portsmouth would talk p -#~ :. Nobody will dare to use nay name in gossip replied Mrs. Atkinson, freeing herself from his embrace, and drawing her erm up until it seemed as if all the pride of all the Wentworths was condens- ed in her attitude and eyes, With regard to Theodore, I've kept the law of God and man to the letter. NoV nothing but law shall stand between us and happiness"
 ''There spoke your fathers daughter" said the Governor, looking at her with admiration, and catching the fire of her independent spirit.
 Thus it happened that Mrs. Atkinson realized, after many years, the sweet dream of her early girlhood. They were married G1of turday, November II, 1769, by the tsst 4 -rthur Brown, in Queens Chapel, and entered upon very eyentful life to- gether.
 About month after his marriage, Gov ernor Wentworth granted the charter to Dartmouth College. With the opening spring the spirit of resistance again show ed itself in Portsmouth, but was subdued
 In June, 1774, a cargo of tea from Eng land was brought into Portsmouth Har- bor. It was immediately returned. Soon after, another cargo arrived, consigned to the same person. The result of this was riot. The indignant citizens broke the doors and windows of the consignee, com polling him to apply to the Governor for protection. Up to this moment themagnst- ism of Governor Wentworth's personal influence had held the Province in re- straint, but the star of his popularity had reached the Zenith, whence it rapidly de- clined. In direct opposition to his or ders, the Provincial Assembly invited deputies from the various towns to meet Tn convention at Exeter In order to elect delegates to General Congress of the American colonies. In his letter to the English ministry at that time hs sorrow fully acknowledged the fact that. New Hampshire had taken side with the other. colonies. In September the Continental Congress met at Philadelphia. At this time Boston was occupled by British troops. They were destitute of barracks, and no carpenters would work for them. In this extremity, General Gage applied for aid to Governor Wentw orth, who se- cretly employed an agent to hire carpen- ters in Portsmouth. This act was death blow to his already failing popularity, and he became only nomiDal Governor, the real power being vested in a Committee of Safety. Following upon this, one dis turbance after another kept the Province ill turmoil, and thus the winter of 1774-75 passed away. Governor Vent worth, in his speech to the Assembly on the 4th of May, desired them to adopt such measures as would tend to secure a final reconciliation with England, and he laid before them Lord Norths proposi- tion of peace. In order to consider this advice, the House adjourned to the 18th of June. After this, the Governor retired to his seat on Lake Winpipiseogee. Here he occupied himself Ill the pursuits so congenial to his nature-the planning of roads, the improvement of his farm and the farms and general condition of the neighboring families Meanwhile the Revolution was making rapid strides in New York, but New Hampshire was out wardly quiet.
 VI.
 In the midst of this rural repose the Governors confidential servant made his appearance. A large gathering of the country people W as assembled at the Gov ernor s house, and watching and partici- pating in their merry games, and engaging i'll grave but pleasant conversation relative to agriculture, the Governor had almost forgotten that he also was not simple farmer. Suddenly his ears, which had almost unconsciously been strained for weeks to catch the sound of approaching danger, heard, above the confusion of careless and merry voices and all the cheerful stir that filled the grand rooms, sound that was death-knell to all royal festivities there. No one else noticed, but he heard the chatter of approaching hoofs A moment later servant whispered in his ear that some one was waiting to see him in the Government House. Begging his guests to excuse him moment. and leaving the house and passing through the garden, he entered the apartment where he had spent so many hours in the serene past planning for the prosperity of his Province.
 ''What has happened, Thomas? Make haste and let me know the worst, for l must return to my guests.
 ''Your Excellency, three days ago Gen. eral Gage issued proclamation declaring all Americans in arms rebels and traitors, but offering free pardon to all who re- turned immediately to their allegiance, excepting John Hancock, and Samuel Adams, whom, he says, he will send to England to be hung. The news of the proclamation reached Portsmouth the next day. Some of your Excellencys en- emies have made bold to say that Han- cock and Adams shall never be hung, or if they are. that theywill retaliate., Their intention IS to seize you and some other loyal subject as hostages" .
 "Has 1t come to this !' exclaimed the Governor, when Thomas ceased speaking. ''And from people to whom I have been a true friend p he added, with tinge of bitterness that was but natural. "Well. remain here until the party breaks up I would not have them see you. I must have time for thought before I arouse suspicion. will send you some refresh ments, and then YOU can rest youself on that couch." Saying this, he returned to the house, and moved easily among his guests until the great hall door closed on the last, on hour later Then he offered hls wife his arm, saying ''The night is too fair to squander in sleep. Come into the garden, Frances. 49 e.n l
 For few moments he hesitated to tell his wife what had happened, and they paced silently mp and down the quiet walks. It was June night, warm, still, ! and sweet. The dew-laden shrubs and n !