The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-11-17
Select Sfory.
A STORY OF THE sREVOLU.
t TION.

4 -".. llVNs
The eventful year of 1776 was draw.
ing to a close when Colonel Campbell,
of the British army landed near Savan-
nah, and fell turiously on the Ameri
cans under General Howe, Howe'i
troops were in no condition to face the
enemy; an unsuccessful effort in the
Floridas had enfeebled his men by
disease, and deemiDg discretion the
better part of valor," he departed uI
the river. OF course, the then capita
of Georgia fell into the hands of the
enemy, who abused his triumph, and
consigned his name to be of unepvia
BILE fame.
There was a strange tory element
in Savannah which had been kept in
check by the presence.of the con-
tails, but when the British marched
into the city, it rose and asserted its
strength. Houses were rlun6ered, and
a number OF patriots bayonted in the
streets. Neighbor rose against neigh
Dor, and tories led a plundering soldiery
to the homes q he patriots.
The Holly family that dwelt in
Savannah at the time of its capture,
consisted of three persons-the mother
and two children. Tie father, man
of wealth and influence in Georgia, had
died during the year that proceeded
the outbreak of the war, and the home
of his family was one of the finest in
the city,
Miriam Holly, the oldest child, was a
beautiful girl of nineteen, while her
brother was five years her juuior. If
the father had lived, he might have
proven a tcry, for he was devotedly
attached to the mother country, and
when the Kings troops took possession
of the capital, Colonel Campbell com
maLded that the Holly home should
not be ransacked. .. a.r
Thus the bouse escaped pillage and
Miriam hastened to thank the soldier
for his kindness. .fa f-- Pc
Colonel Campbell was struck by the
girls grace and remarkable loveliness,
detained her at his headquarters until
he had learned her family history by
maLy adroit questions.
There goes the handsomest 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:
81 quite agree with the Colonel.
These Americans are all beautiful"
Campbell was silent for moment.
I'VE will not occupy this building
after to morrow" he said suddenly.
81 am going to take up my abode
beneath the same roof that shelters
Miriam Holly"
Love at first sight, Colonel" said
the chief of staff, with a merry twink
le in his eye. lis Lady Bonn so soon
forgotten, my dear Colonel?"
Lady Bonn be hangeil" cried
Campbell. "a soldier loves when and
whom he pleases, and besides Major,
one is not Obliged to marry one of
these American 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 the sudden change, and
said in whisper to her mother.
''fhis is terrible event. He is ~.
not fit to depart, nor will not be for
d week to come"
Miriam, have been thinking that
it might be policy to give him up TO
the rtI-imy," replied Mrs. Holly. !
Give him up and hear every toy
in Savannah cry for his blootl NJ!
unless discovered, lie shall raIuait
where he is until iie is able to maks
his escape" .. -..
Miriam Holly spoke with much firm
ness, and tears stood in her mothers
eyes when she opened her arms and
received the daughter in her embrace.
Forgive me, Miriaml" she cried,
"We must keep our secret from Col
onel Campbell. He must not know
who lies to day beneath orr roof"
So Miriam hastened from her moth
er's presence, ar by touching a con
cealed spring in the wall of an unf4rn-
ished room, reyealeda narrow stairway
She at once mounted the steps and
entered a small apartment into which
light streamed from a sky window.
The room was tenated. On q low
cot lay man in his twenties His
dark hair contrasted vividly with tie
deathly palor of his face, and the suit
OF continental uniform, with sword
that hung against the wall over the
bed, that told he was an American
soldier. A boy of fifteen who sat on
the edge of the bed was reading aloud,
but in cautious tones, when the door
opened to admit Miriam.
The invalid's face Lit up with simile |
when the fair girl came forward and
took his fevered hand. Then she told
him about Colonel Campbell's change
of quarters, and he listened without a
question. --.-.-- ..
"WelI," he said at lest, "what are
we going to do?"
I'VE are going to remain here till
we get strong enough to leave the
city," answered Miriam, with a smile,
and even while she spoke faint noise
below told her that the British Colo |
mel was moving into his quarters.
The continental was a captain in |
Howe's little army. He had served
the colonies with zeal surpassed by
none who rallied around the cause of
freedom; but disease had seized upon
him in Elorido apd he raturnad xv;tb