The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-11-14
Selfrt Storv.
Hannah Arnett's Faith.
A CENTENNIAL STORY.

The days were at their darkest, and
the hearts Of our grandfathers we're
weighed down With doubt and despond
ency. Defeat had followed defeat for the
American troops, antil the army had be-
come demoralized, and encouragement
had we'll nigh become despair. Lord
CORVALLIS, sfter his victory al Fort Lee,
had marched his army to E!izabethtown,
(Dec, .1776,) where they were now en-
camped. Oh the 30th of November the
brothers Howe had issued their celehra-
ted proclamation, which offered protec
tion to all who within sixty days should
declare themselves peaceable British sub
iects and bind themselves neither to take
up arms against their sovereign, nor to
encourage others to do so. 1t was to
discuss the advisability Of accepting this
offered protection that a group OF men
had met in one of the large old houses
Of which Elizabethtown was, at that
time, full.
We are apteto think Of those enlSf times
as days of unmitigated loyalty and cour-
ace; OF eur ancestors as unfalterng he
roes, ,swerving never in the darkest hours
from the narrow and thorny path which
conscience babe them tread. Yet human
nature is human nature in all ages, and
il at times the old.fashioned 6re" burn
ed low even in manly hearts, and pro.
found discouragement palsied for time
the most ardent courage, what are We
that we should wonder at or condemn
them2 Of this period DR.. Ashbel Green
wrote:
81 heard man of some shrewdness
once say that when the British troops
overran the State of New Jersey, in the
closing part of the year 1776. the whole
population could have been bought fol
eighteen pence head"
The debate was long and grave. Some
wer. for accepting the offered terms q
ouce; Others hung back little, but oil
at length agreed that it was the only
thing to be done. Hope, courage, 10y
atty, faith, honor-all seemed swep
away upon the great food Of panic whicl
had overspread the land. There was oD,
| listener, however, Of whom the cage
disputants we're ignorant, one to whose
heart their wise reasoning was very fsI
from carrying conviction. Mrs. Arnet'
the wife of the host, was in the mex
room, and the sound Of tee debate reach
ed her where she sat. She had listene,
lin silence until, carried away by her fee
lings, she could bear no more, and spring
ing to her feet she pushed open the par
llor door and confronted the assemble
group.
Can you fancy the scene? A large
low room, with dark, heavily carved ful
niture of the period, dimly lighted b
the tall, wax candles and the wood fire
which blazed in the huge Fireplace :
Around the table the group OF men
. lpallid, gloomy. detected, disheartene'
, In the doorway the figure OF womal
in the antique costume with which,
those latter days, We have become go 4
: milisr. Can you not fancy the prou
poise OF her head, the indignant light I
>. her blue eyes, the crisp, clear tones
her voice, the majesty and defiance ar
scorn which clothed her as garment.
The men all started up at her entranc'
the sight of ghost could hardly ha'
caused more perturbation than did th
of this woman. Her husband advance
hastily she had no business here; q "
man should know her place ano keep
o Questions of politics and political eco
omy we're not for them; but he wou
S shield her as far as possible, and poi
out the improperly OF her conduct
terward, when they should be alone.
4. he went quickly up 70 her with war
ing whisper:
"Haunab! Hanuah this is no pla
: for you. We do not want you here j.
now" and would have taken her ha
to lead her from the room s.3fst.
She was domicile little woman a
obeyed his wishes in general without
lword; but now it seemed as il she scar,
ly saw him, as with one hand she push
him gently back and turned to the sta
led group.
"Have you made your decision, g
tlemen?' she asked. Have you cho.
the part of men or of traitors 2"
1t was putting the question too bro
ly-sO like woman, seeing only
. bare, ugly facts, and quite forgetting
o delicate drapery which was intended
vail them " was an awkward posit
to put them in, and they stammered
bungled over their answer, as men i
a. false position will. The reply came
10 last, mingled with explanations and
:, cuses and apologies.
=, "Quite hopeless, absurd for starvi
" LIE .l.Ak.l IA a; al; "a od rrnu liira a