Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-06-14
THE DOOM or DALzELL.

have calculated the odds against u.s. and
know they are great but still deem it my
duty to myself and my country to take my
place in the ranks of the patriots who are
struggling for the regeneration Of their native
land. The time has come when the mask
must be thrown of, and all those who are in
favor Of freedom must declare for it, and
those in favor of King George and oppression
must take sides with him. l know my father
is n royalist and calls me n rebel has forbid
den me to speak to you, and has closed the
doors of his house against me: but Marian.
my love is stronger than his hatred, and |
have dared to disobey his commands and
asked you meet me, perhaps for the last time.
With me it is question Of death or life, for,
if you refuse to grant my request, l shall
leave you and my home with the fixed
determination Of throwing away my life in
the first battle that offers respite from the
sutIerings Of unrequited love. Now look me
in the face and answer truly, Marian
"What request have you to make, Walter
Tyrrell. Speak, and will answer truly"
Then answer me truly, Marian, do you
low" me-"
"Waltcr. il did not, wouldn't have grant
ed you this interview during my fathers alb
sence. l do"
Then, Marian, you love rebel
80 be it. j. too am rebel"
"You-the daughter Of Colonel Bradford -
"Yes, Waiter, am the daughter of Tory,
but still | am an American"
oh my beloved Marian" exclaimed the
onraptured lover, taking her by the hand
which she allowed to remain unhcsitatingly
in his, what JOY and rapture fills my bosom
to hear you speak those words l came to-
night to bid you farewell, for intend at mid
night TO cross the Delaware and join the army
of Washington. | came to request You to
think of him sometimes who could never cease
to think of you, and whose only fault in your
fathers eyes was that he was rebel. But
now, believing the fond words you have
spoken, and relying on your love, / shall go
with happy heart, and knowing that your
prayers will be waited to heaven for the cause
of my country and for me- will bear with
forttude the hardships and privatons of the
life of soldier, and hope that the dny that
sees my country free will see you my true
and loving wife And now let Dalzell come
for am ready to depart"
"Oh, Walter. fear him much He is one
that looks with jealous eye upon our love"
That he loves you, Marian. | know not
but remember that he and were schooboys
together, our friendship has never been brok-
en-. and like me- he is true to the cnuse of his
country. There is not a heart in Trenton to-
night truer than Dnlzclrs. We have been COM
rades since childhood, scarcely day apart
and tonight We go together as patriots to the
American camp. My cousin William 5 boat
will be in readiness to convey us over the riv-
er Mt twelve and as brothers We shall fight
side 10y side and fall or conquer in the cause
SO disabuse your mind of all suspicion. and
kiss me goodbye until We meet again. Your
love will nerve me in the hour of battle, and
i'll the miseries of the camp and bivouac,
which will be forgotten in thoughts of you
But it is getting late, and l must See my
mother before | depart"
He clasped her in his arms as he spoke. her
head dropping lovingly on his shoulder, n
warm embrace was given and returned, and
Walter Tyrrel, proud and exultant. bidding
her goodbye, wended his way TO his mothers
cottage
Marian watched him from the balcony un-
til he disappeared from view, and then with a
sigh turned into the house As she did so, n
man suddenly emerged from the shrubbery
and gazed for II moment on the spot which
the lovers had so recently occupied.
His face was pale, and the lyid hue of his
lips gave token Of the consuming mge and
passion within his heart He seemed TO strug-
gle against the feeling that possessed him,
and stood irresolute, ms if uncertain what
course to pursue. But the demon of jealousy
that was tugging ut his heart gained the mas
terry, and with an imprecation he muttered
None but the stars were looking on or lis
tening to you, you think. Fool there was
one who heard every word you breathed, and
listened to the vow you pledged and swore.
Your words, like burning lava. fell upon my
heart, and scorched up every feeling of my
nature-save revenge. What to me is my
country, friendship or honor if my heart is
blghted and my brightest hopes crushed and
destroyed? You have stolen my brightest
jewel, and though you We're my comrade
twenty thousand times, | would crush you as
you have crushed my heart. Tonight is
Christmas Eve-the appointed time to Join
the rebel pnks-but 1yrrell, you shall sup
on prison fare Tomorrow and in place of
Marinn's arms about your neck, halter shall
be your portion
With clenched teeth and dark and gloomy
brow, Dalzell strobe ficrcely in the direction
of Trenton.
Two hours afterward, accompanied by a
posse of Hessans, he entered the cottage OF
Mrs. Tyrrell, and arrested her son as u traitor
and rebel.
Walters corsin William escaped but the
only son of the poor widow was conveyed tc
prison to await his execution on the morrow
He was not allowed the benefit of a trial, foi
the lIessians We're taught by the British tC
believe that the Americans would give nc
quarter, and We're sworn to murder all for
eigners who fell into their hands and acting
on this principle, summarily disposed of al
prisoners whom they captured.
Young Dalzell was Walters accuser and be
trayer, and on his information his former
friend and cOmrade was sentenced to be sho
at daylight.
Upon couch of straw in his prison cell
without n ray of light to shine upon him say,
the cold moonbeams that glittered through
the iron bars, the young man sat, thinking O
the many events of the night and the dread
ful fate that awaited him ON the morrow
the cup of bliss SO suddenly Dashed from hi
| lips ere he had scarcely tasted it ; the bright
hopes he had so lately entertained dashed t
| pieces his love- his country and the worl,
| so suddenly become blank to him, and h,
to die an ignomnious death and all thi
through the treachery of his dearest and mos
| trusted friend smote upon his heart with
cold and chilled blight that darkened his min,
and froze his very soul.
Marian's suspicion of Dalzell flashed upoi
him, and in moment of frenzy he curse,
the treachery of his perfdious friend. Tn
misery of his lonely mother and her sorrow a
! his loss for awhile unnamed him. and h
| gave Ntul 10 u COlloub DuIhI Ol ltuIS' linen
suddenly starting to his feet he gazed wildl
around, straining his eyes to penetrate Tia
| gloom 10 find some means of escape from tn
| prison. Bat the voice of the sentry withou
fell ON his ear, and in despair he flung him
self again upon his rude prison couch.
Sleep had fled from his eyes, and the col
and damp from the cellar chilled him to tn
marrow He could hear the loud beating c
his heart, and this and the cries of the pa
troll were the only sounds that broke the still
ness of the night Weighed down with sol
row and pain, he at last became insensible
all around him. Whether he slept or swoou
ed he never knew, but when he opened hi
eyes daylight was streaming through the iro
bars, and he could hear the shouts of the He,
sian soldiers and the clank of their sabres o
the street. Believing that his last hour la
come, and that they were assembling to wi
ness his execution, he commended his soul
God and stood ready for the sacrifice.
But suddenly the booming of distant cal
non was heard. Nearer and nearer it cam'
then a sharp and quick voley of musketr
rattled-another and another followed, Will
IL. IL