Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-08-01
Robert Emmet and Sarah Cur
ran.
BY LAWRENCE LESLIE.

Fs - - as1sis sf
Despair in her wild eye, daughter of Erin,
Appeared on the cliff of a bleak rock
shore.
Loose in the winds flowed her dark stream
ing aiBglets,
And needless she gezed on the dread su-gei
roar.
Loud rang her h.; p, n Wild tones of despa'-
ing,
The time passed away N'th the present com
pairing, - a# :
And in soul-thriliug strains deeper sorrow
declaring,
She sang Erins woes, and her Emmet's nc
more. THOMAS MooRs.
The name OF Robert Emmet will
ever be dear TO those who love liberty
throughout the whole world. His gal
liant efforts in behalf of his oppressed
country, his final failure and tragic
death, are events of history. They are
themes around which eloquence and
poetry have thrown their varied
charms, and over their recital count
less hearts have sWelled with anguish,
and hot tears have attested their love
for the youthful hero. Not so well
known, however, is the unfortunate ID
dy, whose beauty and worth had capti-
waited young EEmet's heart, and who
shared with his country his deepest af-
fection, and last earne~t prayer.
The name of this lovely girl ives Sa-
rah Curran, the youngest daughter of
the celebrated orator snd patriot, j. P.
Curran. She is described as ninetean
years old at the time of young Emmet's
melancholy death, lovely in person,
and possessed of talents and accome
plishments of no ordinary character.
Mr.. Emmet's fine social qualities and
thorough culture made him favorite
visitor at Mr.. Curran's house, and
brought him into almust daily contact
with his daughter. She was a pleas
ant companion, with a sweet, highly
cultivated voice, played charmingly,
and the young couple spent many hap
py hours together. Being Curran,
she was, of coulse, thorough patriot,
and listened with pleasure. and pride
to the fervor Of her young lovers de-
nunciaticn of the despoiler5 of his cOun-
try, and his determination to do some
thing for her deliyerance. In short
time they were plighted lovers, though
their friends were kept in ignorance of
their relations. fs-rf r
But from this pleasing dream En-
met was soon awakened by the stir
ring events around him. The discOn-
tent of his countrymen wa hourly in
cressing, and outbreaks were of fire.
quent occurrence. He plsced himself
at the head of one of these movements,
-aRd on the 23d of July, 1903, he raised
the banner OF revolt. The result is
well-known.
Organized despotism proved too
strong for his efforts, and he saw his
gallant, but feeble forces dispersed and
himself a hunted fugitive. In glen
in Wicklow mountains the discomfitted
leaders OF the revolt met the next day,
10 determine their future course of &C
tion. 1t was decided that it wss use-
less to prosecute the revolt, and En-
met was urged to make his escape be-
before the numerous spies of the En-
gIish should discover his place of con-
ceslment. The opportunity is not
wanting, for several fishing smacks
were lying off the cuast commanded
by persons friendly to the Irish patri-
OTIS. In response to these suggestions
he invariably replied: -
81 shall follow your advice in few
days; but l cannot yet quit Ireland.
Excuse my obstinacy, but there is one
to whom must bad farewell, before
the terrors of despotism force me into
exile. Why should refuse to ac-
knowledge the cause. for i am not
ashamed of a weakness that compels
me 10 do an act of Justice to beg, and
If possible, to obtain forgiveness from
a woman whom / have unintention-
ally irjured-whom l have loved SO
well that / must once more see her,
though ten thousand deaths waited on
the interview.
In the prosecution of this intention
the ardent and faithful lover returned
to Dublin, took lodgings under All as
sumed name, and sent trustworthy
messenger to Miss Curran, with letter
an interview before he
should leave the country forever. But
the letter never reached the lady for
whom it was intended. The messen-
ger was arrested on his way to the
house of Mr.. Curran, the letter found,
and Eenlpet's place of concealment re-
vealed While he was impatiently |
waiting for Miss Curran's appearance,
the door of his room was suddenly
broken open, q number of English SOL