The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-15
The Hidden COQtiQeQtal,

The eventful year of ITS was drawing
to close when Colonel Campbell, of the
British army, landed near Savannah, and
fell furiously on the Americans under
General Howe. Howe's troops were in
no condition to face the enemy; an un-
successful campaign in the Floridas had
enfeebled his men by disease, and deem
ing discretion the better part of valor,"
he retreated up the river.
OF course, the then capital of Georgia
fell into the hands of the enemy, who
abused his triumph, and consigned his
name to an unenviable fame.
There was strong tory element in
Savannah which had been kept in check
by the presence of the Continentals; but
when the British marched into the city,
it rose and asserted its strengtlf% Houses
were plundered, and a number of patriots
bayoneted in the streets. Neighbor rose
against neighbor, and tories led plum
dering soldiery to the homes of the
patriots.
The Holly family that dwelt in Savan-
nah at the time of its capture and sack,
consisted of three persons--the mother
and two children. The father, man of
wealth and influence in Georgia, had died
during the year that preceded the out
breaking of the war, and the home of his
| family was one of the finest residences in
| the city.
Miriam Holly, the oldest child, was
beautiful girl of nineteen, while her
brother was five years her junior. If the
father had lived, he might have proven
tory, for he was devotedly attached to
the mother country, and when the kings
troops took possession of the capital,
Colonel Campbell commanded that the
Holly's home should not be ransacked.
Thus the house escaped pillage, anG
Miriam fastened to thank the soldier for
bis kindness.
Colonel Campbell was struck by the
girls grace and remarkable lovelinesS
and detained her at his headquarters
until he had learned her family historJ
by many adroit questions.
''There goes the handsomest woman
| in Georgia." cried Campbell, as the girl
left the house.
"IIis companion, who happened to be
his chief of staff, looked after Miriam
and remarked:
81 quite agree with the colonel.
These American rebels are all beau
| tiful."
Campbell was silent for moment.
"We will not occupy this building af-
ter tomorrow" 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 twinkle in
his eyes. 'Is Lady Bonn SO soon for
gotten, my dear colonel p
"Lady Bonn be hanged |" cried Camp
bell. "A soldier loves when and whom
he pleases, and besides, major, one is not
obliged to marry these American girls
because he loves them"
The conversation was interrupted by
the arrival of an orderly, and was not re-
r. Sumed.
On the following day Colonel Camp
bell made Miriam Holly's home his head
quarters.
The girl grew deathly pale when she
learned of the sudden change, and said in
q whisper to her mother:
"This is a terrible event. He is not fit
to depart yet, nor will he for week to
come"
"N1iriam, I have been thinking that it
might be policy for us to give him up to
the army" replied Mrs. Holly.
"Give him up now?" cried the girl.
Give him up and hea% every tory in
Savannah cry for his blood? No! Un-
less discovered, he shall remain where he
is until he is able to escaped"
. Miriam Holly spoke with much firm
ness, and tears stood in the mothers
eyes when she opened her arms and re-
ceived the daughter in her embrace.
! "Forgive me, Miriam" she cried.
e "We must keep our secret from Colonel
5 Campbell. He must not know who
, lies to-day beneath our roof"
: So Miriam fastened from her mothers
presence, and by touching a concealed
, spring in the wall of an unfinished
r room, revealed narrow stairway. She
= at once mounted the steps and entered q
t very small apartment into which light
=. streamed from a sky-window.
The room was tenanted. On low cot
t lay man in his twenties. His dark
t hair contrasted wildly with the deathly
pallor Of his face, and the suit of faded
continental uniform, with sword, that
hung against the wall over the bed, told