The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1881-09-29

Inc moon was s01Dlng Of1gDUy I'D
on the polished musket and gorgeous
equipments of sentinel In the scarlet
uniform Of the Buffs-the crack regi.
ment of the day-as he traversed his
brief round ut the garden gate Of Green.
wich street behind the residence OF
Sir Henry Clinton, the Commander
in-chief of the British forces In Amer.
lea. His stalwart figure and high
grenadier cap made his shadow APP
pear gigantic beneath the rays of our
full and glorious orb-the Western
moon. Occasionally he would pause,
o. IL listening to the rich music which
ever and anon swelled forth from the
residence of Sir Henry, and bis
thoughts turned upon the youth and
beauty rningling in the dance within.
Once or twice he passed the back OF
his hand across his eyes, Is Ii to stay q
trtiant tear that was stealing from its
fountain. His memory rushed to the
days of his home in "merry England
by st. George II he muttered, half
aloud, ~ did not think I could be 50
childish. The sound of that tune has
put me i'm mind Of home and old
Devonshire!"
saying this, he broke out into the
military song of General Wolf, which,
a. tradition goes, he sung while pass
ing up the st. Lawrence, the night
before he fell on the plains Of Abra.
ham:
why, soldier, Why
should ve be melancholy, boys,
Whose business It's TO die - etc.
His voice, naturally sweet, sounded
perfectly melodious, Us. unconsciously,
he forgot his duties as sentinel, and
gave to the song the full compass OF
his manly tones. At little distance,
concealed from the sentinel by the
shrubbery, was an officer, upon whose
arm leaned q beautiful girl-absentees
from the hall room.
IA the after fate of this brave officer
forms o memorable page in our coun.
try's history. my readers may perhaps
like description of his person. He
WIS rather under the middle height,
OF handsome, well-made figure, and
erect, military carriage. His face was
oval, and the features decidedly hand.
some. The main expression of his
countenance displayed frankness and
sincerity. His scarlet coat was faced
with buff. and buff breeches, with
white silk stockings, adorned the low.
or part Of his person. Such was the
ballroom costume Of an officer Of that
period.
You seem melancholy tonight,
Major ANDRE" said his fair cOmpan.
ion. ION such a night as this, you
should be otherwise"
And i'm such company, you should
have added. Miss Beekman. Pardon
me- TOR this apparent quietness. The
thought that this may be the last night
that I shall ever spend in New York,
l. enough to make one feel melancholy
is it not, fair lady ?"
Leave New York, Major Andre ?''
said the young lady, with some sur.
prise. Are you going South with
Lord CORVALLIS
"A soldier, Miss Beekman, must in.
form no one of his destiny, and par.
ticularly one like yourself with touch
of the rebel feeling towards your coun-
trymen. This much ! will answer
am not going South"
some new plan of Sir Henry's, I'll
be bound" said the laughing girl. ~
do love Washington, and that is the
truth. My father, IL is certain. re-
mains firm i'm his allegiance to King
George; but IL go with our revolii-
George-the soldier from Vir-
ginia."
IL cannot say that l think less of
you for such feeling, Miss Beekman,"
said Andre "it Is natural; We should
love our country. Washington is q
brave soldier, and, from all | hear, a
COOL man. Be that rs il may, how
ever, he has no right to take up arms
against his lawful king; and, when
he is taken, as he must be, he will
end his days on gibbet."
"I'lI wager you this rose" said the
merry-hearted girl. in laughing tone,
taking one from her hair, against
the first new novel you receive by the
London packet, that you will suffer
such punishment frst-and that you
know is impossible. Major; for my
treat the Kings officers
with the greatest respect when prison.
ers. Spies only are hung, and neither
nor yourself is likely to
that profession"
II seemed as IL spasm passed
his frame of the officer, for he
for an instant like leaf, an
incident which was long after remem-
ber.d by his fair companion, when
his melancholy fate.
Your are i'll, Major; let us go in"
Mo. no." said he, family; cit was
but n momentary nervous affection,
and has now passed."
There are, ut times, Miss Beekman,
of evil in the human
mind, that come without real cause,
md trouble us we know not why. /
cannot say but that my physical health
Is ~ good as il ever was. The night
Is beautiful. and the scene within Sir
Hcury's mansion enchanting; but
,ii.i there is a heaveniness about my
spirits that I cannot shake Off I see
!, danger before me, yet ] know not
where to guard nor how to meet II.
shadOwy, ii appears palpable
lnd distinct. All! that song"
At this moment, the silver tones Of
he sentinel's song rang sweetly upon
he ear with the words of the song We
nave mentioned Whilst thus engaged,
he Major and his fair companion sud-
ienly appeared before him. In an in
Itani his voice was hushed, and his
nusket brought suddenly to present
lrn,s,n as he stood niOtiOnless in true
military position before his superior.
Nay, nay, Whitney, cease not your
ong," said the Major, ION such a
right as this, l wonder not that you
hould feel like singing. / will stand
to the Sergeant for such q
preach of discipline"
II should like much better to hear
{ in full. soldier" said the lady.
~ only know it, lady," said the
older, from hearing Major Andre
ing II when I've been on duty at his
quarters. Perhaps he, madame, will
'onsent to favor you with it."
We'll, Miss Beekman, l will not
leny, but cannot equal Whitney in
he song, as you will soon find out"
lie then commenced, and sang with
,rcat pathos and beauty. The calm
pIendoi of the night, his pensive air.
mi the feeling with which he en-
cred into the words of the song, gave
I great effect. As he concluded, he
vas SURPRISED to hear the exclamafiOns.
Bravo, Andrea Beautiful :" LEX
'eIlent!" from numerous voices. In
act, he was surrounded by q gOOdly
,ortion Of the ballroom company, who
rad availed themselves of q pause in
he dance to visit the garden.
We'll done, Andre!" said stout
md portly gentleman IN military cos
ume, with large star on the breast
4 his coat ''you shall hereafter bear
he title Of song master rs Adjntant
General to his Majesty's troops in
\ merica. But, come. man-yOur pc