The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-07-29
Select Storg.



It was an autamnal evening-the forests
had begun to don their mantles Of gorgeous
colors The fields. shorn of their harvest
treasures, lay like golden lakelets in the
rich and mellow sunset The noble High
lands, like giant warriors, clothed in then
panoply Of rock and foliage, threw sullen
shadows far out upon the bosom Of the
glorious Hudson, which, rolling on in its
path of beauty, CLEANED ike fallen rain
bow In the innumerable tints Of occidental
glory. Far in the distance lowered the
venerable Cro'nest, begirt with diadem Of
purple and gold. Thesfrst star was twink
ling on the brow Of twilight. dark clouds
were encircling the zone Of creation, rock
and mountain, tree aud shrub, hill, dale,
valley and rivulet, al commingled in one
hazy sofiness, rendering it scene Of in
describable loveliness, beautiful as in those
days Of primitive innocence ere sin was
known. on desolation and decay had fallen
upon blossoms Of our earthly Eden. Such
was the evening when barge was seen te
leave the promontory Of West Point, in the
Besghborho0d Of which we locate our mar
rnsire, in the year l7S2. Ig it were sew
srsl peszons attIred in the military COS
t.,mes of that period who, with wen meas
prs.1 ssvo Sea If their cars, made il dance
oyeg the -al, Ten waters like ray of light.
In the stern wss seated man about 30
years Of ace. His head was uncovered,
and revealed to view wide and capaeioas
hraw. ~ features were i. 1s..afked and mascu-
line; his mouth, which was peculiarly o'lar-
acterized hy eloseness Of the hpss gave %
him lock Of dissemination yet which 10
no way impaired the mild and meEeiful ex-
preston which reigned over his general
aspect. Like the Others IN the boat, he
wore a dark-bIue ooaf, with broad buff fac
ines. closely buftoned 70 the thrcatS Scoeked
hat. close fitting bnckskin snsail-clOthes,
hiah military boots, with spurs of steel,
with belt Of buff encircliBg his waisi, in
which was fixed a straight sword Such
was the costume Of the parsonage who was
destined to achieve the liberty Of his eoun-
try and 20 burst the fetfers nf oppression
Reader, need We say who be Easg In
your '.mind's eye does be aat stand be
FORE You Il not his name the wafchword
of your independence, and his memory en-
shrined in the heart Of every son Of free
dom? 1t was George Washington
As the barge gained the opposite bank.
one of the rOwers leaped ash0EE and made
it fast to the root Of a willow which hung
its broad, thick branches over the river
The rest Of the party then landed and un-
covering saluted their commander, who re
specffully returned their courtesy.
BY 10 o'clock you may expect me,
said Washington BE cautioas--look
wen that you are not surprised These are
no times for tEihing.
nDepend upon US. replied one of the
party.
II do, he responded, and bidding thea
farewell departed along the bank Of the
river.
That night party was to be given at
the house Of one Of his old and yalned
friends to which he, with several other
American officers, had been invited, II
was seldom that he participated 10 festiyi-
ty, more especially ut that period when
every moment vas fraught with danger;
nevertheless, in respect to en- old acquaint.
anee. backed by the solicitations Of Ruby
Rugsdale, the daughter Of the host, he had
consented to relax from the tolls Of military
duty and honor the party for few hours
with his presenee-
After continuing his path for some
distance along the rivers side he struck off
into narrow road, bordered thiekly with
brush wood, tinged with a thousand dyes
OF departed summer-hcrc and there gray
crag pecped out from the foliage, over
which the green ivy and the scarlet wood
bine hung in Wreathy dallianee; at ether
places the arms Of the chestnut and noun
tain ash met in ieafy fondness and east gloom
deep almost as night Suddenly crush
ing among the branches was heard and
like deer, young Indian girl bounded /
into the path and stood full in bis presence.
He started back with surprise, laid his hand
upon his sword--but the Indian girl only |
fell upon her knee, placed her finger on her I
lips, and By sign with her hand forbade
him to proceed.
s'Nhat seek You, my wild-fower = said
sfAE AGfANAaA AJAtC rAAA tS0 ~ ACA A<NAs NAA NW
/ small tomahawk from her belt of wampum
md irritating the act of scalping the enc
ny-then again waving her hand as if for
bidding him to advance, she darted into
he bushes, leaving him lost in amazement.
s'There is danger, said he to himself,
lfter short pause, and recovering from
lis surprise. sThat Indians manner be-
okens me no good, but my trust is in God;
le has never yet deserted me, and resum-
ng bis path he shortly reached the mansion
# Rufus Rugsdale.
His appearance was fhe signal for joy
mong the party assembled, each of whom
lied with the other to do him honor AL
hough grave in council and bold in war,
ret in the bosom of domestic bliss no one
new better how to render himself agree
bic The old were cheered by his conso-
atory words, the young by his mirthful
manner, nor even in gallantry was he want
az when it added to the virtuous spirit of !
he hour. The protestations of friendship 4
nd welcome we're warmly rendered to him
y the host Fast and thickly the guests
-,-a II q svs,sla fha 1o.,ayh and