The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-05-04
A Revolutionary Episode.

Col. Ralph was hardly more than boy
when he married--in fact only 10. Looking
at the portrait of him painted at that time
t17T7l-it still hangs in the Cuttance man
sion. on the eastern shore-lt seems funny
to call him colonel. A mere STRIPPING, with
light hair colored almost like Young shoots
of certain spring leaves before they have be-
come green land the colonel as we know,
was green enough in those days;) youth
with fine old fashioned sanguine complex
ion, and something unsophisticated about
his well formed lips full of sensitive affec-
ton. This is all there is of it; boy, yet
one of those revolutionary boys who
somehow accomplished things far greater
than many of our full grown men now sue
coed in doing.
He was simply Capt. Cuttance then. but
promotion is rapid in the field, and one day
when his regiment had been nearly cnt to
pieces, he found himself at the head of it.
All the higher officers had been killed.
Then came Monmouth, and transfer to
another command, followed by brief fur
Tough.
81 understand, colonel" Lafayette said to
him as they parted, that you are going
home to welcome new recruit
Col Ralph smiled, yet with an anxious
mien. 81 hope so, general he replied. 81
hope it will be boy"
colonel posted all the way from camp! He
passed straight from the saddle into the
hushed bedroom of his wife in the old man
sion, with the spring mud splashed all over
his boots; yet his steps were light as a
woman's. He did not disturb the baby that
had just arrived, nor the proud and placid
mother-his girl wife Margaret.
.sAh, how happy l amp exclaimed the
colonel to his sister Sally, as they walked the
ID - n~- 4 lokNx "a
were only not for this CHASTITY war, should
have nothing to pain me. Doesn't it seem
strange, dear Sally that men should go
butchering each other, when we see all the
trouble it is to bring one human being into
the world. and the joy that his coming
brings?"
Sally clasped her hands. "Ah, yes,o she
sighed II Il b Ke65e ef the serene Landscape in
front of them. 1t was May time, and the
tints of early summer enriched the whole
scene The trees around the house were in
full, fresh leaf; the lawns looked fair; the
sea dim and blue, was soft and beautiful as
the eye of maiden when the first sweet
sorrow of love imbues it: and far out from
the beach silent white fringed Assateague.
where the colonel and his sister could dis
Germ at times the herds of island ponies
scurrying along the shore. In another di-
rection lay the small family cemetery of the
Cuttances, the occupants of which no roar
of battle nor fear of marauders could dis
turb.
Miss Cuttance's brother regarded her
more carefully. Clad in her long high
wasted white dress, with single gold orna-
ment on the front, at her bosom, she was
singularly graceful. She was beautiful he
well knew, and he saw in her face also
peculiar sadness. "But the war; he said,
gently, "5rings no such perils and anxieties
to you as to me-.
''You forget the danger on this exposed
coast, Ralph"
sNot 10 he replied; 81 would twere pos
sible to forget. But 1 suffer trebly-for
Margaret and the baby and you; while at
the worst you can suffer only in your own
person"
'sYou do wrong to mr. heart, brother.
But, allow you, your ties are deeper and
more than mine.''
Col Ralph laid his hand on her arm. s'Do
you really fear the enemy landing?'' he ask
ed, his half boyish face growing stern and
cloudy.
Miss Cuttance turned her eyes toward the
timid blue of the Atlantic. THE house YOU
surely know, can be seen for miles on the
water. Some cruiser
s'Wait, Sally" he cried. s.You, at least,
must not stay here. Margaret will soon be
about again. Why shouldn't you cross the
ONe%oAA
pepper9,
'sOh, Ralph Leave them all here?'
But you could do no good if party land
ed. My two little brothers know how to use
their pistols; and Margaret, too, on an emer-
gency might perhaps Listen to me, Sally;
I should be easier to have you out of danger.
That's one less. Do you hear?''
Sally became piteous, ssDon't, don't send
me-" she begged. sob, indeed, I'd rather
not co. che clasped her hands to him.
Then she turned away suddenly and looked
wistfully at the ocean.
A change came over the colonel. 'sSalIy.''
said he very grayely. what does this mean?
You are still thinking of Seaton?r She hung
her head and was silent. "Have you been
in correspondence with him?' continued
her brother.
At this she glanced up again, half defiant
~, yet with tears. "Could / help it if he
sent me letter?"
you could have helped reading it. You
should have sent it to me- declared Ralph.
Suddenly his blue and buff arm was raised:
he clasped his forehead. ''My Godr' he ex-
claimed: "for my own sister TO do this-a
Cuttance in correspondence with an enemy
of our country! Oh, why was | not killed at
the Brandywine, rather than live for this?i
Ralph, don't-don't. There is no harm
And Seaton was your own friend. you know
he was. But for you
But for me you would never have met
this man who is trying with the rest to de-
story our liberties. Well, what did he write?
You are aware" Ralph went on sarcaatical-
ly, that he is a lieutenant of his Majesty's
marines? Possibly his information may prove
useful. What did he write, say?''
Only that Sir Georges feet would soon
sail this way-Sir George Collier-and-a
that he might, perhaps, come ashore, and
'Oh, it was this you were afraid of then?
This was the deadly peril. What a loving
sister havel You were afraid, forsooth.
that he would come to rob and burn, and
murder the rest of the family, while taking
you in his arms
The girls eyes glowed. She drew herself
up and faced the young Continental with in
dignation. stDo you dare to say that Lien
tenant Seaton will permit such atrocities, or
take part in them? BE will come here to see
me, and he will let no harm befall those who
are near me. Yes, l was afraid might ney-
er see him again.
For an instant brother and sister faced
each other, trembling with passion; and
through that instant Ralph could not help
admiring the girl, even though she disgraced
his family. His next words, however, were
decisive.
every WE'LL he said; "your fear shall be
justified. You must leave the place this af-
ternoon. Black Frank shall take YOU across
the bay, and ride with you to Culpepper; so
get ready at once. Do you hear me? Do not
delay. And mind not one word of this to
Margaret"
Miss Cuttance knew that she should have
to obey. 'But at this moment of defeat the
tender side of her nature suddenly got the
better of her, 81 will do It," she said, meek
ly. "But if you send me away, why not go
with me?'
"Impossiblel Margaret cannot move.''
sob, true, true" The girl seemed gem |
timely anguished. "But what will become |
of you all?' she cried touching her brothers |
shoulders with both hands. He shook her |
off. IF the enemy should come, and not |
here" she went on. "Ralph, Ralph Think |
of what you are doing. You an officer. They
would have no mercy. Why should you not
fly and leave us? They could not harm wo-
men. Or, if you wish, go ride somewhere
and get help, and return
II might ride to the end of Accomac, and |
it would do no good. Besides, II to fly? |
You remind me that / am an officer. That |
is quite needless, for never forgot Il mo- |
ment, though you may. More than that, l |
am man / hope. He was just twenty. |
this tall, young colonel No, madam, stay
hare And if you ever behold Seaton again |