Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-10-09
GREAT COMMANDER.
THE JOY HE BROUGHT TO A sRsvE
BOY AND HIS FATHER.

UnC SSu TIE onSSo'is
BOY AND HIS FATHER.
Maurice T~erraines Interview With Wash
ineton-sGet Us BE Merry. Fer This ny
was Lost and IL Found"
In st. Nicholas Sara King Wiley has
a romance of the American Revolution
entitled Maurice and His Father"
A brave little English lad is separated
from his father and falls into the hands
of the Americans. His father afte-ward
embraces the patriot cause, and his son
is restored to him through the medium
of Washington, as shown in the follow
ing extract:
Maurice was informed that General
Washington was there showing the
works to General Lafayette, and his
heart began to flutter and thump within
him.
Barney was sitting beside him, look
ing at his master with bright and loving
eyes, his little black nose ~quivering.
Barney" said the boy, we're
afraid, but we're not going to stop if
we are"
And, picking up the dog, he took his
way through the rustling leaves that lay
like heaps of gold toward the house
which one of the soldiers. from whom
Maurice ventured TO ask for directions,
had pointed out to him.
eyes, General Washington is there
and alone" he was told.
Could he see him?
"Sure, no, ye little bye" eaid the
Irish sentry. Its were out the poor
gintleman is, already, and it's mesilf
wouldn't bother with all thin jabber-
ing Enrichment"
Maurice was desperate.
"Oh, pleased" he said beg, Barney;
you beg too"
The little dog sat up at once, with
dropping paws.
"Sure, mi own names Barney. And
is your dogs name O'Reilly, too?" said
the sentry.
"Oh, if he is your namesake," ex-
claimed Maurice, you must let him
in! Oh, see, you can hold him while I
| go in!' Maurice thought no one could
| resist such an offer.
I'll see.'' said the soldier, and he
stepped within, and, returning, said,
go on"
Maurice yielded up Barney and
stepped into the hall, went along it and
paused just inside an open door. He
was trembling. a voice said, What is
your errand:" a voice even, grave and
rather severe.
Maurice raised his eyes. Just before
the fireplace stood the great commander.
To the boys excited thought he seemed
even larger than he was. W~asLington's
hands were behind his back. his hand
some head bent a little forward.
"What is your GRAND, my lad?'' said
he again. with a note of command in
the tone.
"Oh, my father, my fatherr' he said.
Il have been lost from him SO very
long!"
Something in the thrilling child's
voice, something in the piteous and for
lorn expression of his face, went straight
to the warn heart that the general car
ried beneath his calm exterior. He
crossed the room in quick strides, and,
layilAs his hand on the boys shoulder,
said Kindly:
"Ny poor child!'
This was too much. Maurice had
borne bravely the long strain of wait
ing, the repeated disappOintmcnts. but
the unexpected sympathy broke down
his self possession. He put his head in
tire crook of his arm and sobs came fast
--sobs that shook him from head to foot.
The general drew him aside, sat down
ID an armchair, and, taking the little
b .nging head in both his own, said,
There, there, stop crying and tell me
all about it,"
Maurice chcked down his sobs and
told his story. At his fathers name the
general rose quickly.
"colonel Terraine's son, Why, then,
20 " father was here a short time ago.
He may he up stairs now!'
Maurice forgot even the great chief
and sprang for the door. But Washing
ton caught him by the arm.
MY dear boy-he does N O know
will 60"
Maurice stood still in the renter q.
the room and pressed his hands hard to-
gether. The general went out and VI
stairs. 1t seemed to Maurice that h,
stepped very slowly.
Colonel ,Terraine sat in an up stairs
room writing. He laid down his pen
and rose as the general entered.
Colonel, :" said Washington, "Ihave
some wonderful news for you" Hi
paused. The officer took u step forward
and opened his lips. but did not speak
Come down stairs with me, con
tinued the general slowly, land ememt
Der as Won go that passage i'll the Scrip
lures, But the father said. Let us IN
merry, for this my SON "-Colonel Ter
rainc caught the back of a chair .fcl
this my OH went on the sweet
grave voice, Twas dead, and is aliv,
again. He was lost and is-found.'"
Colonel Terraine stood an instant
with wide, questioning eyes. Then h,
rushed through the doorway and dow
the stairs. The general followed hin
quickly. There was a loud cry as tn,
colonel entered the room. and Mauric: