Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-08-29
GREAT COMMANDER.
rHE JOY HE BROUGHT TO A BRAVE
BOY AND HIS FATHER.

i
inKtOn--'Tet Us he Merry. For This MY
SON Wa Dead aud Il Alive AxAins He
Was Lost and IL Found"
In st. Nicholas Sara King Wiley has
a romance Of the American Revelation
entitled Maurice and His Father 4"
A brave little English lad is separated
from his father and falls into the hands
of the Americans. His father afeerward
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 fiutter 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, were
, 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.
5 Eyes, General Washington is there
and alone" he was told
Could he see him?
Sure, no. ye little bye" said the
I Irish sentry. Its wore out the Door
gintleman is, already, and it's mesilf
wouldn't bother with all thin jabber-
, ing Frinohmenp'
Maurice was desperate.
"Oh, pleased he said. beg, Barney;
: you beg too
The little dog sat up at once. with
e dropping paws.
: Sure, me own names Barney. And
y is your dogs name O'Reilly, tooP'' said
the sentry.
u "Oh. if ne is your namesake," ex-
claimed Maurice, ''you must let him
. ini Oh, see, you can hold him while 1
go inr" Maurice thought no one could
resist such an offer.
TN see" said the soldier, and he
stepped within, and, returning, said,
go on 4"
l. Maurice yielded up Barney and
e stepped into the hall, went along it and
e paused just inside an open door. He
was trembling A voice said, what is
l. your errand?" voice even, grave and
J. rather severe.
= Maurice raised his eyes. Just before
the fireplace stood the great commander.
10 To the boys excited thought he seemed
# even larger than he was. Washington
$ hands were behind his back, his hand
some head bent little forward.
l. "What is your errand. my lad?'' said
ii he again, with note of command in
s. the tone.
ooh, my father, my fatheri'' he said.
Il have been lost from him so very
81 longr"
- Something in the thrilling child.
voice, something in the piteous and for
D. lorn expression of his face, went straig hi
ct TO the warm heart that the general car
On ried beneath his calm exterior. n,
1t crossed the room in quick strides. and
er laying his hand on the boys shoulder
said kindly:
my poor childp'
This was too much. Maurice hat
borne bravely the long strain Of wait
he ing, the repeated disappointments. bu
the unexpected sympathy broke down
"a his self possession He put his head il
II the crook of his arm and sobs came fas
ID. -sobs that shook him from head to foot
en- The general drew him aside, sat dow
We in an armchair, and, taking the littl
hanging head In both his own, said
he ''There. there, stop crying and tell m
th. all about iti''
oil Maurice choked down his sobs an
BIZ told his story At his father s name tn
- general rose quickly.
Ier Colonel Terraine's sonl Why, then
ID your father was here short time age
10 He may be up stairs nowl'
o'5 Maurice forgot even the great chic
and sprang for the door. But Washing
OIL ton caught him by the arm.
ed my dear boy-he does not know
DC. will go"
i've Maurice stood still in the center {
the room and pressed his hands hard +,
Fps gether. The general went out and q
CT stairs 1t seemed to Maurice that I
Cd stepped very slowly.
,na Colonel Terraine sat in an up stat,
sic room writing. He laid down his DC
and rose as the general entered.
loo Colonel, " said Washington, "I ha,
IN some wonderful news for you" (
re- paused The officer took step forwau
and opened his lips, but did not speal
Come down stairs with me, " col
tinued the general slowly. land remen
Der as you go that passage in the Scri
cid lures. But the father said, Let us
leo merry. for this my SON. Colonel TIE
Au- raine caught the back of CHAIR f
ers this my SON" went on the swee
grave voice, was dead, and is ali
ger ger again. He was lost and is--found. F."
of Colonel Terraine stood an instan
90 with wide, questioning eyes. Then
Attn rushed through the doorway and dow
.es- the stairs. The general followed hi
quickly. There was loud cry as &
ex- colonel entered the room, and Mauri
tist sprang into his fathers arms. Gener
to Washington closed the door and sto
ing guard over 1t himself. Barney, havil
escaped from the soldier, tore in, al
- the general stopped from his great heig
to pat the little dog. If Barney h
been a man, he would have seen Ii
there were tears in the bright blue ey.