The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-03
AN HISTORICAL KISS.

Lie OcIODer Gays were passing away.
The corn had been harvested, and the
people of the humble little Massachu-
sstts village of Westfield had finished
their preparations for vigorous New
England winter. 1t was in the year 1777.
The American people were battling for
liberty against mighty odds, and West
field had sent her small quota of men to
swell the ranks of the patriots who were
| fighting for their country.
Defeat and hardship had met the
American troops on all sides. and now
the proud general, Burgoyne, flushed
with many victory in the North, was
advancing upon Albany, and the loyal
! people of the Woronoco Valley anxious
ly awaited the arrival of the news from
their friends who were among the pa
triot army. And as the sun sank behind
the grim heights of old Tekoa. anxious
wives and mothers and watchful sweet
hearts followed its receding light, won
dering if the dying rays would fall upon
the lifeless form of husband, son or
lover
A messenger rode into town one night,
as the cold October moon was bathing
in glory the fields and hillsides. His had
been long journey. hundred miles
that day, with few stops and his
faded horse needed no tying as the
rider dismounted at the tavern, and
struck the iron knocker on the quantity
carved door.
The tavern itself was the towns most
imposing building. with its four stories.
gambrel roof, and dormer windows. In
side. the bright fire glowed upon the
broad hearth, and good cheer abounded,
for the host and his comedy wife we're
kind of heart and looked we'll to the
comfort of their guests. So that when
the knock was heard upon the door, they
opened it with cordial greeting to the
young man, whose uniform Of the Amer
lean army could we'll serve as passport
and insure welcome, and the traveller
and his horse were given food. When
the traveller had finish ed, a seat-a
straight backed chair with an odd-look-
ing cushion-was drawn for him before
the fireplace, where group of towns
men sat and talked of the war.
what news, stranger?"
The men who sat about the room had
been told that the new arrival was from
the scene of action in New York, and
they were anxious to hear him speak.
He might tell story if he chose to do
80, and he did, while the listeners sat in
close attention. not minding the fleeting
hours. tailed by the faithful, high bodied
clock in the corner.
Burgoyne, not knowing the real
strength of the American forces, had adj
vanced toward Saratoga. He had been
surrounded by the patriot army, among
which had been the New England Reg.
ulars with some of the Westfeld boys
in the ranks. Burgoyne had surrender
ed; his men had been forced to lay down
their arms. and the cannon and valuable
equipage of the Britishers had been Civ
en- up, and the English army, with their
general, were being marched to Boston,
under armed escort, and would probably
pass through town the next day.
And at the close of the following day,
a cannon doomed from the western hills,
and as cloud of smoke foated above
the reddening naples on the mountain
side. the people of Westfield knew that
the vanquished army was near at hand,
and when night had set in, and the sol.
diers had pitched their tents in the fields
by the roadside, Burgoyne was taken to
the tavern. He bore himself with dig.
nifty, and after he had dismounted and
had entered he handed his sword over
to the landlord for safe keeping. 1t was
the sword that had been surrendered to
Gen. Gates at Saratoga, but the very
magnanimous American general had re-
turned the sword, and the British leader
had been touched by the act
The next morning. when the frost was
on the withered grass, and the vapor was
rising from the river. Burgoyne. an early
riser, prepared to resume his journey. In
few months he would be in England,
and his thoughts were of home. After
breakfast he prepared to take leave of
his entertainers, and after parting chat
with the landlords wife, who had been
his partner in minuet on the previous
evening. Burgoyne printed kiss upon
that lady's cheek. with exceeding gentle
ness and grace.
A century and score of years have
passed since those revolutionary times.
The two armies, invaders and defenders,
have both responded to the last roll-call.
Westield, then a small village, has grown
to large town. but the old tavern still
stands, and the once open fields about it
have been built upon, and the surround
ings have changed. Could it's old walls
but talk. they might tell many an inter-
esting story. Long may it stand. land
mark. a monument, reminder of the
pastl
The captive army went on to Boston,
where they we're detained until the fol-
lowing summer. when they were dis.
persed, and many of them became part
of the colony planted at Charlottesville,
Va. Here a rude village was built on
| tho hpou of q Dlaoao nj r;doa Of hills ord