Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-09-28


M11 the hero, Hugh
Wynne, and Gen.
Washington Immediately following the
sentence OF Maj. Andre; wynne seck-
ing to induce Washington to allow An
DIRE to die soldiers death:
huge fire of logs blazed on the
great kitchen hearth, and at table
covered with maps and papers, neatly
| set in order, the general sat writing
He looked up, and with quiet cour-
tesy said, Take a seat, Capt. Wynne
l must be held excused for a little"
| / bowed and sat down, while he con-
tinued TO write.
His pen moved slowly, and he
| paused at times, and then went on
apparently with the utmost delibera-
tior. j was favorably placed TO watch
him without appearing to do so, his
| face being strongly lighted by the can
dies in front of him. He was dressed
, with his usual care, in a buff waist
| coat and blue-and buff uniform. with
! powdered hair drawn back to quere
| and carefully tied with black ribbon.
The face, with its light-blue eyes,
| rudy cheeks, and rather heavy nose
| above a strong jaw, was now grave
and, thought, stern. At least half
hour went by before he pushed back
his chair and looked up.
l am fortunate as regards this con-
versation, since on my return | set it
down in diary which, however has
many gaps, and is elsewhere incom-
plete.
| Capt. Wynne," he said, II have re-
fused to see several gentlemen in re-
gard to this sad business, but I learn
] that Mr.. Andre was your friend, and
/ have not for2otteu your aunt's timely
aid at a moment when it was sorely
needed. For these reasons, and at the
earnest request of Capt. Hamilton and
the Marquis, | am willing to listen to
you. May ask you to be brief?" He
spoke slowly. as if weighing his words.
l replied that | was most grateful
that l owed it to Maj. Andre that /
had not long ago endured the fate
which was now to be his
Permit me, sir" he said, Ito ask
when this occurred"
/ replied that it was when, at his
excellency's desire, / had entered
Philadelphia as spy; and then l went
on briefly to relate what had happened.
Sir" he returned, you owed your
danger to folly, not to what your duty
brought. You we're false, for the time,
to that duty. But this does not con-
Germ us now. 1t may have served as
lesson, and ] am free to admit that
you did your country great service.
What now can do for you? AS to
this unhappy gentleman, his fate is out
Of my hands. / have read the letter
which Capt. Hamilton gave me-" AS
he spoke he took it from the table and
deliberately read it again, while |
watched him. Then he laid it down
and looked up. i saw that his big, pa
tient eyes were overfull as he spoke.
81 regret, sir, to have to refuse this
most natural request; / have told Mr..
Hamilton that it is not to be thought
of. Neither shall | reply. 1t is not
fitting that | should do so, nor Is il
necessary or even proper that | as
sign reasons which must already be
plain to every man of sense. Is that
all?"
| said, Your eXceliency, may / ask
but minute more?'
Il am at your disposal, sir, for so
long. What is ito"
| hesitated, and, | suspect, showed
plainly in my face my doubt as to the
propriety of what was most on my
mind when | sought this interview.
He instantly guessed that / was en-
barrassed, and said, with the gentlest
manner and slight smile:
"Ah, Mr.. Wynne, there is nothing
which can be done to save your friend
nor indeed TO alter his fate; but if you
desire to say more, do not hesitate
You have suffered mucn for the cause
which is dear TO us both. Go on, sir"
Thus encouraged, l said IF on any
pretext the execution can be delayed a
week, am ready to go with friend"
Il counted on Jack--"to enter New
York in disguise, and to bring out Gen.
Arnold. ] have been his aide, / know
all his habits, and | am confident that
we shall succeed il only can control
near New York detachment of tried
men. / have thought over my plan.
and / am willing to risk my life upon
It."
"You propose gallant venture, sir,
put it would be certain to fail: the SER
vice would lose another brave man,
and | should seem to have been want
ing in decision for no just or assignahle
cause"
l was profoundly disappointed; and
in the grief of my failure | forgot for
moment the august presence which
imposed on all men the respect which
|, no sovereign could have inspired.
"My God, sir! | exclaimed, land
this traitor must live UNPUBLISHED and
man who did but what he believed
to be his duty must suffer death OF
shamew Then, half scared, | looked
up, feeling that / had said too much
He had risen before | spoke, meaning
no doubt, to bring my visit to an end
J and wac standing with his back to