The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-06
BLENNERHASSETT.

BLENNERHASSETT.
Aaron Burr had had constructed for
himself q boat on the plan of fatboats
and barges of that day. 1t was rude
floating house or ark, 60 feet long and
II wide, containing four apartments
and a dining-roOm, a kitchen, with a ire
place and two bed rooms, all lighted by
glass windows, and the whole covered by
Il roof, which served as promenade deck.
The cost of this commodiouS structure he
found to his establishment, was only Sl33.
OF prOpelling power it had none, but mere
" ioated down the swift and winding
stream occasionally aided, and kept clear
of sand-banks, by deXterous use of the
pole and rudder. In the Spring The cur
rent of the Ohio rushed along with sur
prising swiftness, carrying with 1t an ark
or raft eight miles an hour. But for the
jnnumerable bends it would be u resistless
torrent at that season. Along Its whole
course, hills deep, picturesque and lofty
rise almost from the bed of the river and
pour their streams headlOng into il, whom
ever the rain falls or snow meltS. For
hundreds and hundreds of miles this most
beautiful of rivers winds and coils itself
about among those neyer-varying, seldom
receding hills, skirted by numerous fringe
of bottom lands. Those hills, soon TO be
..vineclad," were then one dense forest;
those bottoms, now smiling with farms or
dotted with villages, We're vast unlnhab-
tied plains, covered with coarse, rank
grass in which the deer and buffalo found
home.
When Burr embarked in his strange
craft upon the Ohio Harry Granger was
one of his party. According to instruc-
tons from Burr he had brought his rifle
and pistols with him, though he was not
exactly clear as to what special nse he
was to put them to, unless as defense
against the Indians. The boat tied up at
the shore when night came, and Harry
Granger sat on the deck of the craft, gaz-
ing off into the dark forest, listening TO
the bowling of wild beasts, and thinking
of home, mother and dependent ones whom
he had deserted. Though he had made
provisions for their comfort before leay-
ing, he felt somewhat guilty of deserving
them. He sometimes asked himself why
he had started off on this chimerical ex-
petition. 1t was freak of madness, some
strange infatuation that had suddenly
Overpowered his will and rushed him head
long to ruin.
Col. Burr came ON deck, and finding
Harry alone said:
Alone, my lad, and thoughtful, too;
perhaps you are listening to the wild
beasts in the forest. They rave and tear
each other in their wrath much after the
fashion of human beasts"
Colonel where are We gOing:" Harry
asked
why, down the Ohio, to be sure" Burr
answered.
But there is some mystery about this
expedition which l don't understand"
To this Burr sagely remarked:
"A wise General keeps his plans to him
SELF
But is it more than right that should
know what my destiny is TO be-
NO: but the hand of fate draws n cur
tain over the future. There Is a brilliant
future, my lad, bright promise in store
for you; that is all / am at liberty TO say
at present"
Have you formulated your plans:"
Not fully. | am feeling my way along
as we feel our way down the river with
the lead-line. There are rocks, shoals and
sandbars TO be avoided, but the man with
clear head and brave heart will pass on
to a triumphant voyage in the end. You
are young; you are ambitions. and in love.
The object of your alteration belongs to
one of the most aristocratic families in
America. You cannot expect to win her,
unless you accomplish something great,
and make a name the equal Of any Liv-
ingston.'
Can l ever do that"
You can, you will, you shall. Harry,
you stood by me in my darkest hour, when
some friends deserted me, and | will repay
you by giving you place prince might
envy"
For long time Harry sat gazing off at
the distant stars or listening to wild noises
of the night on shore. Did no monitor
warn him of his danger; no friendly spirit
whisper in his ear that he was rushing on
10 ruin!
All monitors were drowned by the voice
of ambition. The strange, mysterious
triumph commanded his whole attention,
and il doubts and breads occasionally
sprang up in his mind, he did not long en-
terrain them.
Maude Liyingston's sweet, proud face
seemed always before him, bidding him
mount the nights, dangerous and question
able as they might be, TO trample under
foot every obstacle, even the loving hearts
of relatives and dependents. Never did
lover more misunderstood the object of his
affection. The real Maude Livingston, with
her sunny, genial nature and loving heart,
was far different from the Maude Living
ston as Harry had pictured her. His was
a mad, ambitious dream, which Burr, in
order to completely control the youth had
impressed on his mind, and so subtly did
the INSCRIPTIONS conspiratOr manage the
affair that Harry Granger was one of his
most willing followers.
Col Burr, your destiny is mine. so long
as you point out the pathway TO glory. /
care not how steep and dangerous the as
cent may be, / will snatch the golden
crown from the top or perish in the effort.
Yes, | will win a name of which any one
may be proud, and Maude will yet be hap
py TO own il. Ii your expedition is a mill
tary one, show me the foe; | will conquer
him. / am no coward, and have some
Judgment in such matters. Show me the
way, and / will lead your army"
Harry, / will soon have an army, an
tnyincible host OF true men, who will fol-
low you. 1 will have many Marshals, but
you shall be one OF them"
That night Harry dreamed of golden
conqaests. He trod the paths of glory led
by Pizzaro and Cortez. Cities fell be-
meath his eonquering legions and dynasties
were overthrow. A glittering crown was
before him resting on cloud, and when
10 went to seize 1t, 10. it changed TO fair
paired. laughing maiden. 1t was Maude
livingston.