Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-12-10

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The heart of the young wooer
leaped 10 his throat. The prize which
he had longed for so earnestly was
within his grasp. He was intoxicated
by the soft and yielding manner OF
the girl. Her downcaS eyes and
heaving bosom-the scarlet in her
cheek all filled him with desire. To
be so near the realization of his
dreams and then to lose-it was mad
ness TO think Of it. After all, why
must he let politics stand between
his love and he? Mayhap his tory
friends were right. Perhaps it would
be only a short struggle, and the pa
triots would go down to defeat. Then
all would be lost for those who took
an active part. At any rate, the
cause of the patriots was certainly
desperate. A few sparsely-settled col
onies without cohesion, organization
or WEALTH. certainly was audaeious
to fly in the face of Great Britain,
with her powerful army and navy,
and her untold resources. These
things fitted through the young
mans mind in an instant as he re-
garded the gentle figure by his side.
He moved as to take her in his
arms, his lips trembled in an effort
to formulate words, when suddenly
there broke upon the stiffness of the
day the pealing of a bell. The sharp
clangs startled both youth and maid
en-. The spell was broken. Her hand
dropped from his arm. He straight
ened to his full height and his face
grew stern.
what is it?" asked the girl, with
a puzzled look. 1T is not Sunday,
and surely that is not the fire bell?"
1T is the birth Of a nation" replied
the youth, gravely. "That is the
statehouse bell, and it rings to signal
the passage of Lees resolution that
the colonies are and ought to be free
and independent states The CONT
mental congress, representing all the
colonies, has thrown off the yoke of
King George. The wisest and brayest
men in all America, sitting calmly and
deliberately, have resolved to do this
thing. They haJS cast their lives and
fortunes into the scale.
Elizabeth, ! would be worse than
poltroon if | evadel my full share in
the struggle that is on, We are no
longer rebels. We are a nation. 1t
is the grandest, noblest cause for
which blood was ever shed-the cause
of liberty / love you better than
life, Elizabeth, but not even for your
love can / be untrue to my neighbors
and my higher self. l am young and
strong. / have had opportunities for
education such as few Of my fellows
in this country have enjoyed. / am
the possessor Of property / did not
earn, but which came down to me
from my pioneer ancestors. If hang
back in the crisis, who is to be ex-
pected TO bear the brunt? Washing
ton, with a few thousand men, is OPP
posing all of King Georges army. He
has cast all he has into the cause.
l shall Join his army at once. / have
a captains commission and authority
to raise company, which ! shall do,
and equip at my own expense"
These wordsNwere spoken with en-
phasis and determination which left
no doubt as TO their sincerity and
fnality. As he spoke them, the face
of the young patriot blazed with
spirit and his eyes flashed with ear
nestness.
The girl looked at him in admira-
ton at the transformation.
at cuts me TO the heart to bid you
farewell" continued Calvert, "but
the day will come when you will |
know ] chose rightly. If did other
wise, you would live to despise me,
even as l would despise myself The |
elang of yonder bell will be a land
mark in history. The structure |
planned by the congress down in the |
statehouse, and to be erected by our
swords the swords of the CONT |
mental army. gathered from Massa-
to Georgia-is not for a day. |
It is for the liberty of our children
and our children's children. We can
not do otherwise. l cannot do other
wise"
He started toward the door, but |
cast a glance Of love and appeal to-
ward the girl She stopped him with
n gesture, and went swiftly toward
him.
II would not have you do otherwise.
Charles" she whispered as she hid
her face in his bosom. WHITTIER
thou goest. there I win 60. Your
country shall be my country"
The pealing Of the statehouse bell
was echoed from every steeple in the
city. and through the soft summer
air came the shouting Of people and
the booming of cannon.
Chalk for the Teeth.