The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-09-03
Many Years
Ago
By PHILIP CARLETON
Copyright, 1908. by Daily Story Pub. o.,

Oopyrighe, IVY oy Daily story rub Coz
THE youths face was ardent and
pleading, the maiden's coy and re-
sisting.
You know that my father never will
consent so long as you ally yourself
with the rebels" said she, glancing
in to the manly open face and dropping
her eyes modestly. 81 have told you
so many times"
"But what has politics to do with
love7" cried the youth. you know
how long l have loved you and you
have regarded my suit with favor until
our people turned on their oppressors.
Since last year. when the patriots made
the stand at Bunker Hill, you have had
but cold words for me. And yet /
know from your eyes that you still feel
kindly toward me-"
1t was in the shadowy cool of a
modest brick house in Philadelphia on
hot day in early July in 1776, and the
personages were stalwart young
man OF five and twenty clad in the
knee breeches silken hose and cut-away
coat of that day, and dainty damsel
of IS, red-lipped, bright-eyed and al
together alluring in her brocade gown
and rustling petticoat.
81 fear you do not think so much of
me as did the gallant knights of the
story books" replied the maiden,
pouting.
81 swear 1 will go as far "a any of
them to do you any service" he re-
piled, eagerly.
But you will not give up your stub
born support of the cause of the kings
enemies" she replied with spirit. "If
your love for me is so strong why do
you choose to erect between us an un-
surmountable barrier?"
You would not have me do violence
TO my principles?" the young man
spoke sternly.
"My father says that the principle is
| all on the other side-loyalty to the
king, obedience to the law, support of
the mother country" replied the girl,
land that the country has gone wild
over the inflammatory teachings of a
! lot of ambitious and designing leaders.
I heard him say only yesterday to Mr..
Edward Alaine-'
"Alaine-yes I thought that was the
direction in which the wind blew" in
| terrupted the youth, rising and pac-
| ing back and forth across the room
well, surely he is Tory enough to suit
even Col Gordon. Mistress Elizabeth
Gordon, are you going to throw me
over for that cockney?"
| 81 have not said so, Mr.. Charles CAL
vert" replied the girl demurely. my
father approves his suit and he is no
cockney, but an English gentleman
| There is no better family in the king
dom than the Alaines, my father says"
Charles turned scarlet with jeal-
ously and rage. Every WELL" he said
loftily. "If you prefer to marry man
because of his politics and his family
rather than for his merits and the
dictates of your heart, / will retire
from the contest"
"Good-by, Mr.. Charles Calvert, she
said, demurely, as he turned toward
the door, but there was that in her
eyes which caused his anger to drop
from him, and he addressed her
again:
Forgive me, sweetheart; I was
mad with jealousy. What do you
care for King George and his king
dom? Your life is cast here, and
your sweet smiles should be for the
patriots, rather than the oppressors."
'But is it not only a hopeless re-
bellon?" asked Elizabeth, seriously
"Father says they will all be beaten
In few months--as soon as the king
and parliament realize the necessity
of sending over enough ships and sol
diers, and then all the rebels will be
| hanged, imprisoned or transported.
I'm sure / don't want to be u widow
before ] am 20, nor yet to be be-
trothed to a felon."
"The patriots will win," replied
Charles, sturdily.
"What do you care, anyway" cried
the girl, suddenly softening and lay
ing a white little hand on her lovers
arm. "You are well-born, and aaprop-
erty-holder, These troublesome times
will soon be over. and if the rebel
lion is crushed, you will lose your