The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-09-03

| ull II NOu uO uOU tllbftVN wv 'N'N'
cause and not argue so obstinately
for their side, / am sure father Will
not oppose your suit-and like you
much better than Mr.. Alaine,' with
dropping Of eyes and pretty hush-
ing OF face.
The heart Of the young wooer
ieapcd TO 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 downcast eyes and
heaving bosom--the scarlet in her
check all filled him with desire. To
be so near the realization OF his
dreams and then 70 lose-it war mad
ness TO think Of II. After all, why
must he let politics stand between
his love and he? Mayhsp hi, tory
friends we're right. Perhaps II would
be only n short struggle, and the pa
triots would go down to defeat. Then
I'll would be lost for those who took
an active part. Az any rate, the
cause OF the patriots wa. certainly
desperate. A few sparsely-settled col
onies without cohesion, organization
or wcalth-it certainly was audacious
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 ne re-
garded the gentle figure by HIS side.
He moved as 70 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 bell. The sharp
clangs startled both youth and maid
en-. The spell was broken. Her hand
dropped from his arm. lie straight
encd to his full height and his face
grew stern.
What Is tt?" asked the girl, with
puzzled look. at is not Sunday,
and surely that II not the fire bcll?"
at is the birth of nation" replied
the youth, gravely. THAT Is the
statchouse 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 bravest
men in all America, sitting calmly and
deliberately, have resolved to do this
thing. They have cast their lives and
fortunes into the scale.
elizabeth, I would be worse than II
poltroon if [ evaded my full share in
the struggle that is on. We are no
longer rebels. We are n nation. 1t
is the grandest, noblest cause for
r which blood was ever shed--the cause
of liberty. I love you better than
life, Elizabeth, but not even for your
love can 1 be untrue to my neighbors
and my higher self I am young and
strong. 1 have had opportunities for
education such as few of my fellows
in this country have enjoyed. I am
the possessor Of property I did not
earn, but which came down 20 me
from my pioneer ancestors. II I hang
back in the crisis, who Is to be ex-
pected to bear the brunt? Washing
ton, with few thousand men, Is op-
posing all of King Georges army. He
has cast all he has into the cause
l shall join HIS army Mt once. I have
n captains commission and uthority
to raise a company, which I shah do,
and equip at my own expense
These words were spoken with en-
phasis and determination which left
no doubt az TO their sincerity and
finality. AS he spoke them, the face
of the young patriot blazed with
spirit and his eyes flashed with ear
nestnoss.
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 l chose rightly. If did other
wise, you would live TO despise me,
even as l would despise myself. The
clang of yonder bell will be 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-
chusetts to Georgia--is not for day.
1t is for the liberty of our children
and our chidren's children. We can
not do otherwise. l cannot do other
wise"
He started toward the door, but
cast glance of love and appeal to-
ward the girl. She stopped him with
gesture, and went swiftly toward
him.
81 would not have you do otherwise,
Charles" she whispered as she hid
her face in his bosom. "Whither
thou goest there I will go. 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