Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-26
NUMBER 80.

- ~ C. .rit o., t..t -! = --,'I ''t's-
est. his practiced eye Immediately TAX
hlg in the details of ;he l:ttlc conflict.
lie did not 20 to his Geath alone"
he said meaningly. "'Fore Cad. sir,
here has been pretty fight! Your
name and rank, SIR?
Lieutenant John Seymour OF the
American Continental navy, volunteer
aid OH his excellency General Wash
ington's staff"
"And what do you heref Are you
prisoner"
"No, SIR came with Major Lewis
to visit General Mercer and to look for
my friend under cover Of flag of
truce"
"Ha. How is General Mercer"
"Friehtfully wounded He cannot live
very long now."
He was a gallant fellow, SO | am
told, sir, and fought the father Of his
majesty in the '45."
"Yes," said Seymour simply. This
is where he fell"
The general looked curiously about
him.
And who was your dead friendT' he
continued.
Captain Hilary Talbot Of Virginia.
Of General WashingtOn's STAFF"
What! Not Talbot Of Fairyiew Hall
on the POtomacY said one Of the oti-
GERS.
THE same, SIR
Cad. my lord, Madam Talbot's q
redhot Tory She swears by the king.
I've been entertained at the house
not when the young man was there,
but while he was away-and fine
place it is. Well, here's house d.
vidcd truly"
rs II indeed so, Mr.. SEYMOUR
The young man nodded affirmatively.
What were you proposing to do
with the boly:'
Bury it near here, sir. In the ceme-
terry on the hill by the college. We
have no means of transporting it
hence"
We'll, you shall do so. and we will
bury him like n soldier remember
the family now in England very we'll.
Don't they call them the loyal TalbotsI
Yes, | thought SO. He WIS rebel and
so far false to his creed, but Il gentle
man nevertheless. and brave one too.
Look at the fight he made here, gen.
tlemen. He shall have an escort OF the
kings own troops. and Lord Cornwall
lis himself and his staff for his chief
mourners; ell, Erskne:" said the gal
LIANT earl, turning to the officer who
rode near him.
How will that suit you, Mr.. Sey-
mour: You can tell that to his pOoS
old mother, too. when you see her once
again Some of you bring up COM
pany of troops and get Il gun carriage
there's an abandoned one Of Maw-
hoods over there and Nc'll take him
up properly Have you II lDrse. sir!
All. that's well. And bring a prayer
book il yon can find one. Doubt il
there be any in my stan. presume
shall have prayers too. We have no
coffin for him either. But, stay; here's
my own cloak. proper shroud for
soldier. Surely that will do nicely.
And now let us go on. gentlemen
In short time the martial cortege
reached the little Presbyterian GENE.
terry. The young man. wrapped in the
generals cloak, was soon laid away in
the shallow grave which had hastily
been made ready for him. Seymour.
attended by the two other American
officers. Armstrong and Lewis. after
cutting off lock Of Talbot's dark hair
for his mother. read the burial service
out Of the young soldiers own little
prayer book. which he had found in
the pocket of his coat. AS the earth
was put upon him CORVALLIS and his
officers stood about reverently unc0y-
cred while the sailor read with falter-
ing lips the old familiar words which
for twenty centuries have whispered
Of comfort To the heartbroken children
OF men and illumined the dark future
by an eternal h0pe-nay, rather. fixed
assurance-Of life everlasting.
There was one tender hearted woman
there too. one Of the sweet faced
daughters Of the kindly Quaker. Miss
Clark. She had taken time TO twine
hasty wreath from the fragrant ever
yertlant pine: when the little mound
OF earth was finished, softly she laid
It down, breathing a prayer for the
mother I'm farOff Virginia as she did so.
Then they all drew back while the
well trained soldiers fired the last three
volleys and the drummers beat the
last call. Twas the same simple end
ing which closes the career Of all sol
diers of whatever degree when they
come to occupy those narrow quarters
where earthly considerations Of rank
and station are forgot.
"Sir. beg TO thank you for this dis
tingiished courtesy" said Seymour,
with deep feeling. extending his hand
to the knightly Brton.
DO not mention 1t, sir. beg OF you"
replied CORVALLIS. shaking his hand
warmly. You will do the same for
one Of MS am sure, should occasion
ever demand like service ut your
hands. I will see that your other men
and officers are properly buried. DO
you return now?"
"Immcdiately, my lord"
pray present my compliments TO
Mr-nay. General-W Washington" said
the generous commander, land con-
gratulatc him upon his brilliant cam
paign. Aye. and tell him we look for
ward eagerly to trying conclusions
with him again. GOOdby, sir. Come,
gentlemen" he cried, raising his hat
gracefully as he mounted his horse
and rode away. followed by bis stan.