Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-12

Terrible one. i no nOt WOnieT dt
your sadness. But, young gentlemen.
do not take it so to heart. 1t is the
fate of war. and war Is always fright
full
Did you find out the name of the
ship. boatswain?' asked General
Greene.
"Yes, your honor-the Radnor, thirty
six"
Gould no one have been saved"
Querie,l General Knox.
NO one. sir. No boat could have
| lived i'm that sea moment. We could
not put back. could do no good If we
had. and SO we came on to Philadel-
phia. and that's Ill"
NO. general" cried Seymour: Its
not all, We will tell the general the
whole story. Talbot You remember.
sir. the raid on the Wilton place and
the capture of the colonel and his
daughtcr:'' The general nodded.
Well sir, before the Ranger sailed l
received note from Miss Wilton say
Ing they were to be sent to England
in the RadnOr."
You received the note? ! thought
she was alr. Talbot's betrothed. Mr..
Seymour"
Il thought so. too, general. but II
seems that we are both wrong. Lieu
tenant Seymour captured her during
his visit there with Colonel Wilton
said Talbot, with faint smile.
~ am very sorry for you. Talbot.
and YOU are Il fortunate man, Mr.. Sey-
mour. But go on. We are all friends
here. Did you say they were to go on
the RadnorT
Yes. sir. The pursuing frigate was
recognized by one of my men, who had
been pressed and fiogged while OH her,
as the Radnor the ship on which they
were. heard the man say so just as
we neared the reef. To go through
the pass was to lead the English ship
TO destruction and cause the death or
those we-Of the colonel. SIR con-
tinued Seymour in some confusion.
ITO refrain from attempting the pass
was to lose the ship and all 1t meant
for our cause. l could not decide. l
say frankly could not condemn those
I-our friends to death, and l could
not lose the ship either. This old man
knew it all. He has known me from
child. He spoke out boldly and laid
NV duty before me and pleaded with
me-
He did not need 1t, your honor. No,
sir: he would have done it anyway.
interrupted Bentley.
The general took the hand Of the en-
barrassed old boatswain and shook 1t
warmly; then, fixing his glowing eyes
upon the two young men, said:
Continue, Mr.. Seymour"
II know not what l might have
done. but the old seaman's appeal to
INV honor decided me. l went aft with
horror in my heart, but resolved to do
NV duty. On my way there l took
out of my pocket the little note re-
ceived from Miss Wilton. gust OF
wind blew it to the hand of Mr.. Tai
bot 1t was only line. AS he picked
it up he read it involuntarly. We had
some words. drew on him. sir. Ii
was my fault.
NO, no. general; the fault was
mine" interrupted Talbot. Il said it
was my letter. refused to give it up,
insul,ed him. He would have arrested
me. BENTLEY and Philip interfered. l
taunted him. advanced to strike him.
He had to draw or be dishonored."
Nay. general. but the fault was
mine. was the captain Of the ship.
The safety Of the ship depended OH
me-"
"Go on. 60 on. Mr.. Seymour" said
The general. This dispute does honor
10 you bOth."
"The rest happened as has been told
YOU. One OF the splinterS struck MIR.
Talbot's sword and swept it into the
sea. The note went with it. and then
the frigatc was wrecked and Colonel
Wilton and his daughter with all the
rest. lost.
1t was very still in the room.
MY poor friend. my poor friend.
murmured the general. "and that
charming girl. Without moment $
warming. Young gentlemen taking
each of the young men by the hand. Il
honor you. you have deserved well or
our country for the frankness with
which one of you admits his fault. for
il was fault, and takes the blame
upon himself and for the heroic reso-
luton by which the other sacrifices his
love for his duty. Laurens, make out
captains commission for Mr.. Talbot.
Hamilton, l wish you would write out
general order declaring the capture
of the transport and her lading and
the sinking of the Juno and the wreck
of the English frigate. 1t will hearten
the men for our enterprise tonight.
As for you, Mr.. Seymour. shall use
what little influence l may be able to
exert to get you ship at once. Mean
time, as we contemplate attacking the
enemy at last, shall be glad to offer
you a position as volunteer OH my stan
for few days If your duties will per-
nit. And to you, Philip. let me be a
father indeed-my poor boy! As for
you. boatswain, what can I do for
yOu?"
Nothing. your honor; nothing. sir.
You have shaken me by the hand, and
that's enough" The old man hesi-
tated, and then, seeing only kindness
in the generals face. for the old sail
or attracted and pleased him. he went
on softly: AYE. loves a mighty thing.
your honor. We knows it, we old men.
And love of woman's strong, they say.
but these boys have shown us that
something else is stronger"
"And what is that. pray. my friend?'
love of country, sir" said Bentley
in tie #ilence.