The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1908-02-13
CHAPTER XyVI-, Continued }

CHAPTER XXVI-' Continued.)
The COMPOSED features Of the officer re-
Iaxed into smile OF :Hnavolence, and he
grasped the hand of ne peddler firmly.
Now. indeed. | know you: and al
though the same reasons Which have hith-
erto compelled me 10 expo" your valua'le
life will still exist. and r-event my open
" assertin; your Charac.o-. in private
can always be your friend; fail not to
apply to me when in w~1t or suffering,
and so long as God give:h 20 me. 50 long
will l freely shara with q man who feels
so no5ly and acts SO Wei. II sickness or
want should ever assail yoI. and pea'e
once more smile uy0n our osorts, seek the
gates of him whom you have 50 often net
as Harper. and he will 10: blush TO &C
knowledge you in his true '2aracter.
The officer stood for a f"w moments in
the attitude of intense tho@-ht. He then
drew to him the desk. ami wrote q few
lines on a piece OF paper. and gave it to
the peddler
That Providence destineS this country
to some great and glorious Eate I must
believe, while l witness thr patriotism
that peryades the boSoms OF hor lowest
citizens" he said. 1T must be dreadful
to q mind like yours to descend into the
grave branded as foe to liberty; but
you already know the lives that would be
sacrificed should your real character be
revealed. 1t is impossible to do you JUS
tice now, but l i5arlessly intrust you
with this certificate; should we never
meet again, it may be serYiceable to your
children"
children !" exclaimed the peddler, "can
I give to a family the infamy of my
name?"
The officer gazel at the strong emotion
be exhibited with lain, and he made a
slight movement toward the gold but 1t
was arrested by the expression OF his com
pan!on's face. Harvey saw the intention,
and shook his head as he continued, more
mildly:
1T is, indeed, a treasure that your ex.
cellency gives me; 1t is safe, too. There
are men living who could say that my
life was nothing to mo, compared to your
secrets. The paper that l told you was
lost, l swallowed when taken last by the
Nirginians. 1t was the only time l ever
deceived your eycellcnCy. and 1t shall be
the last; yes, this is, indeed, a treasure
to ne; perhaps" he continued, with a
melancholy smile, 1T may be known after
my death who was my friend; but if it
should not, there are none TO grieve for
me-"
Remember" said the officer, with
strong emotion, that in me you will al
ways have a secret friend; but openly I
cannot know you"
The armies of America and France
were led by their illustrious commander
against the enemy under CORVALLIS, and
terminated a campaign in triumph that
had commenced in difficulties. Great Brit
ain soon after became disgusted with the
war; and the independence of the States
was acknowledged
As years rolled by, it became a subject
of pride among the different actors In the
war, and their descendants, to boast of
their efforts in the cause which had con-
fessedIy heaped so many blessings upon
their country; but the name of Harvey
Birch died away among the multitude Of
agents who were thought to have labored
in secret against the rights of their coun-
trymen. His image, however, was often
present to the mind of the powerful chief.
who alone knew his true character; and
several times did he cause secret inquiries
to be made into the others fate, one of
which only resulted in any success. BY
this he learned that a peddler of a differ
ent name, but similar appearance. was
toiling through the new settlements that
were springing up in every direction, and
that he was struggling with the advance
of years and apparent poverty. Death
prevented further inquiries on the part of
the officer, and long period passed before
he was again heard of.