The Coolidge examiner., 1933-08-04

Colin hired horse and in the sad
die, with a farmer to guide him, he
set out on the westward journey.
They reached the Old York road
where he began TO get news. The
British were in Philadelphia and
Germantown.
Some miles north Of the latter
place he came upon the light dra-
goons OF Washington. They told
him that he would find Amos at
Percy's tavern not a mile away.
There he met the redoubtable
trooper. His right shoulder was
still in supports and giving him
pain. Excused from duty, he had
come to an inn for the solace to be
found in drink. Tears came to his
eyes when he pressed the hand of
the boy. His left eye was immod.
erately wide open, his right eye
nearly closed. his forehead In deep
wrinkles.
Colin put the usual question :
"HOw are your"
"Shamed o. myself" Amos an
swered. Been real poorly since
Satan fetched me a cuff which We
know | deserved 1t If ever a man
did. Guess | must a done some
purity tall talkin' thar In that tree
an / amt none too good now. If
it wasn't fer the love o. God In me
I'd git drunk an stay drunk the
rest o. my days. swear / would
Pm that wore out with the
achin'."
You should have stayed in the
hospital. You're so bound up in the
old regiment you cannot let ii get
away from you"
(which the fact is, an Gods my
witness. / love 1t an our great ia
ther. We've been through hell with
him an stuck together. Where il
goes l go an where he goes go. If
I'm barefooted an thar's snow on
the ground an ] know my grave is
not a mile ahead. I'm a-goin'."
Amos was like a faithful dog
who suffers much and bravely dies
for his master 1t was the spirit
of the regiment In their talk its
men often called the Chief father"
as a way of indicating their affec-
ton.
Have you got over being anxious
for that charming widow" Colin
asked.
mo, sir. Not never" Amos an
swered. II think O. her frequent
Il do. Ay es. Can't help ii but
the Lord p'ints out the way fer me
an / stick to the father"
To Collins astonishment he
learned that the regiment on Its
march had not met Miss Fayer-
weather and her friend. He dis.
charged his guide, who turned back
with the two horses. Colin went
on with Amos TO the camp at
Whitemarsh. AT headquarters Cen
eral Washington received him as al
ways. Gentle dignity in his man.
ner, look of fatherly fondness in
his face and eyes-it was all IA
miliar and very grateful TO the
young man.
my boy. | congratulate you. !
am glad to see you here and more
than ! can tell you regret that you
have had to lose blood and bring
back this scar on your good face" ="
at is a small matter" said Colin.
1T might have been much worse.
We were following Arnold and that
is not task for soft-hearted men,
a shadow came over the face of
the Chief. 1t was followed by a
frown. 49, 49,
Il have heard of his brave fight
ing, but not" he paused a second
and then added, officially"
And yet 1t was he who won the
battle" said Colin. HE would have
won it in the first onset with time
ly help from General Gates"
The Chief rose and paced up and
down the room with frown but
saying not word. How erect he
stood! He was majestic when
offended.
Colin spoke of Pat and the Lady
Ackland and their plan to intercept
the troops and march into camp
with them.
-Oh, the young lady!" the Cen
eral exclaimed. Il am forgetting my
orders. When happily you meet,
and let US hope it may be soon, you
are to have a leave of absence for
all necessary attention to your per-
sonal affairs. You are to set out
with Miss Fayerweather and her
maid for our home in Mount Yer
non where my wife will welcome
you and where | hope you may find
needed rest and the happiness to
which you have looked forward so
long and with a most becoming pa
tience."
"Needed rest" Colin thought, as
he sat in silence almost overcome
by his sudden recognition of mel
ancholy truth. Here was q man
who long had needed the rest he