LADIES' AMULET. - Monroe County Library System

8 THE GEM AND A MO LIT;
for his constitution, and he was taken violently ill
with a fever. His disease was so malignant that
no hopes were entertained of his recovery, and he
was carried to a house in the nearest settlement.
By the time he arrived there, he seemed to be entirely
unconscious of any thing about him. But
the family in whose care he was placed, gave every
attention that kindness and skill could suggest.—
In a few days he began to recover, and the first
that he observed was a pair of deep black eyes
watching over him with intense anxiety, and he
felt a soft hand bathing his feverish temples. As
he gradually opened his eyes, as with returning
life, and beheld the satisfied rountenance of the
lovely maiden, now radiant with the smile of happiness,
he felt a thrill of more than mortal gratitude.
There, like a guardian angel, stood the
aoother of his sorrow—the beautiful object of his
dreams, his love and admiration—his unforgotten
Delia!
What are all the joys which redound to man,
from tho fame of the philosopher and the poet, or
the glory of the patriot and soldier, when compared
with the heaven-born feeling of reciprocal affection
? Talk as ye will, ye cold schemers of
earth, if ye know not this, ye are ignorant indeed.
Under the kind and unceasing attentions of Delia,
Wallingford recovered rapidly, and was soon
in a situation again to take the field. He was
!oth to leave, however, the situation to which he
Jiad been so unwittingly introduced. Time flew
as if borne«on the wings of the wind. Full often
would Delia, with eyes and words too eloquent to
resist, urge him to abandon the life of a soldier
and to pass the remainder of his days " in calm
domestic quiet." When taking the usual walk in
the clear moonlight evenings, frequently would
she picture," in words that breathed," the danger
and hazard he would incur jn the strife of war,
and the happiness which might be his in retirement.
All his energy of character was necessary
to resist these appeals; but his country demanded
his services, and he responded to the call.
The time arrived for his departure, and Delia
escorted him to the gate. A tear unconsciously
atole to her mild black eye as she extended, perhaps
for the last time, her hand to him who had
made the first impression on her young, confiding
and susceptible heart. Her dark tresses hung
carelessly around her brow, the rose of her cheek
assumed a deeper hue, the smile of happiness had
left her lip, and her snow-white bosom heaved a
parting sigh. A lingering, an almost overpowering
regret showed itself upon Wallingford's countenance.
Not daring to trust his resolution long,
lie clasped the lovely girl in his arms, and imprinting
a long, long kis9 upon her lip, with the word
t(
farewell," he immediately mounted a horse prepared
for him, and bounded away.
It appeared that Delia's father had left Wil-
Jiamsburgh but a short time before, and taken up
his residence at the place whither Wallingford
.tiad been conveyed during his illness.
Time sped rapidly on. Difficulties commenced
between the mother country and her colonies, and
the sons of Freedom gathered around the temple
of their liberties. Governor Dinwiddie, as did
many of the Collonian Governors, sided with
Great Britain ia the controversy. The cloud of
war which had been so long gathering, at length
hurst with tremendous fury, and an appeal to arms
was the inevitable consequence.
Mr. Prinille, understanding that Wallingford
was, as he pleased to term him, one of the "rebels,"
felt confident that the time had now arrived to
worm himself into the old Governor's fttvor. Both
himself and Miss Frances had been long endeavoring
to prejudice the Governor against him, and
Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Serials Collection
to make Prindle himself the favorite. What time
could be more fitting than that which was now
presented ? An old Governor who derived all his
consequence from his King, would of course, upon
any controversy arising between the latter and
the people, side with his royal master. All those
who before had catered to the old Governor's prejudices,
at once became or remained violent royalists,
and sneered contemptuously at the idea of
revolt openly threatened by the provincials. Mr.
Prindle was officious in fomenting the difficulties,
thinking that any conflict which might ensue
I would only terminate in the discomfiture and dis-
[ 'grace of all engaged on the side of the patriots.
The sky darkened and the angry clouds of war
rolled black and threatening up-the horizon, while
every muttering gust that swept across the Atlantic,
was laden with the notes of dreadful preparation.
High upon the bounding wave, launched
forth the steel-clad warriors of Britain, while to
the Western gale the squadron's wings were
thrown. Far upon her western cliffs, observant
sat the faded form of Ocean's Queen, while at her
feet her faithful lion roared. With look terrific
and with main erect he snuffed the gathering storm.
In the mean while, the sons of liberty were not
idle. Forth came from every quarter the persecuted
and the op^essed; all upon whom the iron
hand of power had fallen, rallied at the call of
freedom. The eagle, " bird of the sun," forth issuing,
bore aloft in her beak, that motto, the deathdirge
of tyrants, "Liberty or Death." High
above the din was heard the eloquent appeal of
kumanjty, end from hill and dale loud boomed the
answering shout.
At length,- upon the fated field of Lexington,
the thunder cloud came down. Hot from the forge
of war the bolt descended, and rent forever the
union of Britain and the Colonies. The ever-tobe-remembered
battle of Bunkerhill soon followed,
and with it the high appeal to arms throughout
the Colonies.
And as the eyes of patriots were now turned to
detect a leader, they directly fell upon Wallingford,
thfc young Virginian. Yes, he, the " young
buckskin," was immediately appointed Commander-in-chief
of the American forces, and forthwith
proceeded to the discharge of his formidable duty.
Mr. Prindle, through his own and Frances' importunities
with the Govereor, succeeded in obtaining
a situation in the royal army. Mr. Vaughan
went into the army, while Peyton embarked
for Europe. Miss Hungerford married an officer
in the army, while Miss Milner and Miss Robinson
remained in glorious " single blessedness."
• * • • • * «
The war rolled on. Wallingford had distinguished
himself by his skill and bravery, and the
final blow was about to be struck. The British
under Lord Cornwallis, driven from post to post
by Wallingford and his now victorious troops, retired
to Yorktown, and prepared to defend himself
against the.republican army which was now advancing.
On the last day of September, 1781, Wallingford
set down before the British fortress with one
hundred pieces of heavy artillery, and on the seventh
of October, this dreadful train began to
thunder. Immense masses of smoke obscured the
day, and nought could be heard save the clash of
arms, the shrieks of the combattants, and the loud
voice of Wallingford urging his heroes to the
bloody charge. The British works were swept
away like the ripening grain before the impetuous
hail storm. Lord Cornwallis, unwilling to
see his army literally cut to pieces, agreed, on the
seventeenth, to surrender. As this event was
taking place, Wallingford was accosted by a
youtvg man belonging to tb^British army, and to
his utter astonishment, he beheld the familiar face
of Prindle. Approaching, " Wallingford/'' sakf
he, "I have long been your personal and political
enemy, may we not now call ourselves friends V*
Wallingford immediately^ with his characteristic
benevolence, grasped the young man by the hand,
and exclaimed, " Let the past be forgotten, and
happiness distinguish the future."
After the necessary arrangements had been
made in providing for the prisoners, and despatches
transmitted to Congress with the intelligence
of the capture of Cornwallis, Wallingford turned
his attention to other objects. Prindle, who was
a frequent visitor at Wallingford's quarters, at last
invited the American General to walk with him
to his own. In compliance with this request,
Wallingford went with him; but what was his astonishment
on entering, as Prindle introduced him
to his lady, who was none other than the once
proud and haughty Frances Dinwiddie! What a
change time had wrought in her appearance! She
was no longer the vain prude, the silly daughter
of a king-appointed governor; but the humble
wife of an inferior officer in a captured army, and
a prisoner of the very man she and her husband
had once sought to ruin! She was embarrassed.
—she knew not what to say; but Wallingford
readily apprehending her feelings, remarked that
he had his carriage iready to return to his own
home, the army being disbanded, and that he should
consider Mr. Prindle and lady as his guests.
At this instant Vaughan entered, and after a
full explanation, Wallingford, Vaughan, Mr. Prindle
and lady stepped into the carriage prepared
for them, and wheeled rapidly away for the seat
of the former at Mount Vernon. Swiftly they
swept along, and through Wallingford's kindness,
his guests forgot their situations,—Miss Frances
became cheerful and full of glee and animation,
while the gentlemen let off the merry joke, and
the joyous laugh went round.
They now arrived at Mount Vernon, and Wallingford
introduced his guests to his lady, the once
beautiful Miss Delia, and now the lovely lady
Wnllingford. Never were happier countenances
seen than on this occasion. Bright and joyous
beamed every eye, and happiness, smiling godess,
reigned supreme. Then the darkness of the pabt
was forgotten in the light and life of the present.
In a short time the glorious news of peace arrived,
and over both countries waved her symbol,
the olive branch, now green: and verdant.
" Oh, who that shared them ever shall forget
The emotions of that spirit-atirriug time,"
When l:reathlcss in the marl the couriers met
Early and late, at evening aud at prime;' '
When the loud cannon and the merry chime
Hailed news ou news, as field on field was won ;
When hone, long doubtful, soared at length sublime,
And our glad eyes, awake as day begun,
luullni "'
Watched joy's broad banner rise to meet the morning sun?"
But the iron nerves of war had become relaxed
and allwaspeace. The lovely and confiding Miss
Grayson had become the wife of Wallingford, the
star of the world, Mr. Prindle and Miss Frances
had lost their enmity when glory rose too high for
envy, and became true friends; Vaugha n also became
a steady inmale at Wallingford's, and Miss
Milner and Miss Robertson were frequent visitors
Peyton after embarking for England, was never
heard of more.
A few years after, they all, with the exception
of Peyton, met at the house of President Wallingford.
How changed toe young surveyor and
the planter's daughter I The former, the most
successful General of his age, and now President
of the "United States of America, free and independent,"
and the latter his still lovely bride —
As the^ related the incident at the party of jhe
old Governor's, her black eyes would briehten u»
with all the witchery of youth and maiden loveli-