Republican Herald

AMUSING MISCELLANY.

A TALE OF TRUTH.

One pleasant evening in the month of June, in the year 17-- a man was observed entering a wood, near the Hudson River, his appearance that of a person above the common rank. The inhabitants of a country village would have dignified him with the name of Squire, and from his manner have pronounced him proud: but those more accustomed to society, would inform you there was something like a military air about him. His horse panted as if he had been hard pushed for some miles, yet from the owner's frequent stops to caress the patient animal, he could not be charged with want of humanity, but seemed to be actuated from some urgent necessity. The rider's forsaking a good road or a by-path, leading through the woods, indicated a desire to avoid the gaze of other travellers. He had not left the house where he inquired the direction of the path, more than two hours, before the quietude of the place was broken by the noise of distant thunder. He was soon after obliged to dismount travelling becoming dangerous, as darkness concealed surrounding objects, except where lightning's terrific flash afforded a momentary view of his situation. A peal louder and of longer duration than any of the preceding, which now burst over his head, seeming as if it would rend the woods asunder, was quickly followed by a heavy fall of rain, which penetrated the clothing of the stranger ere he could obtain the shelter of a large oak which stood at a little distance.

Almost exhausted with the labors of the day, he was about making such disposition of the saddle and his own coat, as would enable him to pass the night with what comfort circumstances would admit, when he espied a light glimmering through the trees. Animated with the hope of better lodgings, he determined to proceed. The way, which was steep, became attended with more obstacles the further he advanced, the soil composed of clay, which the rain had rendered so soft that his feet slipped every step. By the utmost perseverance, this difficulty was finally overcome, without any accident, and he had the pleasure of finding himself in front of a decent looking farm-house. The watch-dog began barking, which brought the owner of the mansion to the door.
"Who is there?" said he.
"A friend who has lost his way and is in search of shelter," was the reply.
"Come in replied the first speaker, and whatever my house will afford, you shall have with welcome."
" I must provide for the weary companion of my journey," replied the other.
But the former undertook the task, and after conducting the new comer into a room where his wife was seated, he led the horse to a well stored barn, and there provided for him most bountifully. On rejoining the traveller he observed, " That is a noble animal of yours, sir."
"Yes," was the reply, "and I am sorry to be obliged to misuse him so as to make it necessary to give you much trouble with the care of him ; but I have yet to thank your kindness to both of us."
"I did no more than my duty, sir," said the entertainer, "and therefore am entitled to no thanks. But Susan," added he, turning to the hostess, with a half reproachful look, " why have you not given the gentleman something to eat."

Fear had prevented the good woman from exercising her well known benevolence; for a robbery had been committed by a lawless band of depredators but a few days before, in that neighborhood, and as a report stated that the ruffians were all well dressed, her imagination suggested that this might be one of them.
At her husband's remonstrance, she readily engaged in repairing her error, by preparing a plentiful repast. During their meal there was much interesting conversation among the three.
As soon as the worthy countryman perceived that his guest had satisfied his appetite, he informed him it was now the hour at which the family usually performed their evening devotions, inviting him at the same time to be present. The invitation was accepted in these words:
"It would afford me the greatest pleasure to commune with my heavenly preserver, after the events of the day; such exercises prepare us for the repose which we seek in sleep."
The host now reached his Bible from the shelf, and after reading a chapter, and singing, concluded the whole with a fervent prayer ; then lighting a pine knot, conducted the person they had entertained to his chamber, wishing him a good night's rest, and retired to the adjoining apartment.

"John," whispered the woman, "that is a good gentleman and not one of the highway-man, as I supposed."
"Yes, Susan, I like him better for thinking of his God, than for all the kind enquiries after our welfare. I wish our Peter had been home from the army, if it was only to hear this man talk : I am sure Washington himself could not say more for his country, nor give a better history of the hardships endured by our brave soldiers."
" Who knows now," inquired the wife, "but it may be himself, after all, my dear, for they do say he travels just so, all alone, sometimes. Hark! " what's that ?"
The sound of a voice came from the chamber of their guest, who was now engaged in his religious private worship. After thanking the Creator for his many mercies, and asking a blessing on the inhabitants of the house, he continued " and now Almighty Father, if it is thy holy will that we shall obtain a place and a name among the nations of the earth, grant that we may be enabled to show our gratitude for thy goodness by our endeavors to fear and obey thee. Bless us with wisdom in our councils, success in battle, and let our victories be tempered with humanity. Endow also our enemies with enlightened minds, that they may become sensible of their injustice, and willing to restore our liberty and peace.
Grant the petition of thy servant for the sake of him whom thou hast called thy beloved son, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done. Amen."

The next morning, the traveller declining the pressing solicitations to breakfast with his host, declared it was necessary for him to cross the river immediately, at the same time offering a part of his purse, as a compensation for the attention he had received, which was refused.
"Well, sir," concluded he, "since you will not permit me to recompense you for your trouble, it is but just that I should inform you on whom you have conferred so many obligations, and also to add to them, by requesting your assistance in crossing the river. I had been out yesterday endeavoring to obtain some information respecting our enemy, and being alone, ventured too far from our camp; on my return I was surprised by a foraging party, and only escaped by my knowledge of the roads and the fleetness of my horse. My name is George Washington."
Surprise kept the listener silent for a moment, then, after unsuccessfully repeating the invitation to partake of some refreshment, he hastened to call two negroes, with whose assistance he placed the horse on a small raft of timber that was lying near the door, and soon conveyed the General to the opposite side, where he left him to pursue his way to the camp, wishing him a safe and prosperous journey.
On his return to the house he found that while he was engaged in making preparations for conveying the horse across the river, his illustrious visiter had persuaded the woman to accept a token of remembrance which the family are proud of exhibiting to this day.
The above is one of the many hazards encountered by this truly great patriot for the purpose of transmitting to posterity the treasures we now enjoy. Let us acknowledge the benefits received by our endeavors to preserve them in their purity; and by keeping in remembrance the Great Source, whence these blessings flow, may we be enabled to render our names worthy of being enrolled with that of the Father of his Country,-N. Yerk Mirror.