For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, As she sat in the rocking-chair by the window, the wind had blown back her fine muslin border, which was full a finger deep-her silver locks were combed smoothly over her high but furrowed forehead. As she conversed upon spiritual subjects her countenance became radiant with hope. As the two ladies retired, Colonel Bertram entered. "I am glad to see you home again, Lieutenant. I hope your journey has not been in vain; I am particularly anxious that you should get well, for if reports are true we shall need the services of all our officers." The Lieutenant calmly replied, "I hope the Government of Great Britain and that of the United States will honorably settle their differences, so that there will be no need of officers or men." Colonel Bertram answered, "There is but little prospect of such an adjustment of affairs. War is already declared between the two nations. Naval preparations are being made as fast as possible. I was on Commodore McDonough's sloop yesterday, -it is to be launched to-morrow; there is a small party going down to dine with the Commodore. I hope you and your lady will be among the number." He told his friend that if he was able to ride, he would be in attendance. The two gentlemen spent the evening conversing upon the affairs of the nation; party politics were no longer agitated. Colonel Bertram was anxious that his friend should accept a Captain's commission, which had been offered him. The Lieutenant assured him, that his health would not admit of his accepting it. The dinner party found the Commodore well qualified to entertain his guests. The question was asked him, when he thought the British would make their attack. He answered, "There is no doubt but that it will be on the Sabbath; this has been the day they have chosen on other occasions; they are a Christian nation, and I know not why they should choose this day in preference to any other, unless it is because they think that we will be less prepared. It would be unjust to judge the English by the officers that are sent here as the avengers of their imagined wrongs; they often assume a proud arrogance that seems not to be characteristic of the nation." Mr. Graham, a revolutionary soldier, and for several months the Aide-decamp of General Washington, remarked, that he had heard his Com mander-in-chief "that he never say, transacted business with more courteous gentlemen than those employed by the British Government." The aged veteran entertained the company by relating incidents connected with the revolution. As he spoke of the battle at Bunker's Hill, his youth seemed to return again; he arose hastily from the table, laid his cane upon his shoulder, to the no small amusement of the party, and with an elastic step promenaded the deck, assuring the Commodore that he should bear arms at Plattsburgh. The party returned home satisfied with the day's excursion. Roselle probably was never in so great an excitement at this time. War, war, was talked of in every family, newspapers sought and eagerly read, so that they were well acquainted with every movement of the Government. The long looked for day of battle came. The booming of the distant cannon was heard by the villagers of Roselle. Lieutenant Morse, in company with several of his friends, started that morning with a load of provisions such as he thought would be suitable for the suffering and wounded. Soon after the victory was obtained, he was upon the battle field, administering to the necessities of distressed humanity, without respect to rank or age. The dying officers and the wounded soldiers blessed him, as he kindly raised their heads and bathed their fevered brows. He endeavored to console them by pointing them to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. He continued his errand of mercy till he fainted upon the field. He was borne to a neighboring house by his friends, where he remained unconscious for several hours. |