| | 1 | Author: | Tucker
Beverley
1784-1851 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The partisan leader  | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | The part I bore in the transactions which form
the subject of the following narrative, is my voucher
for its authenticity. My admiration of the gallant
people, whose struggle for freedom I witnessed and
partook; the cherished friendships contracted among
them, at a time of life when the heart is warm, and
under circumstances which called all its best feelings
into action; and, above all, the connexion then
formed, which has identified me with Virginia, and
which, during the last five years, has been the source
of all my happiness; are my inducements to dedicate
this work to you. The approbation which, in
acknowledging, more than rewarded my humble
services, is my warrant for hoping, that this tribute
of grateful veneration will be favorably received. Toward the latter end of the month of October,
1849, about the hour of noon, a horseman was seen
ascending a narrow valley at the eastern foot of the
Blue Ridge. His road nearly followed the course of
a small stream, which, issuing from a deep gorge of
the mountain, winds its way between lofty hills, and
terminates its brief and brawling course in one of
the larger tributaries of the Dan. A glance of the eye
took in the whole of the little settlement that lined
its banks, and measured the resources of its inhabitants.
The different tenements were so near to each
other as to allow but a small patch of arable land to
each. Of manufactures there was no appearance,
save only a rude shed at the entrance of the valley,
on the door of which the oft repeated brand of the
horse-shoe gave token of a smithy. There too the
rivulet, increased by the innumerable springs which
afforded to every habitation the unappreciated, but
inappreciable luxury of water, cold, clear and sparkling,
had gathered strength enough to turn a tiny mill.
Of trade there could be none. The bleak and rugged
barrier, which closed the scene on the west, and
the narrow road, fading to a foot-path, gave assurance
to the traveller that he had here reached the ne
plus ultra of social life in that direction. “Mr. Baker begs leave to throw himself on the
mercy of Miss Delia Trevor. He confesses his
offence against her on Saturday last. He admits,
with shame, that he did intend to wound her feelings,
and that he has nothing to offer in extenuation
of his offence. He does not even presume to ask a
pardon, which he acknowledges to be unmerited,
and respectfully tenders the only atonement in his
power, by assuring Miss Trevor that he will never
again, intentionally, offend her by his presence. My dear sir: I hasten to lay before you a piece
of information which touches you nearly. Though I
receive it at the hands of one who has the highest
claims to my confidence, I yet trust it will prove to
have originated in mistake. “My dear sir: Your letter has been received,
and, to me, is entirely satisfactory. But I regret to inform
you that, to those friends whom I feel myself
bound to consult, it is not so. Such of them, indeed,
as are acquainted with your high character, do not
intimate a doubt that a full explanation of the affair
would entirely justify your assurance that I have
been misinformed. “Sir: I have just learned that charges of a
serious nature have been made against Lieutenant
Trevor, which, it seems, grow out of certain occurrences
to which I am privy. I can have little doubt
that the affair, to which I allude, has not been truly
reported to you. Had it been, you would have seen
that Lieutenant T. acted no otherwise than as
became a soldier and a gentleman, in whose presence
a lady, under his protection, had been insulted.
The enclosed documents, to the authenticity of
which I beg leave to testify, will place the transaction
in its true light. Were Lieutenant T. at
Washington, I should not lay these papers before
you, without authority from him. As it is, I trust I
do no more than my duty by him, and by your Excellency,
in furnishing such evidences of the real
facts of the case, as may aid you in deciding on the
course to be pursued in regard to it. “Sir: I have it in command from his Excellency
the President to say, that your letter of resignation
has been received with surprise and regret. “I never performed a more painful duty in my
life, my dear Trevor, than in putting the seal and
superscription to the accompanying letter from the
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