"
"Remember," said the officer, with strong emotion, "that in me you will
always have a secret friend; but openly I cannot know you."
"I know it, I know it," said Birch; "I knew it when I took the service.
'Tis probably the last time that I shall ever see your excellency. May
God pour down His choicest blessings on your head!" He paused, and moved
towards the door. The officer followed him with eyes that expressed deep
interest. Once more the peddler turned, and seemed to gaze on the
placid, but commanding features of the general with regret and
reverence, and, bowing low, he withdrew.
The armies of America and France were led by their illustrious commander
against the enemy under Cornwallis, and terminated a campaign in
triumph that had commenced in difficulties. Great Britain soon after
became disgusted with the war; and the States' independence was
acknowledged.
As years rolled by, it became a subject of pride among the different
actors in the war, and their descendants, to boast of their efforts in
the cause which had confessedly heaped so many blessings upon their
country; but the name of Harvey Birch died away among the multitude of
agents who were thought to have labored in secret against the rights of
their countrymen. His image, however, was often present to the mind of
the powerful chief, who alone knew his true character; and several times
did he cause secret inquiries to be made into the other's fate, one of
which only resulted in any success.
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