The Spy by James Fenimore Cooper
page 27 of 556 (04%)
page 27 of 556 (04%)
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be shown to his place of rest. A small boy was directed to guide him to
his room; and wishing a courteous good-night to the whole party, the traveler withdrew. The knife and fork fell from the hands of the unwelcome intruder, as the door closed on the retiring figure of Harper; he arose slowly from his seat; listening attentively, he approached the door of the room--opened it--seemed to attend to the retreating footsteps of the other--and, amidst the panic and astonishment of his companions, he closed it again. In an instant, the red wig which concealed his black locks, the large patch which hid half his face from observation, the stoop that had made him appear fifty years of age, disappeared. "My father!-my dear father!"--cried the handsome young man; "and you, my dearest sisters and aunt!--have I at last met you again?" "Heaven bless you, my Henry, my son!" exclaimed the astonished but delighted parent; while his sisters sank on his shoulders, dissolved in tears. The faithful old black, who had been reared from infancy in the house of his master, and who, as if in mockery of his degraded state, had been complimented with the name of Caesar, was the only other witness of this unexpected discovery of the son of Mr. Wharton. After receiving the extended hand of his young master, and imprinting on it a fervent kiss, Caesar withdrew. The boy did not reenter the room; and the black himself, after some time, returned, just as the young British captain was exclaiming,-- "But who is this Mr. Harper?--is he likely to betray me?" |
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