Sarah Orne Jewett

The Tory Lover Sarah Orne Jewett

Tory Lover, The, by Sarah Orne Jewett (1901). The scene of the story is laid in Berwick, Maine, on the Piscataqua River, and deals with the period of the Revolution. Roger Wallingford, the hero of the tale, is a fine fellow of Tory ancestry, who, through his love for Mary Hamilton, a beautiful girl, joins the cause of the Patriots. Mary, whose brother Colonel John Hamilton warmly espouses this cause, is herself fired with enthusiasm and patriotic fervor, and urges her childhood's friend to identify himself with those seeking independence. Through her influence over Captain Paul Jones, who is her brother's guest, and who is enthralled by her beauty, a commission is obtained for Wallingford and he ships on the Ranger. This course, Mary hopes, will insure the safety of Roger's mother, Madam Wallingford, whose loyalty to the King places her in a perilous position. Such a step, however, fails to satisfy the people and Madam Wallingford is forced to leave the country. At this time bad news concerning Roger has been received and he has been accused of treachery and desertion and no trace of him can be found. Mary, who is confident of Roger's integrity, accompanies his mother to England, determined to do everything in her power to find him and clear his name. After many disheartening disappointments, Mary's efforts are at last crowned with success and, through the assistance of Paul Jones, Roger is found at a country inn, where he, as an escaped prisoner of war, has taken refuge disguised in the costume of a drover. It is proved that Roger has been the victim of a conspiracy and the mystery is cleared up by the confession of the villain who has caused it and who meets with well-deserved punishment. The lovers are happily united.