Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1842-04-02
REVOLUTIONARY ANEcDoTE. l776
a rsul STORY.

Truly STORY.
IN lonely house, that separated Lex
'nSl0n from Woburn, sat two females,
each holding an infant in her arms.
Mrs. r., the mistres1of the mansion,
had two little children Beside her bahc.-
She had, within few days. Witnessed
The departure Of her husband, who had
. shouIdcred his gun, and gone forth in de-
fence OF his country.
The husband of Mrs V. was in far
distant cline, and her only brother on the
held of battle. She, with her infant son,
had fled from Boston, then in possession
OF the British, to seek a quiet retreat
with her friend in Lexington.
II was dreary night, tho roar OF can.
non, winch had been heard through the
day, had ceased, and all was huShed in
silence. The clock had struck eleven,
and the two women were sitting over
lew dying embers, talking Of the perils Of
the town, and the much loved ones far a
way
"Harkw said Mrs X :, "ihear footsteps"
"lt is only the rustling OF the trees, and
We will not be needlessIy alarmed" re-
piled the other, turning deadly pale, and
pressing her infant more closely 10 her
breast, as if afraid it might be rested from
her, and trying to assume compos ure
which she could not feel. At that mo.
mcnt the latch was lifted, and a gentle rap
was heard
"Who is there'" asked Mrs. K, in a
tremuIous tone. A frienl,'' replied a
low voice, speaking through the key hole
"ior Heavens sake lei US enter" The door
was Immediately opened, and three men
entered in profound silence, each muilled
IN "a long cloak. "Do not be alarmed,
ladies'" said one in the same low tone Of
voice; "we are friends to our country,
and are pursued by the enemy; we have
hid in the woods through the day, and
nave come to seek your bounty, and
shelter for this night"
"And those you shall have, with all
my heart" said Mrs, K, whose counter
ance frightened up, when she found,
that instead Of the dreaded enemy. her
noble guests were none other than John
Hancock, Samual Adams, and one whose
name is not now exactly known :--"but,"
she continued, "you would not be safe here
a moment. Why, the read coats are
proving around US in every direction,
they were here only yesterday, eating up
all my pies, bread and cheese, and be-
cause they could not find enough al my
neighbours to satisfy their hunger, they
must needs rip open their beds, and leave
their cider running out. On, sir, these
are dreadful times"
"They are indeed madam" said Mr.
H. listening with painful interest to her
sad tale. But gentlemen, he continued,
turning TO his companions, "what shall
we do, for il is certain we are not safe
hereW They looked at leach other, but
spoke not. "IIave you any neighbour"
asked Mr.. II Eat whose house we might
find safety for the nighi?"
"None except my fathers" replied
Mrs. r., "and il would be DANCE Gus for
you to 60 the main road, and you would
never find your way through the woods
and we have neither man nor boy to show
you, but what have gone 10 fight the red
coats"
Mrs. V. now turned to her friend and /
asked 'her "f she would stay alone and
nurs her babe, while she ntlAwilh the
gentleman to show them the way"
a will" she answered, ''though il is
sad to be alone in such dangerous times
But you must not go; you are not able.
you who are lame and never walked a
mile at once in your life, will moi think Of
going SO far on this wet night"
Mrs. v. male no reply, Tor she lsn ew
that there was not moment to be lost
so, laying her infant in tie arms Of her
friend, she wrapped her riding hood a.
round her; garment much worn in those
days, and desired the genllemento follow
her. When they saw this little deformed
woman, in the dead Of night, prepared
to walk distance OF nearly four miles
they looked at each other in mute as
constituent, but they had no time 10 vast
in words, for the case was desperate and
she, taking the offered arm of Mr.. IL.
they went forward, the two gentlemen
bringingnp the rear.
The rains which had fallen for some
days previous had so sweled thol creek
over which they had to pass, that they
were often ANGLE deep in water, and one OF
the gentlemen was obliged, N many pla~
ces, 10 carry their guide in their arms
What with walking and wading they
reached the farm house about three ia
the morning; and no sooner had they
reused the family and made known their
then every individual was in
motion; and even the dog tried 70 show
them by his gestures, that thoy should
find protection.
4 hInzing fire scan shcae forth, and