The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-30
WASHINGTON, ID. G.
For tho National Era.
MOLLY GRAHAM:
OR. HOW JOHNNY WON HIS FIDDLE
ATALE OF THE REVOLUTION.
lcoNcLuDEDl
BY MARTHA RUSSELL.
CHAPTER ".
BY MARTHA RUSSELL.

well nigh subsidized into silence, when it was
announced to General Putnam that an old
man and a young girl desired to speak with
him He Immediately gave the order for their
admittance; and in spite of her assumed cour-
ace and the close pressure of her grandfather s
L9nd Molly Graham felt her limbs tremble
heneath her, when they stood alone in the
presence of the redoubted chieitain.
The old man, after bowling his gray head in
token Of respect, stood erect as the General him.
ssf but the maiden courtesed without daring
IN raise her eyes. Putnam gazed at them a
,oouent in silence, and then, in the deep, brief
tones that bespoke the man of action, asked
Your business, friends In what can aid
you!
Molly looked up, and gathered courage, for
there was something in that weather-beaten,
but honest open face, that made each one that
gazed upon it feel the truth of General Wash
ington's words, when he said to Putnam, Sir,
YOU seem to have the faculty of infusing your
own spirit into your troops" Rclinquishing
her grandfather's hand, she stepped forward,
and briefly but succinctly related her tale.
When she spoke of young Stanforth's halt at
the house of Glover, a frown gathered on the
officers brow, which grew dark as the night
without as she went on to detail the plot of the
traitors, but without mentioning their names
for she had been determined from the first not
to implicate Bill Glover if possible for his
hmily's sake. But suddenly the General in.
terrupts her with, in his deep, stern tones
who are these men. Their names, girl ~
She hesitated and he impatently repeated,
as he strobe across the floor
Their names, | say! OF course, you know
them. Why don't you tell 7"
81 dare not" was the low but firm reply
"Ha How now ~ exclaimed the chieftain,
pausing abruptly before her, and gazing in her
face. And may ask why you can't tell 2"
he added, with blending of sarcasm and sus-
pcion in his tone, after a moments pause.
Because-because," she began, struggling
to keep back the tears one of them, who is
but the dupe of the other, has been kind to
me and besides, he has a large family of little
helpless children. One of them helped me to
come here tonight; and if trouble overtakes
Them it must come through some other hands
, than mine. have told you all can, sir, and
told the truth. Come, gran'ther, let us 90
home she added taking the old mans hand,
and turning away.
Stay " exclaimed the General. at is no
great matter; we shall get at the bottom of
this affair, somehow; so you may keep your
secret won't even ask your grandfather to
betray it," he added, smiling. "Tell Whiting
to request Colonels Hazen and Sheldon to come
to my quarters he said, to the sentinel at the
door Then, turning to Molly, he added
You are good girl and wish half our
troops had your pluck-a good girl. and
brave one, and, suppose, an old man like me
may be permitted to add, pretty one too
The British wonder how we hold out so well.
my old friend" he said, turning to Andie
Graham; but, did they know our women,
they would not ask again
True, returned the old man, with simple
dignity :" it is wonderful to see how the hands
Of the feeble are strengthened, and the courage
of the strong man found in the hearts of little
children, But hath He not said, 'As thy day
is so shall be thy strength !"
Colonels Sheldon and Hazen soon entered :;
and, after rapid statement of the case by the
General, and "A few more questions addressed
to them by the two first-named officers, Andie
Graham and his granddaughter were free to
depart
As they were turning away Putnam, ever
quick and impetuous in all his movements and
feelings stepped forward, and laying his hand
on Molly's head, said, fervently--
God bless you, my daughter You have
done good deed tonight and the memory of
1t will be a far better reward than praise of
man. Yet, remember, General Putnam thanks
you from his heart and, by Gods help, your
efforts to save these brave men shall not be in
vain HO. there, Whiting! An escort for this
old man and maden!p
Andle Graham FASTENED to decline the prof
lered escort and, accompanied by Sheldon,
whose deep interest in the fate of his fiayorite
ycunS oncer led him to prosecute his inquiries
c''r further left the room At the gate, they
iouhu marry Lawton awaiting them, with the
oriu'e VI ms horse thrown over his arm The
young trooper belonged to the company to
Y. wllom orders had just been despatched to hold
themselves IN readiness to mount; and Shell
uon brow darkened as he recognised him !;
"ld MS stern, How now Lawton!n made the
yong girl trcmbe.
WIN low bow, young Lawton stated that
~ had permission from his captain to ride ON
i vance OF ms troop, in order to escort his
'u ne'goDors home; ADD that he was to wait
ns companions at the Bend about a mile
ms would have probably ayailed him little
Sl'h The strict disciplinarian, had il not been
wi glance the latter caught of Molly's face,
~ tne light from Putnam's windows fell broad
o p,n IT. sheldon possessed the key to that
OPPRESSION IN his own experience. and the frown
gave place to smile, as he said
H.. wen, well, for once in the way, it may do
c;d , Sse 'hat you do not linger," he added, de-
ne did not lnger-even though Andrew
,anam hurried through the little yard, inter-
tPs'ng the young brother as he bounded out
roo aIeet them and took him back to his grand
70 liner sde-at least only for moment, just
1 men 10 lew such sweet chidings as these :
,bo 10 be more careful, Harry You are 20
49, n.ieSs so yentures0me. For your mothers
lae-lor mine! II this news of mine should
''1g evli upon you, should die!n
r,a ana The warm tears, so long depressed, fell
"oe'y 10, On the young troopers hand.
why, Molly, who would have thought of
sou , turning coward, at last-you whom Gen.
ni Putnam himself has called brave this very
ba sn'-brave and good, as you are you, who
fall always had an encouraging word for a
o"G" before! II you hadn't acted 80 brayelv
oS,dhsht, l should think you had caught some
,eo e cowardlce Of the Tories down in Glover's
cleso I'm, SAID the young trooper, as he drew her
-. It's Just that that troubles me Harry. You
ca e naturally 80 hasty and yentlresome-so
h aya . Of yourself; and |, by my silly words,
happcn ~ you worse. Oh, If anything should
ds,.o why what will happen, more than has a
a on;o, umes You little mouse There will be
and -. rue few moments sharp fighting
term; Win stanforth and his bride-for I'm de-
70 have her, too-in our midst, we