Litchfield enquirer., 1855-01-04


months elapsed when news came of the cap
ture Of him and several other tories, all Of
whom paid with their lives the penalty due
10 their continued career of guilt. This sad
intelligence was concealed from the afflicted
orphan for some time. but accident at last
made her acquainted with it, and from that
hour she dropped more and more, and the
sadness deePened on her pensive brow.
The only occasion on which her former
animation seemed to return to her, was on
the visit of the provincial army to her
grandparents. Then, as ifanimated by the
conviction that she was thus following her
beloved mothers example, she would be
the most jealous of all the patriotic family
in efforts to serve them, but the transient
excitement on her usual languid listless-
ness returned. But Maggie was destined
to render more important service to the
cause which her mother had taught her to
regard as a just and holy one.
In the woods nearly opposite her rural
home was kind of arbor formed by a
clump of trees so closely matted together
with wild vines that it was with difficulty
her slight form could force a way through !;
and in this spot, sheltered from the rays of
the sun, and the observation of persons
travelling the high road close by, she was
accustomed to pass most of the long sum-
mer afternoons absorbed in her sorrowful
recollections. One day, about year after
her mothers death, she repaired to her lit
tie retreat, her thoughts more intent than
usual on that sad event which daily SEEM
ed occurring before her eyes; and as she
reclined on her messy seat, she wept long
aud bitterly until, exhausted by her g:iei,
she fell into deep slumber.
She was awakened by the sound of loud
voices, apparently close behind her, and
raising herself from her first feelings of be-
wilderment and terror, she gently parted
the clustering vines, and peeping furtiye-
ly out, beheld two men sitting beside lit
tie streamlet not far from her retreat. A
sick shadder crept through the child as she
fancied they belonged to the band of tories
who had been wont to assemble in her pa
rents house, and who were there on the
day her mother was savagely murdered
She could not satisfy herself if those now
before her were members of that gang, but
their language showed that they shared the
same sentiments. In fancied security
they conversed carelcssly and freely on
their past adventures and future schemes,
and their terrified, but deeply attentive lis.
tener, ascertained that they were on their
way to join large bard Of tories, who on
that night intended to attack the house of
a patriotic farmer, whose three sons, all be-
longing to the provincial army, were now
passing visit TO the paternal
reof. Maggie knew the place designated
well. By taking narrow and little FREE
quented path through the woods, it was but
two miles distance, and she had often been
sent thither by her grandmother. How
was she Mortified, therefore, by the details
Of the plan by which the whole family were
to be ruth!essly murdered, their property
destroyed; after which the marauders were
to hasten forward to join detachment of
the British army, to the commanding Off
Ger of which they bore dispatches suppo-
sed to be Of importance.
For more than an hour they talked and
laughed over the certain successes Of their
horrid scheme, while Maggie, crouched on
the ground, listened with attention that
never Jagged, till to her great relief, she
saw them rise TO depart.
uty ody tuc idiuiCtS dUtut HCtG
desperate rebels" said one. as they were
about starting. Hadn't we better hide
This parcel somewhere until we come back
we'll haveto pass right by here to night,
you know"
The other reflected moment, and then
agreeing to the proposal, pointed to pile of
large stones further in the woods, to which
they repaired, and placing the papers be-
tween two stones, piled several others
around it to mark the spot then with rapid
steps pursued their way, and were soon
lost to Maggie's view. With the maturity
of thought which an early acquaintance
with peril and sorrow seldom fails to devel.
ope In a child Of ordinary intelligence, the
little girl had formed plan to defeat the
tories project, and her joy was unbounded
when she saw them leave within her reach
the dispatches which they deemed of such
importance to the royaIists She paused
but an instant to implore Of heaven assist
ance in her undertaking, then tying her sum
Asnnet tightly, she stole cut to the pile of
stones, and with strength which only her
high purpose could impart to her childish
frame, removed the heavy stones. and secu-
ring the prize ia her bosom took the well
known path TO farmer Grey's homestead.
Never slackening her rapid pace, she
som reached her destination and stated the
object of her visit to the family, who, with
a number Of young men and boys, acquaint-
ances Of the younger Greys. were sitting in
the Vide porch. engaged in friendly aad
animated chat. Their surprise at The start
ling intelligence was only rqnaled by their
gratitude to the heroic child, who. as soon
as she was assured that they would now
be amply prepared to defend the house, de-
livered her precious package TO one of the
soldiers, and set out on her return: deciin-
ing the entreaties Of Mrs. Gray to wait ill
the wagon could be gotready to take her.
or at least 10 allow some one to go with hei,
lest she might meet some CT the tories on
the way Smiling gently at their fears,
shs started with a buoyant step, happy In
having accomplished her undertaking, and
thinking little Of the distance she had to
traverse.
But lie generous child had miscalenlated
her strength. With the accomplishment,
Of purpose. the enlistment that had support
ed her vanished, and 30 unusual feeling oil
debility cfept over hef;