Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-08-27

these simple times. They Immediately o
pened the door, and three men entered il
profound silence, each muffled in a Ions
cloak
"Do not be alarmed, ladies'" said one
in the same low, tone of voice; eve are
friends to our country, and pursued by the
enemy we have hid in the weeds through
the day, and have come now to seek you,
bounty, and shelter for the night"
'And these you should have with all my
heart" said Mrs. Reed, whose countenance
frightened up when she found that instead
of the dreaded enemy, her guests were those
distinguished patriots, John Hancock, Sam
uel Adams, and Paul Revere. .'But," she
continued, you would not be safe here for
moment. Why, the red-coats are prowl-
ing around us in every direction; they were
here only yesterday, eating up all my pies
and bread, and cheese; and because they
could not find enough at my neighbors' to
satisfy their hunger, they must need rip
open their beds, and leave their cider run
ming out Oh, sir. these are dreadful
times"
"They are indeed, Madam, said Mr. Han
cock. "But gentlemen he said, turning
to his companions, 'swhat shall we do, for
it is certain that we are not safe here ?"
They looked at each other, but did not
speak.
3'Have you any neighbors," asked Mr..
Hancock, "where we might find safety for
the night?''
"None except my fathers replied Mrs
Reed, swho lives five miles off, on the main
road. It would be dangerous for you to go
by the road, and you would not find your
way, through the woods, and we have nei-
ther man nor boy to guide you; they have
all gone to fight the red-coats"
ssWill you stay alone, and nurse my ba-
by" asked Mrs. Vallette of her friend,
'while | go and show the gentlemen the
way"
She answered, II will do so, though it
is sad to be alone in such dangerous times
But you must not go; you are not able you
are lame, and never walked mile at once
On this vet nigfE--sz--.ez4=...h ~ think Of going.
the misfortune to fall and break her back,
and was ever afterwards an invalid and
cripple.
Mrs. Vallette made no reply; she knew
there was not a moment to be lost; so lay
ing her infant in the arms of her friend, she
wrapt her riding-hood around her, and de-
sired the gentlemen to follow her. When
they saw this deformed little woman, not
more than four feet high, prepared to walk
distance of over three miles, they looked
= oob al Il, l,,4
word was spoken, for the case was des-
perate. Mrs. Vallette taking the offered
arm of Mr.. Hancock, they went forward,
the other two gentlemen bringing up the
rear The rain which had fallen for some
days previous had so swelled the brooks
that the gentlemen were obliged at times
to lift Mrs. Vallette over them. Thus wad-
ing and walking, they reached the farm
house about three o'clock in the morning.
No sooner had they aroused the family, and
made known who they were and what they
wanted, than every individual was up and
in motion and even the dog tried to show
them by his gestures that they should find
protection. A blazing fire soon shone forth,
and plentiful repast was provided, and,
notwithstanding the gloominess of the times,
a degree of cheerfulness, and even humor,
pervaded the little company. Atearly dawn,
a carriage was prepared to convey Mrs.
Vallette home to her infant. Mr.. Hancock
politely lifted her into the carriage, and
said: MADAM, our first meeting has been
in troublesome times. God only knows
when these scenes will end; but should we
survive the struggle, and you should ever
need a friend, think of me-"
About two months from this event, the
battle of Bunker Hill was fought. There
James Milliken fell, mortally wounded, and
was taken prisoner, and, with several 9TH
ers, was thrown into cart and conveyed to
the jail, which stood in Prison lane, now
called Court street. Here he fingered, des-
titute of care and attention, and even the ne
cessaries of life, until he went down to an
early grave at the age of 20, and was soon
forgotten amidst the horrors of war. Seve-
raj gentlemen went to the prison, wishing
to see him, but were not permitted.
AGE.-But few men die of age Almost
all die of disappointment, passional, mental,
bodily toll or accident. That passions kill
men sometimes, even suddenly, has little
exaggeration in it.; for even though not sud-
denly fatal, strong passions shorten life
Strong bodied men often die young weak
men live longer than the strong, for the
strong use their strength, and the weak have
none to use. The latter take care of them
selves; the former do not. AS it is with the
body, so it is with the mind and temper
The strong are apt to break, or, like the
candle, to run; the weak burn out. The
inferior animals, which live in general, reg
ular and temperate lives, have generally
their prescribed terms of years. The horse
lives twenty-five years; the OK fifteen or