The Kanzas news., 1858-07-24
BY P. B. PLUMB

| v,
as pitch an hour later, and if thy beast is
not footed, thee viii scarcely reach
Trenton by sunrise. However, will see
that thou art well prepared for thy journey
a good cup of tea, equal to that the foolish
| rebels wasted in Boston harbor, made by my
| wife Dorothy, and few warm buiscuits
prepared by my daughter Mary, viii refresh
thee greatly, previous to thy long ride.'
Thanks, kind sir, for thy hospitality,
and be assured that it win be remembered to
our commander-in-chief. Ny business is
urgent, for if reach Trenton by sunrise,
the plan 1 now bear about my person will
place the rebel army wholly in our power
"Sayest thou SOP" said the smith, rub
bing his hands joyfully; ssthen we have no
time to lose. Halo, Malachi; ah, here thou
art. Run up to the house, and tell Dorothy
that my friend Ensign Spencer of the Con-
tinental army is going to sup with Us. He
has important documents for the benefit oi
the American cause, and must be in the
American camp tomorrow morning. Thou
canst shoe this horse, while extend to him
! the hospitalities;" and Squire Hutton, Ia
king the young man by the arm. ushered
him in few moments into the presence OF
his wife and charming daughter.
Meanwhile, Malachi, who had eyed the
stranger very closely, lit lamp, and began
to ply the bellows.
sWell," he exclaimed to himself. eff this
don't beat all natur. / thought there was
suthin in the wind when that crittur halted
at our place; SO Rjust stopped foddering
the cattle, and sneaked up to- the back side
of the shop to listen. So if he gets to
Trenton by sunrise tomorrow morning,
the American party will be in the hands OF
the British. If you are there by that time.
by Judas, Malachi Dcolittle don't know
nothing about shoeing. Whoa-you crit
tur; cant you stand still moment, while
the irons are getting hot? It's no wonder
your so restless with such load of sin as
you are about to carry. By gol, boss is a
traitor to his country, and I'm going to cut
my indentures tonight and join the Amer
ican army. Who knows but that I may
come back a captain, marry Mary Hutton.
and then strike bee line for old Massachu-
sets. But must hurry this job through,
for | would not like the boss to inspect my
work tonight. There" he added as he
drove the last nail, 'you will cast off par
of them shoes about FIVE miles t'other side
of Brunswick; and then if can't catch
you, Ensign Spencer. on my old Sorrel, I
wish l may be blowed up in powder
mill.''
Big with intention for the benefit of the
American cause, Malachi fastened the horse,
and closing the shop door, wended his way
to the house.
The wind blew keen and cold, and the
sky was overcast with dark clouds.
isShouldn't wonder if we had two foot of
snow before to o-morrow morning." said Nal
aehi to himself, "and I'd rather, by darn
sight, go to an apple bee or quilting par
ty with Mary Hutton tucked under my arm,
than take a journey to Trenton tonight
However, what can't be cured must be en-
dured, as my old schoolmarm used to say,
| when she piled the birch; so all you've got
to do, Malachi Doolittle, is to play possum,
and not give the Britisher too big a start. -
He found the kitchen empty, for Ensign
| Spencer being considered in the light of an
especial guest, the supper table was set in
the parlor.
''Rot his pictur! he will be making love
to Mary next" said Malachi, uneasily:
''But if he does, I'll pay him off in his
own coin. Alb, here is his pistols and heavy
riding coat. Well, now, Malachi Doolittle,
I don't think it would be unwholesome TO
your constitution to jerk the priminS out
of them barkers, for fear matters might
come to a rough h-and-tumble So here goes, I"
and suiting the action to the word, the
strangers weapons were instantly placed in
harmless condition.
When the apprentice entered the parlor,
be found Dorothy Hutton and her daughter
Mary in high glee and good humor. The
supper was over, but the stranger seemed
to be attracted to the smiths parlor. by the
bright eyes of Mary. and looking twice out
of the window into the cold,' bleak, night,
he gave shudder. as if 10th to depart on
his journey.
Tall Malachi devoured his supper in a
moody silence; but, notwithstanding his
discomfort at the notice the young officer
took of Mary, be made fearful inroads on
the Johnny cake and sausage. A genuine
Yankee is seldom SO deep in love that he
forsakes his victuals; and such was certain
ly tall Malachi's case.
When there was no excuse for longer de
lay, the apprentice was deputed to fetch
Speneer's horse to the door, and thanking
his host and hostess for their kind atten-
tons. and bestowing kiss upon the blush
ing cheek of Mary. he bestrode the animal,
and set forth at round gallop. on his darS
and dreary journey.
81 guess I'd better go and finish fodder
ing the cattle.'' said Malachi, as the clatter
of the horses hoofs died away in the dis
tance. "Old Rull has broke his surcingle
all to smash. / calkilate that I'D better
take the sorrel horse and go down to Bruins
wick tomorrow morning and get it fixed.
as we want to sled some wood from the
swamp. Suppose you can let me have old
Sorrel for little while, Squire?"
"Why. how on earth can thee go down
to Brunswick without him, Malachi? How
foolish you do talk tonight
"Well, didn't know but that you might
want to use him." said Malachi. closing the