The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-11-11
THE BLACKSMITH APPRENTICES.
TALk or THE REVOLUTION.

1t was the darkest hour Of the revolution
for the American cause. There were trai-
tors in the camp, though the great mass Of
the people remained firm and determined in
the cause of Independence. The British
army outnumbered the American forces as
three to one, but liberty was the prize to be
won, and brave hearts, led on by Washing.
ton, did not despair. What if they were
clad in tattered garments, and their feet
were shoeless, leaving marks of blood upon
the frozen earth wherever they followed
their loved commander, so long as they bat
tied for their birthright of freedom.
At the period Of our story, there stood 10
the vicinity of the village OF Brunswick, a
log house of rather large dimensions, and
built in the manner that proved that its
proprietor went in more for comfort than
appearance as regarded his dwelling. There
was az air Of neatness and taste about the
garden that seemed to prove that it was un-
der the special care Of u woman, even though
currant bush, honey.suckle aud hop vine
bad been many days under the SHOWS of
December.
The proprietor of the house followed the
double calling OF blacksmith and farmer.
He was hale old man Of about sixty, and
his family were composed Of his wife Doro-
thy, and his daughter Mary, beautiful girl
just bndding into womanhood.
la his youth, farmer Jonas Hutton had
advocated Quaker principles Of peace, but
in his age his sympathies were screty en-
listed in the cause Of King George. His
conduct, however, had been so circumspect,
he appearing to maintain a strict neu
trality as regarded both the British and
American cause--that, though suspicious
were rife OF extending aid to the former, he
had thus far escaped actual PROOF.
The only person hired about his premises
was tall uDgainly youth, and who served
as helper in the smithery. when occasionally
a neighbor wished his horse shod, or bis
wagon wheel tired. His name was Malachi
DoolittIe, and he hailed from the Bay State,
from whence be had wandered to his pres
ent station, some three years before. binding
himself to squire Hutton till one and twenty.
He had oil the peculiarities OF the migrate
ry race OF New England, and though as We
have stated, be was tall and ungainly in de-
pertinent, warm heart beat under home
spun vest, aad Re displayedmach genius and
tact for the beDef, Of his employer
As matter OF course, he had been in
love for long time with the fair form and blue
eyes Of his masters daughter Mary, though
she had always treated his case 80 coolly
that any one else but genuine Yankee
would have left the field in despair. No
girl can bear to have il said that her lover
y an object Of ridicuie, and Mary was well
aware that tall Malachi--the name by which
her fathers apprentice was generally ad-
dressed-was the sport Of the young girls in
the neighborhaod. Yet she might have
made . good choice, for be bid fair to make
Erst rate mechanic. was crack shot With
the rife, and could oat run. out jump. a. be
expressed himself, anything that stood in
two Shoes. lie was firm advocate of the
American cause, and when bis boss was not
by. and be coald gain listeners ear, be
could express bis admiration Tor General
Washington in the highest terms
1t was the latter par, d December, ssd
Close upoa dusk, when a young man attired
in the Uniform OF sn ensign in the Cont.
mental Army, and mounted upon a power
fal grey bors, rode up to squire Hstton's
smi,hy. and requested that bis animal nigh,
be shod Immediately.
Friend. thou scemest 10 be 10 somewhat
Of harry, and a. Malachi i busy 10 fod.