The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-12-21

| The first movement of Mrs. Kenton was to
| blow out the light, and almost instantancously
with the knocks, the room was enveloped in
deep darkness.
"What is it, wife ?" demanded the patriot
hardly yet awake.
''Some one is wrapping loudly at the front
door," responded his wife, with shaking
| voice.
"Indeed Some of the pickets have found rs
out, suppose, but whether friends or foes re-
mains to be seen. 1t is as likely TO be one
as another for we are about as near the latter
as tho former. It was scarcely prudent to re-
main here just now, and I must have been
crazy not to remember that before.
Again the raps fell upon the door.
"What shall we do, husband 7" inquired
Mrs. Kenton, anxiously.
"Face them, be they friends or foes % re-
Joined the patriot, sternly, at the same moment
resolutely taking up his gun. ~ tread the
soil of my native land-am arrayed in an hon.
,st and righteous cause, and have no reason to
fear any man on earth; and, as the Lord liveth,
| do notw
eyes, yes, husband, but will it be prudent
will it be prudent ?" demanded his wife, ex-
citedly. 7sa
Mr. Kenton did not reply, for the words of
his wife recalled him to fuller sense OF his
danger.
sfFor my sake, husband-for the sake ofour
childl" and Mrs. Kenton elasped her hands
be3BEe her husband-.'do not be rash. If
these are English soldiers at our door, there
may be number of them, and then capture,
at least, would be certain"
"But what other course is left me?" de-
manded Mr.. Kenton, anxiously.
.'Hide yourself till they go away" respond
ed his wife, eagerly.
"Where that they may not search?"
"I'll find place, if you will only consent"
| "And if l should consent, what will become
! # you and Matty ?' demanded the patriot.
'sTne lord will take care of us, husband, and
we will trust in him!' responded his wife, with
| nervous anxiety.
Mr. Kenton still hesitated. He knew not
what to do.
"Besides, husband, you will be near to aid
US if any danger threatens added the pain
fully anxious woman. ''But for the sake of
your family; till then, hide yourself"
The patriot gave way, for he could not but
acknowledge the business of his wife's posi-
ton.
"I'll bide by your wishes, wife, he said re-
luctantly, "though it goes against my nature
to hide away like skulking criminal !"
s.Oh! think not of that but only think of
what is for the best" responded Mrs. Kenton,
earnestly.
All is conversation was carried on quickly,
while, the person persons outside had been
hammering away at the door in the most i'm
a mt manner.
In the back room, or sleeping apartment,
there was large closet, or clothes press, in
which the mother and daughter kept the wear
ing apparel. The clothes of course, hung sus-
pended from nails, and by little arrangement
of the articles, Mr.. Kenten was SO well con-
cealed behind them that no one would have
deteeted his hiding place without particular
examination. With swelling bosom, the high
hearted patriot followed the directions of his
anxious WIFE To be prepared for any emer-
gency, however, he kept his gun by his side.
At length the door of the closet was closed.
Mrs. Kenton and her daughter-the latter
following the directions of the former-then
divested themselves of portion of their clo
thing, so as to make it appear that they had
just gotten out of bed.
To accomplish all this the candle had to be
lighted, but the glare had been considerably
deadened by placing tin pan over it. The
door between the rooms had also been closed,
and every precaution taken to prevent discov-
cry.
"But, mother, these may be friends at the
door, after all, said the daughter, meantime.
"It may be so, my child,' was Mrs. Kenton's
reply; "but in such times as these, it is well
enough to be always prepared for the worst
At this time, especially, with the British so
near us, we cannot be too cautious. But now
let see who knocks"
Rap! rap! rapi fell upon their ears.
; Mrs. Kenton took up the candle, and follow
lowed by her daughter, repaired to the front
apartment.
"Who krocks?" she demanded, stopping
about the centre of the room.
"Open the door and you'll see" was the
coarse and insolent answer.
sit is late for unprotected females to open
their house." rejoned Mrs. Kenton.
"Open the door, or we'll batter it down 3"
was the savage response.
ain a moment, gentlemen"
"Be quick, if you'd save your head %
"These are British, motherH'
eyes"
"God help us"
"Amen %
"Must we let them in, mother?"
"You see, my child, we must"
"Open the door tbere!'' was shouted from
tie outside, accompanied by a succession of
heavy raps.
Mrs Kenton took down the bar, and the
next moment the room was swarming with En-
glish soldiers.
"Youd better keep US waiting all night"
wrathfully cried the officer in command, SER
geant, to Mrs Kenton.
awe were abed, AM did not hear you" re-
sponded Mrs Kenton, mildly.
"You're liar !" shouted back the sergeant,
''and if you tell me any more such tales, I'll
knock you down"
The brute drew back his muscular arm.
"Oh, for Gods sake, don't hurt my mother!"
suddenly cried Matty, sprineing forward, and
beseechingly clasping her hands before the
sergeant.
The young girl was pretty-yes, she was
more than that-she was really beautiful-and
of an age-about eighteenth be particularly
interesting. The sergeant was coarse, sens
ual, brutal person, and, as a natural conse-
quence, the sight of Matty's pretty face, in
famed his worst passions In a moment he
forgot Mrs. Kenton and his anger-another
feeling now swayed kis beastly heart.
His followers rested ON their suns and pazed