The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-05-28
THE BLAcksMlrH's APPRENTICE.
~ A Tale Of the Revolution.
CHAPTER /.

did not despair. What it they were clad in
tattered garments, and their feet were shoe
less, leaving marks of blood on the frozen
ground wherever they followed their loved
commander, so long as they battled for the
birthright Of freedom?
At the period Of our story, there stood in
the vicinity of tho village Of Brunswick, q
log house, of rather large dimensions, and
built in a manner that proved that its pro-
prietor went in more for comfort than ap-
pearanoe, as regarded his dwelling. There
was an air Of neatness and taste about the
garden, that seemed to prove that it was
under the especial care of a woman, even
though currant- bush, honeysuckle and hop
vine had been for many days under the
SHOWS of December.
The proprietor of the house followed the
double calling Of blacksmith and farmer.
He was hale old men of about sixty, and
his family were composed solely Of his wife
Dorothy, and his daughter Mary, beauti-
full girl Just budding into womanhood.
In bis youth, farmer Jonas Hutton had
advocated Quaker principles of peace, but
in his age his sympathies were secretly en-
listed in the cause Of St. George. His con-
duct however, had been so circumspect-he
appearing to maintain strict neutrality as
regarded both the British and American
cause-that, though suspicious were rife of
his extending aid to the former, he had thus
far escaped actual proof.
The only person hired about his premises
was tall, ungainly youth, of about twenty
years Of age, and who served as helper in
the smithy, when occasionally neighbor
wished his horse shod, or his wagon wheel
tired. His name was Malachi Doolittle, and
he hailed from the Bay State, from whence
he had wandered to his present station,
some three years before, binding himself to
Squire Hutton till one-nnd twenty. He had
all the pecularites of the migratory race OF
New England, and though, as we have sta
ted, he was tall and ungainly in his deport-
ment, warm heart beat under home spun
vest, and he displayed much genius and tact
for the benefit Of his employer.
As matter of course, he had heen in
love for a long time with the fair form and
blue eyes of his masters daughter Mary
though she had always treated his case so
coolly that any one else but genuine Yam
kee woorr would have left the field in des-
pair. No girl can bear to have it said that
ner lover is an object os .::;!"""..a, and Mary
was we'll aware that tall Malachi-the name
BY which her fathers srpreu,lco was gener-
ally addressed, was the sport Of oil the young
girls in the neishborhood. Yet she might
have made good choice, for he bid fair to
become first rate mechanic, was crack
shot with the rife, and could out-run, or
out Jump, as he expressed himself, anything
that stood in two shoes. lie was firm nd-
vocate of the American cause, and when his
boss was not by, and he could gain listen
ers ear, he would express his admiration for
:" "as.h::ngton, in the highest terms.
1t was in the latter part OF December, and
close upon dusk, when young man, attired
in the uniform Cf an ensign in the Contin-
entail army, and mounted upon powerful
gray horse, rode up to Squire Hutton's
smith. and requested that his animal might
be shod Immediately.
Friend, thou secmest to be in somewhat
Of hurry was Squire lIutton's reply CLAN
cling at the stranger sand as Malachi is
busy f,ddering the cattle, and | have prom
iscd to have neighbor Parker's wheel tired
in half an hour, perhaps thee bad better
apply at the next shop, which thee will find
about q milo and a half further along on the
straight road to Brunswick, and
"A plague on nelghbor Parker and his
wagon whee!.' SAID the young man, impa.
tien,.y. 'As you have stated, however,
am in q hurry, and bear important des.
patches to Washington, whom l understand
is on his way to attack our enemies at
Princeton. May Heaven favor the right
causen
'Amen,' said the smith, earnestly. 'But
as have informed thee before, it will be
'impossiblc to attend to the shoeing of thy
beast tonight. 1t is nearly dark, and
seldom protract my labors after nightfall.'
The stranger mused moment, and then
muttering to himself: 'lt is not possible
that can have been misinformed;' drew q
paper from his pocket, and handed it to
Squire Hutton.
.What is this = he exclaimed.
.Somct..ing that it would not be polite to
let every one peruse in these times; out
nave heard that you are staunch man IN
the cause of King George, and can trust
Iyou, The exigenccs Of my case Will not
admit of delay. My horse must be shod, and
| must be within the British Camp, at lren-
ton, to- morrow morning.
The old smith, with IN air OF surprise,
wiped his glasses to peruse the document:
and bv the last fading light of day, recoS.
nizcd tho well-known signature OF Lord
CORVALLIS. =,
He instantly grasred the stranger by the
hand, and said that, for the cause OF king
George, he would neglect every other JoE
of work in the shop.
sBut thee will have rough ride of it
friend; the roads are in bad condition
and the wind will blow cold and bitter
in thy fee. | observe the whole OF thy
Journey ,,.
The Stranger remarked that he had Learned
to laugh at such adventures IN the camp o.
the soldier. .,,
mitch. an hour later, and If thy beast is mo-
ssure-footed, thee will scarcely reach lrcn'oi
bv sunrise. However, | will see that thot
art we'll prepared for thy journey. A gooe
Gun Of tea equal to that the foolish rebels
wasted in Boston harbor, made by my will
Dorothy, and a few warm biscuits prepared
BY nv daughter Mary, will refresh the great
", previous to thy long ride.
Thanks, kind sir. for thy hospitality, ant
be assu, ed that it will be remembered to ou
commander in chief. My business is urgent
for if reach Trenton by sunrise, the plan
now bear about my person, will place th'
rebel army wholly in our power
sSayest thou SO p said the smith, rub
bing his hands joyfully sthen,. indeed, W.
have no time to lose. llallo, Malachi; ah
here thou art. Run up to the house, ant
tell Dorothy that my friend Ensign SpenceII
Of the Continental army is going to sup Will
US. lie has important documents for th'
benefit of the American cause, and must b
in the American camp by tomorrow morn
ing. Thou canst shoe this horse, whil
[ extend to him the hospitalities;' ant
Squire Hutton taking the young man by tn
arm, ashercd him, in Il few moments, init
the presence Of his wife and charming
daughter.
Meanwhile, Malachi, who had eyed tn
stranger very closely, lit lamp, and bega'
to ply the bellows. :. ;. r.. 80.
sWell,' he exclaimed to himself, 'if thl
don't beat all natur. thought there wa
sumthin in the wind, when that critter halte'
at our place; SO just stopped todderin'
the cattle, and sneaked up TO the back SD
of the shop to listen. So if he gets t.
Trenton by sunrise tomorrow morning, tn
American party will be in the hands OF tn