Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-28
gnterfsting Storp.
THE VILLAGE SPY.
By FALCON BIRD.


Twenty years ago was in the emplo,
of well known house Of V. G. & Co.
then large dealers in the East India trade
a business requiring the service of {
large number of travelling agents; and
in such capacity, was engaged.
| The travelling accommodations thcr
were far different from those now in use
and it was often required that | should
put up at some out.of the-way place, aLG
wait for the next stage coach in which
to continue my journey.
The close Of fine summer afternoon
in the year 1888, found me seated on the
piazza Of the little tavee located in the
town of K, not many hundred miles
from New York. / was patiently await
ing the arrival Of the next stage in which
to resume my journey.
The long shadows grew longer as the
sun neared its setting, and for want of a
better occupation to help pass away the
time, took survey of the surrounding
scenery.
was enjoying myselfin the true Amer.
lean style, so beautifully described By
English visitors to this country, with my
chair tipped far backward, my feet high.
er than my head, and my fragrant Ha.
vana in full blast. Ny memory has lost
in late years much of its relative power;
but, if 1 mistake not, | was engaged in
the Eastern procliyitv of whiting. Be
that as it may, let me give description
of the surrounding objects.
The Two Mile Tavern" as it was
called, was a small two story wooden
building, whose sasif ed sides and reet
had grown gray with age. 1t stood in
from the street, half hidden among the
tall trees, and might have been overlook.
ed but for the swinging sign hanging
from, the dead tree that stood at the en-
trance of the wide path that led to the
house itself.
The wide, clean street down which ]
gazed was lined on either side with tall
elms, with wide-spreading branches,
which must have been well grown, when
General Howe with fun FIVE hundred men,
Marched up that hill, and then marched down again
Directly opposite was the Town Hail."
an antiquated building, and on the same
green common stood the village church
another old landmark, modernzed only
by set of Ginning bells that rung out
the heeting hours with sweetest music.
The church itself, with its square low
tower, stands there monument to glad
den the hearts of all who may gaze upon
its time ,honored walls fsr when the news
of the first bloodshed in the war of hber.
ty reached that quiet village among the
hills, forty noble hearts beat quicker, and
forty noble heads bowed beneath the old
church roof and received the Pastor S
blessing e'er they Joined their brothers
in the, field. from which but seven re-
turned to tell the virtues of those who
never came more to their humble homes.
They, too, sleep beneath its shadow, and
their children's children will not allow
even the hand of time to fall harshly upon
the noble monument old Church.
Turning from this | sorycy the several
groups around me, who like myself await
the coming stage. One old lady, with a
large basket, containing several live
geese, wonders if there will be room for
her; but, as the vehicle will only convey
six. and I;6nd as many names on the reg.
lister, Aunty, as Ihear her called by those
near me, is in perplexed state Of mind
and rnurmurs audibly. as visions of seven
neglected blessingcappear before her
minds eye twelve miles from maternal
care, going supperless to bed.
A sweet childish face of perhaps six
summers, next attracted my attention
and after several trials | succeeded in
removing her fears, and inducing her to
take seat beside me. My cigar | saw
was unpleasant to her, and | threw il
over the railing into the garden, where
it was instantly appropriated by hun.
CRY drake, who quickly dropped it with
an angry quack, which convulsed my pet
with laughter.
Did it burn his mouth - was the in.
nocent query. s.
My answer was interrupted, for down
the street came merry party Of rifcrs
their ringing laughter echoing on the sliil
air. My attention was directed to two
riders, who fingered some distance be
hind their party, and seemed engaged in
earnest conversation. The face of the
lady was turned from. me. but the abun
dance Of dark curls that fell so gracefully
from beneath her lovely cap, made. me
wish for one look at the face of the own
er; but | was disappointed. Not so
however, with the face of her attendant
that was exposed to my view. and as he
raised his hat in salutation to a passing
friend. it struck me that lad before
seen that high forehead; where, | coulc
not recall; but, before be had turned
away from the shady street, ! well knew
when and whore ! had last gazed upor
it.
at this moment the long-delaycd coacl
rumbled up before the door.