The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-11-17

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on quickly, only consuming few min
utes time. Meanwhile the person or per
sons outside had been hammering away
at the door in the most impatient man
ner.
In the back room, or sleeping apart
ment, there was large closet, or clothes
press, in which the mother and daughter
kept their wearing apparel. The clothes,
Of course. hung suspended from nails,
and by little arrangement of the articles
Mr.. Kenton was so well concealed behind
them that no one would have detected
his hiding place without particular ex-
animation. With swelling bosom the
high-hearted patriot followed the direc-
ton of his anxious wife. To be prepared
for any emergency, 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
a portion of their clothing, 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 con-
siderably deadened by placing tin pan
over it. The door between the rooms
had also been closed, and every precau-
ton taken to prevent this discovery.
But, mother, these may be friends at
the door, after all 7 said the daughter,
meantime.
1t may be so, my child,' was Mrs.
Kenton's reply but in such times as
these, it is well enough to be always pre-
pared for the worst. At this time, es-
pecially, with the British so near us, we
cannot be too cautious.
Rap! rap (! rap fell upon their ears.
Mrs. Kenton took up the candle, and
followed by her daughter, repaired to the
front apartment.
Who knocks . she demanded, stop
ping about the centre Of the room.
Open the door. and you'll see = was
the coarse and insolent answer.
1t is late for unprotected females to
open their house., rejoined Mrs. Kenton.
open the door, or we'll batter it
down 7 was the savage response.
In moment, gentlemen
: Be quick, if you'd save you head
Mrs. Kenton's hand was upon the bar
when her daughter exclaimed
These are British, mother
'Yes!'
God help US =
Amen =
Must we let them in, mother 2
you see, my child, we must J.
open the door, there 7 was shouted
from the outside. accompanied by sue
cession Of heavy raps.
Mrs. Kenton took down the bar, and
the next moment the room swarmed with
British soldiers.
You'd better keep US waiting all
night!' wrathfully cried the officer in
commands sergeant-to Mrs. Kenton.
we were a-bed, and did not hear
you,' responded Mrs. Kenton.
You're liar shouted 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 7 suddenly cried Matty, spring
ing forward, and beseechingly clasping
her hands before the sergeant.
The young girl was pretty-yes. she
was more than that-she was really beau
tiful, and of an age-about eighteen
to be particularly interesting. The SER
son, and, as natural consen.nta brutal per-
sight Of Matty's pretty face inlamed bis
worst passions. In moment he forgot
Mrs. Kenton and his anger-another feel
ing now swayed his beastly heart.
His followers rested on their guns and
gazed on the scene in silence.
We'll, I'll not harm her. my pretty
one, providing you're kind ! he said,
with leer. Come, give me kiss,
be added, stretching out his hands.
The young girl shrank back, tremb-
ling from head to foot. The sergeant
advanced.
Come, a kiss. my beauty
He made a sudden bound, and caught
the young girl in his arms. Martha gave
loud scream. aud struggled to release
herself. The sergeant laughed. and
pressed his sensual lips to her ruby
cheeks.
Quick as fash the assault had beer