The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-02-16

between the trees, bending beneath a
large pack, which denoted him to one
of those travelling pedlers, so common
in those days, when shops were scarce
or at too great a distance to be of any
use. Hailing the approaching pedes-
trian, Harry inquired the nearest way
to the next village, and the man after
taking large bite of an apple he held
in his hand, throwing his pack over his
shoulder upon the ground, and wiping
his face with yellow silk handkerchief,
replied
"Well, 1 reckon as how 'tis'nt fur
from hereabouts. Some go one way,
and some 'tother, but I guess if you
amt in a hurry nor nothin', you'd bet
ter skin the hills; it's a leetle furder,
to be sure-but you'll want provender
afore you get there, and / can tell We,
stranger" shaking his head ominously,
''there amt nothin' of that sort by the
track to the left. 'Sides that, theresa
talk of party f"-pausing and ex-
amining the uniform of the horseman !;
ga party of the inimy coming along
the fats.'
cha! what do you say? Are the
British troops in the vicinity?'
The pedler, after another desperate
attack on the apple, with an expressive
shrug of the shoulders, said
"The British wear red coats, 1 be-
lieve; and such is the riggin of them
are passengers at the tavern, I've just
left"
"Then, as you say, honest, man, we
had better cross the hills; for, alone,
and almost unarmed, prudence is the
better part Of valor.'"
Upon one of the soft green hills
which so frequently diversity the land
scapes of America, Morgan and his
companion paused to rest. Beneath
them lay an extensive plaid, studded
with cottages, around which lay farms
in high state of cultivation. The
harvest had just been gathered in, and
the weary laborers looked forward to a
} suspension of their toll for some months
to come. The barns and storehouses
groaned with their abundance, and the
J well-svpplied dairy of the bustling
housewife amply repaid her honest in
dustry. All was calm and quiet around;
but in one one of the fields from which
the ripe grain had just been removed,
were gathered group of farmers,
whose eager gestures proved the SUBJ
: ject of their conversation to be of no
: ordinary interest. The group consisted
} altogether of men-sunburnt with toll
5 and exposure-dressed in the plain
, check or homespun garments of the
, times. Some were walking to and fro
: with uneasy steps-others, stretched
! upon the ground with apparent uncon-
3 cern-and one or two talking in loud
] and angry tones. Yet all were of that
! stout and iron race which our country
t boasted as her bulwarks Of security
: against the enroaches of the oppressors
: of her rights. ~
} The pedler, who at the earnest en-
e treaty of Morgan had continued to
: guide them, even after the perils of the
: woods were past, was the first to notice
e the mysterious gathering, and to com
# ment upon it.
# "There's mischief ahoat," he ex
s claimed, ''or the boys wouldn't astir Sc
:. early. ,-,- ,,, .r-.
e ga sheep strayed, or favorite COW
# given up the ghost, perhaps" sait
r Thomas.
e 81 reckon it's sonthin' more'n that,
e replied the pedlar- with shake of hi
# head. s"The skinners have been among
d the mountains, and some say the rig
? 'lers have placed their pickets a mile o
t. two nearer this place, and know th
n boys had rather meet tribe of Injun
d any day than either on 'em. Why
t, they dread 'em more than tie locust o
III army worm.''
N 81 think the British would hardl
re make their appearance in as quiet
W way as the latter enemy" said Morga
is laughing.
"That's fact, answered the pedla
10 with another signifcantshak "Many
ID the harvest that has been, gathered {
n late to feed King Georges troops
is What's the use of working hard i
t. these times to. lay up pittance, an
then be robbed ont all? Why, eve
tie the boys themselves-peaceable fellow
Id as ever trod shoe leather, can't stan
ut it quietly no longer. They amt slave
u and they won't be slaves-not the
ne Old Put has set the example of mali
tainin' their rights, and / guess if IL
he thievin' varments, come among e