, 1861-10-03
Captain Molly.


was about to be hazarded The British army,
now commanded by Sir Henry Clinton, bad as.
sumed one Of the strongest situations. Upon
the high grounds abont Monmouth Court House
they laid their flank, on the border Of q small
wood, the last guarded by deeper one, and the
rear running toward . morass.
The army was disposed in such an adjacent
position as TO be able to harass the enemy in the
rear, and take advantage Of their first move
ment. The other Generals, Lafayette, Greene,
Wayne, Stewart and Scott, were directed to
bold their troops in readiness to support the
'front.'
Early in the morning. notice was given that
the van Of the enemy was in motion. General
Lee Immediately prepared to make an attack
upon them, and was soon joined by Generals
Dickinson and Morgan with their spirited troops.
In full view Of the house of Hollis and Molly,
this action commenced. Hollis put on his mill
tary suit at once. The spirit which animated
every true American was now aroused at this
spectacle, and he was impatient to minge in the
strife.
"will you 60, HOllisY" asked Molly anx.
iously.
AYES, dearest Can l remain here tamely
and not offer my assistance in the defence Of my
country? shall be only private, but there
will be work Tor me to do"
Remember the fate Of your father" fal-
tered Molly.
al thought you were brave, my own wife,"
said Hollis, with a smile Of affectiOnate pride.
Battle scenes have not lost their charms to
me yet, though confess to unusual misgivIngs
this morning" replied Molly.
=" | shall return at night, darling, it may be
with new glory attached to the honorable name
which my father transmitted to me. l must
fight those red coats, Molly"
(A.,Ik .,,1 k.ya
returned Hollis, bringing her TO his heart with
parting caress.
"A blessing go with you, husband" said
Molly, as Hollis sped rapidly from the door.
The enemy advanced so near MOlly's house,
that she could plainly distinguish their motions.
"Oh, that were man !" she exclaimed, ~
would give those British tyrants free doses Of
death. To think Of their approach to our very
doorsl Of their burning the beautiful homes Of
some Of our neighbors because they would not
turn traitors ~
She discovered Hollis engaged in the duties of
cannonier, and she watched his motions with the
deepest interest. As the morning deepened into
day, the weather became intensely warm not q
leaf Of the trees moved, and the sun poured
down such volumes Of heat, that tho earth
seemed brazen and parched to painful endu
rance.
Hollis will suffer with thirst? ?" Molly be-
thought herself; al will go and carry him .
pitcher Of water from the cold spring."
She hastily communicated her intentions to
Mrs Rogers, the housckeeper, and threw on her
hat
al would advise you," demonstrated Mrs Ro-
gers, "to keep within house to day. The Brit
ishers will kill you, like as any way, if you go
out there"
al shall CO." replied Molly. SHOW good the
fosfo IN him vrhan ha ia sfruOOlino
hard in this heatl"
Her glance now fell uron Hollis again; his
hair was thrown back from his forehead. he had
cast aside bis coat, and was loading and discharg
ing cannon with an admirable coolness, while the
balls Of the enemy whizzed about his head.
Molly was strongly impressed by the picture;
he had never looked so glorious to her before,
save when he was about to sacrifice his life at
the pine tree, the central object Of savage ire.
She could not be restrained longer Skipping
away to the cold spring, few yards distant she
filled the pitcher, and remembering HOliss liking
for spearmint, paused moment to break OF .
few leaves Of the rich bed frnging the bank at
her feet. These she settled in the pitcher as
she ran up to Hollis. He received her offering
gladly, blessed her for the thought in low voice,
and drank the water before he resumed his
duty.
Molly ran away again, regardless Of the many
eyes which had been attracted by the strange
sight Of her white muslin dress amid the bloody
strife. She returned to her post Of watching
with breathless anxiety, for the battle waged
closer and fercer Unconsciously she would
break forth into words Of encouragement for her
iavorite generals as she distinguished their uni
forms, or the noble horses which they rode fall
ing dead beneath them.
Once more she ventured out to carry water to
0lls Ifa nd nOIv rad
on the very face Of the foe. She had re6lled
the pitcher, when turning, she saw Hollis fall to
the ground. With blanched G. eek, a horrible
foreboding rushed over her heart, and she lost
no time in reaching the spot.
Alasl he was deadl A shot Of the enemy
had killed him instantly. stake that cannon
away" said General Wayne, to one of the SOL
diers, tive cannot fl the place by as brave man
as has been killed !"
"No," returned Molly, looking upon the Gen.
eral with face like death, yet calm in its in
"the cannon shall not be removed for the want
Of some one to serve Il, since my brave husband
is no more, for will use my utmost exertions to
avenge his death.'
Molly was now fairly aroused. She loaded
and discharged the cannon, while tho officers
beheld her with undisguised admiration.
There" she exclaimed, after the first fire,
:" take that, 70 remorseless Englishmen, and wait
for the next"
Again and again she discharged the cannon,
dealing death aud destruction at every shot
"Whom have we heref 2" inquired Gen. Wash
ingtOn, attracted to tho spot by the singular
spectacle.
An angel Of the hosts Of Michael The
powers Of hell would drop before herl" replied
Gen. Wayne.
Molly now determined on . coup de maitre.
Accordingly she reloaded the cannon with double
the ordinary quota then discharged H. A ter
rible crash succeeded. Molly was thrown into
the air several feet, aud fell to the ground
Three British soldiers were killed and an officer