The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-08-21


able name which my father transmitted
to me. [ must fight those red coats,
Molly. God bless you, and good bye for
the present." returned Hollis, bringing
her to his heart with a 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 quite plainly dis
tinguish their motions.
80 that | were a man p she exclaim-
ed; l would give those British tyrants
free doses of death. To think of their
approach to our very doors Of their
burning the beautiful homes of some of
our neighbors, because they would not
turn traitors ~
She discovered Hollis engaged in the
duty of canoneer and she watched his
motions with the deepest interest. AS
the morning deepened into day, the wea-
ther became intensely warm not leaf
of tree moved, and the sun poured down
such volumes of heat, the earth seemed
brazen and parched to painful endur-
ance.
"Hollis will suffer with thirst p Molly
bethought herself; II will go and carry
him pitcher of water from the cool
spring"
She hastily communicated her lnten-
tions to Mrs. Rodgers, the housekeeper,
and threw on her hat.
II would advise you to keep within
house to-day. The Biitishers will kill
you, like as any way, if you go out there. "
II shall Co." replied Molly. "How
good the water will taste to him when he
is struggling in this heat"
Her glance now fell upon Hollis again
his hair was thrown back from his fore
head, he had cast aside his coat, and he
was loading and discharging the 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 glo-
rious to her before, save when he was
about to sacrifice his life at the pinetree,
the central object Of savage ire. She could
not be restrained longer. Skipping away
to the Geld spring, = few rods distant, she
filled the pitcher, and, remembering Hol-
lis's liking for spearmint, paused mo-
mont to break off few leaves of the rich
bed, fringing the bank at her feet. These
she settled in the pitcher as she ran up
to Hollis. He received her Offering glad
ly, blessed her for the thought in low
voice, and drank the whole before he re-
sumed 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 return
ed 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
favorite generals, as she distinguished
their uniforms, or the noble horses which
they rode falling dead beneath them.
Once more she ventured out to carry
water to Hollis, for he nohly and unre-
mittingly worked on in the face of the foe
She had reflled her pitcher, when, turn
ing, she saw Hollis fall to the ground
With blanched cheek, and horrible
foreboding rushing over her heart, she
lost no time in reaching the spot.
Alas he was dead A shot of the
) enemy had killed him instantly.
"Take that cannon away" said General
Wayne to one of the soldiers ''we cannot
fill the place by as brave man as has
been killed !"
"No| returned Molly, looking upon
the General with face like death, yet
calm in its inspiration of bravery height
ened to heroism; "the cannon shall not
be removed for the want of some one to
serve it, since my brave husband is no
more, for l will use my utmost exertions
to avenge his death"
Nelly was now fairly aroused. She
loaded and discharged the cannon, while
the officers beheld her with undisguised
| admiration.
There !" she exclaimed, after the first
fire I" take that, ye remorseless enemies,
and wait for the next"
Again and again she discharged the
cannon, dealing death and destruction at
, every shot.
"Whom have we here p inquired Gen
eral Washington, attracted to the spot by
the singular spectacle.
An angel of the host Of Michael. The
powers of hell would drop before her p
!, replied General Wayne.
Molly now determined on a coup de
naaitre. Accordingly she reloaded the
) cannon with double the ordinarily quota !;
then discharged it. A terrible crash sue
ceeded. Molly was thrown into the air
several feet, then she fell to the ground
with violence Three British soldiers