The weekly Butte record., 1861-09-28
The Story of a Brave Woman.


1t was warm and sultry morning in the
last of June. The inhabitants of Monmouth
were all astir with the knowledge that the two
armies were in their midst, and by their mo-
tions sustaining the probability that general
action was about to be hazarded The British
army, now commanded by Sir Henry Clinton,
had assumed one of the strongest situations.
Upon the high grounds about Monmouth
Court House they laid their flank on the bor-
der of small wood, the last guarded by q
deeper one, and the rear running toward a
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
movement. The other generals, Lafayette,
Greene, Wayne, Stewart and Scott, were d.
rected to hold their troops in readiness to sup
port 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 he was soon joined by Gene
rails Dickinson and Morgan, with their spirited
troops.
In full view of the house of Hollis and Mol
ly, this action commenced. The spirit which
animated every true American was newly
aroused at this spectacle, and he was impatient
to mingle in the strife.
"Will you go, Hollis?" asked Molly any
iously.
Eyes, dearest. Can I remain here tamely,
and not offer my assistance in the defence of
my country? I shall be only a private; but
there will be work enough for me to do"
Remember the fate Of your father" falter-
ed Molly.
81 thought you were brave, my own wife, y
said Hollis, with smile Of aiectionate pride.
Battle scenes have not lost their charms
for me yet, though confess to unusual mis-,
givings this morning, replied Molly.
L shall return at night, darling, it may be
with new glory attached to the honorable name
which my father transmitted to me. 1 must
fight those red coats, Molly. God bless you,
and goodbye 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 distinguish their
motions.
20 that l were man !" she exclaimed " l
would give those British tyrants free dose 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 p
She discovered Hollis engaged in the duty
of cannoneer, and she watched his motions
with the deepest interest As the morning
deepened into day, the weather became in
tensely warm not leaf Of tree moved, and
the sun poured down such volumes of heat, The
earth seemed brazen and parched to a painful
endurance.
Hollis will suffer with thirst" Molly be-
thought herself; !" 1 will go and carry him a
pitcher of water from the cool spring"
She hastily communicated her intentions to
Mrs. Rodgers, the housekeeper, and threw on
her hat.
81 would advise you," demonstrated Mrs
Rodgers, " to keep within house to-day. The
Britishers will kill you, like as any way, if you
go out there"
81 shall Co." replied Molly. GLOW good
the water will taste to him when he is strug-
Cling so hard in this heat p
Her glance now fell upon Hollis again his
hair was thrown back from his forehead, 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 glori-
ous 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 re-
strained longer. Skipping away to the cold
spring, few rods distant, she filled the pitch
er, and, remembering Hollis liking for spear
mint, paused a moment to break off a 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
gladly, blessed her for the thought in low
voice, and drank the whole before be 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 bat
tie waged closer and fercer Unconsciously
she would break forth into words OF encourage
ment for ber favorite generals, as she distin-
guished their uniforms, or the noble horses
which they rode falling dead beneath them.
Once more she ventured out to carry water
to Hollis, for be nobly and unremittingly work
ed on in the face of the foe. She had reflled
her pitcher, when, turning, she saw Hollis fall
to the ground With blanched cheek, and
horrible forebodlng rushing over her heart
cha lact RI +;,oa IN raoehino fha cpot