Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-07-26
MIS- C Ell l. AN Y.
CAPTAIN HOLLY.
TIE STORY or A BRAVE wcnAS.

IL was warm ana eultry morning IN the
last of June. The inhabitants Of Mon
mouth were oil astir with tho knowledg,
that tho two armies were IN thcir midst
and by their motions sustaining tho proba.
bility that q general action was about to b,
hararded. Tho British army, now com
manded by Sir Henry Clinton. had assumed
one OF the strongest situations. Upon :h,
high grounds about Monmouth Court IIous,
they laid their flank on the border Of q
small wood. the last guarded BY deeper
one. and the roar running toward mOrass
The army was disposed in such an ada
cent position as to be able to harrass the en-
smy in the rear, and take advantage Of their
first movement. Tho other generals, Lay
fayc,te, Green. Wayne. Stewart and Scot,
were directed TO hold their troop, in readi'
hes to support the front.
Early in the morning. notice was given
that the van Of the enomy was in mo.
,iOn. General Lee Immediately prepared to
make an attack upon them aud hs was soon
jOined by General Dickinson aLd Morgan
with their spirited troops.
In full view Of the house OF Hollis and
Molly, thi, action commenced. Hollis pu.
on his military sui, M once. The .piri.
which animated every true Amoricsn was
newly aroused a, tAis spectacle, and ho Was
impa,ien, to min;le IN the s,rIls.
"will you 90, ilolh''" asked Molly
anIiously.
Yes. dearest. Can | remain here tame.
ly and not offer nv assistance IN the defence
OF my cOun,ry' shall DO only a private.
bu, there will DO work enough Tor mo TO
do"
Remember the fate OF yOur..A.hcr," fal.
tered Molly.
~ thought you werc brave, my own
wife" said Hollis with a smile OF affection.
ate pride.
f" Battle scenes have no, lost their charm.
for me yet, ,hougl, confess 10 unusual
mi.sving. this morning" replied Molly.
- .ball return at night. darling, 10 may
be with new glory attached 10 the honora-
bio namo which my father transmitted to
the. mus, ssh, those red coats, Molly
God blo.s you, and good bye for the pres.
ent, returned Hollis, bringing her TO hi,
heart with parting carcss.
"a blessing 50 with you husband, (" said
Molly, as Hollis sped rapidly from the door.
The enemy advanced 80 near Molly's
house tha, che could plainly distinguish
their motions.
30 that | were man :" she exclaimed.
I would give those British tryunts free do
ses OF death. To think OF their approach to
our very doors, OF their burni,g the beau.
,iiul homes Of some OF our neigh)ors because
they would not turn traitors :"
She discovered Hollis cns,sci IN the duty
OF cannonier, and she watched his motion,
with the decpcs, interest. Asthe morning
deepcncd into day. tho wea,hu became In
ten.ely warm not q leaf Of tree moved.
and the sun poured down sue, volume. Of
hea, the earth seemed braIen and parched
to painful endurance.
Hollis will suffer with thirst" Molly
bo,hought herself; 81 will go and carry
him pitcher Of water fr,m the cool
spring"
She hastily communicated ,er intention,
TO Mrs. Roger the hOu.ckeep.r, and threw
on her hat.
IL would advise you," demonstrated
Mrs. Rogers. Ito keep within house to.
day. The Bri,isher' will XII you, like as
any way, II you so out there"
~ shall co." replied Molly. How
good the water will taste to him when he i,
struggling 50 hard in this heat"
Her glance now fell upon Hollis again
his hair was thrown back from hs forehead
he had cas-, aside his coat. AM he was load.
Ing and discharging the cannon with an sd.
mirable coolness. while the balls OF the enc
my whirrsd about his head. Molly wa,
strongly impressed by the picture; he had
never looked 90 glorious to her before, save
when no was about TO sacrifice his life ai
the pine tree, the central object Of savage
ire. She could not DO restrained longer.
Skipping away to the cold srrng. few
rod. distant, she filled the pitcher, aud 70.
membering Hollis liking for spearmint,
paused moment to break OF lew leaves
Of the rich bed. iringing the bank at her
feet. These che settled in the pitcher as she
ran up to Hollis. IIc received her Offering
gladly, blessed her for the thought in low
voice. and drank the whole before be resum
cd his duty.
Molly ran away again, regardless Of the
many eyes which mad been attracted by the
strange sight Of her white muslin dress
amid the bloody strife. She returned to
her post Of watching with brca'hless ankle
ty, Tor the battle wascd closer and 6ereer.
U Unconsciously she would break forth into
word. oil encouragement for her iavorits
generals. as sho distinguished their uni
forms, or the noble horses which they rode
falling dead beneath them.
Once moro she rentured out 10 carry wa
ter to Hollis. for he nobly and unremitting'
ly worked on in the face Of the foe. She
had rcflled her pitcher, when turning she
saw Hollis fall to the ground. With .
blsnched cheek and q horrible forebodins
rushing over her heart, sho lost no time 10
reaching the spot.
Alos, he was dead A shot of the enc