Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-09-25

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young girls in the neighborhood. Yet she
might have made good choice, for he bid
fair to become first rate mechanic, was a
crack shot with a rife, and could out-run,
out jump, as he expressed it himself, any
thing that stood in two Shoes He was a
firm advocate, of the American cause, and
when his boss was not by, and he could
gain listeners ear, he would express his
admiration for Washington in the highest
terms.
1t was in the latter part of December,
and close upon dusk, when young man
attired in the uniform of an ensign in the
Continental army, and mounted upon a
,,S'eIi1. gray horse, roIa up &c Squire
Hutton's smithy and requested that his
animal might be shod Immediately.
"Friend, thou seemest to be in somewhat
of hurry" was Squire HuttOn's reply.
glancing at the stranger, land as Malachi
is foddering the cattle, and l have promis-
ed to have neighbOr Parker's wheel tired
in half an hour, perhaps thee had better
apply to the next shop, which thee will find
about mile and half further along on
the straight road to Brunswick. and"
"a plague on neighbOr Parker and his
wagon Wheel" said the young man impa-
tiently. "As YOU have stated, however, |
am in hurry, and bear important dis
patches to Washington, whom l understand
is on his way to attack our enemies. May
Heaven favor the ight cause!
"Amen," said the smith. earnestly
'.But as l informed thee before, it will be
impossible to attend to the shoeiDg of thy
beast tonight. 1t is nearly dark. and |
seldom protract my labOrs after night-fa1." /"
The stranger unused moment, and then
muttered to himself cit is not possible
that can have been misinformed." drew
paper from his pocket and handed it to
Squire Hutton.
"What is this?" he exclaimed.
Something that it would not be polite
to let every one peruse in these times; but
have heard that you are a staunch man
in the cause Of King George, and l can
trust you. The exigencies of my case will
not admit of any delay. My horse must
be shod, and l must be within the British
camp, at Trenton, tomorrow morning.
The old smith, with an air of surprise,
wiped his glasses to peruse the document,
and by the last fading light of day, recag-
nized the well known signature of Lord
CORVALLIS.
He instantly grasped the stranger by the
hand, and said that for the cause of King
George. he would neglect every other job
of work in the shop.
"But thee will have rough ride of it,
friend; the roads are in bad condition,
and the wind will blow cold and bitter in
thy face, l observe, the whole of the jour
ney.' I
The stranger remarked that he had learn
to laugh at such adventures in the camp
of the soldier. q
"Ah, friend, but the night will be black
as pitch an hour later, and if thy beast is
not sure footed thee will scarcely reach
Trenton by sunrise However, l will see
that thou art well prepared for thy journey.
A good cup of tea, equal to that the fool
ish rebels wasted in Boston harbor, made
by my wife Dorothy, and few warm bis .
cult prepared by my daughter Mary, will
refresh thee greatly, previous to thy long
ride"
Thanks, kind sir, for thy hospitality.
and be assured that it will be remembered
to our commander-in-chief My business
is urgent, for if 1 reach Trenton by sun
rise, the plan bear about my person will
place the rebel army wholly in our power"
"Sayest thou SOP" said the smith, rub
bing his hands joyfully; "then indeed we
have no time to lose. Halo. Malachi; ah,
here thou art Run up to the house, and
tell Dorothy that my friend Ensign Spen-
GER of the Continental army, is going to
sup with us. He has important documents
for the benefit of the American cause, and
must be in the American Camp by to-mor-
row morning Thou canst shoe this horse
while 1 extend to him the hospitalitalities;"
and Squire Hutton taking the young man
BY the arm, ushered him in few moments
into the presence of his wife and charming {
i
Meanwhile Malachi. who had eyed the ]
stranger very closely, lit lamp and be- !
gan to ply the bellows. {
"Well!' he exclaimed to himself, '.if
this don't beat all natur' 1 thought {
there was sumthin' in the wind, when that {
,ritter halted at our place; so l just stop '
ped foddering the cattle and sneaked up
to back side of the shop to listen. So, if
he gets to Trenton by sunrise tomorrow {
morning. the American party will be in
he hands of the British. If you are
here by that time, by Judas, Malachi !
DOolittle don't know anything about shoe
n. Whoa-you critter, can't you stand '
still minute, while the irons are getting s
bot? It's no wonder you're so restless ;
With such load of sin as you are about {
10 carry. My boss is traitor to his
country, and I'm going to cut my inden-
lures tonight and join the American army. !
Who knows but that may come back a {
,aptain, marry Mary Hutton, and then
strike bee line for old Massachusetts,
But I must hurry this job through, for l
wouldn't like the boss to inspect my work
o-night. There" he added, as he drove {
he last nail, "you will cast off pair of
hem shoes about five miles t'other side !
# Brunswick; and then if can't catch {
7Ou, Ensign Spencer, on my old sOrrel, 1
I wish l may be blowed up in powder s
MILL"
Big with intentions for the benefit of the '
American cause, Malachi fastened the
horse, and closing the shop door, wended I
his way to the house.
The wind blew keen and cold, and the
sky was overcast with dark clouds S
Shouldn't wonder if we had two foot /
of snow before tomorrow morning." said
Malachi to himself, "and I'd rather darn T
I'd sight, 60 to an apple bee or a quiltin' i
party with Mary Hutton tucked under t
my arm, than take journey to Trenton, v
tonight However, what can't be cured +
mast be endured, as my old school-marm C