The Portland daily press., 1862-08-28
MISCELLANY.
HETTY MARVIN.

u "
hid him, for some days, in secluded farm
house. But at length the subtle foe discover
ed his retreat, and one sunny afternoon in
Nav he was routed from his hiding-place with
the news that band of horsemen were ap-
preaching to capture him.
His only chance of escape was TO reach the
mouth of a little creek which emptied into the
Connecticut river, just above the entrance of
the latter Into Long Island Sound There he
had boat stationed, with two faithful attend
ants hidden beneath the high banks of the
creek. The distance from the farmhouse to
the boat was two miles by the usual travelled
road. But little sheep-path across the farm
er's orchards would bring him to the road on
ly mile from the boat: and save a quarters
length OF his fearful run for life.
just where the narrow path from the ORCH
ard opened into the open road, Hetty Marvin
sat with her dog Towser, tending the bleach
ing of the household linen The long web OF
forty yards or more, which was diligently spun
or woven during the long winter months, was
whitened in May, and thus made ready for
use. This business of bleaching was well
economical, being usually done by the young
er daughters of the family, who were not old
enough for the heavier work OF the kitchen
and the diary.
The web of linen was taken by the farmer
or his stout "help" to grassy plat, beside
spring or meadow brook. There it was tho
roughly wetted and spread upon the green
turf, to take the heat of the sun by day and
the dew by night. The little maiden who
tended it, would sit near it during the day
with her knitting or her book, and as fast as
the sun dried its folds, she would sprinkle the
water over it with her gourd-shell dipper and
make 1t wet again.
Thus sat Hetty Marvin, the young daughter
of Gov. Griswod's cousin, when her hunted
friand bar inf fba 20
his pursuers. Hetty was a timid child of about
twelve years; yet thoughtful and wise beyond
many of her elders. She was frightened by
the headlong haste with which the governor
rushed across the meadow. But she quickly
comprehended the scene, and instantly quiet
ed her faithful Towser, who, though friend
to her family guest, thought it proper to bark
loudly at his hurried steps.
Her wise forethought arrested the govern
or's attention, and suggested a scheme to de-
lude his pursuers. "Hetty," he said earnestly,
Il am flying for life; and unless l can reach
the boat before l am overtaken l am lost
man. You see the road forks here. Now
want to run down this way to the river But
you must tell the rascals who are chasing me
that have gone up the road to catch the mail
wagon, which will soon be along you know.
Then they will turn off the other way
"Oh, cousin" said the little girl in an agony
OF distress, Il cannot tell lie; indeed can
not; why did you tell me which way you were
going?"
"Hetty, my child, surely you would not be-
tray me to my death. Hark! they are coming:
/ hear the click of their horses feet. Oh!
Hetty, tell, tell them have gone up the road
instead of down and heaven will bless you"
"Heaven never blesses those who speak
falsely. cousin. But will not tell them which
way you go, even though they kill me; so run
quickly as possible.
"Its no use; unless can deceive them am
a dead man."
'Cousin, cousin, hide under my web of CLOTH
they'd never think of looking here for you.
Come, get down as quick as you can, and Ill
cover you and stand spriukling the linen"
'It's my only chance, child, I'll get down as
you say, and suiting the action to the word
the governor was soon hidden beneath the am
pie folds of the cloth.
Angry and excited that their expected prey
should escape from the house where they hop
ed to secure him, the six mounted tories. head
ed by British officer, dashed along the road
in swift pursuit. AT sight of the little girl in
the meadow, the leader of the party paused.
"Child' he said sternly, shave you seen
man running away hereabouts ?n
"Yes, sir" replied Hetty, trembling and
flushing.
(which way did he go9'
pTUHliStu HOt 10 ttli
"But you must, or take the consequences,
81 said wouldn't tell if you killed me, sob
bed the frightened girl.
"I'll have it out of her." exclaimed the firi-
ous officer, with an oath.
Let me speak to her." said his tory guide;
know the child believe. "Isn't your name
Hetty Marvin?" he asked pleasantly.
'Yes, SIR"
Sand the man who ran by you few min
utes ago, was your mothers cousin, wasn't
e?"
"Yes, sir?"
well, we are friends. What did he say
when he came along?"
"He-he told me-that he was flying for his
lfe"
"Just so, Hetty, that was very true. hope
he won't have to fly far. Where was he going
try to hide? You see, could help him, If /
knew his plans"
Now Hetty was not whit deceived by this
smooth speech. But she was willing to tell as
much of the truth as would consist with his
safety, and she wisely judged that her frank
ness would serve her kinsman better than her
silence. So she answered her questoner can
didly: my cousin said that he was going
down this way to the river where he had
boat; and he wanted me to tell the men that
were chasing him, that he had gone the other
way to catch the mail wagon"
"Why didn't you do as he bid you, then,
when asked where he had gone ?" Numbered
the officer fercely.
81 couldn't tell a lie, sir" was the tearfu an
swer.
"Hetty," again began the smooth-tongued
tory You're nice child. Everybody knows
you are girl of truth. What did your cousin
say when you told him you couldn't tell false
hood"
"He said shouldn't think I'd betray him to
his DEATH"
''And then you promised you wouldn't tell
which way he went, if you was killed for it,"
''Yes, Sir"
"That was brave speech; and so suppose
he thanked you and ran down the roadas quick
ly as possible?"
Il promised not to tell where he went, Sir"
''Oh, yes, l forgot. Well, tell us his last
words and we won't trouble you any more"
"His last words were, Its my only chance
child, and I'll get down as you say" And over
come by her fright, and the sense of her kins-
mans danger should they rightfully interpret
the language which she had reported she Sob
bed aloud and hid her face from sight
Her tormentors did not stay any longer to
soothe or question her. They had got as they
the information which they wanted,
and pushed rapidly on down the river. Now,
the Governor had arranged a signal with his
boatmen, that white cloth by day, or light
in the night, displayed from the attic-window
of his hiding place, which was just visible at
the mouth of the creek, should inform them if
he were in trouble, and put them upon the alert
to help him. As soon, therefore. as he started
from his cousins the signal foated from the
window 10 warn them. And when they saw
the pursuing party dash madly down toward
the river, and recognized the uniform of the
British Officer; they pulled swiftly out to sea,