Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-07-18
2MiGrrllanrous.
Hetty Marvin.

When the British and tories attacked
New London, Connecticut. in H. AMI
set price on the head OF Gov. Griswold,
the latter nci to the town Of u,
where his cousin Mrs Marvin. hid him,
for some DAYS, in secluded farmhouse
But at length the subtitle To-, discovered
his retreat, anl one sunny afternoon in
May, he WAS routed from his hiding place
by the tilins, that band of hoiscmeu
were approaching To capture him.
lis only chance 81 escape was to reach
the mouth Of little creek. which emptici
itself into the Connecticut river Just above
the entrance of the latter into Long Is
land Sound. There he had boat sta
TONED, with two faithful atteniants hid-
den beneath tht hieh bank et the efe-k
The distance from the farmhouse to the
boat was two mIe- IS the usual Travelled
road. Bat little shccp-path across the
farmer, orchards w1ui bring him 10 the
road only a mile from the boat aul save
n quarters length Of his fearful ruu for
lite.
just where the narrow path from the
4
YIN stood with her dng Tawscr, tending
the hlcaehin. OF the household linen
The long web OF forty yarls or more,
which was diligently spun aud woven dur
ing the long winter months, was whitcncd
in MAY, AMI thus made ready for usc.-
This business OF bicachu. was we'll econ
omizcd, being usually done by the young
or daughters OF the family, who were not
old enough to spin, or strong enough for
the heavier work of the Kitchen aud dairy.
The roll Of linen was taken by the
farmer or his stout help to a grassy
plat, beside spring OF meadow hrpoh.--
There it vas thoroughly wctiel and spread
upon the green turi, 10 taAe the heat Of
the sun by day ami the dew hy night
The little maiden who tcuded il. would sit
near it during the day, with her knitting
or her book, aud As fast as the sun dried
It's folds, she would sprinkle the water
over it with har g9aFl-,heii dipper, and
make it wet again.
Thus sat licity Marvin, the youngest
daughter OF GOV. Griswoil's cousin, when
her hunted friend ,praug past her into the
road, to escape his purslcrs. Hetty was
a timid child of about twelve years yet
thoughtful aud wise beyond many Of her
elders. She was frightened BY the head
long haste with which the governor rushed
across the meadow But she 1uickly COM
pretended the scene, and instantly 4aieted
her faithful Towser, who, though friend
of the family guest. thought 1t becoming
TO bark loudly at his hurried steps.
Her wise tore,hought arrested the gov
ernor's notice, and suggested a scheme 10
deIude his pursuers. " lefty" he said
earnestly, " am flying for my life; and
unless can reach my boat before | am
overtaken, | am lost man. You see the
road forks here Now | want 10 run
down this way to the river. But you
must tell the rascals who are chasing inc,
that have gone up the road to catch the
mail wagon which will soon be along, you
know. Then they will turn off tho other
way"
'Oh, cousin, said the little girl in an
agony OF distress, d" | cannot tell lie
indeed, | cannot why did you tell me
which way you were going ~
"Iletty, my child, surely you would
not betray me to my death. llark they
are coming; | hear the click Of their
horses feet. Oh Hetty, tell them |
have gone up the road instead of down,
and heaven bless you"
Heaven never blcsses those who speak
falsely, cousin. Bat will not tell them
which way you 90, even it they Kill me ;
20 run as quickly as possible.
i" It's of no use unless | can deceive
them, | am dead man."
"Cousin, cousin, hide under my web
of cloth they'd never think of looking
there for you. Come get down as swift
as you can, and I'll cover you, and stand
sprinkIing my linen
"lt's my only chance, child III get
down as you say" And sniting the ac-
tion TO the word, the governor was soon
hidden under the ample folds Of the cloth.
Angry that their expected prey had es-
eaped from the house where they hoped