Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-10-18
HETTY MARVIN.

L
set price on the head Of Governor Girls.
void, the latter fed to the town of l..
where his cousin, Mrs. Marvin, hid him,
for some days, in q secluded farm house.
But at length the subtle foe discovered his
retreat, and one sunny afternoon in May,
be was routed from his hiding place by the
tidings that a band Of horseman were ap.
proacbing to capture him.
His only chance of escape was to reach
the mouth Of little creek, which emptied
itself into the Connecticut river Just above
the entrance Of the latter into Long Islaud
Sound. There he had boat stationed,
With two faithful attendants hidden beneath
he high banks of the creek. The distance
from the farm house to the boat was two
miles by the usual Travelled road. But
little sheep path across the farmers orch.
ards would bring him to the road only
mile from the boat; and save quarters
length of his fearful run for life.
Just where the narrow path from the
orchard opened into the road, Hetty Mar.
vim sat with her dog towser, tending The
bleaching OF the household linen The
long web of forty yards or more which was
diligently spun and woven during the long
winter months was whitened in May, and
thus made ready for use This business OF
bleaching was we'll econom zed, beiug usual
y done by the younger daughters of the
family. who were not old enongh 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 q grassy plat, beside
a spring or meadow brook. There it was
thoroughly wetied and spread upon the
green turf, TO take the heat of the sun by
day and the dew by night. The little mai.
den who tended it, would sit near it during
the day, with her knit ting or her book, and
as fast us the sun dried its folds, she would
sprinkle the water over it with her gourd
shell dipper, and make it wet again.
Thus sat IIetty Marvin, the young ddugh
ter Of Governor GCiswoIfs cousin, when
her hunted friend spraug past her into the
road, to escape his pursuerS. Hetty was a
tInid child of about twelve Yeas; yet
thoughtful and wise beyond many Of her
elders. She was frightened by the head
long hasle with which the Governor rushed
across the meadow. Bnt she quickly com.
pretended the scene, and instantly quieted
her faithful TOwSer, who, though friend
Of the family guest, thought it becoming 10
bark loudly at his hurried steps.
Her wi-e forethought arrested the gov
ernor's notice, aud suggested a scheme to
| delude his pursners "Hetty," he said earn.
estly, 81 um flying for my life; and unless
| can reach my boat before am overtaken,
am lost man. You see the road forks
here. Now want to run down this way
To the river But you must tell the raseaIs
who are chasing me, that have gone up
Tho road to catch tho mail wagon which
will soon be along. you know. Then they
will turn off the other way"
"Oh, cousin said the little girl, in all
agony of distress, Il cannot tell lie; in.
deed, cannot; why did you tell me which
way you were going?"
Hetty my child, surely you would not
betrsy me to my death. Hark they are
coming hear the click of their horses
feet. Ga Hetty, tell them | have gone
up the road instead Of down and heaven
will bless you
Heaven never besses those who speak
falsely, cousin. But | will not tell them
which way you go even, if they kill me
so run quickly as possible
1CS Ol Ho use J uUlesS eau ueCelNe tuSW
| am q dead man.
Cousin, cousin, hide under my web of
cloth they'd never think Of looking here
for you. Come, get down as swift as you
can and I'll cover you, and stand spriukliug
my linen,
It's my only chance, child I'll get
down as you say. Aud suiting the action
10 the word, the governor was soon hidden
under the ample folds of the cloth.
| Angry hat their expected prey had es
capped from the house where they had hop
ed to secure him, the six mounted tories,
headed by British officer, dashed along
the road in swift pursuit Al sight of the
little girl in the meadow, the leade. Of the
party paused.
Guild, he said, sternly, have you seen a
man running away hereabouts
Yes sir replied Hetty, trembling aud
flushing.
Which way did be go7
promised not to tell sir.
But you must or take the consequences.
said wouldn't tell if you killed me,
sobbed the frightened girl
I'll have it out of her exclaimed the fur
! cus eficer with an oath.
Let me speak to her" said his tory guide ;
II know the child, believe. Isu't your
name Hetly MarVin?" be asked, pleasantly
Yes, Sir.
And this man who ran by you a few
minutes ago, was your mothers cousin,
wasn't he?,
Yes, sir; he was.
"Well, we arc friends of his What did
he say to you when he came along?
He--he told me that he was flying foT
his life.
"Just so, Hetty, that was very true.
hope he won't have to fly far. Where wa,
he going TO try tu hideI You see, could
help him if knew his plans
Now Helty was not whit deceived oy
this smooth speech. But she was Wiling
to tell as much of the truth as would consist
with his safety. aud she wisely judged that
her frankness would serve her kinsman bet
ter than her silence. So she answered her
queslioner candidly: my cousin said that
he was going down this way 10 the river