The mountain Democrat., 1865-08-12
Hsts1s MsrViI.

When the British and Tories attacked
New London, Connecticut, IL, and sci
price on the head Of Governor driswold
the latter iled to the sewA Of l.
where lis OOnsin, Mrs. M4sih, hid him
for some days in = secluded GSm houss.
But ct length the subtle foe discovered
ms retreat and one sunny afternoon In
Nay be was routed ffem bis hiding place
by the tidings that AihAnd of horsSmen
were approaching to captnrs him. .,
His only chance of escape was to reach
the mouth Of the little creek which emp.
tied itself into tue Cohnecticut river, Just
above the entrance of the latter into Long
Island Sound. .s,t. .-1
There he had ,boat stationed, With
two faithful attendants, hidden beneath
the high banks Of. the creek. The dis.
taace from thefArm house to the boat was
two miles BY the usual travelled road
But little sheep path across the farm g
orchard 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.- ~
Thus sat Hetty Marvin, the youngest
daughter of Governor Griswold's cousin,
when her hunted friend sprang past her
into the road. to escape his pursuera-
Hetty was timid child, of about twelve
years, yet thoughtful and wise boy ond
many Of her elders. ...
She was frightened by the heAdlong
haste with which the Governor rushed
across the meadow but she quietly com
pretended the scene and instantly Quoted
her faithful Towser, who, though friend
Of the family guest, thought proper to
bark at bis hurried steps.
Her wise forethought arrested the Gov
ernor's attention, and suggested scheme
to elude his pursuers.
'Hetty,' be said, earnestly, 4 am flying
for my life, and unless / can reach my
boat am lost man. You see the road
forks here. Now want you to run this
way down 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, 4 cannot tell lie in.
deed l cannot. Why did you tell me
which way you we're going!'
'Hetty, my child, surely you would moi
betray me to my death9 Hark, they are
coming; hear the click of their horses
feet. Oh! Hetty, tell them l 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 60. even If they kill me
so run quickly MS possible
1t is no use; unless | can deceive them
l am dead man,
Cousin, cousp, hide under my web ol
cloth they'd never think of looking here
for you. Come, get down as swiftly as
you can, and I'll cover you, and sprinkle
my linen
Its my only chance, child; III get
down as you say
And, suiting the action to the word, the
Governor was soon hidden under the am.
pie folds of the cloth.
Angry that their expected prey had es
capped from the house where they hoped
to secure him, the six mounted tories,
headed 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," no said sternly, "have you
seen a man running away hereabouts."
"Yes, sir" said Hetty, blushing and
trembling.
(Which way did he goP"
81 promised not to tell, SIR"
But you must or take the consequen.
ces."
II said I wouldn't tell if you killed
me-" sobbed the frightened girl
"I'll have it out Of her," )" exclaimed the
furious officer with an oath.
"Let me speak to her." said bis tory
guide, ~ know the child, l believe. Isn't
your name Hettie Marvin 2" be asked
pleasantly.
"Yes SIR"
"Bnt this man, who ran by you a few
minutes ago, was your mothers cousin,
wasn't hey"
"He was."
"Well, We are friends Of his. What
did he say when he came along?"
He-he told me-he was flying for
mis- life." .'.
"Just so. Hetty, that was very true
hope he wont have far to fly. Where
vas he going to try to hide? You see
could help him if l knew his plans ,"
Now Hetty was not whit deceived by
ais smooth speech, so she answered his
question candidly:
"My cousin said be was going down
hat way to the river, where be had q
boat, and he wanted me to tell the men
hat were chasing him that he Was gone
mother way to catch the mail wagon"
"Why didn't you do as I bid you then,
vhen I.asksd where he had gone "thun.
Tered the officer.
~ could not tell lie, sir" was the
eafful answer.
"Hetty," again began the smooth.
opgued man, "you are nice child
Everybody knows you are 3 child of
ruth. What did your cousin say when
'ou told him that you could not tell a
alsehoodS"
"He said he shouldn't think I'd be.
ray him to his death" .-,
"And then you promised him you
would not tell which way be went if you
vas killed for it,"
"Yes SIR" ....
."That was brave speech; and SO
uppOse be thanked you for it, and ran
lown the road as quickly as possible2
~ promised not to tell where he went,
ir."
"Oh yes, I forgot Well. tell US his
asst words and we won't trouble You any
nore." ...- !
i" His last words were. IT'S nv only