, 1865-07-21
Hetty Marvin.

When the British and Tories attacked New
London Connecticut, IL, and set a price on
the head of Governor Griswold, the latter fed
to the town of l., where his cousin, Mrs.
Marvin, hid him for some days in secluded
farm house. But at length the settled foe dis
covered his retreat and one sunny afternoon in
May he was routed from his hiding-place by the
ti6ngs that band Of horsemen were approach
ing to capture him.
His only chance was to reach the mouth of
the little creek which emptied itself into the
Connecticut river, just above the entrance ofthe
latter into Long Island Sound. There he had a
boat stationed, with two faithful attendants,
hidden beneath the high banks of the creek
The distance from the farm house to the boat
was two miles by the usual travelled road. But
a little sheep path across the farms orchard
would bring him to the road only mile from
the boat, and save a quarter length ofhis fear
full run for life.
Just where the narrow path from the orchard
opened into the road, Hetty Marvin 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 pursuers. Hetty was timid child, ofabout
twelve years, yet thoughtful and wise beyond
many of her elders. She was frightened by the
headlong haste with which the Governor rushed
hended the scene and instantly quieted her faith
full Towser, who, though friend Of the family
guest thought proper to bark at his hurried
steps.
Her wise forethought arrested the Governor S
attention, and suggested a scheme to elude his
pursuers.
"Hetty," he said earnestly, "I am flying for
my life, and, unless l can reach my boat, am
a lost man. You see the road forks here Now
1 want you to run this way down to the river.
But you must tell the rascals who are chasing
me that I haYe gone up the road to catch tn c
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 81 cannot tell lie; indeed I cannot.
Why did you tell me which way you were 60
ing.
"Hetty, my child, surely you would not be-
tray me to my death? Hark, they are coming;
I hear the click oftheirhorses' feet. OH Hetty,
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 if they kill; me so run quickly as
possible.
at is no use; unless can deceive them, am
dead man"
"Cousin, cousin, hide under my web of cloth;
they'd never think flooking here for you. Come
get down swiftly as you can, and I'll cover
you, and sprinkling my linen"
'It's my only chance child III get down as
you say"
And, suiting the action to the word, the Gov
ernor was soon hidden under the ample folds Of
the cloth.
Angry that their expected prey had escaped
from the house where they hoped to secure him.
the six mounted tories headed by British Off
Ger, 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 a
man running away hersabouts."
eyes, sir" said Hetty, blushing and trem-
bling.
(which way did he go?'
81 promised not to tell, sir"
"But you must or take the consequences"
~ said 1 wouldn' tell ifyou killed me, sobbed
thefrightened girl.
"Ill have it out of her" exclaimed the furi-
GUS officer with an oath.
"Let me speak to her, said history guide, "a