Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1868-05-07
The Maniac Hnrseman.

IL was a small. plain-looKIng house
bUIlt after the fashion Of the days Of tbs
Revolution--lwo rooms down stair,
and a loft, above. The furniture was
plain. bot lbe little rooms looked as neat
as a good housewife could make them.
Grace Harkey sat 10 the open door.
way. To her hand she held a slip Of pa
per; her eyes were looking dreamily
forward into the distance. as if she were
weighing some question Of moment in
her mind.
She was alone that afternoon, for her
mother and little brother had gone TO
visit one Of the neighbors. Her father
was dead, and her eldest brother bad
left the little farm and those dear to him,
70 fight for bis country.
Al length Grace rose from her seat,
and with determined air. murmuFed-
ayes. will go; God will direct and
preserve me but must leave a note for
mother telling her where have gone. F"
And she traced on slip Of paper these
words;
"DEAR MOTHER IL have received note from
nary: he desire me 10 do servoe for his regiment,
and have gone 20 do his bidding. Do not worry
II shall return safe. Your daughter,
GRACE"
She took a good-sized basket from a
nail on the wall, and then started in the
direction Of the woods. As she entered
the ihicket, she looked searchingly
around her; at least her eyes rested on
a large pine tree, and STOPPING beneath
il she brushed the leaves and cones away,
and commenced digging up the earth
with a knife she had brought with her /;
and soon came to large box, which she,
with difficulty, lifted from its hiding
place.
On opening it, she found it filled with
ammunition. Taking out sufficient to fill
her basket she replaced the box, threw
the earth over il, and scattered The leaves
and cones over the broken earth to hide
the spot from the notice of passers-by.
Il was sundown when she completed
her work, and lifting the heavy basket
Oh her arm, she took the side of the road
nearest the woods-for she thought if
she kept in the shadow Of the forest,
there would be less chances of being dis
covered by the inmates Of the Groyenor
house.
The Groveaor house, as it was called,
was large, irregular mansion. Il was
The residence of d wealthy English gen.
tlman-Sir James GrovenOr--and well
known as a rendezvous for tories, and
depository for royal arms and amuni.
tion.
In the stately libary Of the mansion
many a plan of action bad been discuss
ed many a proposition listened to;
many a discussion taken place and on
this particular evening the library was
occupied by about dozen men in earn
est conversation.
The windows had been securely fast.
ened and as the library was in the rear,
no one noticed Grace as she passed ceut-
iously alone on the opposite side--never
daring to lift her eyes, lest she should
meet those of British soldier bent upon
her.
Bot her fears were groundless F; she
passed on undisturbed and in spite Of
ber heavy burden, quickened her pace
after she passed the tory's house, and
breathed with feeling Of relief.
Il was perilous journey she bad un.
dertaken, but she had a stout heart, and
uuaIled not at the thought OF danger !;
she was working for country and her
trust was in God, She would dare and
do much 10 assist the brave boys who
had taken up arms against oppression,
tyranny and wrong.