Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-10-31
Kate Heath.

The year 1871 was dark an,
gloomy one for Americans, who wer
then struggling for Independence. l
Carolina, affairs were in critical si
uation. General Greene made an un
successful attack on the British pos
at Ninety-Six, and withdrew his me
beyond the Tibee and Broad rivers
Lord Rawdon followed him, but coul,
not draw the patriot General into al
engagement.
AT that period there stood, in Nortl
Carolina, plain and unassumin.
house, white-washed, and surrounded
by fence. The garden contained
many choice flowers, and the beautiful
honeysuckles shaded the doors ant
windows. 1t was the house of Mrs
Heath, who lived with her two daugh
ters, while her son George was il
Washington's army, fighting for free.
dom.
Kate, the eldest of the daughters
was beautiful girl of sixteen sum
mers; her auburn hair hung in grace.
ful curls down to her shoulders, and
her face beamed with kindness, while
her eyes shone like the stars that lit
up the azure vault of heaven.
| One evening, as Kate was standing
at the cottage door, she beheld two
mounted officers approaching, They
were richly dressed, and one of them
she recognized as Lord Rawdon, the
commander Of the British forces il
that part of the country. They rode
up to her, and Rawdon leaned over il
his saddle, and said, in kind voice:
"Well, Miss, can you let me have
the use of room for few minutes p
"Yes, sir, our house is open to you
"Come, Colonel, let us hasten to
business" said Rawdon, dismounting,
while the Colonel did the same, the
latter leading the horses to the stable.
Lord Rawdon advanced to where
Kate was standing. and said, "lVhose
house is this, Miss ?"
"Mrs. Heatlfs, my lord"
"Ha her son is in the rebel army
under Washington, is he not ?"
Kate trembled at the insult, and
she looked at the Briton with search
ing glance.
"My brother is no rebel, Lord Raw
don; he is fighting for his country"
III am sorry for that. He is brave
boy, and would, no doubt, make
good British soldier" returned Raw
don.
"Lord Rawdon, you insult me. 7
would sooner see George die felon's
death than see him in the Kings
army" was the prompt answer.
III see you are rebel, too, Miss
Heath. But here comes the Colonel
said Rawdon, as he saw that worthy
individual coming from the stable.
They entered the house and went
into q small room, to hold a conversa-
tion. Kate thought they might have
important to say, so she re-
solved to play the eavesdropper. She
old her mother of her intention, who
of it, and Kate placed her.
elf in position to overhear the Brit
ms plans.
1t was dangerous undertaking,
nd she knew that if she were caught
n the act of listening she would be
reated as spy, and perhaps executed
or Lord Rawdon knew no mercy.-
'he cautiously approached the door
nd looked through a crcvice. Raw
on and his Colonel were seated be-
ore small table, on which lay maps
hey were examining them closely,
lille Rawdon was explaining them to
nc Colonel. IL
"Here is Grcene's camp" said he, {
and here is ours. We must make |
old strike, and if successful, Greene I
ill be destroyed" i
81 don't see why it should not sue 4
led, do you, my lord?"
"No; if our troops fight as we'll as !
hey have heretofore, we shall sue '
led" said Rawdon, his face assuming i
triumphant expression. /
II shall feel happy when the rebels
'e driven away from Carolina, and n
len their rule will be over" said Col
,el Roberts.
ave must crush Greene, Colonel a
do not want to go back to England il
I'd let it be said that / was out-gen. V
'aled by a rebel. No, neverr' cx- Z
aimed Rawdon, rising to his feet. d
"Then we make that attack at day 4
,eak, do we not ?" asked the colonel. c
1--WE do. Have your regiment
ady, and make the men fight like de-