The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-05-06
THE HERO WOMAN.
A Romance of the Revolution.


mile from the Schuylkill, there
stood in the time OF the Revolution
quaint old fabric, built of mingled
logs and stone, and encircled by a
pallasaded wall 1t had been erect
ed in the early days Of William Penn
perhaps some years before the
great apostle of peace first trod our
shores as a block house first in
tended for defense against the Indi-
ans.
And now it stood with its numer-
Gus chimnies, It's massive square
windows, its varied front of logs and
stone. its encircled wall through
which admitance was gained by q
large and stoutly built gate; it stood
in the midst of the wood with age
worn trees encircling its veteran out
line on every side.
From its eastern windows you
might obtain a glimpse Of the Schuyl-
kill waves, while large easement
in the southern front commanded a
view of the winding road as it sunk
out of view, under the shade Of thick
" clustered boughs, into a deep hol-
low not more than hundred yards
from the mansion.
Here from the southern easement,
on one of those balmy days which
look in upon the dreary autumn.
toward the close Of November, q
farmers daughter was gazing with
dilated eyes and half clasped hands.
Well might she gaze earnestly to
the south, and listen with painful
intensity to the slightest sound. Her
brothers were away in the army of
Washington, and her father, grim
old vetran-he stood six feet and
three inches in his stockings-who
had manifested his hate for the red
coat invaders in many a desperate
contest, had that morning left her
alone in the old mansion. alone in
this chamber, in charge Of some am
intended for a band Of brave
farmers, about to join the hosts of
freedom.
Even as she stood there gazing
out of the south window, a faint
glimpse of sunlight, from the faded
leaves above pouring over her mild
face, shaded by clustering brown
hair, there, not ten PAGES from her
side were several loaded rifles and a
keg Of powder.
Leaning from the easement, she
listened witt every nerve quivering
with suspense of the shouts of CON-
batants, the hurried tread of armed
men echoing from the south.
There was something very beauti- !
ful in that picture. The form of the
young girl framed by the square |
window, the contrast be-
tween the rough timbers that enclose, !
and that rounded face, the lips part
ng, the hazel eyes dilating, and the
check warming and flushed with |
nope and fear, there was something
very beautiful in that picture, q
young girl leaning from the window
If an old mansion, with her brown
lair waving in glossy masses around
Ter face.
Suddenly the shouts of the south
yrew and then emerging from the
lecp hollow, there came an old man
unning at full speed, yet every few
minutes turning to fire the rifle, which
le load as be ran.
He was pursued by party of tn
British soldiers who came rushing
N, the bayonets fixed, as if to strike
heir victim ere be advanced ten
teps nearer the house.
On and on the old man came,
While his daughter, quiyering with
uspense, hung leaning from the
he reaches the large
'lock,house gate-look; He is sur
ounded. Their muskets are leveled
t his head, he is down, down at
heir feet graphing for his life.
But look again. He dashes his
be old block house, they are rushing
owards that chamber with murder
D their hearts and their glaring eyes,
lad the old man q thousand lives,
hey were not worth a farthing's
urchase now.
Still that girl, growing suddenly
-hite as the kerchief round her
eek, stands there trembling from
cad to foot, the rife in her hand,
s dark tube laid against the powder
eg.
The door burst open Look there
Stout forms are in the doorway,
18th muskets in their hands, grim
ices, stained with blood, glared into ::
be room.
Now, as ifhei very soul was coin |
d into the words, that young girl
18th face as pale as ashes, hazel eyes
laring with deadly life, utters this
Now watch the movements of the '
aughter. Silently she loads rifle,
lently she rests its barrel against '
le head of the powder keg, and c
len placing her finger on the trigger,
lands over her fathers form, while c
le shouts of the enraged soldiers :
ome laundering from the stairs. {
'es, they have broken the hall door Q
Ito fragments, are in possession Of (
ierce main of that. wound nniYers {