The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-04-03
HETTY MARVIN.

latter hed to the town of L., wher
his cousin, Mrs. Marvin, hid him TO
some days in . secluded farmhouse
But at length the subtle foe discovered
his retreat, and one sunny afternoon il
May be was routed from his hiding
place by the tidiDgs that band o
horsemen were approaching to captur,
him.
His only chance of escape was t.
reach the mouth of little creek which
emptied itself into the Connection
river, just above the entrance of tn,
latter into Long Island Sound. Tier.
he had boat stationed, with two faith
full attendants hidden beneath the higl
banks of the creek. The distance from
the farmhouse to the boat was two
miles by the usual travelled road. Bot
little path across the farmers or
chards would bring him to the road
only mile from the boat, and save
quarters length of his fearful run fol
life.
just where the narrow path from
the orchard opened into the road Hetty
Marvin sat, with her dog Towser, tend
ing the bleaching of her household
linen. The long web of forty yards OF
more, which was diligently spun and
woven during the long winter months,
was whitened in May, and thus ready
for use. The business of bleaching was
well economical, being usually done by
the younger daughters of the family
who were not old enough to spin OF
strong enough for the heavier work OF
the kitchen or the dairy.
The roll of linen was taken by the
farmer or his stout help" to a grassy
plat, beside spring or q meadow
brook. There it was thoroughly wetted
and spread upon the green turf, to take
the best heat of the sun by day and the
dew by night. The little maiden who
tended it would sit near.
Thus set Hetty Marvin, the young
daughter OF Gov. Griswold's cousin,
when her hunted friend sprang past
her into the road, to escape his pur-
suers. Hetty was timid child of about
twelve years, yet thoughtful and wise
beyond any OF her elders. She was
frightened by the headlong haste with
which the governor rushed across the
meadow. But she quickly comprehend
ed the scene, and Instantly quieted her
faithful Towser, who, though friend
of the family guest, thought it becom
ing to bark loudly at his hurried steps.
Her wise forethought arrested the
governors notice, and suggested a
scheme to delude his pursuers. "Het-
ty," he said, earnestly, "I am flying
for life; and unless I can reach nv
boat before 1 am overtaken I am q lost
man. You see the road Jerks here.
But you must tell those who are chas-
ing me that I 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"
o cousin" said the little girl. in an
agony of distress, :" cannot tell lie !;
indeed, I cannot. Why did you tell me
which way yon were going"
"Hetty, dear child, surely you would
not betray me to my death Hark !
they are coming-I hear the click of
their horses feet. Oh, Hetty, tell them
I have gone up the road instead of
down. and Heaven will bless you"
Heaven never blesses those who
speak falsely. cousin But I will not
tell them which way You go, even if
they kill me; so run, as quickly az pos
:" It's Of no use; unless I can deceive
them I am q dead man."
"Coufin, cousin, hide under my web
Of cloth; they'd never think of looking
here for you. Come, get down as swift
as You can, and I'll cover you and stand
sprinkling my linen"
"Its my only chance, child I'll get
down as you say" And suiting the &C
ton to the word the governor was soon
hidden under the fold 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 a British officer,
dashed along the road in swift pursuit.
At sight OF the girl in the meadow the
leader OF the party paused.
Child, he said, sternly, shave you
seen man running hereabouts ?"
Yes, cir" replied Hetty, trembling
(Which way did he go?"
II promised not to tell, SIR"
But you must or take the conse-
quences.
81 said I wouldn't tell, if you killed
me-, sobbed the frightened girl.
"!H have it out of her" exclaimed
The furious officer, with an oath.
LET me speak to her," said his Tory
guide; Il know the child, I believe.
Lent your name Hetty Marvin 2" be
asked. pleasantly.
Sand this man that ran by you few
moments ago was your mothers cousin,
wasn't he ?"
Yes, sir, he WAS"
"WelI, We are friends of his what
lid he say to you when he came
HeItold me-that he was flying
Ior his life."
Gust so, Hetty that was very true.
hope he won't have to fly hard. Where
was he going to hide? You see I could
help him if knew his plaDs..'
Now Hetty was not . whit deceived
oy this smooth speech. Bot she was
willing to tell as much of the truth as
would be consistent with his safety, and
he wisely judged that her frankness |
would serve her kinsman better than her |
30 she answered her questioner
My cousin said he was
,oing down this way to the river, where |
le had boat; and he wanted me to tell |
he men that were chasing him that he |
lad gone the other way to catch the |
nail wagon"
"Why didn't you do as he bid You,
hen, when 1 asked you where he had
one! tuuhuoIoo Inc Omcof, nerColy.
d" could not tell a lie, sir" was the |
earful answer.
Hetty." again began the smooth
ongued Tory, "you are a nice child. |
knows You are girl of truth.
What did your cousin say when you
old him you couldn't tell false.
ood|
"He said he shouldn't think I'd betray
i'm to his death"
"And you then promised him you
tell which way he went, if you
7ere killed for it?"
Yes, sir"
"That was a brave speech and 80 /
oppose he thanked you for it, and ran
own the road as quickly as possible"
"I promised not to tell where he
'ent, SIR"
ooh. YES. I forgot, Well. tell us his