The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-03-04
NUMBER 10.
nErTY MARVIN.
WHEN the British and Tories attacked

hE17f MARVIN.
WHEN the British and Tories attacked
New London, Conn.,, in II, and set a
price on the head of Gov. Griswold, the
latter fed to the town of L., where
his cousin, Mrs. Marvin, hid him for
some days in secluded farmhouse.
But at length the subtle foe discovered
his retreat, and one sunny afternoon in
May he was routed from his hiding place
by the tidings that a band of horsemen
were approaching to capture him.
His only chance of escape was to
reach the mouth of little creek which
emptied itself into the Connecticut River,
Just above the entrance of the latter into
Long Island Sound. There he had a
boat stationed, with two faithful attend
ants 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 path
across the farmers orchards would bring
him to the road, only mile from the
boat, and save quarters length Of his
fearful run for life.
Just where the narrow path from the
orchard opened into the road Hetty
Marvin sat, with her dog Towser, tending
the bleaching of her household linen.
The long web of forty yards or 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 we'll
economical, being usually done by the
younger daughters of the family who
were not old enough to spin or 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 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 sat Hetty Marvin, the young
daughter of Gov. Griswold's cousin,
when her hunted friend sprang past her,
into the road, to escape his pursuers.
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 comprehended the
scene, and instantly quieted her faithful
Towser, who, though a friend of the
family guest, thought it becoming to
bark loudly at his hurried steps.
Her wise forethou ght arrested the Gov
ernor's notice, and suggested scheme to
delude his pursuers. Hetty," he said,
earnestly, II am flying for my life; and
unless can reach my boat before am
overtaken am lost man. You see
the road forks here. But you must tell
those who are chasing me that 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"
40 COUSIN" said the little girl, in an
agony of distress, II cannot tell lie;
indeed, 1 cannot. Why did you tell me
which way you 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 have
gone up the road instead of down, and
uoauou ur;Il h1occ vo,
Heaven never blesses those who
speak falsely, cousin! But will not
tell them which way you go, even if
they kill me; SO run as quickly as pos
sible"
"It's of no use; unless can deceive
them am dead man."
"Cousin, 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 III cover you and stand
sprinkliDg my linen.
It's my only chance, child; I'll get
down as you say" And suiting the ac-
tion to the word the Governor was soon
hidden under the folds of the cloth.
Angry that their expected prey had es-
capped from the house where they hoped
to secure him, the six mounted Tories,
headed by 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, "have you
seen man running hereabouts?"
eyes, sir" replied Hetty, trembling
and flushing.
(Which way did he go?"
II promised not to tell, SIR"
"But you must or take the conse-
quences."
II said / wouldn't tell, if you killed
me- sobbed the frightened girl.
"Ill 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, / believe.
Isn't your name Hetty Marvin" he
asked, pleasantly.
"Yes, sir"
"And this man that ran by you a few
moments ago was your mothers cousin
WASH he?"
Eyes, sir, he was"
"Well, we are friends of his what did
he say to you when he came alcng?"
"He-told me-that he was flying for
is life"
"Just so, Hetty; that was very true. l
hope he won't have to fly far. Where
was he going to hide? You see / could
help him if ! knew his plans"
Now Hetty was not a whit deceived
by this smooth speech. But she was
willing to tell as much of the truth as
would be consistent with his safety, and
she wisely judged that her frankness
would serve her kinsman better than her
silence. So she answered her questioner
candidly: My cousin said he was
going down this way to the river, where
he had boat; and he wanted me to tell
the men that were chasing him that he
had gone the other way to catch the
mail wagon
"Why didn't you do as he bid you
then, when ! asked you where he had
gomez" thundered the officer, fiercely.
Il could not tell lie, sir,' was the
| fearful answer.
Hetty," again began the smooth
tongued Tory, "you are nice child
Everybody knows you are girl of truth
What did your cousin say when you told
| him Won cOn1dn,t tell a fa1aehoods ~