The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02
HETT'Y MARVIN.

price Oh bHe neAO OF gov. GflSWOld, IN
latter fed to the town of l., wher,
his cousin, Mrs. Marvin, hid him fol
some days in a secluded farmhouse
Bat at length the subtle foe discovered
his retreat, and one sunny afternoon il
May he was routed from his hiding
place by the tidings that a band O.
him. -.
His only chance of escape was tc
reach the mouth of a 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 faith.
fuI attendants hidden beneath the high
banks of the creek. The distance from
the farmhouse to the boat was two
miles by the usual travelled road. Bot
q little path across the farmers or.
chards would bring him to the road
only q 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, tend
ing 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
well 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 OF the dairy.
The roll of linen wal taken by the
farmer or his stout "help" to q grassy
plat. beside a spring or a meadow
brook. There it was thoroughly wetted
and spread upon the green turf. to take
the best heat of the sun by daV and kbe
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 spranq past
her into the road to escape his pur.
suers. Hetty vas d timid child of about
twelve years, yet thoughtful and wise
beyond any of her elders. She vas
frightened by the headIong haste with
winch the governor rushed across the
meadow. But she quickly comprehend
ed b scene, and Instantly ouieted her
faithful Towser, who, though a friend
OF the family guest, thought it becom
ing to bark loudly at his hurried tens
Her wise f~orethought arrested the !
governors notice, and suggested q
scheme to delude his pursuers, aHet-
ty, he said, earnestly, "I am fvino
Tor lie; and unless I can reach INV
boat before I am overtaken I am a lost
man. You see the road forks hera
But you must tell those who are chas.
ing me that ! have gone up the road to
catch the mail wagon, which will soon
pe along, you know. Then they will
turn of the other way"
80 cousin, said the little girl. in an
agony o distress. 81 cannot tell a lie .
indeed, I cannot. Why did you tell me
which way You were going ?S
"Hetty, dear child, surely you would
9 betray me to my death Hark
they are coming-I hear the click Of
Ghelr horses feet. Oh, Hetty. telI them
l have gone up the road instead ~
down, and Heaven will bless Won"
Heaven never blesges those who
speak falsely, cousin INT + viii not
sen nem which way you go, even if
s NY nll me; so run as quickly az pos
ITS Of no use; unless I can deceive
them ! am q dead man."
Cousin, cousin, hide under NV web !
OF cloth; they'd never think of looking
mere ior yOu. Come, get down as swift J,
70 you can, and I'll cover you and stand !
Sprlnkling my linen" 9
IFS my only chance, child !: TTl 0at I
as you say" And euitinr tbe a. 9
5ion to the word the governor vas soon 7
hidden under the fold of the cloth 7
Angry that their expected prev had Q
escaped from the house where thew z
hoped to secure him, the sig monnteS q
tories, headed by q British oficar-
along the road in swift pursnik'
II sight OF the girl IN the meadow fha
eader Of the party paused.
Onild, ne said, sternly, "have Won Il
oen = man running hereabouts r. n
des, sir" replied Hetty, trembling r,
Which way did he 90 ?' o
promised not to Tell. sir" n
bot you must or take the conse- n
said I wouldn't tell, if o. killed 8,
ne, sobbed che frightened cirI. q,
IL nave It out of her. " exclaimed G
IuTfouS officer, with an oath q,
LET ms speak to her. /" said his Terry
.uloe; II know the child, I believe Il
snt your name Hetty Marvin =" he il
sked, pleasantly. 4
Eyes, sir" .,
And this man that ran by Won q few Il
nomentE ago was yOur mofhersa ccrs;, n
1asnt he p" Il
|" Yes, sir, he was" 81
Wen, we are friends of his what b
ne say to you when he came q
"He-told me-that he va ayino n
or his life" d
just 50, Hetty ; that was very true. in
hope ne won't have TO fly hard. Where %
'as he going to hide ? You see I could is
clip him If I knew his plans. q.
nov Hesty vas not q whit deceived "
y Gnis smooth speech. But she vas Oh
1lllng 10 tell al much of the trnkb a. az
lould De consistent with his safety and u
ne wisely judged that her franEneea th
ouid serve her kinaman better Char har VI
Llence. 50 she answered her Queptioner n
andldly: My cousin. said he was ne
DING down this way to the river. where pE
? had q boat; and he wanted me to tel q
men that were chasing him that be
ID gone the other way to catch the
wagon ~
!" Why didn't you do as he bid Won. al
len, when I asked you where he had A
one2s Numbered Che officer, ~ierCelv. 81
81 could not tell q lie, sir, = was tie "a
answer. n,