The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-04-15
The Girl that Wouldn't Tell a Lie.

When the British and Tories attacked
New London, Conn, in II, and set d
price on the head of Governor Griswold,
the latter fled to the town of L, where
his cousin, Mrs. Marvin hid him, for some
| days in a secluded farm house. But at
length the subtle foe discovered his re
treat; and one sunny afternoon in May
he was routed from his hiding place, by
| the tldings that band of horsemen were
approaching to capture him.
His only chance of escape was to 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 boat sta
toned, with two faithful attendants hid
den 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 little sheep path across the
farmers orchard would bring him to the
road, only a mile from the boat; and save
a quarters length of the fearful run for
life
Just where the narrow path from the
orchard opened into the road, Hetty Mar
vim sat with her dog Towser, tending the
bleaching of the 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 made ready for use. The bust
ness OF bleaching was well economical,
being usually done by the younger daught-
ers of the family, who We're not old enough
to spin, or strong enough for the heavier
work of the kitchen and dairy,
~ G L
er or his stout help to a grassy plat be-
side a spring or meadow brook There
it was thoroughly wetted and spread ip-
on the green turf, to take the best heat of
the sun by day and the dew at night. The
little maiden who tended it would sit near
it.
Thus sat lietty Marvin, the Young
daughter OF Governor Griswold's cousin,
when her hunted friend sprang past her
into the road to escape from his pursuers.
Hctty was timid child Of about twelve
years; vet thoughtful and wise beyond
many of her elders She was frightened
by the hcadlong haste with which the
Governor rushed across the meadow But
She quietly comprchended the scene, and
instantly quieted her faithful Towser, who
thought it becoming to bark loudly at his
hurried step.
Her wise torcthnught arrested the Gov
ernor's notice, and suggested scheme to
deude his pursucrs. 'iIetty, he said earn
estly, Il am flying for my life; and unless
| can reach my boat before | am over
taken, | 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
oh cousin . said the little girl in an
agony OF distress, i cannot tel lie ; In
deed | cannot; why did you tell me which
way you We're going
IIetty, dear child, surely You would not
betray me TO my death, llark they are
coming | hear The click of their horses
feet Oh, lIetty, tell them have gone
up the road instead ot downs and heaven
will bless YOU.
Heaven never blesses those who speak
falsely, cousin But will not tell them
which way YOU 60, even ii they Aill me ;
so run as quickly as possible
Its of no use; unless can deceive
them, | am u dead man.
Cousin. cousin, hide under my web OF
cloth; they'd never think Of looking here
Ean TAI va2HHo vaHHo f9Ms qHz get 3 down M rs MIt pf6G9
ling my linen. ..
It's my only chance, child; III get
down us you say Aud suiting the action
to the word the Governor was soon hid
den under the ample 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
| little girl in the meadow, the leader Of the
party paused.
Child, he said sternly, have YOU seen
man running away hereabouts2' p
Yes, sir, replied IIetty, trembling and
ushing.
(which way Gid he GO"
II promised not to tell, sir,'
g But you must, on take the r"noe-
quence"
II said wouldn't tell, if You killed
me, " sobbed the frightened Gill.
"rll have it out OF her exclaimed the
furious officer, with an oath.
"Let me speak to her" said the Tory
guide; Il know the ehlld, | believe
Isn't your name Hetty Maryln?' he asked
| pleasantly
Yes, sir"
And this man ran by You few min
utes ago, was your mothers cousin,
wasn't he?"
| YES, sir, he was"
| "Well. we are friends of his-What did
he say to you when he came along?"
| "Ile-he told me-that he was flying
for his life
"Just so, Iietty that was very true.
hope he won't have to fly far Where was
he going to try to hide? You see could
help him il knew His plans
| Now IIetty was not whit deceived by
this smooth speech. But she was willing
to tell as much OF the truth as would CON
sist With his safety, and she wisely Judged
that her trankness would serve her klns-
man better than her silence So she an
swered her questioner candidly. My
cousin said he was going down this way
to the river, where he had u boat; and hi
wanted me to tell the men that were chas
ing him that he had gone the other way
to catch the mail wagon
| Why didn't you do as he bid you ther
when / asked where he had gone p thnn-
dered the officer fiercely.
Il could not tell Il lie sir, was the care
full answer.
'Hetty, again begun the smooth tonguec
Tory, you are u nice child Everybody
knows you are a girl of truth. What did
your cousin say. when You told him yor
couldn't tell talsehoody
He said he shouldn't think I'd betray
him to his death
And then you promised him that yot
wouldn't tell which way he went, If yo1
was killed for it?'
| Yes, Sir
That was brave speech; and so
suppose he thanked you for it, and rai
down the road rs quick as possible
4 promised not to tell where he went
sir
oh, yes, forgot Well, tell us his las
words. and we won't trouble you any
more
His last words were, It's my only
chance, child. and I'll get down as yol
say And overcome by fright. and tht
| cauca of hnr Eipeman'S 1anpar ShOul(