The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-09-16
HETTY MARVIN.

4 u
Griswold, the latter fed to the town oi
D., where his cousin, Mrs. Marvin
hid him for some days in a 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 g
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 Connecti-
cut River, just above the entrance of the
latter into the Long Island Sound.
There he had boat stationed, with two
faithful attendants hidden beneath the
the high banks of the creek. The dis
tance from the farm house to the boat
was two miles by the usual travelled
road. But little path across the farm
ers's orchard would bring him to the
road, only mile from the boat, and
save a 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 made ready
| for use.
The business of bleaching was well
economical, being usually done by the
younger daughte ters of the family, who
were not old enough to spin, or strong
enough for the heavier work of the kit
| chen or the dairy.
The roll of linen was taken by the
| farmer or his stout ''help" to grassy
plat, beside spring or brook. There
it was thoroughly wetted and spread up
on 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 it.
Thus sat Hetty Marvin, the young
daughter of Governor Griswold s cousin,
when her hunted friend sprang past her
into the road to escape from his pursu-
ers. 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 a friend
of the family guest, thought it becoming
to bark loudly at hurried steps.
Her wise forethought arrested the
governors notice, and suggested a
scheme to delude his pursuers. "Het-
ty," he said earnestly, ST am flying for
my life; and unless I can reach my
boat before am overtaken I am a 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, 81 cannot tell a
lie, indeed I cannot; why did you tell
me which way you were going2"
''Hetty, dear child, surely yon 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 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 quickly as pos
| sible"
s.It's of no use; unless I 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
ly as you can and I'll cover you, and
stand sprinkling my linen"
'It's my only chance; I'll get down as
You say" And suiting the action to the
word, the governor was soon hidden
under the folds of the cloth.
Angry that their expected prey had
escaped from the house where they had
| hoped to secure him, the six mounted
Tories, headed by British officer, dash
ed along the road in swift pursuit. Al
sight of the girl in the meadow, the
leader of the party paused.
"Child," he said sternly, ''have you
seen o man rushing hereabouts ?"
eyes, sir" said Hetty, trembling anu
flushing.
(Which way did he go?''
'I promised not totell, sir
sBut you must or take the conse
quences.
'sI said wouldn't tell if yon killed
me-" sobbed the frightened girl.
'I'll have it out of her." exclaimed
the furious officer with an oath.
''Let me speak TO her" said his Tory
guide; 81 know the child, I believe
Isn't your name Hetty Marvin p he ask
ed pleasantly,
eyes, sir.
"And this man thst ran by you few
minutes ago was your mothers cousin
wasn't he ?"
eyes, sir, he was"
ssWell, we are friends of his-wha
did he say to you when he came along9'
ssHe-told me-that he was flying fo
his life.
''Just so, Hetty; that was very true