The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-09-03
MISCELLANY.

MISCELLANY.
When the British and Tories attacked
New London, Connecticut, in IL, and
set price on the head of Governor
Griswold, the latter fed to the town of
D., where his scousin. Mrs. Marvin,
hid him FOX some days in , secluded farm:
house. But at length the subtle foe dis.
covered his retreat, and one sunny after
noon insMay He was routed from ms hid.
ing place by the tidings 'tEsta band of +
horsemeDs. were. pproaohing to ocapturesi
him. His only, CHANGE, 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 |
the 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 little path |
across the farmers orchard would bring
him to the road, only 4 mile from the
boat, and save quarters length Of his
fearful run Tor life.
just where ths-naJrQV path from the
orchard openedjnlo thS road, Hetty Mar.
vim 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 swinter months, was whitened in
May, and thus made ready for use.
The business of bleaching was we'll econ
omized, being usually done by the young
er daughters Of the family, who were not
old enough to spin, or strong enough for
the heavier work Of the kitchen or the
dairy :, -, IL e; ssa'i:2 y. .
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 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 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 parsuers.
Hetty WAS, = ,timid child Of about twelve
years., yet thong htful 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 comprchendcd the scene, and
instantly. quoted her faithful Towser,
who, though friend Of the family guest,
thought it becoming to bark loudly at
his hurried steps.
Her wise forethought arrested the
governors notice, and suggested scheme
to deludc his pursuers. "Hetty.' he said
earnestly, II am flying for my life and
unless can reach my boat before I am
overtaken Lam IA lost man. You see the
road forks here. But you must tell
those who are chasing me that I have
gone up the road to catch the mail wag-
on, which will soon be along, you know.
Then they will turn off the other way"
"Oh, Cousin T. said the little girl in an
agony Of distress, 81 cannot tell lie. in
deed / 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 heaven will bless you.''
falsely, cousin! But will not tell them
which way you 60, even if they kill me !;
so run quickly As possible. y j. >o\ET
''1t's Of no use; unless l can deceive
them Fam q dead man." '','' -" 49,
''Cousin, cousin, hide under my web" of
cloth they'd. never think Of looking
here log you. Come get down as swiftly
~ you can and I'll cover you, and stand
sprinkling my 'lincn.''
"It'ssmy only chance; TIL 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 es.
capped from the house where they had
hoped to secure him, the six mounted
Tories, headed by British officer, DASH
cd along the road in swift pursuit. At
sight Of the girl in the meadow, the lead
er of the party paused.
s'Child,'' he said sternly, shave you
seen a man rushing hereabouts p
Eyes, sir" said Hetty, trembling and
flushing.
switch way did he go!"
81 promised not to toll, sir"
but you must or take the conse-
II said I wouldn't teH Il You Killed
me-" sobbcd the frightened girl.
"I'll have + ontofhG,p &4aimedt hs
furious offisea VIII ia oath: ~ as 4
''Lot mespeak 70 hi, ''asdid MS Tory
guide; II know the child, I believe.
Isn't your name Hetty Marvin g he ask
cd pleasantly.
eyes, sir.'
"And this man that ran by you a few
minutes ago was your mothers cousin.
wasn't he!'
Eyes, sir, her4s1s
"WellCf4 nv ntends ofhis> WHIT ia
he say toyy19lHhjrhhe canIJ 4tohee's ( i
his life."
"Just SO. Hetty; that was verv true.
nope he won't have to fly far. Where
was he going to hide! You see I could
help him if l knew his plans. '~s
Now Hctty WAS not whit deceived nv
this smooth speech. But she was will.
ing to tell as much sof! the truth as would
consist with his safety, and wisely Judged
that her frank ness would serve her kins.
man better than her silence. So she
" answered his questions candidlv. .Mv
cousin said he was going down to the riv.
or 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 a. he told you,
then, when I asked You where he had
zone f9fhuu1orod 49, opo.~ Qo..>,..