The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-04-02
HETTY MARVIN.

BL4Cb OLl blt utdU Oh NT1N. NTI.SHOlN, lIlG
latter fed 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 retreat, and one sunny afternoon in
May be was routed from his hiding
place by the tidiDgs that a band of
horsemen were approaching to capture
him. -l. -
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 boat stationed, with two faith
ful attendants hidden beneath the high
banks of the creek. The distance from
the farmhouse to the boat wss two
miles by the usual Travelled road. Bot
little path across the farmers or
chards would bring him to the road,
only mile from the boat, and save a
Guarter's 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 or the dairy.
The roll of linen was taken by the
farmer or his stout "help" to a grassy
plat, beside spring or q meadow
brook. There it was thoroughly wetted
and spread upon the green turf, 10 take
the best heat of the sun by day and the
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 sprang past
her into the road, to escape his pur-
suers. 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 friend
OF the family guest, thought it becom
ing to bark loudly at his hurried steps.
Her wise forethought arrested the
governors notice, and suggested a
scheme to delude his pursuers. Het-
ty, he said, earnestly, 81 am flying
for life; and unless / can recch my
boat before am overtaken | am O lost
man. HOu see the road forks here.
But you must tell those who are chas-
ing me that J. have gone up the road to
catch the mail wagon, which will soon
De along, you know. Then they will
turn off the other way"
go cousin, said the little girl. in an
agony of distress. " | cannot tell lie
indeed, l 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
l have gone up the road instead of
down, and Heaven will bless you"
Heaven never ble5ses those who
speak falsely, cousin But will not
tell them which way you go, even if
they kill me; so run as quickly aR pos
sible."
. It's of no use; unless 1 can deceive
them l am dead man."
"Oousin, cousin, hide under my web
of cloth; they'd never think of looking
here for you. OOne, get down as swift
as you can, and I'll cover you and stand
sprinkling my linen"
ITS 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 fold of the cloth
Angry that their expected prey had
escaped from the house where they
hoped to secure him, the six mounted
nd I,vr g,1.
dashed along the road in swift pursuit
AT sight of the girl in the meadow the
leader of the party paused.
Child, be said, sternly, "have you
seen man running hereabouts 2"
. Yes, sir, replied Hetty, trembling
and flushing.
Which way did he go p"
promised not to tell, sir"
But you must or take the conse-
quences."
- l said wouldn't tell, if you killed |
me, 3" sobbed the frightened girl.
III have it out of her, exclaimed |
the furious officer, with au oath.
Let me speak to her." said his Tory
guide; 81 know the child, I believe.
Isn't your name Hetty Marvin ?" lie
asked. pleasantly.
Yes, sir"
''And this man that ran by you few
moments ago was your mothers cousin,
wasn't he ?''
Yes, sir, he was.
"Weu, we are friends of his; what |
did be say TO you when he came
along?"
"He-told me-that he was flying
for his life."
Just so, Hetty that was very true.
L hope he won't have TO fly hard. Where
was he going to hide? You see 1 could
help him if L knew his plans
Now Hetty was not a whit deceived
by tins 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 l asked you where he had
gone? thundered the officer, fiercely.
could not tell lie, sir, was the
fearful answer.
Hetty," again began the smooth
tOngued Tory, "you are a nice child.
Everybody knows you are a girl of truth.
What did your cousin say when Won
told him you couldn't tell false.
hood?"
''He said he shouldn't think I'd betrav
him to his death"
And you then promised him you
wouldn't tell which way he went, if you
were killed for it?"
Yes, sir"
"That was brave speech and so 1
suppose he thanked you for it, and ran
down the road as quickly as possible"
"I promised not 10 tell where he
went, sir.
"Oa, yes, I forgot. Well, tell us his
last words. and. we won't trouble YOU
any more"
His last words were It's my only
chance, child, and III get down as You
saw" Aud overcome by fright. and |