The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-17

long Winter months, was whltened In May,
and thus ready for use. The business of
bleaching was we'll economical, being usu-
ally 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 asgrassy plat, beside
a spring or meadow 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.
Thus sat Hetty Marvin, the young daugh-
ter of Governor Griswold's cousin, when
her hunted friend sprang past her into the
road to escape his pursuers. Hetty was a
timid child of about twelve years, yet
thoughtful and wise beyond any of her
elders. She was frightened by the head
long haste with which the Governor rushed
across the meadow. But she quickly COM
pretended 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 Cover
nor's notice and suggested a scheme to
delude his pursuers. "Hetty," he said
earnestly, 81 am flying for life, and unless
l can reach my boat before am overtaken
l am lost man. You see the forks here,
but you must tell those who are chasing
me that l 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"
go, cousin, said the little girl in an
agony of distress, " l cannot tell lie; in
deed cannot. Why did you tell me which
way you were going ?"
"Hetty, my child, surely you would not
betray me to my death. Hank! they are
coming-I hear the click of their horses
feet. Oh, Hetty, tell them I have gone up
the road instead of down, and Heaven will
bless YOU"
"Heaven never blesses those who speak
which way you go, even if they kill me; so
run as quickly as possible"
cts of no use; unless l 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 as you
can, and I'll cover you and stand sprink-
ling my linen
Its my only chance, child; I'll get
down as you say And suiting the action
to the word the Governor was soon hidden
under the fold 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 girl in
the meadow the leader of the party paused.
"Child," he said, sternly, have you seen
4 man running hereabouts ?''
eyes, SIR" replied Hetty, trembling and
flushing.
(Which way did he go''
81 promised not to tell, SIT.
"But you must or take the conse-
quences.
81 said wouldn't tell if you killed me, ~
sobbed the frightened girl.
"I'll have it out of her," said his Tory
guide; 81 know the child, believe. Isn't
your name Hetty Marvin" he asked,
pleasantly.
Yes, SIR"
"And this man that ran by you few
moments ago was your mothers cousin,
wasn't he?''
eyes, sir, he was"
"Well, we are friends of his; what did
he 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 l could
help him if l knew his plans"
Now Hetty was not whit deceived by
this 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 chas-
ing 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 gomez"
Numbered the officer fisrcely.
81 could not tell lie, SIR" was the
fearful answer.
Hetty," again began the smoothed-
tongued Tory, "you are nice child
Everybody knows you are girl of truth.
What did your cousin say when you told
him you couldn't tell them falsehood ?"
(" He said he shouldn't think I'd betray
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 sup.
posed he thanked you for it, and ran down
the road as quickly as possible
81 promised not to tell where he went
sr,'
"Oh, yes, l forgot. Well, tell us his
real words, and we won't trouble you any
more"
His last words were: Its my only
chance, child, and I'll get down as you
say"
And overcome by fright, and the sense o.
her kinsman's danger should they rigidly
| interpret the language which she had re-