Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-07-28

his pathway.
The rider gave the pony the slightest pos
sible check, since he felt sure that no rcd
coated soldier lurked behind the rod cloak.
"Take something to eat, won't you ?" ac-
costed Pussy, rather glowing in feature
and agtated in voice by her own daring.
Meanwhile the rider had given Sweep
ing Wind a second intimatlon to stand,
which he obeyod aud shifted at Pussy's
cloak and cheeks and silkon bag, as she
held it forth to the rider, saying naively,
"I wont to meeting and was invited TO
luncheon, and so didn't eat mine" She
spoke swiftly, as though she knew she
must not detain him.
lie answered with a smile and "Thank
you," took tho bag, and rewarded her by
saying, 1.-THE British are getting out of Bos-
ton, bag and baggage"
"And where are you going?" demanded
Pussy, determined not to go homo with
| but half the story II she could hop it.
ITO Governor Trumbull with the good
news, and demand for two thousand men
to save New York." he cried back, having
gone on. His words were entangled with a
mouthful Of gingerbread or mince-pie 10
such an extent that II was full minute be-
fore Pussy understood their import, and
then SIZE could only say over and over to
herself, as she hastened on, "Father will be
here, father will como home, and we'll have
the good old times back again."
But Notwithstanding her hope and a
country's wish, the good old times were
| not at hand.
Pussy reached home and told the story.
Baby went down plump into the wooden
cradle at the first note of it, and set up a
tune of rejoicing in his own fashion which
no one regarded. Brother Benjamin, aged
thirteen, whistled furiously, regardless of
tho honor of the day. Sammy, who was
ten, clapped his hands and knocked his
heels together, first in joy, and then began
to fear lest the war should be over before he
grew big enough TO be in it.
"Mother," said PHssy, few minutes
later, "let Benny come with me TO tell Mr..
Gale about ii may he?"
Pussy laid aside the Sunday bonnet, tied
a straw hat over her ears with silk kerchef
to keep out the wind, and in three minutes
got Benny into the highway.
"See here, Ben, I'm going to light fire
on Baldhead TO tell all the folks together
about it, and want you TO help me quick,
before it gets dark"
"You can't gather fagots," responded
Beu.
Yes, she could aud would, and did, while
Benny went TO the house nearest Baldhead
| To ask for some fire in kettle.
The two worked with such vigor and will
that the first gathering of darkness saw the
| light OF the beacon flame burst forth, and
the great March wind blew itinto the fierc-
est glow. Every eye that SAN the fire there
knew that it had been kindled with pur-
pose, and many feet from house and ham,
let set forth 10 learn the cause.
While Pussy aud Ben were yet adding
fagots to the fire, they heard voice crying
out "The young rascals shall be punished
soundly for this" and ere Pussy had time
to explain or expostulate, a strong mau
had Ben in his grasp.
"Stop that, sirr cried the girl, rushing
TO the rescue with a burning faSot that she
had seized from the fire, and shaking II
full in the assallant's face.
BY the light of it the man saw Pussy and
she saw him and they both began to laugh
whilo Ben rubbed his ears and wondered
whether they were all on his head.
at means" spoke the girl, waving The
still flaming brand towards the east, "tha
the British lef. Boston this morning, and
that General"-just here dozen men were
a the fire. Pussy raised her voice aud con
tinued-"Washington wants you all, every
one OF you to march straight TO Governor
T Trumbull, and lie will tell you wha, to dc
next"
"If that's the case" said the responsible
man of the constantly increasing group af
ter questioning Pussy, "we'd better sum
mon the militia by the ringing of the bell
and off they went in the direction of thu
village; while Pussy and Ben went home
The next day saw fifly men, well armed
aud provisloned for three days, on the roaC
to Lebanon. They marched into town, anC
into the now famous war Office of Govern
or Trumbull, to his pleased surprise.
"Who sent your" asked the Governor
for it was not yet six hours since the de
mand on the nearest town had been made
"Who sent ?" echoed the lieutenant
looking confused and at a loss to explain
and finally answering truthfully, he said
at was young girl, your excellency. Sh
lit beacon fire on a hill, and gave the com
mand that we report to you"
A laugh ran around the sides of the olt
war-ofiice. The messenger who had rid
den from Cambridge sat upon the counte
pressing his spurs into the wood, and hear
ii all.
"And who commissioned the girl as
recruiting officerf" questioned the Gov
ernor.
"Pm afraid" said tho messenger, al an
the guilty party. met a young patriot II
scarlet cloak who asked my news and l tol,
her."
"Whero is the girls father2" demands
Governor Trumbull.
"He is with the army, private, at Cam
bridge" was the response.
"And his name7'
"Reuben Dean"
A scratch or two OF the quill-pen wa
heard on the open paper. 1t was folded
sealed and harded to the ready horsemar
with the words "Reuben Dean"
"IIe is mentioned for promotion" sale
Governor Trumbull.
} The words were caught mp into the soun
/ of a mighty cheer, for every man of lhei
: all knew that Reuben Dean was worthy {
D promotion, even had his daughter not gain
l ed it for him by her services as a recruit
l ing ofllcer.- Christidn Weekly.
If you would know, and not be know