The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-09-15

anu aBllhCeu IN voice by ner own daring
Meanwhile the rider had given Sweep
ing Wind second intimation to stand
which he obeyed and shifted at Pussy
cloak and cheeks and silken bag as sh,
held it forth TO the rider saying naively
Il went to meeting and was invited tt
luncheon, and so didn't eat mine" Sh,
spoke swiftly, as though she knew sh'
} must not detain him.
He answered with smile and "Thanl
you" took the bag, and rewarded her by
saying, 1.-THE British are getting out o
Boston, bag and baggage"
"And where are you going 2" demand
ed Pussy, determined not to go home
with but half the story if she could helE
it.
ITO Governor Trumbull with the
good news, and demand for two thous
and men to save New York." he cried
back, having gone on. His words were
entangled with a mouthful of gingerbread
or mince-pie to such an extent that it was
a full minute before Pussy understood
their import, and then she could only say
over and over to herself as she FASTENED
on, " Father will be here, father will come
home, and we'll have the good old times
back again."
But Notwithstanding her hope and q
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
the 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 Pussy, few minutes
later, " let Benny come with me to tell Mr..
Gale about it; may he2'
Pussy laid aside her Sunday bonnet,
tied straw hat over her ears with
silk handkerchief 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 1T, and l want you to help me
quick, before it gets dark.
"You can't gather fagots," responded
Ben"
Yes, she could and would and did,
while Benny went to the house nearest to
Baldhead to ask for some fire in a kettle.
The two worked with such vigor and
will that the first gathering of darkness
saw the light of the beacon flames burst
forth, and the great March wind blew it
into tiercest glow. Every eye that saw
the fire there knew that it had been kim
died with purpose, and many feet from
house and hamlet set forth to learn the
cause.
While Pussy and Ben were yet adding
fagots to the fire, they heard voice CRYING
OUT "The young rascals shall be punish
ed soundly for this" and ere Pussy had
time TO explain or expostulate, Il strong
man had Ben in his grasp.
"Stop that, sir !" cried the girl, rushing
to the rescue with burning fagot that she
had seized from the fire, and shaking it
full in the assailants face.
BY the light of it, the man saw Pussy
and she saw him and then both began to
laugh, while Ben rubbed his ears and Won
dered whether they were all on his head.
at MEANS" spoke the girl, waving the
still burning brand towards the cast,
"that the British left Boston this morning,
and that General Just here a dozen men
were at the fire Pussy raised her voice
and continued" Washington wants you
all, every one of you, to march straight to
Governor Trumbull, and he'll tell you what
to do next"
"If that's the case" said the responsible
man of the constantly increasing group
after questioning Pussy, "we'd better
summon the militia by the ringing of the
bell )" and off they went in the direction of
the village; while Pussy and Ben went
home.
The next day saw fifty men, well armed,
and provisioned for three days, on the road
to Lebanon. They marched into town,
and into the now famous war-office of
Governor Trumbull, to his pleased sur
prise.
"Who sent you 2" asked the Governor,
for it was not yet six hours since the de-
mand ON the nearest town had been made.
"Who sent us 2" echoed the lieutenant,
looking confused and at q loss to explain,
and finally answering truthfully, he said:
at was II young girl, your excellency.-
She lit beacon fire on hill, and gave the
command we report to you"
A laugh ran around the sides of the old
war Office. The messenger who had ridden
from Cambridge sat upon the counter
pressing his spurs into the wood, and
heard it all.
"And who commissioned the girl as
recruiting officer9" questioned the Govern
Or
I'm afraid" said the messenger, l am
the guilty party. met young patriot in
scarlet cloak who asked my news, and
told her."
"Where is the girls father" demanded
Governor Trumbull.
"He is with the army, private, at Cam
BRIDGE was the response.
"And his name"
Reuben Dean"
A scratch or two of the quill. pen was
heard on the open paper. 1t was folded,
sealed and handed to the ready horseman,
with the words, Reuben Dean"
"He is mentioned for promotion" said
Governor Trumbull.
The words were caught up into the
sound of mighty cheer, for every man of
them all knew that Reuben Dean was
worthy of promotion, even had this
daughter not gained it for him by her
services as recruiting officer Christian
Weekly.