The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-05-25

will discuss this subject at the table. /
have ridden several miles to enjoy tete-
a-tete with a woman of whom have
heard SO much, and, besides, / am
hungry. That meat looks palatable."
alt wasn't cooked for a British
general p' exclaimed the fearless woman
with flashing eyes, and the next moment
she removed the meat and thrust it into
her rude cupboard, to the CONSERVATION
of the governor.
"Come, come" he said, !" I do not
want to sit down to a cold dinner"
"Then go somewhere else and get your
dinner. There are sneaking tories about
Norwalk who would rejoice to tickle
your tongue with the best they have in
the house."
The Briton's anger rose again.
81 command that meat to be re-
placed upon the table," he said, drawing
his sword. "Your accursed insolence
is not becoming to one of your sex, and
/ will bear it no longerl l can assure
you now that to-morrow's sun will shine
upon heap of ashes instead of this hot
bed of rebellion. Now hustle about and
get the last dinner you will ever set be-
fore guest beneath this roof"
You prefer a warm dinnerw Mrs.
Bidlack replied, in tone half interro-
gative.
GA warm dinner, of course !" answered
Tyron. A British general does not sit
down to cold dmeat and potatoes"
The strong-minded woman did not re-
ply; but stepped toward the fireplace on
whose smoke -begrimed crane hung a
large iron kettle. A volume of steam
that rose from the water in the kettle
showed that it was boiling, and the
British officer did not divine her inten-
tion-not even when he saw her seize a
gourd dipper from the wall and thrust it
into the hot caldron.
You shall be treated to warm din
ner in one minute if you don't leave my
hoaselp cried Barbara, wheeling sud-
denly upon the renegade governor. If
you do not instantly make your odious
self scarce, I'll scald you."
Tryon's cheeks grew pale when he
saw the steam that rose from the dipper
which, the patriot woman had suddenly
jerked from the kettle. He saw by her
flashing eyes that she would carry her
threat into execution, and involuntarily
moved toward the door.
"Get along" she cried, advancing
with her novel weapon. 81 wonder what
John would say if he knew that the in
famous Tryon had entered our house.
Twill take weeks scrubbing to erase
your footprints from the floor.
"No need of scrubbing, madam !"
hissed Tryon angrily. Pm going to burn
them out"
"Then you will save me work." re-
torted Barbara; " but move along my
water is getting cool, and might not hurt
your brazen cheeks"
The officer retorted with a furious
oath, and for moment turned his back
upon the amazon.
His action changed the scene, for
Barbara suddenly dropped the gourd and
its contents and seized him by the collar.
CPL hasten your retreat, you miserable
dog" she exclaimed. "For shilling
I'd shake your bones in heap" and she
almost lifted him from the floor, as if to
give him an example of her celebrated
strength
Tryon, who at times enjoyed joke,
could not appreciate the ludicrousness of
his situation. He was mad with passion,
and it was well for his enemy that her
hold was secure. She bore him to the
door, and all at once sent him whirling
from the threshold into the yard where
he had left his horse.
"Therel it is the best reception / can
give a British general" she shouted,
when Tryon had checked his course.
Now go back to your houseburners
and send them here as quick as possible.
Pve got musket in the house, and
goodly supply of balls. And mind you,
red-coat Tryon, keep your distancep
Standing near the steed which had
witnessed his masters inglorious exit
from Barbara's domicile, the governor
listened to the last threat. / dare say
that never before had he been so angry
He bit his whitened. lips till they bled,
and the hand which he had lifted
touched the butt of the pistol in the
holster.
"Pm coming backr he said. "and in
the fire that consumes your house my
men shall cook their suppers."
"But they will not enjoy them as you
have enjoyed your dinner p said Barbara
sarcastically.
The governor did not reply, but
sprung into the saddle and gathered up
the reins.
Goodbye, Mrs. Hercules" he said
with mock gallantry.
Come again when you are hungry"
she shouted after him, and he put spurs
to his horse and galloped towards Nor
walk.
He disappeared in a minute, and
Barbara Bidlack re-entered her house
with a smile of triumph on her face.
81 allow that he will not soon forget
meW she said to herself, and then
quietly resumed discussion of the re-
past the naughty Briton had interrupted.
After dinner she gathered up a few
articles which she called valuable, and
destroyed others which she thought
might be called prizes by the plundering
soldiery. Having done this she left the
house to the mercy of the foe, and
satisfied with her victory over Tryon,
sought safety in fight. A longer stay
beneath herroof would be the height of
folly, for she knew that Tryon would
carry his rage to attempts on her life.
About sundown company of the
governors troops swooped down upon
the house like so many destroying
angels, and having ransacked it from
cellar to garret, applied the invaders
torch. Tryon was not among the de-
stroyers; he feared the giantess who had
given him such warm reception, and
her last threat admonished him to keeI
his person aloof.
Mrs. Bidlack lived to help her hus
band build new house over the ruins O
the old one, and to recount to amused
listeners, long after the war, her story O.
Governor Tryen's reception.