Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-04-28


Bidlack said, in tone half interrogative.
warm dinner of courser' answered
Tryon. "a British General does not sit
down TO cold meat and potatoes"
The strohg g-mindcd woman did not re.
ply; but stepped toward the fireplace on
whose smoke c-begrimed crane hung n
large iron kettle. A volume of steam
that rose from the water in the Kettle
showed that il was boiling, and the Brit
ish officer did not divine her Intention -
not even when he saw her seize gourd
dipper from the wall and thrust Il into the
hot caldron.
"You shall be treated to a warm dinner
in one minute If you don't leave my
housep' cried Barbara, wheeling sudden
ly upon the renegade Governor. "If you
do not instantly make your odious self
scarce, Iii scald you'll"
Tryon's checks grew pale when he saw
the steam that rose from the dipper which
the patriot woman had suddenly ierked
from the kettle. He saw by her flashing
eyes that she would carry her threat into
execution, and involuntarily moved
toward the door.
"Get alongl" she cried, advancing with
her novel weapon. "Iwonder whalJ Ohm
would say if he knew that the infamous
take q weeks scrubbing to erase your
footprints from the floor"
No need OF scrubbing, madam"
hissed Tryon, angrily. Tim going to
burn them outp'
"Thcn you will save me work." retort.
ed Barbara; but move along! my water
is getting cool, and might not hurt your
brazcn cheeks"
The officer rctortcd with furious oath,
and for moment turned his back upon
the amazon.
His action changed the scene, for Bar
bara suddenly dropped the gourd and ITS
steaming contents and seized him by the
collar.
"I'll hasten your retreat, you miserable
dog" she exclaimed. "For a shilling
I'd shake your bones into heap" and she
almost lifted him from the floor, as if to
give him an example of her celebrated
Tryon, who at times enjoyed a Joke
could not appreciate the righteousness of
his situation. He was mad with passion,
and 1t was well for his enemy that her
hold was secure. She bore him toward
the door, and all at once sent him whifl.
ing from the threshold into the yard where
he had left his horse.
luClcl IL lS tne DcSL reception can
give British Generalp' sheshouted, when
Tryon had checked his course. "Now,
60 back to your house-burncrs, and send
them here as quickly as possible. I've
got musket in the house, and goodly
supply of ball. And mind you, red.coat
Tryon, keep your distancei"
Standing near the steed which had wit
messed 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
lips till they bled, and the hand
which he had lifted touched the butt of a
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 dinnerpi said Barbara,
5arcastically. @
The Governor did not reply, but sprung
into the saddle and gathered up the reins.
" Good-by, Mrs, HerculesP' he said, |
with mock gallantry.
Come again when you are hungryln |
she shouted after him, as he put spurs to !
his horse, and galloped away toward Nor |
walk.
He disappeared in a minute, and Bar
ooiu bluldCh It-CuleTeu HcT mousse With Il |
smile oftriumph on her face.
allow that he will not soon forget |
mel" she said TO herself, and then quietly |
resumed discussion of the repast which |
the naughty BritOn had Interrupted.
After dinner she gathered up few ar
iicles which she called valuable, and dc |
'troyed others which she thought might
be called prizes by the plundering sol
iiery. Having done this she left the
house to the mercy of the foe, and salts.
jed with her victory over Tryon, sought
safety in flight. A longer stay beneath
her roof would be the height of folly, for
she knew that Tryon would carry his rage
10 attempts on her life.
About sundown a company of the GOV.
ernor's troops swooped down upon the
house like so many destroying eagles, and
having ransacked it from cellar TO garrct,
applied the invaders torch. TryOn was
not among the destroyers he feared the
Iiantess who had given him such a warm
and her last threat admonished
him to keep his person aloof
Mrs Bidlack lived to help her husband
build new house over the ruins of The
Did one, and to recount to amused listen
,rs, long after the war, her story of Gov.
Tryon's reception.