Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-05-17

ioice to tickle your tongue with the
best they have in the house.
Tho Briton's anger rose again.
81 command that meat TO be placed
upon the tablet" he said drawing his
sword. "Your accursed insolence is
not becoming to one of your sex and
will bear it no longer | can assure
you now that to-morrow's sun will
shine upon q heap OF ashes instead OF
this hot bed ofrebellion. Now hustle
about and get the last dinner you will
ever set before guest beneath this
roof
"You prefer warm dinner 2" Mrs.
Bidlack replied, in tone halt interro-
gative.
ga warm dinner, OF course! an
swered Tryon, "a British general
does not sit down to cold meat and
potatoes"
The strong.minded woman did not
reply; but stepped toward the fire
place on whose smoke -begrimmed
crane hung 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 intention even when
he saw her seize gourd dipper from
the wall and thrust it into the hot
cauldron.
You shall be treated to warm
dinner in one minute you don't leave
nv house y cried Barbara wheeling
suddenly upon the renegade governor
'If you do not instantly make your
odious self scarce, I'll scald you! y
Tryon's cheeks grew pale when he
saw the steam that rose from the dip
per which the patriotic 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.
Sect along" she cried, advancing
with her novel weapon. 81 wonder
what John would say if he knew that
the infamous Tryon had entered our
house. Twill take weeks scrub
bing to erase your footprints from
the floor"
"No need of scrubbing, madam y
hissed Tryon, angrily. Sim going to
burn them out y
"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 a moment turned his
back upon the amazon.
, His action changed the scene, fol
Barbara suddenly dropped the gourd
and its steaming contents and seizec
him by the collar
"I'll hasten your retreat, you miser
, able dog ~ she exclaimed. 'For ;
shilling I'd shake your bones into
heap = and she almost lifted hin
+ from the floor, as if to give him Al
f example of her celebrated strength.
: Tryon who at times enjoyed a JOKE
, could not appreciate the lndicrousness
of his situation. he was mad will
passion, and it was we'll for his enc
+ my that her hold was secure. Sh'
, bore HIN toward the door, and all a
once sent him whirling from th'
!, threshold into the yard where he ha(
i left his horse.
e "There F.! it is the best reception
e can give a British general !" sh
|. shouted, when Tryon had checked hi:
couse. "Now 90 back to your house
n burners, and send them here as quick
ly as possible. I've got a musket il
n the house and good supply of ball
And mind you, red-coat Tryon, kee]
}, yonr distance !"
Standing near the steed which hat
v witnessed his masters inglorious exi
@ from Barbara's domicile, the governo
Y listened to the last threat | dare sa
O that never before had he been so al
4 gry. He bit his whitened lips ii
It they bled, and the hand which he ha
r lifted touched the butt of the pistol
,s the holster.
J, I'm coming back y he said, Gan
te in the fire that consumes your hous
d my men shall cook their suppers."
:. "But they will not enjoy them :
you have enjoyed your dinner !" sal
h Barbara, sarcasticall,.
,. The governor did not reply, b'
1t sprang into the saddle and gathere
ID up the reins.
lNood byo Mro uororIo, 4" I