Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-30
#iseella
HANNAH ARNETT'S FAITH.
BY HENRIETTA II. HOLpIcu.
A Centennial story.

| pi Ii. HOIDICH.
1he days were at their darkest and the
hearts OF our grandfathers were weighed
down with doubt and despondency. De-
leat had followed defeat for the American
troops, until the army had become de-
morallzed and discouragement had we'll
nigh become despair. Lord CORVALLIS.
after his victory at Fort Lee, had marched
his army to Elizabethtown (Dec. 1776)
where they were now encamped. On the
3Oth OF November the brothers Howe had
issued their celebrated proclamation.
which offered protection to all who within
6O days should declare themselves peacea-
BILE British subjects and bind themselves
neither to take up arms against their sov-
ereign, nor to do so. 1t was to discuss
the advisability of accepting this offered
protection that group of men had met In
one OF the large old houses Of which Eliz-
abethtown was, at that time. full. st
| We are apt to think of those old times
as days OF unmitigated loyalty and cour-
agei OF our ancestors as unfalteripg
heroes, swerving never in the darkest
hours from the narrow and thorny path
which conscience babe them tread. Yet
human nature Is human nature In all ages.
and if ut times the "old-fashoined fire.
burned low even in manly hearts, and pro-
found encouragement palsied for a time
the most ardent courage, what are we
that we should wonder at or condemn
themP OF this period DIR. Ashbel Green
wrote:
81 heard man of some shrewdness
once say that when the British troops
oyerran the State of New JERSEY, in the
closing part of the year 1776, the whole
population could have been bought for 18
pence head"
| The debate was long and grave. Some
were for accepting the offered terms at
once; others hung back little, but all
had at length agreed that it was the only
thing to be done. Hope, courage, loyalty.
faith. honor,-all seemed swept away up
on the great flood Of panic which had
overspread the land. There was one is-
tener, however, of whom the eager dispu-
tants were ignorant, one to whose heart
their wise reasonings was very far from
carrying conviction. Mrs. Arnett, tho
wife Of the host, was In the next room.
and the sound of the debate had reached
her where she sat. She had listened in
silence until. carried away by her feelings,
she could bear no more, and springing 10
her feet she pushed open the parlOr door
and confronted the assembled group.
Can you fancy the scenep A large low
room, with the dark, heavily carved fur
niture of the period. dimly lighted by the
tall wax candles and the wood fires which
blazed in the huge fireplace. Around the
table. the group Of men,-pallid, gloomy,
detected, disheartened. In the doorway
the figure of the women in the antique cos
tune with which in these latter days we
have become so familiar. Can you not
fancy the proud poise of her head, the in
dignant light of her blue eyes, the crisp,
clear tones of her voice, the majesty aud
defiance and scorn which clothed her Is q
garment?
The men all started up al her entrance;
the sight of ghost could hardly have
caused more perturbation than did that of
this little woman. Her husband advanced
hastily. She had no business here; wo-
man should know her place and keep ii.
Questions OF politics and political expedi-
ency were not for them but he would
shield her as much as possible, and point
out the impropriety of her conduct after
wards, when they should be alone. So he
went quickly up to her with warning
whisper:
Hannah Hannah this is no place
| for you. We do not want you here Just
now" and would have taken her hand to
lead her from the room. 81.
She was docile little woman and
obeyed his wishes in general without
word; but now it seemed as if she scarce
ly saw him, as with one hand she pushed
him gently back and turned to the startled
group.
"Have yeu made your decision, gentle
oh
the part of men or of traitors P'' ra
1t was putting the question too broadly,
so like woman, seeing only the bare.
ugly facts, and quite forgetting the deli
cate drapery which was Intended to veil
them. 1t was an awkward position 10 put
them in, and they stammered and bungled
over their answer, as men in false posi-
ton will. The reply came at last, min
gled with explanations and excuses and
apologies. hAlf
''Quite hopeless; absurd for starving.
half-clothed. undisciplined army like ours
to attempt to compete with country with
England's unlimited resources. Repulsed
erywhere-ruined throwing awav life
and fortune for shadow you know
the old arguments with which men try 10
prop staggering conscience.
Mrs. Arnett listened in silence until the
last abject word was spoken. Then She
inquired simply. But what il we should
live after all P'
The men looked at each other, but no
one spoke.
Hannah Hannah urged her bus.
band. "Do you not see that these are no
questions for youP We are discussing
what Is best for us, for you, for all. Wo-
men have no share in these topics. Go To
your spinning-wheel and leave US to settle
affairs. My good little wife. you are msk-
ing yourself ridiculous. Do not expose
yourself in this way before our friends.n
His words passed her ear like the idle
wind; not even the quiver Of an eyeIssh
| showed that she heard them.
"Can you not tell me pn she said in the
same strangely quiet voice. ..lf, after all
God does not let the right perish,--if
America should win N the conflict, amer
you have thrown yourself upon British
clemsncy. where will you be then p ali
Them" spoke one hesitating voice.
why, then. IL II ever should be. we