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

dicious; it had gained for her the
simple sobriQuet Of "Mrs. Hercules" a
title of which she was rather proud
than otherwise. Her features were
rather inclined to coarseness, and a
close physiognomist would have con-
cluded that there was Celtic blood in
her veins. As she had no children
she was the sole occupant of her house,
and her nearest neighbor was a young
woman named Haven who had lost
her husband at the battle Of Brier
Greek.
Mrs. Bid1ack, who seldom exchang
ed visits with the young widow, was
not aware Of Tyron's second invasion
until he began to approach Norwalk.
The terror of the inhabitants, many OF
whom were abandoning their homes,
acquainted her with the disastrous
state of affairs, and her eyes flashed
fire when she exclaimed to the fugi-
tives:
"You may 60, ifyou wish but two
hundred such rascals as Governor Try
on cannot frighten Barbara Bidlack
one inch from her home If the red
coated scoundlel enters my house he'll
meet with reception he'll never for,
get"
More than once she was urged to
fly, but disdained with a proud and
defiant ,nrl of the lip, and awaited
with eagerness the arrival of the in
vaders.
She was soon treated to the sight of
Norwalk in flames, and saw the torch
applied to her neighbors' houses But
the spectacle moved her not ; she did
not even barricade her door, nor sus-
pend for moment the performance of
her household duties. But all the
time there was an indignant CLEAN In
her eyes, and more than once she
glanced at the old musket which oc-
aupied one corner of her kitchen.
1t was near the hour Of noon one
sultry day in July when Barbara Bid
lack, about to discuss the frugal meal
she had prepared, was startled by a
heavy footstep.
Lifting her eyes from the steamlng
meat that graced the little table, she
beheld British officer standing in the
door. His aspect did not frighten her
in the least, though she knew from his
uniform that he was a soldier of lofty
rank,
"Another plate, Mrs. Hercules he
commanded, in naughty tone, strld-
ing forward, and, at the same time
putting his hand on the hilt of his
sword, as if to frighten her.
She smiled dersively as she slowl!
rose to her feet.
"Who are you, sir 2"
81 am a man devilishly we'll known
hereabouts, and dare say that the
: rebels will not soon forget me My
Y name is Tryon !"
4 "Governor Tryon, the British ras
cal-the man who burns houses owe
2 widows heads, and robs the babe o
: its cradle ? Ifyou are Governor Try
e on I know yoa for the mesnest vii
n lain that ever trod New England
T. soil"
Tryon's face grew crimson, bu
= smotheling his rage, he burst into
d cruel laugh.
:, "You are just the vixen heard yo'
J. were |" he exclaimed. "They cal
you Mrs. Hercules throughout th
s region, and I must say you' resemble
: the 'stable, cleansing god in'..bulld
l. Where is your husband 2"
h "Under the flag that wouldn't ow1
IS you as defender y was the reply.
7. He's rebel, then ?" said Tryo
e. with sneer.
Is Like his wife ! He's q soldier, toe
d and not a house-burner."
'e "Mrs. Hercules, discover that m
le olemency Is not recognized by tn
le people of this State, and that m
t. kings heart is supposed to contain II
ID good. Why, my dear woman, the e,
,e isten.e OF single house on the coas
re is monument of King Georges me-
cy, and mine But we will discu.
'e this subject at the table. have rio
at den several miles to enjoy a tetea-te
If with a woman of whom l have hear
IN so much, and, besides, I am hungry
is That meat looks palatable'"
ID "It wasn't cooked for a BIRTHS
is general !" exclaimed the fearless W.
Is man with flashing eyes, and the esneA
ls minute she removed the meat ar