The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-08-24

/ which was the space OF one plank, that
could be slipped out of place and then
put back, leaving no opening visible.
My father had made it hiding-plac
for valuables in those troubled times.
In this narrow, sitting corner I con-
eealed the son of my fathers enemy, re-
placed the plank, flew down stairs aud
0olted the front door just in time, as a
party of troopers in British uniform
dashed up to the porch.
In the Kings namep shouted the
officer who led them; and, dismounting,
he hammered on the Intel with the butt
of his pistol.
Trembling like leaf, I unbolted the
upper half of the door.
"'What does thee want, friend? I
said, and the very desperation of the
moment made my voice calm.
Entrance, in the Kings name y he
shouted we have sure information
that one of the most active of these
cursed rebels has fled in this direction,
and may have sought shelter in this
house. I claim the right to search it
and make him prisoner if he is to be
found'
Friend, thee sees I am alone here,'
said, "a defenseless girl, and thee
knows the Quakers are men of peace
But enter if thee will. 1 am not afraid
to show every room in my fathers
house,
"'Don't fear, we won't harm you, my
pretty Mistress he answered, smiling.
Only get candle, and make haste, for
we are something of the busiest while
these fellows are at large
"Children, thee can imagine what I
felt as undid the door, with the sacred
trust l had accepted on my soul-Abiel's
life in my hands; everything depending
on my keeping calm, and showing no
hesitation in my compliance with the
soldiers demand. But God strength
ened me in the hour of trial. TRANQUILITY
| lit a candle and led those rough men
through the house, shouting their ribald
jests, singing, insolently peering into
every closet aud-nook, with coarse COM
ments on what they saw.
There seems nothing suspicious
here,' said the officer at last. I'VE may
as well draw off, men; this young girl
looks pale and weary and he turned to
me with more courtesy than l would
have thought he could show.
IF you please, Captain said one of
the men, touching his cap, I'VE haven't
searched the garret YET
MY heart gave leap, and I almost
NloppCu buS CduuleJ OuG L Sdlu quite
calmly, There's nothing in the garret
except a lot of old clothes, and nv
mothers herbs, drying. Thee can go
up if thee thinks it necessary
1T is my duty to search every
where the Captain answered, rather
shortly, as though he suspected me;
and tramp, tramp, up the stairs they
went. o, would they discover the hid
ing place Would Abiel move or groan Z?
but all was silent as the grave. The
men gave hardly a look around, and
the Captain said, Il suppose it was
mistake; there is clearly no one here. [
am obliged to you, young lady; we will
trouble you no further And tramp,
tramp, they went, leaving me turned to
stone on the spot with the sudden re-
vulsion of feeling. They mounted their
horses, and in five minutes were out of
sight and hearing.
"Then flew to the hiding-place and
tore the plank away. 'Abiel, Abiel y 1
cried, they are gone; you are safe
Dear Abiel, thank God I've saved you .
'There was no answer. / thrust nay
candle in at the aperture. He lay on
the floor in a dead faint. To this day l
can't tell you how got him out of that
sitting hole and down the stairs, though
he was a stalwart fellow, and | only a
young girl. 1 only know that when
father and the boys and mother came
back, all at the same time, they found
him lying on the couch in mothers
room, with his hand tight clasped in
mine, and his beautiful blue eyes look
ing love Unspeakable into my face as |
knelt beside him. And when my father
exclaimed in astOnishment, as well he
might"
"Our great-grandfather told him you
had saved him, and promised to be his
wife: that was it, wasn't it, grandma ?'
"Ah, thee knows the old story by
heart already, doesn't thee, child?
There, give me my handkerchief; these
spectacles of mine are wonderfully
dim u
So ended our great-grandmother'
story, told to US for the last time eleven
years and more ago. Dear old lady;
she was ninety-six when death took her,
and now, when the merry independence
bells are ringing in our ears, they bring
back the echoes of the by-gone days,
when stout Abiel Wheeler and beauti-
full Ruth Fletcher plighted their faith
amid the cannon roar of '76 !-ChriStian
at Work.