, 1877-07-13


pendent Aud there was at last a time
when no punch was brewed in the big
bowl, because NauCy'S father had kissed
his wife aud little daughters, and taken
his musket and marched away to fight
the British. In little while Nancy's
two young brothers, boys of sixteen and
seventeen, followed him-and never came
back, poor lads! One perished of pneu-
monia during that dreadful winter, at
VALLEY Forge" the other died, ,glOriously
fighting, under the Quaker General Green,
in South Carolina.
There was sorrow and weeping in the
farmhouse during all these sad years.
Often have l heard how little Nancy was
at her wheel, spinning yarn to knit socks
for her brother Geofrey, when the news
of his death came. l fancy l can see the
slim little figure stepping back and forth
lightly by the wheel, and hear the child's
clear voice singing gaily-until the news
came.
They say that after one burst of pas
siOnate grief for the dead brother, little
Nancy rose up dry-eyed and calm, and
went back to her spinning.
"Child, what are you doing9' cried
her sobbing Cousin Deborah.
81 have no time to weep" said the girl
"There are other soldiers to work for,
though Godfrey is gone"
Time went on, and the British soldiers,
in their foraging excursions, began to
come very near the Robertson farm. One
day news arrived that a party of them
would probably be there in an hour. The
women and children dared not stay to
face Them so, in frantic haste, horses were
hitched to the great farm wagon, Juba,
the faithful negro, driving it. Feather
beds were thrown into it, clothes and
valuables made into bundles, and piled
high upon them, and the whole family
got 10, each with some special treasure in
her arms.
Lightly Nancy climbed to the top of
the pile of beds and seated herself there,
while Juba carefully handed up to her
the great china punch-bOwl. Then he
sprang to his seat and drove off in mad
haste. The four strong farm-horses
pulled stoutly, and the wagon fairly few
over the stony road. How carefully little
Naney's slender arms clasped the precious
bowl, and how anxiously all the fright
ened company gazed back at the home
they were leaving, expecting momently
to see the red-coats riding about the yard,
under the elms, and maybe smoke and
flames bursting from the windowsl
For a mile the house was in sight.
Then the road went up hill, and down
on the other side. Once over that hill,
they would be out of sight and not likely
to be pursued.
The horses were already trotting mer-
rily down the hill, when suddenly, ford
ing the shallow stream at the foot, there
appeared a group of British troopers.
Their red coats glared like an angry flame
on the frightened eyes of the women and
children. Juba drew up the horses, and
with wild impulse of flight, tried to
turn them in the narrow road. 1t was
too late. The horses plunged, the clum-
sy wagon stuck fast, with its front and
hind wheels locked together. The chill
dren screamed, Cousin Debby Joined
them; the poor pale mother clasped her
hands and prayed, and up came the Brit
ish soldiers at a gallop. With shouts
and brutal laughter, they surrounded the
wagon, and ordered its occupants to get
out. Then little Nancy rose up like an
insulted queen. With eyes blazing and
cheeks scarlet, she stood up and held the
great gorgeous punch-bowl high in her
arms.
'At least you shall never have this9"
she cried, in clear, ringing, defiant tones,
and the next instant the beautiful fragile
thing lay in thousand fragments on the
rolling road. The crash and the child's
daring words attracted the attention of a
young officer, who had ridden carelessly
past the wagon, meaning to reach the top
of the bin and reconnoitre the country.
he turned abruptly now, and reined up
beside the wagon. Nancy still stood there
glowing and defiant, and some of the men
were laughing, Others cheering the "little
rebel"
The young officer smiled, and then
courteously lifted bis hat from bis head.
He was good looking young fellow of
twenty years or so, with waving fair hair
and deep blue eyes.
Aunt Kitty says that her mother, who
was little Ruth Robertson, child of ten
years then, has often told her how Cap
tain Ellesmere bowed and glanced admir-
ingly at Nancy's pretty flushed face, and
then ordered his men away, and escorted
the wagon back to the farm house, prom
Using thateverything there should be safe,
and taking only small quantity of pro-
visions for his men. Aunt Kitty repeats,
with the air of Sir Charles Grandson,
his courteous speech to Nsncy's mother:
81 give you the word of a British officer,
madam, that you shall be safe. We do
not war on women and children" But
| am not sure that Captain Ellesmere said
that. know that somebody did, how
ever, and why not heG
And when the trnnners vent AWAY If is