Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-07-07
AN AMAZON'S RECEPTION.
AN INCIDENT OF l779.

IN Connecticut IN tuO month OF Jutyi (
1879.
This news that spread like widhre |
about the towns OF Fairfield and Norwalk |
was woll calculated to excite alarm in
patriotic breasts, for Tyron was merci-
ful invader, and wherever he went the
torch completed his work of destruction,
In the month Of February ofthe year just
written he had ravaged Kngsbridge and
Horse Mock, and now, for the second
time, had entered the State.
His soldiers committed, under his very
eye, atrocities o! the most shocking de-
scription they plundered without dis
tincton; old and young, rich and poor,
ielt alike tho mercitul hands OF the Kings
man. East Haven, Fairfield and Nor
walk were reduced to ashes, and n thou
sand acts of barbarous cruelty were per-
petrated on tho homeless patriots. A
tlEce sufficient to check tho advance of
the invader could not be raised in the
state. Conneetieut's able bodied patri-
OTIS were absent in the army, and their
homes were as delenseless as the lions
whelps when the parents arc away in
search of food,
Gov. Tyton knew that he would find
Connecticut completely ut his mercy, and
congratulated himself on the easy con-
quest that invited him to her shores.-
He succeeded in his errOnd ofdevastation,
and returned to his superiors with victory
in his hand. But he made his name obi
Gus throughout North America, ard his
memory execrablo to every patriot in the
land.
Not far from Norwalk stood the plain
home of Barbara Bidlack, whose husband
was an artilerist doing duty under Knox
She was large, muscular woman whose
strength was prodigous it had gained
for her the Sobri9uet of Mrs. Her
cules," n title of which she was rather
proud than otherwise. Her features were
rather inclined to coarseness, and a close
physiognomist would have concluded
That there was Celtic blood in her veins.
As she had no children, she was tho sole
occupant OF her house, and her nearest
neighbor was young woman named
Haven, who had lost her husband at the
battle Of Brier Creek.
Mrs. Bidlack, who seldom exchanged
visits with the young widow, was not
aware Of Tyron's second invasion until he
began to approach NorwollS, Tho 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 fugitives:
" You may go if you wish but two
hundred such rascals as Gov. Tyron can
not frighten Barbara Bidlack one inch
from her home If .he rcd coated scoun
drel enters my house he'll meet with a
reception he'll never forget -
More than once she was urged to fly,
but disdaned with proud and defiant
curl Of the lip, and awaited with eager
ness the arrival of the invaders.
She was soon treated to n sight of Nor.
walk in flames, and saw the torch applied
to her neighbor's houses. But the spec.
tNcle moved her not she did not even
barricade her door, nor suspend for n mo-
; ment the performance of her household
duties. But all the time there was an in.
dignant CLEAN in her eyes, and more
than once she glanced at'thc old muskot
which occupied one corner Of her kitch-
en-.
1t was near the hour Of noon ono sultry
day in July when Barbara Bidlack, aBou
to discuss the frugal meal she had prepar
ed, was startled by heavy footstep.
Lifting her eyes from the stcaminl
meat that gracod tho little table, she be
held a British officer standing in :be door
His aspect did not frighten her in thC
least, though she knew from his uniform
that be was a soldier of lofty rank.
" Another plate, Mrs. Hercules - h'
commanded, in II naughty tone, stridinl
forward, and at the Same time putting
his hand on the hlt Of his sword, as If t
frighten her.
She smiled derisivoly rs she slowly ros
to her feet.
i Who arc you, sir ~
" / nm n man mighty we'll known here
abouts, and ! dare say that the rebel
will not soon forget me My name is Ty
ron !"
Gov. Tyron, the British rascal-th
man who burns houses over widows
heads, and robs the babe of It's cradle
IF yoa are Gov. Tyron know you 70
the meanest villain that ever trod Ne,
England soil !"
Tyron's face grew crimson, but smoth
ering his rage, he burst forth into n crue
laugh.
" You are just the vixen heard yo
: we're ~ he exclaimed. "They call yo
, Mrs. Hercules throughout this region
{ and must say you resemble the stable
cleansing god in build. Where is you
husband ?"
Under the flag that wouldn't ow
you as defender" was the reply.
" He's n rebel then ~ said Tyror
t with a sneer.
" Like his wife Hes soldier, toe
and not house burner."
Mrs. Hercules, discover that IN
) clemency is not recognized by the peopi
Of this State, and that my Kings heal
Is supposed TO contain no good. VIII,
J my dear woman, the existence Of sing
} house on the coast is monument
King Georges mercy, and mine Bu
we will discuss this subject ut the tabl