Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-08-18

true that they are pursuing him. But
even as spoke the wind bore the sound
of gnlIuping hoofs on the clear air, and
Abiel's dc, pairing voice cried to me from
the porch, Make haste, 0 dear Ruth
in pity make haste. l am 50 faint with
loss of blood | can scarcely stand or see
80 Scarce knowing what did. the sud
den thought came to me, | will take the
Bible, and whatsoever verse my eye falls
on shall be my guide; and hastily open
ing the great book that lny on my faith
er's table, bent over in the gathering
darkness.
:" Children, l read these words : But
| say unto you; Love your enemies.
bless them that curse you, and do good
unto .hem thnt despitefully use you and
perseeute you
at was enough. went out to the
porch. Come Abiel Wheeler sad,
thee shall have the shelter Of my faith.
er's roof, and win save thee il can
"HA lnnked up Gratefully in my face,
and without another word | let him rest
bis arm about my shoulders, aud 50
beiped him, half funtng rs he was, up
,ttils into the gnlrct. a kind Of closet
had been partltlUned off from the sloping
gable end, the only entrance to which
wao the -pace vi one plank, that cou d be
! slipped out OF place aud then put back,
| leaving no opening visible. My father
had made it IA hiding pace for valuabes
in those troubled times. In this narrow
sitting corner concealed the son of my
fathers enemy, replaced the plank, flew
| down stairs and bDited the front door
! ju-t in time, rs n party of troopers in
/ British Uniform dashed up to the porch.
40 In the Kings name = shouted the
officer who led them aud, dismnunting,
he hammered OH the Intel with the butt
Of h- pistol,
Trembling like leaf, unbolted ;he
upper half Of the door.
- What does thee want, friend p
said, and the very desperation OF the mo-
ment made my voice calm.
- Entrnnce, in the King name = he
| shouted We have sure information
that one of the most active OF these ours
ed rebels hns fed in this di cction, ard
may have sought shelter IN this house.
claim the right 10 search it and make
him prisoner il he i to be found
- Friend, thee sees | nm alone here,
said, "a delen,eless girl, and thee
knows the Qmkers are men of peucc.-
But enter If thee will. | am not afraid
to show every room in my fathers
house
- Don't fear, we won't harm you, my
pretty Mistress he severed, smiling,
'Orly get candle, and make haste, for
we are something OF the busiest while
these fellows ARE at large
ChiIdrn, thee can imagine what
felt IT, undjd the door with the sncrcd
trust | had accepted on my soul-A5iel'S
Lille in my hnnd, everything depending
on my keeping calm, and showing no
hesitation IN my compliance with .he
soldiers demand. But God strenghen-
ed me in the hodr of trial. TRANQUILITY
lit a candle and led those rough men
through the house, shouling their ribajd
jests, singing, in-olen;Iy peering into ev
cry closet and nook, with course com
munts on what they saw.
- There seems nothing suspicious
here said the officer Mt hast. We may
rs we'll draw Off men this young girl
look. pale and weary : aud he turned to
me wltb more courtesy than ! would
have thought he cou,d show.
"'If you please, Captain, said one of
the men, touching hi, cap, We haven't
sea chcd the ga,rct yet"
My heart gave II leap, and | almost
dropped the candle /; but | snd there's
nothing in the gnrret except IL lot of old
clothes, aud my mothers herbs, drying.
Thee can go up ii thee thinks it necessa
ry.'
- 1t is my duty to search every,
where the Captain answered, rather
shortly, H. though he suspected me and
tramp, tramp, up the stairs they went.
0, would they discover the hidden place?
/ Would Abiel move or groan
But all was silent rs the grave. The
men gave hardly Il hook around, and the
/ Captain said, suppose it was ii mis-
/ take; there is clearly no one here. | am
obliged 10 you, young lady; we will
! trouble you no iurther.' Aud tramp,
tramp, they went, leaving me turned to
stone on the spot with the sudden reVuI-
sion Of feeling. They mounted their
horses, aud in five minutes were out OF
sight aud hearing.
Then flew to the hiding place and
tore the plank away, Abiel, Abiel =
cried, they are gone; you are safe !
Dear Abiel, thank God I've saved you!'
There was no answer. | thrust my
candle in at the aperture. lie lay on the
floor in dead faint. To this duy | can't
tell you how | got him out OF that sitting
hole and down the stair, though he was
n ,talwalt fellow, and | only II young
girl. ouiy know that when father and
the boys aud mother came back, all at
the same time, they found him lying on
the couch in mothers room, with his
hand tight caspcd in mine, and his beau
tiiu blue ewes looking love unspeaka5e
into my face as knelt beside him. And
when my father exclaimed in astonish-