The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-04-10
Hannah Arnett'S Faith.

W, ighed down with doubt and des-
pondency. Defeat had followed de-
feat for the American troops, until
the army had become demoralized.
and discouragement had we'll nigh
become despair. Lord CORVALLIS,
after his victory at Fort Lee, had
marched his army to Elizebethtown
December, 1776l. where thew were
now encamped. On the 3Oth OF No
vember the brothers Howe had is
sued their celebrated proclamation
that offered protection to all who.
within sixty days, should declare
themselves peaceful British subjects
and bind themselves neither to take
up arms against their sovereign nor
encourage others to do so. 1t was
to discuss the advisability Of accept
ing this proffered protection that a
group OF men had met in one OF the
large old houses OF v hich Elizabeth
tOWu 90 at tuot ti1lC iuif.
We are apt to think OF those old
time. as the days Of unmingled loyal
ty and courage OF our own ancestors
as unfaltering heroes. never swerving
| in the darkest hours from the narrow
and thorny path which conscience
badc them tread.
Yet human nature Is human nature
in all ages, and If, at times, the "old-
fashioned fire" burned low even in
manly hearts. and profound discour-
agement palsisd for time the ardent
courage, what are we that we should
wonder at or condemn them? OF
this period DR.. Ashbel Green wrote: ::
II heard a man OF some shrewd-
ness once say that when the British
troops overran the State OF New Jer
sey, In the closing part OF the year
l776. the whole population could
h We been bought for eighteen pence
a head"
The debate was long and grave.
Some were for accepting the of red
terms at once. others hung back a
little: but all had at length agreed
that it was the only thing TO be done.
Hope, courage, yalty. faith, honor
all seemed swept away upon the
flood of panic which had overspread
the land. There was one listener.
however, OF whom the eager dispu-
tanfs were ignorant-one to whose
heart their wise reasoning was very
far from carrying conviction. Mrs.
Arnett, the wife of the host, was in
the next room, and the sound OF the
debate had reached her where she
sat. She had listened in silence
until. carried away by her feelings
she could bear no more. anil, spring
irg to her feet. she pushed open the
parlor door and confronted the as
sembled group.
Can youfancy the scene?' A large
low room. with the dark, heavy
carved furniture OF the period, dimIy
lighted by the tall wax candles and
the wood fire which blazed in the
huge fireplace. Around the table
the group VI men palid, gloomy
detected, disheartened. In the door
way the figure OF the woman. in the
antique costume with which. in these
latter days, we have become so IA.
miliar. Can you not fancy the proud
boise OF her head; the Indignant
light OF her blue eyes; the crisp
clear tone OF her voice: the majesty
defiance, and scorn which clothed
her as garment.
The men all started up at her en-
trance; the light OF ghost coulc
hardly have caused more perturba.
tion than did that OF this little
woman. Her husband advanced
hastely. She had no business here
4 a woman should know her place anc
keep it. Questions OF politics and
. political expediency were not TO
them; but he would shield her as IA
: as possible. and point out the impro
priety OF her conduct afterwards
when they should be alone. So h,
!; went quickly to her with q warnin,
: whisper:
: Hannah! Hannah this is no plac
, for you. We do not want you her
d just now" and would have taken he
d hand to lead her from the room,
She was docile little woman, an,
o5eyed his wishes in general withou
!" a word; but now it seemed as il sh
scarcely saw him, as with one han
, she pushed him back as she turne
to the startled group.
"Have you made your decision
gentlmsn?" she asked; ~have you che
sen The part OF men or OF traltors?"
1t lie putting the question to
broadly-s0 like woman seeing onl
q the bare ugly facts, and quite forget
ting the delicate drapery intend
: ed to veil them. 1t was an awkwar
position 10 put them in, and the
stammered and bungled oyer thei
answer, as men in a fal positio
!, will. Thereby came at last, mingle
with explanations and excuses, an
apologies.
~Quite hopeless: absurd for
/, starving, half clothed, undiscipliDe
army like ours to attempt to compel