Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-11-12

housed" (The brick oven still remains
on the common, sadly broken in and
gone to decay, but there nevertheless
came to ask you to cause him to be
released, on my word, that he has done
nothing wrong. 1t is unseemly to shut
such a man up as prisoner for the
space of one hour"
The governor and the count exchanged
chances, and the quick eye of Mistress
Prudence saw it. With the most digni-
fed courtesy to the count, she turned
her back upon him, and going to the
governor, said: "Mr. Trumbull, you
knew me when was child, before this
war. Did you not see me lead the other
maids to the school house when the mes
senger from Lexington to Norwich
stopped to tell us that blood had been
shed, and did / not suggest to the maids
that we even take our petticoats to make
the implements of war with? Do you
remember my ride to Hartford, alone
through the forests, that I might carry
to you the special dispatches that were
waiting you here from General Washing
toni"
"In truth, remember all this, and to
your credit"
"Then have I not the right to ask q
slight favor?"
"But, Mistress Prudence, I cannot do
what you would seek. Ny authority
extends not to the battalion of the Count
de Rochambeau." a..
"But you can plead with him?"
81 see, Mistress Prudence, you little
comprehend these matters, and in truth
| wot my pleadings would not avail the
half yours would"
The count listened gravely to all this
Suddenly he said. but with infinite re-
spect, "Tell me, do you love this man ?"
what has that to do with it?' she
answered, Strengthening up, and her gray
| eyes flashing indignation. 6" If he de-
serves punishment might love him and
still suffer him to be punished. But he
does not. | beg you to release him, for
he has done nothing wrong"
The Count de Rochambeau said moth
ing. a.F I....
,"Will you not release him7" she
pleaded tenderly, placing her hand on
the Count de Rochambeau's arm. He
turned his face away, but shook his head.
| Will you not beg for meF' (This to
the governor, who stood with one hand
on his oaken desk and looking very
stern, as much as to say, 81 like this not
at ALLY
81 cannot, Mistress Prudence"
~ know not what his punishment
may be. It is disgrace sufficient to
have been arrested. But L have here"-
and she suddenly drew from the folds of
her dress thin packet of papers" that
which he gave me tonight, saying that
were he punished l might keep them for
ever; were he not, might deliver them
| to the Count de Rochambeau. They are
of great Importance, sir, for they not
only tell who Francois Duplan is, but
certain other hints of value"
Let me see them, child" said the
count, starting forward.
"Not until you promise; and I will
tell you, furthermore, that on your writ
ten order for his release, will kiss you
as | might nay father"
Verify" said the count, "those are
but other words, the meaning of which
is the affirmative answer to the question
| put to you. Then do you love the
soldier?
"That is impudence, sir. I have not
said 80. Maybe in your country women
can do nothing unless the motive of love
be imputed. 1t is not so here, as Mr..
Trumbull well knows"
"You are a brave maid" said the
Count de Rochambeau, land you shall
have your wish. Now let me have the
papers" t.s.
With 4his Mistress Prudence rushed
from the room, the governor and count
staring at her in amazement. Presently
she returned, looking demure, sly and
wondrous pretty.
81 have put the papers where they
are safe, sir. Tomorrow when l have
seen Mr.. Duplan and he tells me that he
is relieved from duress and disgrace, I
will place them in your hands"
The count flushed. He bit his lips,
and then said: "Then Mistress Pru-
depce does not trust to my honorT'
Yes, yes" she said, going to him
prettily, "but methinks l will punish
you for your impertinence, sir. You
seek the papers greatly, and you must
restrain your curiosity overnight as
punishment for the question you put to
me. Nevertheless, I will partially requite
you," and with that she put her face to
his, so that when he bent over she kissed
him on his forehead. Then the count sat
at the governors desk and wrote an order
pardoning Francois Duplan, or rather
dismissing the charge of desertion as un-
founded, thereby quieting his conscience
regarding the peremptory order of death
to deserters and gratifying his wishes.
"Give this" he said, "to your escort,
and charge him to deliver it to the SER
geant on his return to camp"
When she went away neither the gov
ernor nor the count proposed to make
any search for the papers. The dispatch
bearers, in response to the governors
inquiry, said the maiden went up among
the rafters.
81 Comrade Jacques showed Mistress Pru-
pence to her fathers door by the light of
his lantern, and, nothing 10th, went in.
The mistress herself mixed him punch
of tremendous strength, which he drank
in her honor. Then Squire Strong in
sicted IN another and the ninister suo