Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-12-31

they had an argument about the merits
of the wager, that was so interesting and
made such laughter that they minded
not the lapse of time.
It was getting SO dusk that the forms,
Squire was for lighting the candles,
! when the kitchen door was thrown open.
"Don't you hear them?" said Sally
Wages. But as long as he lived, Squire
Scribner insisted that it was not Sally
Wages who spoke, albeit he could not
deny that her body stood in the door
way, and that her eyes, even in the dusk
that the freight frightened, sparkled,
and her lips moved.
As for young Lathrop he was beyond
sill power of making out the meaning of
it, 80 surprised was he; and surprised as
he was, he was quick enough to see that
there was something about this young
woman's look and manner now that
forced admiration from him.
"Will you be stupid2" she said; "will
you sit there with your pig and pie
driving you into doze, and let them
come and prison you and do worse for
the women? You may sit still If so be
it's your will, but I'll fight them till
they kill me-"
She went to the corner of the room,
and leaping upon q chest that stood
there, reached up and took down mus
ket that hung up the wall. Amazed as
young Lathrop was at this action, it did
not fail to escape his notice that the arm
that she put up when she reached for
that musket was worth more than a
moments notice, not only because of the
whiteness, but also because of the grace
full swell of it.
"What mean you, girl?" said Grand
father Scribner, whose mind went back
to the year when the settlers in these
parts were ready for surprises, and even
went to meeting with their fintlocks for
walking sticks.
"Tell me where are your earsW Sally
answered, not yet dismountipg from the
table, but pouring powder from the horn
into her hand and a tremendous charge
of shot, she loaded the wespon and then
primed it. Then she put the butt upon
the table, and bracing herself Herewith
leaned over and opened the window.
"Listen, now," she said. "Hear you
not the red.coat Britishers firing?
They're coming this way. They'll arson
the house as live. See the light of the
! flames. Where can be the borough
militia?"
The reports of musketry were distinct,
and the light that came from over the
hills showed the track of the invaders.
Then it was that Grandfather Scribner
seized his gun and the Squire seemed to
awaken to the business before them.
"And you," said Sally Wages, going
up to young Lsthrop; will you stand
there like Ton Perkins lad at school
with ounces cap on? What will you
do? Will you go with US or will you
hide under petticoatT'
Young Lathrop hesitated not min
ute.
SIN truth, Sally Wages, you are
young woman of spirit. You'll not
find me wanting"
Just then old Tim Wages, faint with
running and terror, came in, and, spite
of his anxiety, his first thought was of
his stomach, and he begged for mug of
flip, or cold, if they hadn't hot water
ready. So they gave him a mighty mug
of liquor that he made short ado with,
and then told them that q handful of
British had given the Continental Coast
ers the slip, and were marching up from
the coast, shooting, burning, and rob-
bling, and sad work they were making,
too, he added. For their coming was
so sudden, and so many of the young
men were away with the Continentals,
that the few lads who tried to stop them
on Ridgefeld Hill were of no more avail
than breath of wind.
| hno III 0f III
rum, Squire Scribner, and it'll not be
two hours later before they are here"
"How many are there, Tim, to the
best of your knowledge?p asked the
squire,
than score, squire"
But we are no match. There are
only four men, including you, Tim, who
are more likely to run than fght," said
the Squire.
"Not more than four. I'll venture
I'll give the red coats cause to think
that there are more than four, or twice
FOUR" said Sally Wages.
"And what would you do, Sally?"
This is what would do and will do.
Perhaps the darkness coming; that will
help US or mistake. Now, father, go to
the great barn and take the three lap
terms and light them. Mr.. Lathrop, you
light the two you will find on the beam
back of the kitchen oven, and Squire
Scribner, it you have your heart in it,
prepare powder and shot, and suffer
grandfather to load the guns the while
and put no rabbit shot in the muzzle
either. [ will be back myself in the
space of five minutes or whereabouts"
Squire Scribner said long after that
it surprised him, as he thought it all
over, that he did not conjecture that
this stupid girl was out of her head, in
stead of implicitly following the COM
mands she gave them.
In FIVE minutes, more or less, the form of
q man appesred in the dining-room with
a gun III his hand, and SO much of a
stranger that the women were in great
state of constern alton, and it was not
until the man spoke, and spoke in the
voice of Sally Wages, that confidence