The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-23
NO39.

haps you know something OF this.
What does the maid mean, for see that
she is greatly exercised, and / know her
to be not disturbed by trifies.''
The Count de Rochambeau was very
grave. He looked at the maid strange
ly, but not suspielously. At length he
said: He is a deserter; there Is much
Of mystery about him; but of all the
mysteries there is none so very strange
as this that has now come to my ears.
Tell me-" and he took the girls hand,
what reason is there that you should
thus intercede ~
/ cannot tell that now, sir" replied
the mistress a little demurely, 1" but 1t is
a good one."
Here the Count de Rochambeau look
ed very grave, but the Governor at
once said "I'd plight my honor, sire,
the girl tells the truth. Tell me, Mis-
tress Prudence, how came you to know
this soldier"
have often seen him at the oven,
over there, and in passing have chatted
with him, as have the other maidens,
for he speaks the English tongue as well
as you or II
Was that entirely seemly 7" said the
Count graveIy.
Mistress Prudence locked at the tall,
gracious Frenchman wonderingly for
an instant, and then slowly and instinct
lively catching his meaning, said while
her gray eyes sparkled and the blood
mounted to her cheeks
There are none but brave and true
women in Lebanon, SIR"
The Count bowed low, with his hand
over his heart, and humbly begged the
maids forgiveness.
''At the oven, you say" continued
the Governor; " surely there could be
no harm in that, for is not the oven on
the common, at the rear of the meeting
house ?''
The brick oven still remains on the
common, sadly broken in and gone to
decay, but there nevertheless.]
81 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 man up as prisoner for the
space of one hour"
The Governor and the Count exchang-
ed glances, and the quick eye of Mis-
| tress Prudence saw it. With the most
dignified courtesy to the Count she
turned her back upon him, and, going
| to the Governor, said: "Mr. Trumbull,
Iv,,a 7 Oh H.
fore this war. Did you not see me lead
| the other maids to the school house,
when the messenger 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 petit
coats to make the implements of war
with ? DO you remember my ride to
Hartford, alone through the forests that
1 must carry 10 you the special de-
spatches that were waiting you here
from Gen. Washington"
SIN truth Ifemember all this, and to
| your credit"
"Then have not the right to ask a
slight favor 2"
'But, Mistress Prudence, cannot do
what you would seek. My authority
l extends not to the battalion of the
Count de. Rochambeau."
g But you can plead with him."
g 1 see, Mistress Prudence, little you
comprehand 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 in
finite respect, "Tell me, do you love
this man2"
What has that to doswith it?" she
answered, Strengthening up and her
gray eyes flashing Indignation. "If he
deserves punishment might love him
and still suffer him to be punished
But he does not. leg you to release
him, for he has done nothing wrong"
The Count de Rochambeau said moth
ing.
'Will you not release him ?" she
pleaded tenderly, placing her hand ON
the Count de Rochambeau's arm. He
turned his face away, but shook his
head.
"Will you beg for me ?" 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
all.'1
+" ] cannot, Mistress Prudence