Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-03-05


" A friend one, at least, who has not the
power to injure you," was the reply.
The door opened WIDER and the pale and
haggard face of the applicant was exposed
to the woman, who scrutinized him steadily
and closely.
| Come in" she said, briefly
| q am in Distress" said Hastings. al an
| ply to you because you are woman, and |
cannot forget that woman was first at the
| sepulchre of Jesus. | am sick, weary, hungry
and sorely pressed by my enemies. | am
| The American spy for whom the reward is
offered You can save me or deliver me into
| the hands of your husband, or those who
have gone in pursuit Of me-"
The mother and daughter exchanged
glances, but neither spoke, and Hastings
anxlously awaited the decision of his fate.
The woman who had opened the door
now signified by a motion of the hand that
| he should enter. He did so, and seat was
placed for him by the daughter, whose SYM
pathies were obviously enlisted She glanced
sympathizingly at his detected countenance
and noted his faltering steps and limbs
trembling with weakness.
I'VE can give you food, but our protec-
ton will avail but little after my husbands
return" said the woman.
"Can you not conceal me ?" asked Has.
iings, earnestly. "Heaven will surely re-
ward you for the deed"
The mother looked at her daughter, and
the two conversed together in a low voice.
We will do what we can," said the for
Iner, briefly, as she placed refreshments be-
fore him and signed him TO eat.
" DO not stop TO talk" she added, quickly.
as the young officer endeavored to express
MS gratitude. "There is no time to lose,
thing else.''
Hastings did not wait for a second bidding.
and the nutritious beverage soon had the
effect to renew his strength and inspire
fresh courage. His head felt less giddy,
the cheerful fire warmed his stiffened limbs
and he would certainly have fallen asleep in
his chair had not feeling of dread lest the
men should suddenly return caused him to
look often enxiously towards the window.
"They will be gone two hours" said the
Youngest female, as if to reassure him on
that point.
Hastings signiiied his thanks, and looked
al the fair speaker so attentively that a
crimson glow stole over her expressive coun.
tenance making her look more interesting
than before. He forgot, for the moment,
himself, his illness, the danger he had in.
CURED, the risk he now ran, everything, in
contemplating her symmetrical figure, regu.
larlty of features and the benevolent kind.
ness that beamed from her eloquent ewes.
lie was started from his reverie by the bark.
ing of dog.
You are lost !" she exclaimed. Father
is near by
Hastings started to his feet and looked
hurredly about for some mode of egress be-
sides the door by which he had entered.
The young girl shook her head and her
cheek paled with terror. Hastings knew
that discovery was inevitable if he remained
where he was, and that the result would be
equally fatal if he ventured to leave the cabin.
The young girl stood an instant as if SPELL
bound, when the voice came nearer and
nearer. Suddenly she sprang towards a
door which opened into dark closet.
go in, go in ~ she whispered, "and
secrete yourself behind those clothes
The officer mechanically obeyed, and the
door was quickly closed aud fastened upon
him, while his deliverer, with uncommon
self-possession placed herself in the chair he
had just vacated, drew up the small table
on which food had been placed, and very de-
liberately commenced eating.
She had hardly done so when her father
and his companion entered the cabin, both
looking somewhat il-humored and disap-
pointed
"What are you up and eating for at this
hour, Hettie 7" asked the former, abruptly,
regarding the young girl with look of as
tonishment and displeasure.
because I'm hungry" was the unhesitat-
ing reply.
"WelI, and so are we hungry, girl so get
us something quick, for we've got to ride a
dozen miles yet that is, if the fellow don't
disappoint us again. Confouud himl we
might have been on the right track by this
time if the horses had been forthcoming"
he muttered, as Hette (as he called herr
busted herself in placing eatables before
them as she had been hidden.
While this had been transpiring the
mother had silently left the cabin, entered
an out-building, and was preparing a com
Portable place in which to conceal Hastings
before her husbands return and this viii
account for her absence when his proximity
had been 30 opportunely discovered by the
young girl.
While the men were satisfying the de-
mands of appetite she re-entered, but started
back in alarm at perceiving what a change
in affairs the last fifteen minutes had
wrought. Hettie caught her eye, and
warning glance checked the exclamation
that was on her lips and recalled her usual
presence of mind.
"Well ?" she said interrogatively, ap-
preaching the table.
"We've had to wait for horses, and the
rascal will give us the slip if we don't ride
for dear life, returned her husband moodily.
" say, Ben,' he added, with an impatient
gesture, "haven't you almost done eating ?"
I.G q .tpt,n 1 d.
his chair and buttoning his coat, I'm all
ready"
"Well go then, as soon as | get another
hat" Aud approaching the closet which
contained the object of their solicitude and
pursuit, the speaker stepped in and com.
menced searching for the article he had
named.
The reader can imagine the sensations of
our hero as he crouched behind a pile of
bedding, trembling lest sudden movement
OF the man should expose his person. He
was certain that his heart beat loud enough
to be heard, and when he felt the clothes
move before him he gave up all for lost.
The emotions OF the young girl were none
the less intense. Her face assumed an ashy
hue, her feet seemed glued to the floor and
her breath almost stopped as her eye marked
each motion of her father. As he advanced
nearer the corner where she knew Hastings
stood she placed her hands before her ewes
and sank into chair.
But discovery did not ensue. The hat
was found at length, and when Hettie raised
her eyes she breathed more freely. Her
father stood without the closet, while his
companion was assuring him that if much
more time was wasted they might as well
give up the undertaking.
cd Whore ia he ?" inquired the woman.
when the men had gone
"ln there replied the daughter, pointing
toward the closet.
alt is a providence indeed !" was the fer.
vent ejaculation of the mother, as she com.
pretended this narrow escape.
No time was lost in conducting Hastings
TO the outbuilding we have named 1t was
entered but seldom little used, and being SO
near the rendezvous Of the kings troops
would not be likely TO be subjected to a yery
thorough search by his enemies, who proba-
bly, believed him to be much farther off.
In this place he remained several days,
receiving the best of care from both mother
and daughter, who visited him as often as
they could without attracting observation.
When his strength had in measure returned,
and he was able TO travel, his generous pro
tectors furnished him with suitable dis
gulse, and by means of the husbands alb
sence were enabled to assist him a consider.
I l.l. a L.