Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-03-05
Hetty Marvin.

set a price on the head Of Governor
Grlswold, the latter fed to the town o.
L. where his cousin, Mrs. Marvin
hid HIM for some days in a secluded
farm house. But at length the subtle
foe discovered his retreat, and one al
ternOon in May he was routed from lis
hiding place by the tidinss that Dand
ofhorsemen were approaching to cap
ture him. HIS only chance OF escape
was to reach the mouth Of a little creek
which emptied itself into the Conne2ti-
cut river, just above the entrance of the
latter into Long Island Sound.
There he had a boat stationed, with
two faithful attendants, hidden beneath
the high banks of the creek. The dis
tance from the farm house to the boat
was two miles. by the usual travelled
road. But little path across the farm
er's orchard would bring him to the
boat and save quarters length of his
fearful run for life.
Just where the path from the orchard
opened into the road, Hetty sat with
her dog Towser tending the bleaching
of her household linen. The long web
Of forty wards or more which was dill
gently spun and woven during the long
winter months was whitened in May
and thus made ready for use. The
business Of bleaching was well econo-
mized, being usually done by the young
er daughters Of the family, who were
not old enough to SPIN Or strong enough
for the qeavier work Of the kitchen or
the dairv.
The Gil oflinen was taken by the
farmer or his stout help to a grassy
plat beside a spring Or meadow brook ;
there It was thoroughly wetted and
spread upon the green turf, to take the
best heat Of the sun by day and dews
by night. The little maid who attend
cd it would sit near.
Thus sat Hetty Marvin, the young
daughter Of GOV. Griswold's cousin,
when her hunted friend spIang past her
into the road to escape his pursuers.-
Hetty was timid child, but wise be-
yond any Of her elders. She was fright
ened by the headlong race with which
the Governor rushed across the mead
ow. But she quickly comprehended
the scene and instantly quoted her faith
full Towser, who, though friend to the
family guest, thought it becoming to
bark loudly at his hurried steps. Her
wise forethought arrested the Governors
notice. and suggesteda a scheme to elude
his pursuers.
'Hetty,' he said earnestly, lam n.y.
inc for my life, and unless l can reach
nv boat before am overtakep am a
lost man. You see the road forks here
but YOU must tell those who are chasing
me that 1 have gone up the road to
catch the mail wagon, which will soon
be along, you know. Then they VIII
... oa tbo ofhpr waV,
.Oh. cousin said the little girl, in
agony OF distress, [ can't tell lie
indeed I can't. Why did you tell me
which way you were goingT
'Hetty,dear child, surely you would
not betray me to my death ? Hark they
are coming! 1 hear the click oil then
borses' feet. Oh, Hetiy, tell them !
have gone up the road instead OF down.
and heaven Will bless YOU
Heaven never blesses those whe
speak falsely, cousin. But l will not
tell them which way you 90, even i
they kill me so run as quickly as pos
sible.'
IT'S no use; unless l can deceive
them. am dead MANI
Cousin. cousin, hide under ny wei
g 10th; they'd never think OF LOOKING
VIZ Cor YOU. Come, get down as quici
''e'o can. and III cover you, anC
se stand So. "inkling my linen.'
no. NV only chance, my child; III
oct down as YOU say
And suiting the action to the WORD
A~ I,S..o~nor y as soon hidden under
the folds of the cl ''n'
Angry that their expected pIlze na,
..1anSd SI from the hO, 'se where they ha(
Soned TO secure him, .he six mounto'
Tnries r%r headed by British officer
dashed along the road in swift pursuit
At SIGHT Of the girl in the meadow lh'
leader of the party paused.
''|',y Child, he said stcrnly' lave yO'
.oer q man running hereabouts.'
Yes, sir rpllea Hetiy, trembling
and flushing.
which way did he geT
Il promised not to tell slr''
But you must, or take the co'''e'
quence.' g ; Lille,
1said wouldn't tell If you kllle'
me-. sobbed the frightened girl
.pll have it out of her. exelalme'
Itbe furious officer with an OATH
let me speak to her, said the Tor
ou;de Il know the child l believe 1
your name Hetty MaryinT he asKc'