Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-01-11
Hetty Marvin.

one SUNNY afteTnoOn in Nav he was routed
from his hiding place by the ti,lings thai
a band of horsemen we're approaching TO
capture him.
Ills OnIy chance OF escape was to reach
the mouth of a little creek which empticd
itself into the Connecticut river, just
above the entrance of the latter into Long
Island Sound. There he had a b rat sta
toned, with two faithful attendants hidden
beneath the high banks of the creek.
The distance from the farm house to the
boat was two miles OF the USUAL travelled
rord. But little path across the farmers
orchard would bring him to the road, only
a mile from the boat and save q quarters
length of his fearful run for liIa.
Just where the narrow pith from the
orchard opened into the 70 ID, Hetly Mar
vim sat bleaching her household linen
The long web of forty yards or more,
which was diligently spun and woven
during the long winter months, was whit
ened in May, and thus made ready for
| use.
The business of bleaching was well
economical. being Usually done by the
Younger daughters of the family, who
weie not Old enough to spin, or strong
enough for the heavier work OF the kitchen
or dairy.
| The roll of linen was taken by the farm
er or his stout &" help to a grassy plot
beside 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 the dew by night. The
little maiden who tended it would sit near
it.
Thus sat Hetty Marvin, the young
daughter of Governor GriswOld s cousin.
when her hunted friend sprang past her
into the road to escape his pursuers.
Hetty was II timid child Of about twelve
years. yet thoughtful and wise beyond any
ut her elders. She WAS frightened by the
haste win which the Governor rushed
across the meadow. But she quickly un.
derstood the scene, and instantly quieted
nvr faithful Iowser, wnO. though n friend
OF the frmIly guest, thought 1t becoming
10 bark loudly at his hurried steps.
Her wise forethouyht arrested the Gov.
ernor's notice, and suggested scheme to
eude his pursuers.
"IIetty," he said, ~ am flying for my
lite; /; and unless can reach my boat he
tore am uvertaken, | I'm lost man,
You see the road forks here. But you
must tel those who are chasing me that
have gone up The road to catch the mail
wagon, which will soon be along, yon
know. Then they will Iurn of the other
wav.'
"Oh. cnu>inr' said the little girl. in an
agony of distress. Il cannot tell he; ;
inceei cannot. Why did you .ell which
way YOU were goingp'
Hetty, cnlld, surely you would not be-
Tray me to my dealbP Htrk! they are coru-
lng-I hear the click of their horses feet.
o., Herty, tell Them have gone up the
road instead of down, and Heaven will
bless you"
"Heavrn never hesses those who speak
falsely cousin. But | will not tell them
which way YOU 90. even if they kill me ;
So run AS quickly ~ possible"
Its of no use Unless | can deceive
them am dead man."
cousin, cousin, hide under nv web Of
cloth; they'd never think of looking here
for you. Come get down rs swiftly aS you
can, and I'll cover you, and stand sprink-
ing my linen"
Angry that their expected prey had es'
cap III from the house where Ih,y nOped t.
secure him, the six mounted Tories, head.
ed by British off cer. dashed along the
roai in swift pursuit. AT sight OF the girl
in the meadow, the leader of the party
paused
Child" he said s'ernly, "have you
seen man running hereaboulsp"
"Yes, sir.' replied tletly, trembling and
flushing.
(Which way did he gop'
81 promised not to tell sir.'
n,,f tab In
ces"
I" | said l wouldn't tell if you killed
me-" sobbed the frightened girl.
"Ill have it out of her" exclaimed the
furious officer with an oath.
"Let me speak to her." said his Tory
guide. know the child, believe. Isn't
your name Hetty Marvnp' he asked
} pleasantly.
Yes, SIR"
And this man that ran by you few
minutes ago was your mothers cousin,
wasn't hep"
Yes, sir, he was"
"Well, we are friends of his. What dill
, he say to you when he came alongP"
He--told me-that he WIS flying fol
his life"
Just so, Hetty, that was very true.
hope he won't lave to fly far. Where
was he gong to hideP You see, could
help him If knew his plans"
Now, Hetty WAS not II whit deceived by
his smooth speech. But she was willing
, to tell as much of the truth M would con
sst with his safety, and she judged thai
her frankness would serve her kinsmar
better than her silence, 80 she answered
her questioner candidly:
My cousin said he was going down tc
9 the river where he had boat, and want
ed me to tell the men that were chasing
, him that he had gone the other way, tC
catch the mailwagon."
: "Why didn't you do as he told you
then, when | asked you where he hat
) goneP" thundered the officer, fercelv.
' II couldn't tell lie, sir" was the tear
3 full answer.
3 "1etty," again began the smooth tongu
: ed Tory, "you are nice child. Every
e body knows you are child of truth. Wha
r. did your cousin say when you told hin
g you could not tell falsehoodP'
s =" He said he shouldn't think I'd betra,
s him to his death"
And then you promised him that yol
t wouldn't tell which way he went ii yo1
e were killed for it,"
"Yes, sir"
"That WAS brave; and suppose h
thanked you for 1t, and ran down the roa'
@ as quickly as possible
" 81 promised not TO tell where he went
= sir"
s "Oh, yes, forgot. Well. tell rs hi
last words. and We won't trouble you an
o more"
j. His last words were. ITS my onl
$ chance, child. and I'll get down as 20
u say"
l. And. overcome with fright and the sens
1t of her kinsman's danger, should the
e rightly interpret the language which sh
had reported she sobbed aloud, and hi
"a her face from sight.
); Her tormentors did not stay longer
IS soolhe Or question her. They immediatel
pushed rapidly on down to the river.
Now the governor had arranged a SIS
"a nal with his boitmsn that n white col
i by day. or light by night. displayed frol