Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-04-03
THE STRANGE GUEST

In the latter part of 177S, a little Mas
sachusetts girl sat in the forenoon of the
low ceilinged, thick-walled house called
the ~Harkness place" playing with and
scolding her family of dolls.
Polly Harkness was country girl, had
never seen or heard of blonde haired,
blue-eyed French dollie, but she loved
and 'mothered' her queer babies as ten
derly as if they had been beauties; con-
tented and happy little girl was Polly.
Two yellow crook-necked squashes
with mothers big apron tied around
them, eight large green and white guOrds
wrapped in flannel, and half dozen rag
babies, were grouped about their mann
n.y. as she called herself. while a rudely
cut wooden dollie was cuddled lovingly
in her arms. This was the favorite, and
rejoiced in the name of Amanda Ara
minta Arethusa HarkneSs. Polly was
ten years old, and thought by admiring
friends to be AN uncommon peart child
Mr.. and Mrs. Harkness were acknowl-
edged Tories and loyal subjects of 'merrie
England They believed the Americans
to be an ungrateful people. They sent
two sons to fight for the British cause,
and had not the father been old, he too
would have joined the army.
Mr.. darkness had gone to Boston to
lay in household supplies, his wife was
called to help set a neighbor's arm, and
Polly was alone with a long play spell
before her.
This home had long been suspected of
being hiding place for British scouts
and spies, and was closely watched by
the rebels; but if such had been the case
Mr.. ond Mrs. Harkness guarded their Sc
cret well. as no trace of spy or scout had
been seen by the rebel guards.
"Malviny Arabella, amt you ashamed
to be a-cryin' like that? Just keep on,
and you'll be sent to bed without any
supper" and Polly gave one of the gourd
babies a vigorous shaking; and ''come to
nanny, you dear lamb, | see you are
all broke out with the small pox and
mumps; take your cruel, DEAR and the
little nurse rocked a sick squash.
"Cicly Alicia, if you keep on screaming,
something will come of it; like enough
General Washington will take you pris-
oner, and then you will never see me
again"
Just here some one knocked at the
door. Polly opened it to admit kindly
faced gentleman in civilians clothes.
Good afternoon. my little girl" said
the stranger, and Polly made her man.
ners' to him.
Il should like to see your father; is he
at homer"
NO, sir, and he will not be for some
days"
"Are you not afraid to stay at alone in
these times?"
Yes, sir, little, when l think of that
cruel George Washington and his men.
Do you think he would kill a poor little
girl if he found her alone, because she
prays every night, God bless old England,
and was Tory
God forbid that he should ever do such
things" earnestly replied the stranger;
UuO NHdU NOu
Washington is such bad man? l be-
lieve he likes all little girls. even Tory
ones. and would not harm any of them"
"Oh, yes, sir, he is a misguided man,
and ought to be ashamed of himself for
taking up arms against England; mother
says so, and she is always right"
The stranger looked at Polly's dollies;
she told him about Melviny's illness, and
how very vain Lucindy was growing.
An hour slipped by, and yet he tarried.
Would you mind showing me over the
house, chilG?"
Polly was only too willing to go with
him, and hand in hand they visited every
room, even peering into attic and cellar.
Polly told him of brother Philip, who
was with Clinton, and Reggie whose
bravery was a source of pride to the little
sister
80, yes, Reginald is a nice name; do
you see him often, POlly?
"Oh, no, sir; he is in the army and can
not come home. He looks grand in his
red coat, and even the King has heard of
his bravery"
Polly spread lunch of gingerbread, pie
and cider, then waited on her guest, all
the time talking of Reggie
The stranger took leave of Polly. As
he walked down the gravel path, he said
softly. Il felt as if | were the guilty spy.
| am glad my errand was a bootlesS one;
yet have every reason to believe in that
house foul plots have been made, and it
was the valuable information Reginald
gave that lost us our battle. That inno-
cent child was so proud of Reggie All
me! men cruel are in time of war, and
he sighed as he went his way.
Polly found her mother in the kitchen.
why, Polly, what does this mean? Who
has been here? Tell me every word, she
said; but Polly could tell little as to who
or what her stranger guest was.
After an early tea Polly crept into the
great high posted bed, murmuring a
prayer for the safety of good King George,
and was soon asleep.
Later in the night the mother crept in
to the woodhouse. A heap of light kind
ling wood was piled high in corner.
Reggie, are you here?" she called in a
low tone.
"Yes, mother, and do take this weight
from over me. had visitor this after
noon. One of the rebels was here, and |
thought was in his grasp when he came
here Poor, innocent Polly was his guide
l am glad you were away. You could
not have hidden your anxiety. and Polly
did not know of my being here"
The handsome lad sat up, and the