The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-08-09

"Come, come" he said, 81 do not
want to sit down to a cold dinner"
"Then go somewhere else and get
your dinnerl There are sneaking tories
about Norwalk who would rejoice to
tickle your tongue with the best they
have in the house."
The Briton's anger rose again.
81 command that meat to be replaced
upon the tablet" he said, drawing his
sword. "Your accursed insolence is
not becoming to one of your sex; and
| will bear it no longerl l can assure
you now that to-merrow's sun will
slime upon heap of ashes instead Of
this hot-bed of rebellion. Now bustle
about and get the last dinner you will
ever set before guest beneath this
roof"
"You prefer warm dinnerP" Mrs.
Bidlack replied, in tone half-interro-
gative.
"a warm dinner, of coursel" an
swered Tryon. ga British general
does not sit down to cold meat and po-
tatoes."
The strong-minded woman did not
reply; but stepped before the fireplace
on whose smoke-begrimed crane hung
a large iron kettle. A volume Of steam
that rose from the water in the kettle
showed that it was boiling, and the
British officer did not divine her inten-
tion-not even when he saw her seize a
gourd dipper from the wall and thrust
1t into the hot caldron.
"You shall be treated to warm din
her in one minute if you don't leave
my housel" cried Barbara, wheeling sud-
denly upon the renegade governor.
''If you do not instantly make your
odious self scarce, I'll scald you'll"
Tryon's cheeks grew pale when he
saw the steam that rose from the dip
per which the patriot woman had sud-
denly jerked from the kettle. He saw
by her flashing eyes that she would
carry her threat into execution, and in
voluntary moved towards the door.
"Get alongI" she cried advancing
with her novel weapon. "I wonder
what John would say if he knew that
the infamous Tryon had entered oul
house, Twill take weeks scrubbing
to erase your footprints from the
floor.n
"No need of scrubbing, madam ~
hlssed Tryon, angrily. SIM going tc
burn them out ~
'"Then you will save me work." re-
torted Barbara; but move alongl my
water is getting cool, and might not
hurt your brazen cheeks"
The officer retorted with furious
oath, and for moment turned his back
upon the Amazon.
His action changed the scene, for
Barbara suddenly dropped the gourd
and its steaming contents and seized
him by the collar
"Ill hasten your retreat, you miser.
able dog l'' she exclaimed. "For a
shilling I'd shake your bones into a
heap and she almost lifted HIM from
the floor, as if to give him an example
of her celebrated strength.
Tryon, who at times enjoyed a joke
could not appreciate the righteousness
of his situation. He was mad with
passion, and it was well for his enemy
that her hold was secure. She bore
him toward the door, and all at once
sent him whirling from the threshold
into the yard where he had left his
horse.
tThere it. is the best reception ]
can give British general !" she shout
ed, when Tryon had checked his course.
go back TO your house.burners,
and send them here as quickly as posi-.
BILE. I've got musket and a goodly
supply of ball. And mind you, red,
coat Tryon, keep your dlstancel''
Standing near the steed winch had
witnessed his masters's inglorious exit
from Barbara's domicile. the governor
listened to the last threat. l dare say
that never before had he been so angry.
He bit his whitened lips till they bled
and the hand which he had lifted
touched the butt Of the pistol in thC
holster.
"I'm coming back I'' he said, sand il
the fire that consumes your house my
men shall cook their suppers."
"But they will not enjoy them as you
have enjoyed your dinnerI |" said Bar
para, sarcastically.
The governor did not reply, but
sprang into the saddle and gathered up
the relns.
Goodbye, Mrs. Hercules l''he said
with mock gallantry.
"Come again when you are hungryr
she shouted after him,a he put spurs tc
his horse, and galloped away toward
Norwalk.
He disappeared in a minute, and
Barbara Bidlack re-entered her house
with a smile of triumph on her face.
'I allow that he will not soon forget
me ~ she said to herself, and then
quietly resumed discussion of the
repast which the naughty Briton had
interrupted.
After dinner she gathered up a few
: articles which she called valuable, and
destroyed others which she thought
might be called prizes by the plunder,
ing soldiery. Having done this she left
the house to the merry of the foe, and
satisfied with her victory over Tryon,
sought safety in flight. A longer stay
beneath her roof would be the height
of folly, for she knew that Tryon would
carry his rage into attempts on her life.
u About sundown a company of the