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

III NOuucCJlCuO III Juo uiOubn VI Julyy
1779.
This news that spread like wildire
about the towns of Fairfield and Nor
walk was well calculated to incite alarm
in patriot breasts, for Tryon was
merciless invader, and wherever he
went the torch completed his work Of
destruction, In the month Of February
of the year just written he had ravaged
Klngsbridge and Horse Neck, and now,
for the second time he had entered the
State.
His soldiers committed, under his
very eye, atrocities of the most shock
ing description; old and young, rich
and poor felt alike the merciless hands
Of the kings man. East Haven, Fair
field, and Norwalk were reduced to
ashes, and a thousand acts of barbarous
cruelty were perpetrated on the home
less patriots. A force sufficient to
check the advance of the invader could
not be raised in the State. Connecti-
cuts able.bodied patriots were absent
in the army, and their homes were as
defenseless as the lions whelps when
the parents are away in search of food.
Governor Tryon knew that he would
find Connecticut completely at his
mercy, and congratulated himself on
the easy conquest that invited him to
her shores. He succeeded In his errand
of devastation, and returned to his SUI
periors with victory in his hand, But
he made his name odious throughout
North America, and his memory exc
cradle to every patriot in the land.
Not far from Norwalk stood the plain
home of Barbara Bidlack, whose hus
band was an artilIerist doing duty un'
der Knox. She was large, muscular
woman whose strength was prodigious
1t had gained for her the singular SObri
gltet of "Mrs. Hercules" title ol
which she was rather proud than other
wise. Her features were rather inclin
ed to coarseness, and close physiogno.
mist would have concluded that there
was celtic blood in her veins. AS sht
had no children, she was the sole occu
pant of her house, and her nearest
neighbor was young woman nameC
Haven who had lost her husband at th,
battle of Brler Creek.
Mrs. Bidlack, who seldom exchanged
visits with the young widow, was no
aware Of Tryon's second invasion unit
he began to approach Norwalk. TIL
terror of theinhabitants, many of whom
were abandoning their homes, acquaint
ed her with the disastrous state of af
fairs, and her eyes flashed fire whel
she exclaimed to the fugitives:
"You may go, if you wish; but tw
hundred such rascals as Governor Try
on cannot frighten Barbara Bidlacl
one inch from her homel If the red
coated scoundrel enters my house he'l
meet with a reception he'll never for
getl"
More than once she was urged to fly
but dlsdained with proud and defian
curl Of the lip, and awaited with eager
ness the arrival of the invaders,
She was soon treated to the sight o
Norwalk in flames, aud saw the tore
applied to her neighbors' houses. Blu
the spectacle moved her not; she dl,
not even barricade her door, nor sus
pend for moment the performance o
her household duties. But all the tim
there was an indignant gleam in he
eyes, and more than once she glance
at the old musket which occupied on
corner of her kitchen.
1t was near tho hour of noon on
sultry day in July when Barbara Bid
lack, about to discuss the frugal mes
she had prepared, was startled by
heavy fOotstep.
Lifting her eyes from the steamin
meat that graced the little table, sh
beheld British officer standing in tn
door. Ills aspect did not frighten he
in the least, though she knew from hi
uniform that he was a soldier of loft
rank.
"Another plate, Mrs. Herculesp" h
commanded, in naughty tone, strid
ing forward, and, at the same time
putting his hand on the hilt. Of hi
sword, as If to frighten her.
She smiled derisively as she slowl
rose to her feet.
"Who are you, sir?"
Il am a man devilishly we'll know
hereabouts, and l dare say that tn
rebels will not soon forget mel M
name is Tryonl'
"Governor Tryon, the British rasca
the man who burns houses over wid
ows' heads, and robs the babe of its crs
dlep If you are Governor Tryon
know you for the meanesT villain tina
ever trod New England SOIL"
Tryon's face grew crimson, bu
smothering his rage, he burst ints
cruel laugh.
"You are Just the vixen heard yo
werel" he exclaimed, "They call yo
Mrs. Hercules throughout this regior
and must say you resemble the stable
cleansing god in build. Where is you
husband2"
"Under the flag that wouldn't ow
you as a defenderl'' was the reply.
"He'sa rebel, thenl" said Tryon wit
a sneer.
81 ike his wifel He's soldier, too
and not house-bumer.
"ldrs. Hercules, discover that m
clemency is not recognized by the pei
pie of this State, and that my king