Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-05-07

'sNVe recognized your house. We have
had nothing to eat since morning"
"Come in" said Berthine. as she
stood aside to let them pass.
They entered the house. They were
covered with snow and appeared 70 be
completely exhausted.
The young woman pointed to the
wooden benches at either side of the
large table. saying. ''Sit down. I win
make soup for you"
When the soup was prepared the
Prussians ate voraciously. As they
were thirsty, Rerthine descended into
the cellar to draw cider for them. She
remained there long time. The cell
lar was little vaulted cave, which, it
was said. had served during the revo-
luton both as prison and hiding
place. It was reached by a narrow
winding stairway, to which access was
gained through trap in the centre of
the kitchen.
When Berthine reappeared she wore
a cunning smile. She gave the Jug of
cider 70 the Prussians
When the soldiers had finished eat
ing they lay down to sleep about the
table. They stretched themselves on
the floor with their feet toward the
fire, their heads supported by their
cloaks rolled up for pillows, and soon
they were snoring in six different tones.
They had slept some time when
suddenly firing was heard without.a and
so plainly that it seemed to be directed
against the walls of the house. The
soldiers rose at once. Two more re-
ports were heard, followed presently
by three others.
Berthine appeared. She was appa-
rently frightened. Her feet were bare,
she wore short skirt and carried a
candle in her hand.
1.-The French are comingI' she ex-
claimed. "There are at least two hun
dred of them. If they find you here
they will burn the house. Go'into the
cellar quickly and make no noise If
you make sound we are lost.
The officer, thoroughly frightened,
said in a low tone, ave will; we will.
How shall we descena ?"
The young woman quickly opened
the trap door and the six men disap-
peared. one after another. down the
little winding stair.
When the point of the last helmet
had disappeared Berthine lowered the
heavy oalken plank, thick asa wall and
hard as steel, which was held in place
by hinges and lock. and, turning the
key in the lock, began to laugh. It was
a low, hysterical laugh. Then she
suddenly evinced an irresistible desire
to dance over the heads of her prison
ers.
Soon, however, she heard murmur-
lngS under her feet. The prisoners
had OWNED the ruse, and presently
the officer mounted the little stair and
began to pound the trap door with his
fist. Again he cried, ''Open the door,
what do you want r. she asked.
"Open the door,"
IL will not"
The man became angry. and ex-
claimed, .'Open the door, or / win
break it in.'
Then she began to laugh, saying,
Break it. my good man; break it"
and he began to kneck with the butt
end Of his musket against the door Of
oak closed aboys his head, but it re-
sisted the fogce of his blows.
The young woman went to the outer
door Of the house, and, opening it,
looked out into the night and listened.
A distant sound fen upon her ear.
Then she cried with all her might
clio, father
"Ho, BerthineF' a voice replied.
Presently the large shadow Of man
appeared where the moonlight fell be-
tween two trees.
Il have the Prussians in the cellar,
said the young woman.