Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-11-18

under her glove. When she looked
uAeA after Size had gone down the road
apiece he still stood there with head
uncovered as When she quilted him.
hau she looked Later she wOnld have
seen the young soldier rushing with
mighty strides in direction opposite
10 what he had all day Lsrn taking. and
II she had read his thoughts she would
have known that he was tl.,1kIn0 God
he had met her.
Oae evening III midwinter more than
year later, there were gathered about
the open fireplace in the living room of
tle fhihps mansion the young women.
Martha, her little sister Ruth, and an
elderly woman, who was plainly the
mother. y tap at the door did not fail
10 cause all three 10 start a little.
Troublesome times again mad come on
tllS part OF the country. RumOTs of
an advance prevailed. Father and
( Drotaer had again set out with the con-
tlngent troops TO Tepel threatened in
vasion. However, Mistress Martha did
not hesitate to open the door. So far.
at least, their home had been respected
by both armies. There stood on the
steps tall mau, whose great coat was
slightly sprinkled with the snow that
was beginning to fall. lie did not offer
to enter until bidden; but he said with
great courtesy that he was belated
traveller, compelled TO ask shelter and
1000, II so be the inmates felt safe in
extending such hoSpItallties.
IBID the gentleman In, Martha,n
SAID the mother, and when he had, |
with exquisite grace, bowed and thank
ed her, he asserted that nothing but
the direSt necessity would have COM
PEELED him TO intrude himself.
These are, indeed, sad times, SIR
said the mother. "TwIce before nv
husband and son have been called away
to defend their country. l know not
where they may be tonight, but the
good Lord will protect them and u.s."
rs there then disturbance in these
paTts?" asked the stranger.
"llave you not heard and seen, sir,
and you traveler?"
Il had supposed the operations were
to the west, else would not have VEN
tured on my Journey"
The old lady glanced quickly at HIM
for moment, as though wishing to
scan SO strange psrsol as this, WHO
did not know what was going on about !
him, but neither by hint or word or
action did she betray any surprise.
The stranger was young and neatly |
dressed in heavy, close fitting sur
tout that reached TO his top boots. HIS |
hair which was long, fel, in curly locks |
almost to his shoulders, and it was of |
yellow tinge, almost approaching white |
ness, The old lady at once perceived |
that whoever her guest was he was a |
gentleman, and as he addressed linn |
self entirely to her she soon found her. |
self Interested in him. Though she |
frequently referred to the topic that |
was uppermost in her mind, he seemed /
to care little about the war. The old |
lady decided that he must be mer-
chant from below, who had yentured 1
thus far toward the British outposts-
which then included the Phillips home
stead-for purposes of business. Mean
while Martha had herself prepared |
repast, OF which she at length invited |
the stranger to partake. Then for the
first time he took note of the girl.
'.We heve simple fare now," she /
said.
1.-The simplest fare has always been /
my choice and habit" he said, and /
thea added: This must be lonely life |
for you, though perhaps an exciting
one.'' af-a. -.-.
Not lonely when father and brother /
are here and when there is no war;"
''Your father and brother are in the |
lield7"
Eyes, sir.''
''It is pitiable lot for you indeed!"
mo. sir; no indeedl We are glad We /
have father and brother to fight for |
our country"
The stranger looked al her for a mo-
ment with such admiration as could |
give no offence. Then he said: ''That |
IS indeed true patriotism.
She was silent for so long time that /
he stopped fox moment as he ate and
said:
as there, then, to be fighting near
by"
'Father did say to us as he went |
away: There will be no general battle, |
but we are going with the contingent |
and regulars to cut of the approach of |
the British. They do expect by night |
or tomorrow to have thrown up such /
forts or defences as will head off the
British, and as it is but II miles away
where they do so at the Carmel cross
roads, maybe father. and brother will
be home Saturday.
Here the stranger seemed much oc-
cupied with his meal. nor did he pause
in the eating of it until, seeming con-
scious that some one was gazing iixedly
at him. he looked up and encountered
the steady eyes of little Ruth. He /
smiled pleasantly and said:
"HoS. then, little maid do you, too
miss your father?"
You do make me think OF my pic
ture man." the child said.
.sHave you picture mani"
.sThe man who drew my picture.
Shall l show it to your"
s'Indeed."
The child brought not only her own,
but the crayon of her sister.
They are well done; well done, little
maid; but you have grown older since
this was made. t
Eyes, year Older"
"a year, indeed,'' said he, half med
itatively.
"My sister Patty, looks every day at
hers. and sometimes do hear her say.
i wonder If I shall ever see him
again." -. -
"Hush, Ruth, the gentleman cares
for nothing of that Sort" said Martha.
"But am interested"
AS they sat by the fire, later, chat
ting and while Martha was medita-
ting upon which of the two spare rooms
to put the stranger into for the night,
there was heard without sound that
rose above the moaning of the wind.
"What is that?n
The stranger FASTENED to the win
dow. and even rs he did SO the sound
grew louder and more significant. 1t
was the yell of maddened men, and
now as the curtains were tossed aside,
they saw yellow light through and
beyond the thick falling snow flakes.
The light grew brighter and brighter.
sIt IS the army" said Martha.
"Which one?" asked the mother.
"The British. think. Look, they
are burning Neighbor Keeler's house.
They will come here. They have threat
enqd before. They Will burn the house
and they may kill US. See there, over
the hill; they are coming. There they