The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-10-03
NANCY HART.

Here, under a tree in the meadow, lol in
my hammock and read
Or deeds that were done by our women, when
service was matter of need;
when We fought with the State of Great
Britain, and wrcsted our rights from
It's thral,
And hunted it's loyal defenders, and gave to
thom bayonet and ball.
OF the danes and damosels stately, who
graccs and courtesy had,
Bedecked with their jewels and laces, in
lustrlng or tatieta clad,
Few scared at the terrible fever, or shrank
from the fostering wound,
And the patriot sodierin dying both comfort
and tenderness found.
There were matrons and maidens more hum
bic, in modest lOg-cabinS they dwelt,
Who, dressed IN their ginghams or linseys, ms
earnest a sympathy felt;
Who were ready as scouts, or as helpers
whenever the need of them came;
Who could skilltully handle the tirelOck and
draw fine bead on the game.
Among all those women of metal, well-knowr
to the countryside then,
Whose quick-wittcd action in peril, threw
shame on the dizziness of men,
single the Georgian Nancy, tall, supple and
iron OF limb,
Called Hart from the name of her husband
but little they tell us OF him.
Hart sat in his cabin at noon-time, when one
of his children ran in,
And said; "rhCrs six tories II comm an,
daddy, you git while you kim"
Nancv hurried him oil to the cane-brake, his
trusty old rifle in hand
Have ready the men when want EN-; I'll dea
with this pcstient band.
With his men came the partizan lcader anC
"Howdy, Mis- Hart" was his speech;
yer man isn't homey | allow not, Jedget
he'd be Outcn our reach.
The mex time our luck mought be better.
Then added, with sarcasm grim:
81 allow We'll take some of his Vituals 81
long as we mayn't take him
'You'rc more free than welcome" quot
Nancy; but better TO beg than to steal
And mover denied bread an bacon to an,
one Wautiu' meal
So she went in a hurry to cooking. and then
when the boHrd had been spread
lyon men draw yer cheers to the tablc-th
bate is all ready" she said.
Abountiful table was Nancy S; the bacon wa
done to II turn,
The biscuits the whitest and lighteSt, the but
ter just fresh from the churn;
a pile, in the comb, of new honey, fried eggs
golden balls in white rings,
And tho iuCCst vCnson cOllOps - the
thought 1t banquet for kings.
Their muskets they stacked at the entranc
and seated themselves at the board
While the hostess, attentive and silent, thei
ryc-conce Carfully poured
But, ere they had swallowed mOrsel, ava
from the table she sprang,
And, Selling gun from the doorway, ii
butt brought to floor with clang.
Cried the dame: "YOu are masterfu soldiers
to camp the wrong side of the door;
Thes's FIVE Of yer musketS behind me, bu
here is one musket before."
so come now. Mis- Hartl' whned the leader
that's loaded so please put it down;
Don't you know that we're friends to tn
Congress? We've all left the side of tn
Crown"
Nancy smiled. and she spake to her eldest
Give dad and the neghbors II call;
rhe rats came for bait TO the rat-trap, an
hereNkGy are caught one and all 'T''4,'
Then sternly the musket she leveled-"B
silent and tell me no lies
My foreiinger rests on the trigger; the ma
who moves forard, he dies!'
Plucky woman! rough-spoken and fearless
prompt earnest, with love OF the lane
With hatred of those who'd ensl9ve it, an
bearing her life in her hand
She is dead but her name paints a picture
an Amazon. straight as Il sword,
With six pallid Tories before her, doomed
shriftlesS to die by the cord.
Thomas Dunn English, in " Y. IRdependen