Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-03-25
REBECCA'S PRISONER,
= True Story for the Good OF Women and
Children.
Philadelphia Ns,rs.

The day had been a dreary one for the
young matrop, Rebeccs Parsons. She was
entirely alone IN their humble forest home
as she, the bride of a few months, had given
. "gOdspeed' to her Rufus and babe him 90
with the brave band Of Massachusetts, volun-
teers 10 fight for freedom and q freemsn's
right.
Rebecca wrapped herself in warm shawls,
caught up the milk-pail aud started for the
barn, looking back at the bright fire that
burned in the great, wide fireplace. she
burst into tears and said:
II can't can't spare Rufus much
longer, it's so lonesome here now. I'd
rather be suppressed by old England and
have Rufus home than to be free aud live
without him. Then-he may be killed.
Rebeccs MIXED Benny Lass, the sleek.
gentle COW, and was pulling down hay for
Princes supper when she was startled by a
faint moan. Another groan alarmed her.
Weak aud nervous from a recent illness she
almost tainted.
Help me, friend, if you can" said a weak
voice.
Rebecca nerved herself to search for the
sufferer. In the hsylott lay 8 young man
dressed in the hated uniform Of q British
soldier.
Il am your prisoner, lady; DO not betray
me, for the sake Of my young wife. Think
if it were your own husband and he
swooned, so sick and weak was he from the
effort it cost him to make the appeal to his
captor.
Rebeccs's heart was a tender aud woman
" one. She ran to the house for brandy
and wine, and gave it to the soldieE. She
locked at the wound; q gaping, cruel one it
was, and in the chest, too, but only a flesh
wound. She then carefully washed and
dressed it.
Having revived MIN she gave him her
arm to The house, where he could be con
cealed in the garnet chamber from chance
visitors.
4 high fever cam upon the patient. For
days he raved in delirium, and Mrs. Parsons
found it hard to control him. Two weeks
careful nursing and he was out of danger,
but was very weak aud spent.
II want to show you this, Mrs. Parsons
tie picture of my wife, ssid Reginald Lin
gard, as be took from his wallet au ivory
painting Of n sweet faced, goldeu-haired girl,
whose violethpcd eyes beamed with hope
and joy.
This is ny poor little Lucie, and she Is
lust as good as she is beautiful. Poor dar
Gng! She was almost heart-broken when
/ came to America. | left her unconscious
II Was hard TO leave her 50, but u soldier
must 90 wherever he is ordered. | shall
tell her when | get home that an enemy
saved nv life. | was wounded m the last
skirmish, and so weak when l crawled into
your barn that | only waited to die. how
kind yos have been to me-
At supper, as she sat alone, two strong
arms were folded about her and q loud
voiced greeting told her Rufus had come
home. &C.,
Are you surprised to see me, little wo-
MANI asked Rufus.
Indeed | am, as | did not know you were
near here. Is there anything wrong, hu-
fus?'
"Oh no. but it is rumored that a redeoat
is in this neighborhood. Now, don't De
fearful Rebecca. lam here tonight, and
GOOD news, dear. After this week am
| coming home to stay all the time.
For once in her welded life Re5eeca had
q secret from her husband. She dreaded to
tell him about her prisoner, fearing that he
would think in his duty to give the poor sol,
| der over TO the American authorizes, and
n;ty for the young English wife made her
heart tender toward her captive. For
opce she was sorry to have Ruins come
home. p.I
At dsybreak Rufus kissed Rebecca and
rode away, bidding her watch for stray red
coats. . Iu-s
ue5s him "a comfortable as she could, and
her prisoner took his leave.
"God keep you and yours and reward you
Co. Ibis" said the soldier, as he left the hum
bic foresthome. .uH
and Bebecca couldn't rest until she told
@aI am clad, little woman, that you did not
81 me sooner, as / should have thought II
r;,bt 10 have given him up, but am glad
ION sayed the English girls husband tor
her. No doubt she would have done Is
much for you" = \
4 wear rolled BY, and the war still went
An Rnfus and Rebecca worked with a VII
- aid their cause. In those early days let
.s-s we're few and scarce, but one morning
there came package from England Tor mrs
Rufus Parsons.
II was . great event in their mouotonou
Erss and delighted, indeed, was the yount
housewife at the dainty, pretty articles o
Jrsss and the toilettable sent BY Mrs. Reg
Rnfns and Rebeccs's little son was oor'
bs,;tsye of freedom upon the very da,
he bells rang their joyful chimes, telhn'
tbs dad story of peace and q victory.
The summer Richard was IL q GLAD sur
wise came to the Parsons family.
Sir Reginald Lingsrd, with his Wite an.
,wo Young daughters, drove up TO hsZit
rood Farm" one morning.
Rshscca Parsons and Lady Lucie Lingsr
wsrs At once tender and true friends ese
torvetting the difference in dress ana S1'
ton. . 90,
,;na aristocrat and 3 little inclined to snu
2 nd ~nstronize al Yankees; but beatTic'
J The usouante, blsck-eyed gypsy was IN io'
With everything she Jaw.
When Sir Reginald was ready 10 starti'
{ homs he discovered bis little Bee was NJ
SW-bsf ara We to do about il, Parsons
,b;rk our two young people are IN To-
u;.b Zach other. 1 think my Bee IS t.
o ~onrg 70 marry, but ifthey are OF the SAT-
a lOonS e.. rnw will give II