Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-05-08
HETTY MARVIN.

tacked New London, Conn.,, in IL,
and set price on the head of Gov. ,
Griswold, the latter fed to the town Of
L., where his cousin, Mrs. Marvin, hid
him for some days In q secluded farm.
house. But at last the subtle foe dis
covered his retreat, and one sunny
afternoon in May he was routed from
his hiding place by the tidings that a
band OF horsemen were approaching to|
capture him.
His only chance OF escape was to
reach the mouth OF little creek which
emptied itself into the Connectic At
River, just above the entrance of the
latter into the Long Island Sound
There he had boat stationed, with two
faithful attendants hidden beneath the
high banks OF the creek. The distance
from the farm house to the boat was
two miles by the usual travelled road.
But little path across the farmers
orchards would bring him to the road,
only q mile from the boat, and save q
quarters length OF his fearful Iun for
life
Just where the narrow path from the
orchard opened into the road, Hetty
Marvin sat, with dog Towser, tending
the bleaching Of the family linen.
4HO LolI Va lluOn was bhktu ny tub
farmer or his stout "help" to q grassy
plat, beside q spring or meadow brook.
There It was thoroughly wetted and
spread upon the green turf, to take the
best heat of the sun by day and the dew
BY night. The little maiden who tended
1t would sit near 1t.
daughter Of Governor Griswold q cousin,
when her hunted friend sprang past her
into the road to escape from his pur-
suers. Hetty was timid child Of
about twelve years, yet thoughtful and
wise beyo nd any of her elders. She was
frightened by the headlong haste with
which the Governor rushed across the
meadow. But she quickly compre
hended the scene, and instantly quisted
her faithful TOwser, who, though a
friend Of the family guest, thought 1t
becoming to bark loudly ut his hurried
steps.
Her vice forethought arrested the
Governors notice, and suggested a
scheme to delude his purfuers.
"Hetty," he said, earnestly, 81 am
flying for my life; and, unless 1 can
reach my boat before am overtaken, l
am dead man. But you must tell
those who are chasing me that have
goue up the road to catch the mail
wagon, which will soon come along,
you know. Then they will turn off the
other way"
10 cousini" said the girl, In an agony
of distress, l cannot tell q lie, indeed l
cannot, Why did you tell me which
way you were goins2"
"Hetty, dear child. you certainly
would not betray me to my death
Harkl they are coming hear the
click of their horses feet. . Hetty,
tell them have gone mp the road In
stead OF down, and Heaven will bless
you"
Heaven never blesses those who speah
falsely, cousinl But l will not tel
them which way you go, even II they
kill me. So run as quickly as posi-
| ble."
otis of no use. Unless I can deceiv,
| them, am q dead man"
| "Cousin, cousin, hide under my vel
Of cloth. They'd never think of look
ing here for you Come, got down al
swift as you can"
"I'll get down as you say" And
suiting the action to the WORD, the Gov
ernor was soon hidden under the fold
Of the cloth.
Angry that their intended prey hat
escaped from the house where they ha,
hoped to secure him, the six mouutet
Tories, headed by British officer
dashed along the road In swift pursuit
At the sight Of the girl In the meadow
the leader Of the party paused.
"Child,' he said sternly, shave yol
seen q man, running hereabouts?"
Eyes, SIR" replied Hetty, trembling
and flushing.
(which way did he gC?"
"I promised lot to tell, SIR"
"But you must, or take the conse
quences."
II said wouldn't tell, If you killet
me-" sobbed the frightened girl.
"I'll have It out of her." exclaimed
the furious officer, with an oath.
"Let me speak to her." said his Tor,
guide. 81 knew the child, believe
Isn't your name Hetty Marvin?" h
asked pleasantly.
Eyes, air."
"And this man that ran by US few
minutes ago was your mothers cousin
wasn't hep"
Eyes, sir, he was"
swell, we are friends OF his. VIVA
did he say to You when he came alone?'
l nc-UOlu mC-bn6b ho W 10 IL Ahk AZ
his life."
"Just 30, Hetty. That was very true
hope he won't have far to fly. Wher
was he going 70 hide7 You see, coul,
help him, il knew his plans"
Now, Hetty was not q whit deceived
by this smooth speech: but she Wa
willing to tell as much OF the truth n
would consist with his safety, and sh
wisely judged that her frankness woul,
serve her kinsman better than her al
lence. So she answered her questione
candidly. my cousin said he was &c
ing down this way to the river, wher
he had o boat; and he wanted me to tel
the men that were chasing him that h
had gone the other way to catch tn
mail wagon"
"Why didn't you do as he bid you
then, when asked you where he ha
gomez" Numbered the officer, fercely.
81 couldn't tell o lie, sir" was tn
fearful answer.
"Hetty," again began the smooth
tongued Tory, lyon are nice child
Everybody knows you are Q girl {
truth. What did your cousin cay whe
you told him you couldn't tell fals'
hood?"
"He said he shouldn't think I'd bt
tray him to his death"
"And you then promised him tina
you wouldn't tell which way he wen
il you were killed for it?"
dyes, SIR"
"That was o brave speech; and 80
suppose be thanked you for 1t, an
, ran down the road as quickly 90 possi
ble:"
81 promised not to tell where he wen'
SIR" :.
"Oh, yes, 1 forgot. Well, tell as hi