The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-09-29
FIR the Children.
Beth's Escape.

During the Revolution there lived in
small town in Massachusetts, family
named Dare. 1t was composed of the
mother, timid little woman; Eliza
beth, sixteen and small for her age;
and Dorothy, six years old.
The men of The place, excepting
those who were too old, and those who
were mere boys, had gone to the war,
and as letters at that time were very
scarce, none of them had been heard
from for a long while.
One morning boy from a neighbour
ing village galloped up to the door of
the Dares' house and called out that a
body of Hessians were marching upon
the town. He said, also, that the Dares
were to 90 to the Blacks, where there
were three or four wagons waiting to
take the villagers to L., town ten
miles out of the track of the Hessians,
who were on their way to Boston.
When the boy had passed on to tell
some of the neighbors, Elizabeth said
Mother, you and Dorothy go on;
will hide some of our things and will
then follow you" SO Mrs. Dare
started with Dorothy. She was unable
to walk very rapidly, and when she
reached the Blacks she was told that
Beth was in wagon that had gone on
before. Surprising her to have taken
a shorter road, she went on with the
others.
Meanwhile Beth took the silver, and
having put it into a kettle, lowered it
into the well, tying the cord to stone
little way down. Then she went to
hnf ~ nd hnt rtYnfr
ened her long hair, she put it up again
over the family pocket-book.
After this was done she started down
the road to the Blacks, but upon arriv-
ing there found that she was alone in
the village. For a few minutes she
was in great perplexity. Then, lifting
up silent prayer for help, she went
back to the house, locked herself in,
and, putting the key in her pocket,
crept into the big, old-fashioned oven.
Fortunately, as it was summer, there
was no fire in the Fireplace. There was
barely room for her to get in and creep
far enough back to pull the door almost
shut. She did not dare to fasten her
self in.
1t seemed hours that Beth waited for
the soldiers to come. She had Just de-
cded to get out of her hiding-place
when she heard voices outside. She
lay still, scarcely daring to breathe, as
she heard the men 90 round the house
trying all the windows and doors, one
of which they finally burst open. In
they rushed, hunting around for spoil
and swearing loudly when they found
there was nothing valuable for them tc
carry away.
They got out all the food that they
could find, and then one of the mer
took big pitcher and went out tc
draw some water. He saw the cord by
which the kettle holding the silver was
suspended and took hold of it to pull il
up. 1t broke in his hand, and taking
the pitcher of water the man wen
back into the house to tell the others
about it. Oh! how glad Beth was wher
she heard his news.
When the men were through eating
they broke most of the dishes. Gather
ing up what provisions they could, the,
coolly remarked that had the occupants
of the house only been at home they
would have secured both money ant
silver. They wondered where thes,
people could have gone! When tn,
men had departed, Beth lay still 70
some time. AT length, having grow
very hungry, she crawled out, snail
fashion, from her hiding-place. Find
ing few pieces of bread which the
soldiers had overlooked, she luncheC
upon these and then returned to tn,
oven, in which she remained the create
part of that night.
The next morning she went eau
tiously to the nearest house ant
thence to the other houses in the vii
lage. The soldiers had broken int
them all and had then left the town
Beth managed to get along until tn,
villagers came back from l.. This oc
Cured on the third day after thei
flight. Mrs. Dare tainted from JOY a
the sight of her daughter, whom sh
had feared never to see again. Yet sh
soon found strength to thank God, wit
trembling voice, for his care owe
Beth. Let us be thankful that W
live in less troubled times.-Erchang'