Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-12-31

the visit agreeable, even relaxing his ha-
bitual reserve and inviting all tho young
people in the neighborhood to his house
to be introduced to his niece.
Although Rose was very sweet and
gracious to all her guests no one became
at all familiar with her, and finally all at
tempts at intimacy ceased, and she was
left to the companionship of her uncle and
her old nurse,
But active preparations for war soon
banished all minor topics. The young
men were getting ready to join their
ships; privateers were being fitted out
and the whole country was wild with ex
element.
Our village became almost deserted.
Every vessel of any size was manned and
equipped with guns and ammunition and
sent out to meet the enemy, and all the
poor wives and mothers could do was to
watch and wait at home. News travelled
slowly in those days, and tidings of de-
feat or victory seemed long in coming.
Often we climbed the hill and from
the church tower scanned the horizon
for a glimpse Of some man-of-war, for
we lived in constant fear that our town,
like many others on the coast might be
invaded by the enemy. But though we
often saw large ships passing, and once
heard the sound of distant cannonading.
we were left in peace.
And so the summer passed; its weary
weeks of watching and anxiety wore
away; the line storm visited us with all
its fury, and then came the mild and
sunny Indian summer, the days of soft
delight, when all nature seems in a
dreamy, quiet mood, giving us a gentle
smile before old winter, with raging ele-
ments, comes to bind her with his icy
letters.
About the middle of October a watcher
on the hill saw man-ofwar heading for
our harbor. He gazed with almost
breathless anxiety until with his glass he
deserted the English flag at her mast.
Then he rushed down the steep road
into the main street, shouting:
1.-The British are comingl Save your
selvesr'
The men left their work. the women
forsook their spinning wheels. and all
ran to the beach or to tho wharves.
Yes, it was true; she had anchored out
side the harbor. and, too large to enter
herself, we could see large boat Just
leaving her filed with men, who would
probably land and plumber, perhaps burn,
our village. Resistance was useless, for
the ship could easily shell the whole town,
lying as she did at the mouth of the har-
Dor, but little more than mile away
1t had been planned long before that in
case of invasion the people should take
their valuables and flee to the woods for
safety.
So as quickly as possible the large hay
carts were brought out, the best feather
beds were hastily thrown into them, the
tall clocks We're placed on top, as many
women and children as could be were
piled in, each carrying a pillow case con
tanning some valuahles, the horses were
whipped into a gallop and the procession
started heller SHELTER for the woods.
The servants Of Squire Cushman shared
the general alarm, and as the squire was
away from home. they, too. prepared for
flight, and urged the housekeeper to pack
up the silver, and, taking Miss Rose and
her nurse, to hasten to place of safety
with them. But when she went to the
young lady's chamber she found her
watching the incoming boat with eager
eyes, and she firmly refused to leave the
house.
"They are not enemies to me, y she
said. They are from dear old England,
my home, and l will not run from them
even if the whole village goes
The housekeeper tried to reason with
hi1t in uair dor 10, 10
her in the house, sent off the servants
with the most valuable articles to a safe
hiding place and awaited the result with
trembling anxiety.
Rose stood at the open window, watch
ing the boat. AS it neared the shore she
sent her maid for the squire spy glass,
and, resting it on the woman's shoulder,
obtained good view of the harbor ano
all who We're in the boat
Nearer and nearer it approached the
shore, and the few fishermen who fingered
near the wharf, their curiosity overcom-
ing their fears, saw that it was com
manded by young officer, whose dress
betokened the high rank he bore.
The boat came up to the wharf, and
one of the sailors sprang ashore and fas-
tened it.
Giving a command to his men in low
tone the officer landed, accompanied by
two marines. Seeing the fishermen about
to run, he cried out:
"You have nothing to fear. If you let
us core and go unmolested, your village
shall be spared. Come here; l want to
ask you question.
One of the most daring approached him.
"Now, my man, he said, mo tricks,
but answer me correctly. Do you know
where Judge Cushman lives, and will you
show us the way to his house2 Do not
fear; no harm shall be done to any of you;
only tell me the truth.
The man. only too glad to escape SO
easily, pointed out the house, and the
officer, with his men, FASTENED toward it.
In the meantime Rose had been scan
ming the boat with eager eyes, trying to
discern the features of the men. When
she saw the officer approaching the house
she gave one long, fixed look, and shout
ing to her nurse: 1T is hel 1t is Charlesr'
flew down the staircase, followed by her
servant and the housekeeper and, as he
entered the open door, sprang into his
arms and was clasped to his heart in a