The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-12-22

And haply may forget.
| DOROTHY WHITCOMBE.
WHY She Called Hsrselfa "Mean Old w5man. 81
The sun was slowly rising in the
East. Brighter and brighter grew
the great round ball, until with sud-
den movement it seemed to burst,
and golden, dazzling food covered
the sky; the birds were slowly wakeh-
ing; first faint peep was heard and
as family answered, then a sudden
twitter, and the air was full of bird
voices, The flowers were lazily,
drowsily, opening their dainty petals,
and all nature, refreshed by a still
nights slumber, awoke to probable
day of joyousness.
1t was just after the battle of Long
Island, where the Americans, pressed
in onevery side, had suffered d seri:
Gus defeat, and the Tories were every.
where; in the bushes, up the trees,
taking possession of comfortable
farm houses, anywhere where rest
was to be found there also was
found a Tory.
Good Farmer Whitcombe, among
all this mass of British, was q true
patriot in the cause of freedom, but,
residing as he did in q Tory neigh
borhood, outside from very hear
neighbors he was thought to be a
loyalist.
Great CONSERVATION reigned in the
kitchen of the farmhouse on that
beautiful morning, for news of the
American defeat had just reached
there. Joel Ashley, the boy who had
brought the news, just now added to
his tale. "And do you know that
they are going to the different farm
houses, demanding shelter and food.
shouldn't wonder bit but what
they would soon be here" he added,
comfortihgly.
"The nasty varmints, not a rest or
a morsel of food will they get here,
and if they demand it, why, they will
find out with whom they have to
DEAL" and certainly Mistress Doro-
thy looked fierce enough to make the
bravest heart quail as she stood with
one hand appraised; as if to strike the
foe with a large iron spoon which she
held, and the other hand placed de-
family on her hip. .
"Shl sh!'' murmured the old man,
''if thine enemy hunger"
"Now, father, you just keep quiet;
there's no use in quotin' Scriptur' to
me, when l know them Britlshers are
comm; you know if 'twant for your
blindness and my bein' woman,
there would be two of the best SOL
diers in the Continental army as they
would want"
Just then was heard the patter of
tiny feet, and the door was burst
open, admitting a little girl, followed
by young woman.
"The Tories have beaten!" exclaim-
ed Miss Dorothy.
"No!' the young woman answered,
in surprise.
"But 1 say that they have, and,
what's more, they'll probably come
here and ask for lodgin' and food.
I'll give it to 'em-food for thought. "
And Mistress Dorothy hustled around
setting breakfast on the table.
"Well, WE'LL" was all Patty Whit
combe could find to say, but she
finally exclaimed: Mother, if you
refuse them admission they may
seize the property and fire the house."
chats So" the old woman said,
musingly. 81 suppose if it comes to
the worst We'll hev to let them in.
Breakfast is ready; come, father"
They had no sooner sat down when
a knock was heard at the door. The
two women looked at each other land
the old mans lips were just framed
to say: "Come in," when his wife
said: "No, you don't father; I'll
meet 'em," but the younger woman
was even quicker, and the dame sat
down on her chair.
But for all her bravery, Patty felt
a sort of faint-heartedness creeping
over her; she threw open the door land
there, to confirm her worst fears,
stood two soldiers in the uniform
of the hated redcoats. "Good morn
ing, good MISTRESS" said the older
man, stepping forward, 81 pray you
to get us a bit of breakfast, for we
have had a long fast, and my COM
rade here is all but completely ex-
hausted."
Conquering her repugnance with
mighty effort she managed to say:
"You and your comrade may enter
and partake of our breakfast"
With grateful look, both men
crossed the threshold. Mistress
Dorothy sat rigidly in her chair, she
had tightly closed her eyes when the
knock was heard, and had kept them
closed, until the strangers had en-
tered the room, and now she
glared ferociously at them through
her glasses. Her daughter-in-law,
noticing these glances, stepped be-
hind her and whispered; Not SO
fierce, mother, not so fierce, or they
will surely suspect something.
Don't fret; perhaps you would
like me to go up to them, and shake
hands with 'em, and say why didn't
they come before, and hope they'll
stay, oh! the wretches," and the old
lady shook herself with a grim vehe-
mpnpQ