The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-07-03
DOUBLE DISCUSSES.

round ball. until with sudden move
ment it seemed to burst. and golden.
dazzling flood covered the sky; the birds
were slowly wakening, 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 still nights
slumber, awoke to probable day of joy
BUSINESS.
1t was just after the battle of Long
Island, where the Americans, pressed in
on every side, had suffered serious de-
feat, and the Tories were everywhere: in
the bushes, up the trees, taking posses
sion Of comfortable farm houses; any
where, where rest WIS to be found. there
also was found Il Tory.
Good Farmer Whitcombc, among all
this mass of British, was true patriot in
the cause of freedom. but residing as he
did in Tory neighborhood, outside
Of very near neighbors. he was thought
to be a loyalist.
Great CONSERVATION reigned in the
kitchen of the farm house OH that beau
tiful 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 but they are going to the
different farm houses, demanding shelter
and food? shouldn't wonder Il bit but
what they would soon be here" he added
comfortingly.
''The nasty varmints, not Il rest or
morsei of food will they get here, and if
they demand it, why they will find out
with whom they have to DEAL" and cer-
| tainly Mistress Dorothy looked fierce
| enough to make the bravest heart quail
as she stood with one hand upraised, as
if to strike the foe with a large iron spoon
which she held, and the other hand
placed detiantly OH her hip.
"Sh, sh," murlnurcd the old man, "if
thine enemy hunger"-
Now, father, you just keep quiet
there's no use in Quotin &criptur' to me,
when know them Britisllers are comm; ;
you know If 'twant for your blindness
and my bein' a woman, there would Le
two of the best soldiers in the continental
army as they would want"
just then was heard the patter of tiny
| feet, and tho door was burst open, ul.
mitting q little girl, followed by young
woman.
1.-The Tories have beaten!" exclaimed
Mistress Dorothy.
Nor the young woman answered in
surprise.
| I,,f I hot =,
more, they'll probably come here and ask
for lodgin' and food. I'll give it to EN-
food for thought" And Mistress Doro-
thy hustled around setting breakfast On
the table,
"Wen, well" was all Patty Whitcomlo
could find to say, but she finally cy-
claimed: Mother, if you refuse thea.
admission they may seize the propert,
and fire the house."
''That's so," the old woman sal l.,
musingly. II suppose if it comes to .e
is ready; come, father
They had no sooner sat down when a
knock was heard at the door Tho two
women looked ut each other and the cid
mans lips were just framed to say,
"Come in" when hi; wife said: '.No,
you don't, father; Ill meet en-" 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 leartcdness creeping over
her; she threw open the door, and there
to confirm her worst fears stood two
soldiers in the uniform of the hated r L.
coats. Good morning, good mistress" :"
said the older man, stepping; forward, II
pray you to give us Il bit OF breakfast, for
we have had a long fast and my comra,le
here is oil but completely exhausted
Conqucring her rcpuynance with a
mighty effort, she managed 10 say: You
and your comrade may cnte: and PR
take of our bre;i A.ir;ast."
! With n grateful look, both lilcn crossed
the threshold. Mistress Dorothy sat ri.,-
idly in her chair; she had tightly clos' d
her eyes when the knock WAS heard, al Il
had kept them closed until tho strangers
entered the room, and now she glarcd
ferociously ut them through her glass; s.
Her dauShtar-iil- law, noticing these
glances, stepped behind her and whis-
pered, Not 60 fierce, mother, not SO
fierce, or they will surely suspect sonic-
thing"
Don't fret; perhaps you would like
me to go up to them, and shake hands
with 'enl, and say why didn't they come
before, and hope they'll stay; oh, tho
wretcl,c#," and the old lady shook her.
self with a grim vellennence.
The two invaders were not so fierce
and terrible hooking, indeed, for soldiers
who had just won victory; they looked
strangely worn, weary and lisI,eartencd
Mistress Patty felt a stir Of sympathy in
her heart TO, the Younger man reminded
her SO vividly of her husband. who was
SO brave]y fighting in the true cause; in
fact, little Dorothy went up to him, laid
her dnpIod hand on bis knee, looked
trustfu!ly up in the handsome face bent,
over la'.}, and said, papa"
! An, where is papa, ny DEAR he
asked, gently lifting the child ON his
knee.
"'Way, way Off, llyhtiu' tl1c'--
"Dorcthy," her grandmother's voice
sounded Like gravel crunchcd vi,iouslv
together, your mothers goin' to feed
the chickens and you'd better help her. ="
t With that she began to D,.sily clear off
/ the table Il don't suppose you want
/ anything nnore: she suddenly said when
the table was almost cleared
"No, we have had sufficient, thanks to
your Kindness, courtcously replied the
! older man