Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-07-25
DOUBLE DISCUSSES

| The sun was slowly rising IN tne East
Brighter and brighter grew the great
round ball, until with a 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
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
sIumber, 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 possess
ion of comfortable farm houses; any
where, where rest was to be found, there
also was found Tory.
Good Farmer WhitcOmbe, among all
this mass of British, was true patriot in
the cause of freedom, but residing as he
did in a Tory neighborhood, outside of
very near neighbors, he was thought to
be loyalist.
Great CONSERVATION reigned in the
kitchen of the farm house ON that beau
tiful morning, for news of the American
defeat had just reached there. Joel
Ashley, the boy who bad brought the
news, just now added to his tale, sand
do you know but they are going to the
different farm houses, demanding shelter
and food? l shouldn't wonder bit but
what they would soon be here" he add
ed comfortingly.
"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 GER
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 deiantly on her hip.
Ssh, sh," murmered 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 Britishers are comm;
yon know if it 'twant for your blindness
and my bein' woman, there would be
two of the best soldiers in the continent
al army as they would want"
Just then was heard the patter of tiny
feet, and the door was burst open, ad-
mitting little girl, followed by young
woman.
"The Tories have beatenp' exclaimed
Mistress Dorothy.
"Now the young woman answered in
surprise.
"But 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 break
fast on the table.
"Well, WELL" was all Patty Whitcombe
could find to say, but she finally exelaim-
ed: "Mother, ifyOu refuse them admis-
sion they may seize the property and
fire the house."
"That's So" the old woman said, mus
ingly. 81 suppose if it comes to the
worst We'll hey to let them in. Break
fast 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 and the old
mans lips were just framed to say,
"Come in" when his wife said: "No,
you don't, father; III meet EN-" but the
younger woman was even quicker and
the dame sat down on the chair.
But for all her bravery Patty felt
sort of faint heartedness creeping over
her; she threw open the door, and there |
to confirm her worst fears stood two
soldiers in the uniform of the hated red |
coats. "GOod morning, good MISTRESS"
said the older man, stepping forward, |
II pray you give us bit of breakfast, |
for we have had long fast and my
here is all but completely ex-
hausted."
Conquering her repugnance with
mighty effort, she managed to say: "You
and your comrade may enter and par
take of our breakfast
With a grateful look, both men cross
I'd the threshold. Mistress Dorothy sat
'igidly in her chair; she had tightly
closed her eyes when the knock was
heard, and had kept them closed until
he strangers entered the room, and now
he glared ferociously at them through
Ter glasses. Her daughter-in-law, no
icing these glances, stepped behind her
md whispered, "NOt SO fierce, mother,
lot SO fierce, or they will surely suspect
"Don't fret; perhaps you would like
ne to go up to them, and shake hands
With 'em, and say why didn't they come
'efore, and hope that they'll stay; oh,
he wretches," and the old lady shook ;
oil LIT L..