The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-01-02

4Nps We hdNt Ildu Sulntltul, llldlhS
10 your Kindness" c0urteously replied
the older man.
~ Tain't no thanks to me at all, - she
returned, tartly. You're soldiers, so
had to do it,"
what an exceedingly curious cream
cup" exclaimed the young man, taking
the curious piece of workmanship up
and examining it, with the air of CON
uoisseur. That was the last drop in
Mistress Dorothy's cup of bitterness,
which was already overlooking. She
had let them enter her house, given
them their breakfast, and now, after
allowing them all those liberties.
always under protest, that they would
begin to confiscate her property was
too much. She snatched the cream
cup out of the astonished mans hands
aud began, eXcitedly: " You'd better 90
now, you'd better 60; you've had your
breakfast and little rest, and at this
time o. day visitors amt wanted round
the farm"
But, my dear madam" the young
man broke in, 81 assure you ! meant
no harm, and really my friend and
need a rest so badly that we are afraid
we must trespass on your hospitality"
(here a faint smile crossed the young
mans face "a little longer. Give Us
but bed to rest our weary limbs a
little while and then we will depart"
Dame Dorothy looted at the young
man sternly. In my days, young
man, when folks told us we want
wanted we got out"
But, madam" the older man inter
posed, circumstances alter cases.
Remember that these are strange DAYS
and strange things happen in them ;
but by the way, madam, are you Tory
or a rebel?'
"'Taint none of your business" was
the uncompromising reply.
" Well, will you allow us bed?' he
asked.
81 think it's time you was a startin' ="
was the laconic answer.
Then since it becomes a necessity
| demand it in the name of -"
Here something seemed to choke him
for he seemed unable to go on.
Well, if must l suppose | must {;
but if ever | wished feather bed was
filled with pine needles, wish that
thar one was, )" and with that she opened
door, disclosing a comfortable bed
room. They silently entered the room,
and she, with bang of the door, fed
to the kitchen. There, I've gone
and done it, she said, in high wrath
five harbored two British soldiers
under my roof, and if anybody ought
to be taken before General Washington
and convicted as a spy | feel like that
one. Joel Ashley she said, sud
denly turning TO the boy, who was the
sole occupant of the room and who
was gazing at her in bewilderment,
I've got an errand for YOU. "
"Yes'm," he said, meekly enough.
Joel was always meek when the madam
was in such wrath.
You know where the Continentals
are stationed, about ten miles from here.
eh?" Joel nodded. Well, you Just
stir yourself and 20 over there and
tell their commander that there are
two redcoats in this house. and, if they
want them, to come for them right
away-right away, mind you Now
hurry" And Joel did hurry.
Madam sat rocking herself violently
to and fro. "There you've gone and
done another mean thing" she said to
herself, angrily. DOM a mean thing
is just like tellin' a lie-you do one and
you'll surely do another. guess III
just peek in the room and see if they've
set it afre yet" She tiptoed across the
hall and looked through a crack in the
door. Then her conscience smote her
worse than ever. Careessly lying on
the bed, his fair, handsome face look
ing so worn and thin, even in sleep, he
reminded her also of her soldier boy.
The older man was YEARLY writing at
table, resting every once in awhile,
but soon resuming his task.
"lm a mean Old woman" she So
liloquized, " but-they're Britishers. s"
That settled the question, and she re-
turned to her work.
q"
Morning entered into afternoon. and
I al appnnu clnu-l,, -, -. =,