The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-08-08
DOUBLE DISCUSSES.

The sun was slowly rising III the east.
Brighter aid brighter grew the great
round ball. until with sudden move
mcut il seemed to burst, and golden,
dazzling flood covered the sky; the birds
were slowly Weakening. first Il 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 a probable day OF joy
BUSINESS.
1t was just after the battle of Long
Island, where the Americans, pressed in
ON every side, had suffered a 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 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 Tory neighborhood, outside
Of very near neighbors, he was thought
to be 4 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 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 4 bit but
what they would soon be here" he added
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 appraised, as
if to strike the foe with a large iron spoon
which she held, and the other hand
placed deiiantly on her hip.
Ssh, 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 know them Britislers are comm
you know if 'twant for your blindness
and my bein' 4 woman, there would be
two Of the best soldiers in the continental
army as they would want"
Just then was heard the patter of tiny
feet, and the door was burst open, ad-
uniting Il little girl, followed by young
woman.
1.-THE Tories have beaten!" exclaimed
Mistress Dorothy.
Mo-. 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 Doro-
thy hustled around setting breakfast on
the table.
We'll, well, was all Patty Whitcombe
could find to say, but she finally ex-
claimed: Mother, if you refuse them
admission they may seize the property
and fire the house"
That's SO" the old woman said,
,nusingly. Il suppose if it comes to the
worst we'll hev to let them in. Breakfast
il 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; I'll meet en-" but tho
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, and there
to confirm her worst fears stood two
soldiers in the uniform of the hated red
coats. Good morning. good mistress, 81
said the Older man, stepping forward, Il
pray you to give us a bit of brcakfa for
we have had Il long fast and my comrade
here is all but completely exhausted"
Conqucring her repugnancc with a
mighty effort, she managed to say: "You
and your comrade may enter and par
take of our breakfast"
With Il grateful look, both men crossed
the threshold. Mistress Dorothy sat rig
idly in her chair: she had tightly closed
l.er eyes when the knock was heard, and
had KEEP, them closed until the strangers
entered the room. and nsw she glarcd
frrociously ut them through her glasses.
Err daughtcr-in-law. noticing these
G.:nces. stepped behind her and wills
pered. Not SO fierce, mother, not SC
fierce. or they will surely suspect some.
thing"
Don't fret: perhaps you would like
me I" go up to them, and shake hands
with EN-. and say why didn't they come
before. and hope they'll: stay; oh, the
wretches." and the old lady shook her.
self with grim vehemence
The two invaders were not SO fierce
and terrible looking, indeed, for soldiers
who had just won a victory; they looked
strangely worn, weary and disheartened.
Mistress Patty felt stir of sympathy in
her heart. for the younger man reminded
her SO WILDLY of her husband, who was
50 braveiy fighting in the true cause; ir
fact. little Dorothy went up to him, laid
her dimpled hand on his knee, looked
trustfnlly up in the handsome face bent
over her, and said, papa"
And where is papa, my dear:" he
asked. gently lifting the child on his
knee.
Way, way off, fightin' the
Dorothy" her srandmother's voics
sounded like gravel crunched viciously
together, your mothers goin' to feed
the chickens and you'd better help her. II
With that she began to busily clear of
the table. Il don't suppose you want
anything more:' she suddenly said, when
the table was almost cleared.