The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-08-28

strange IAsclnatlon IN ~. Ine sense OF
danger discovered, the Joy if succeeded;
the feeling that grown men would praise
me, and that John Gardiner Todd would
be sorry he had called me Tory maid.
Oh, those heavy bolts, the crank that
turned SO hard and the ereaking sound
tina. might tell the watcher beyond the
bridge and make him send bullet at
any moment Suddenly, with quick
snap the chain broke and slipped out of
my bleeding hands, and whereas the
draw was alwaysopened slowly with eau
ton, it now fell wide apart with sound
ing crash, and at my feet yawned the
great black gulf Of the seething water. /
heard a shout and some running on the
bridge. Mad with terror, stood one
moment on the brink, and then, with a
prayer to the Father who let me open
the bridge and take it from my feeble
hands, feel forward into the tide
For a moment | knew nothing only
the roaring of water and darkness then
there awoke in me the strong instinct of
a swimmer for rself-pTeservation. bless
ed my father who had taught me to
breast the waves, and took up hopeand
struggled brayely. The current dragged
me hither and thither, great giant
arms seemed reaching from the depths to
pull me down, strong eddies and whirI-
pools turned me about and twisted my
hands and feet, as / strove to rise, mon
strous weights seemed pressing me be-
low. Once / saw the bridge far behind
me as was swept along, and heard
voice calling, Who has done this" and
felt bullet whizz along the water Then
gave up hope and let myself lie quiet, a
calmness coming like child's going to
sleep. 1t means death and unconscious
ness murmured. Then strong arm
seized me and kind voice said:
Lie quiet and win take you safe to
shore"
knew it was John, but how never
yet could tell. l sank again into that
dream, and only came to reason when l
heard confused murmur OF voices and
light flashed into my eyes. l was on
the shore and Captain Todd, his long
white beard sweeping my face, was
kneeling by me forcing something bit
ter and burning into my mouth.
@The arms are uDguarded," cried. a
have opened the bridge; the Tories are
on this side" And as 4 tainted again
heard the sound of other voices and the
preparations for departure.
When next l knew life again l was
lying in Mrs. Todd's big bed, where the
tall four posts took on strange shape of
demons and COLLINS, and the curtains
swinging in the breeze seemed vaporous
wings. l screamed then into the dark
ness came broad beam of gracious
morning light, and Mrs. Todd stepped
softly to the bed and kissed me.
Brave little Abigail" she whispered,
heaven be praised you are well and
safe
And what of the arms?" l asked.
" Was nv deed done in vain !? Oh, my
fathers bitter anger
"He shall not be told; only few of
the neighbors know of thy heroism. The
Tories suspect some man. The arms and
ammunition are in our possession, for the
wagons were poorly guarded, the men
oyerpowered and the prize secured before
the Tories could prevent. The draw
bridge being broken they could not cross.
Surely the Lord is on our side but let
us pray. Abigail, the time may never
come when our men will be forced TO
take the blood of the British, and that
all our troubles will be settled peaceful
iy."
"And we give in to the King p cried.
Indeed not" she said, sitting ~ very
straight and defiant; ''he gives in to us"
That afternoon, when | went forth TO
return to my home, Captain Todd made
me courtlY bow and said many kind
things of my courage, and said that his
son John was proud and happy that he
had saved my life John accompanied
me home, very fearful lest I, being still
weak, should fall, and 50 gentlea and kind
was he in his speech that could not re-
sist saying:
''You are very careful of Tory maid,
john
"A Wing heroine" he answered, "and
some day that deed of thine will be
known, and people will praise you far
and near being 40 delighted with his
prai-e SAID nothing at all.
All, me, what dreary days followed,
for though my father proved his inno-
eence that night and his absence, Tory
influence took the place of toll keepe:
away and We lost our happy home. He
suspected me, though he said naught, but
often looked at me with frowning brow.
When war was upon US he went and
joined the British army to fight against
the land that had treated him so well
yet as grow older can understand his
loyalty to the king.
II was early taught him, and there was
something brave and honorable in his
faith to his home country in the face of
the bitter hatred of his neighbors and
friends.
When he was gone Mrs TODD was very
good to my mother and me, but for her
Our neighbors disliking my father so
intensely-we should have gone hungry
many day. There was one Sabbath
about that time that shall never forget,
and it was great pleasure TO me to have
done brave deed, for we were almost
prosecuted by our neighbors then, for
the Americans were victorious. 1t was
after the service, as the folks were about
to 90, when Mrs. Todd rose in her pew,
most uncommon thing for lady to do,
and spoke aloud in meeting. She asked
If they would listen few moment to the
story of a noble maid, and then went on
and told how l opened the drawbridge
that night, and all the events Of my es-
cape from death.
"See, on her hands are the scars vel"
cried Mrs. Todd, drawing me to her. and
of truth they were and will be all my
life, but the one who loves me best says
they are noble wounds. ike soldiers