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

at'crS hattlc, Ctl-u, DtNdurc
your ancestors came from England, do
you love the bad King George9 Are you
not an American cat p
] laid her on the cushion and went
within, where the cool, dark room sooth-
ed me- Over our home is the spell of my
mothers exquisite neatness, Our floors
fairly shine, mahogany furniture brought
! from England, has bright polish, and
our windows are full Of flowers, while
folks say my mothers china is among
the rarest in America. / tiptoed TO the
high mantel. to the long mirror, and,
pushing aside the brass candlesticks, saw
a round, rosy face, bright brown eyes,
pouting mouth, and curly, rebeIliuus
/ hair.
For traitor maid you are rather well
favored, Abigail" said, aloud, and then
I.olushed guiltily at my vanity and put
the candles back. Never until a month
gone had l thought of my looks at all,
and why l did so now was that our
nearest neighbor's son, John Gardiner
Todd, the big. ungainly boy of Captain
Todd, went on voyage to Boston with
his father, and told when he return
/ ed that | was almost as fair as Boston
I girls.
put on my pink and blue fowered
gown-and my mother fashions my
clothing so neatly l am the best gowned
Of all the maids in the village nor does
it vex me to know it. Though my father
says | gawk at the other maids all the
time in church, how can he see when
my bonnet hides my face 4? The world is
50 beautiful, why should not we who are
made to love color and brightness, have
1 it about us
l took my wheel and went out on the
I porch under the vines where Maltese
Matty lay at my feet As l sat there
heard step and shadoE darkened the
door, and then there came John Gardiner
Todd, and ungainly son of our neighbor.
Well. Miss Tory, you seem to be all
alone, said ne, picking up the cat and
sitting down on the step.
II did not ask you in," l cried angri-
ly.
"No: but this is a free country" he ]
answers. l saw that his voyage had
bronzed him greatly, making a strange
contrast with his fair hair and blue eyes.
He is so big he seems to drawf our very
house. He hath outgrown his strength,
his mother saith, for he is only is.
al must work" l said UngracioGsly.
The proper thing for all maids"
So my wheel goes with the whir, and
the birds and the river sound not an un-
pleasant rhyme as he sings Suddenly be
stops and looks at me.
If you were not Tory maid" he
saith, then checks himself.
"Why ?" asked quickly.
You might help the country that gave
you home, for whatever your father
saith he i'll Jared in England, where some
great lord cheated him out Of all his
property. Surely he should have no love
for the hirelings of kings"
" You know told my mother how nay /
heart is, said, anxiously. "Oh, forget
my father, my idle talk, John let me, a
weak maid, if may, help my dear land.
never had ambition to be great and |
beautiful, as noble ladies are, but when
l read Of Joan of Arc my cheeks burn,
my heart beats flss and | cry, if, only
like her, could do something to help
mighty cause"
Women and girls cannot be trusted"
he sighed il IS not their nature"
Again l grew angry and would not
speak.
But" he said, slowly, as he rose to
his full height and laid his great hand on
my wheel to stop its noise, there is
story that the Britishers have been land
ing arms on the island, and the cavaliers
that gaIiop across the bridge of nights go
to meetings there, and now this very
night they are to move the ammunition
and arms inland to secure hiding places.
At u, under a strong guard. the wagons
will cross this bridge, and We cannot pre-
vent, for they outnumber US three to one
and have all roads well patrolled."
"Well, what can do?
Nothing, filthy father is at home, for
he is Tory If he were one of us he
would cut the draw before they pass.
Couldst thou persuade him
"As well move that old boulder in the
river" cried
There is naught, then, but patience
he said sadly, and went away, not know
ing my father was from home.
At dusk heard the sound of horses
hoofs on the bridge and a number Of
gentlemen rode by. As stepped out for
the toll one dofFed his hat.
Thy father, is he at hand?"
told them of my fathers departure,
and he and bis companions conferred
awhile then one quite elderly man rode
up TO me.
=" See that thou sleepest well tonight,
Mistress Abigail" be said sternly, and
that thou go not near the village"
1 heard them talk as they rode on of a
meeting at Brooking's woods, some miles
away, and that they would return for
the wagons at midnight / walked out
on the bridge in the darkness, where the
few stars overhead glimmered on the
dark water, until felt in some enchant-
ed land, sky above and below, walking
on bridge Of air
Wha could do for the noble cause,
/, poor weak maid? / had no gift like
Joan of Arc, heayen-sent and marvel
Gus.
Soon felt the lighter resonance of the
draw beneath my feet. laid my hand
on the ponderous machinery that moves
the bridge, the great bolts and bars that,
though my father is great giant of a
man, he finds it difficult to move. Could
90 and summon John Gardiner Todd
and tell him my father was from home?
No. that was impossible The watcher
beyond the bridge wonld stop my path.
/ sat down hopelessly, my heart beating
fast. How still the night was, and 50
dark.
II some one rode on the bridge and the