The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-06-26

Deen LOT the rent, ana l have had tC
draw on the debt-box again, and each
time it seems like step further away
from your father: Oh, I wonder if we
shall ever, ever accomplish his free
domv'
"Of course we shall!' cried Nelson,
more hopefully than he felt. "Chee1
up, nanny! am growing larger every
just now Grandpa Darrah, the bell-man
promised me a shilling if will wait at
the State House door tomorrow and
give him the signal if independence be
| declared"
''And if it is, how your poor father
! will fret and fume at being shut up and
unable to fight for his country. He was
always such true patriot!' And the
unhappy woman turned away to her
sewing with a heavy sign. A lump, too,
| arose in Nelson's throat, and he ate but
slI all portion of his savory stew, Civ
| ing the lions share to Penn, who en-
joyed it with hearty gusto.
As he finished the last morsel Mrs.
Nelson looked up. ''That dog eats as
much as two men," she said.
But he is such grand, noble fellow,
| mother, and I love him So"
$50 he is, dear, but wish his appe-
tite was less;" while into Nelson's mind
darted the young Britisher's words:
''Such as you have no business with a
valuable thoroughbred
Was it true? Ought he to sacrifice
his dear companion and playmate for
the sake of the father lang uishing be-
meath the shadow of the law? He tried
to put the thought away, but the idea
haunted him and made him wretched
whenever Penn looked up in his face
with his soft, brown eyes or licked his
cheek with his warm, red tongue, as
though to ask: "What ais you, little
master?'
But when, in the dead of night, Mel.
son awoke and heard his mother sob.
bling in the next room and felt sure the
four guineas would appear to her like
four seven-league strides toward her
husbands freedom, he determined that,
although he could not put up with Regi,
maids overbearing manner, he would 20
to Captain Cathcart, who, in the phrase.
ology of that day was said to be ''ge-
NAL, whole-souled Old England man.
and offer him the mastiff on his sons
| terms.
The next morning, however, he had
little time to consider his resolution,
for he had to be off early to the State
House, and already the streets were
| filled with eager, excited groups, while
a feeling of hushed expectancy seemed
! brooding over the quiet city of brother
ly love.
No fairer day ever dawned than the
4th of July, 1776, while, prompt as
Nelson was, the old bellman was before
him and ready enough to welcome the
boy to his little belfry and to point out
the Congressman as they arrived one by
one at the State House; for the old
Friends Quaker garb covered a truly
patriotic heart, white his genial nature
made him general favorite, and he
was dubbed ''Grandpa" by half the
town.
First come Richard Henry Lee. the
Virginia member who first brought for
ward the resolution to proclaim the
American colonies free and independ.
ent States. Next young Thomas Jeffer-
son, carrying roll of manuscript, the
draft, no doubt, which he had drawn up
of the famous declaration. Then Samuel
Adams, the 'Fathcr of the Revolution, y
in his customary suit Of reddish brown;
John Hancock, the president Of the
| Congress-; Charles Thomson, the secre-
tary, who held the position for fifteen
years, and plain, sensible Benjamin
Franklin; while, following in rapid
succession came Roger Sherman, Will.
lam Ellery, Charles Carroll and the rest
of the illustrious ffty-six.
"A vastly fine, thoughtful set of men.
are they not, Nelson Harding?" asked
the bellman.
Eyes, yes" cried the boy, flushed by
| the excitement of the moment; land l
feel sure they will do whatever is best
for the country!" and descending he
took up his stand close to the State
House door and patiently watched and
waited, while Chestnut street became
one mass of surging humanity and the
sultry July sun beat down with unre-
lenting fervor. Men wearied and wan
dered off to the State House Inn or Old
London Coffee House; children lifted up
their voices and wept, andswomen faint
ed from the heat and were borne off by
kindly hands; but still our loyal little
Casabianca kept his post, although the
hours dragged by on leaden wings, and
often from above came down the de-
spondent tone of the old bell-man,
whose hope was beginning to waver,
groaning: "Oh, they never will do it!
They never will do it,"
About noon, though, there was a
slight interruption, for determined
four-footed creature came, making it's
way through the crowd, and with cry
of pleasure Nelson recognized Penn,
bearing in his mouth a small basket, in
which Mrs. Harding had packed light
lunch for her son. With joyful bark,
the dog discovered his master and laid
his burden at his feet, while, as the lad
patted his faithful creatures head he
moaned: ''Oh, Penn, dear Penn, how
can ever bear to part with you! If
only there was some other way to help
my fatherw -.
The bread and fruit however. so on