The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-03-22

Mrs. Elias Ward, was commander of the
foraging expedition which captured the
precious Irish linen.
On examination of the pockets, what
was his surprise to find his sister in-law's
locket. He did not know from whom it
| had been taken. SD continued his march
with his troops to hill which they
fortified. This was around Benning-
ton.
Almost everyone knows the issues of
the next day-the 10Th of August, III.
How General Stark made IA speech to his
soldiers, saying. Boys. YOU see the Red
coats. If by evening they are not ours,
then Molly Stark will be widow"
| How the British fortifications were
captured by the Americans who charged
successfully, without the aid of bayo-
nets.
When Polly and the neighborhosd
were appraised of the good news they
all came flocking into the camp to .iden-
tify the goods which had been stolen by
| the enemy. Old Mrs. Hutchinson had
| had set of candlesticks taken; Mrs.
| Bryant her bellows and flint; old Mr.. En-
dicott his old merino sheep: Hans Van
dcrhoof his dearly-lovcd Dutch pipe. and
many others had things of minor import
| ance captured. The various articles were
soon identified. and when Polly arrived
in camp everything except the little chest
| had been taken back by their owners.
Mr.. Dubois. neighbor Of Polly, who
was corporal in General Stark'S regi-
mcnt. asked her to see if the chest was
hers.
1t was opened. and much TO Polly's
chagrin, the Irish linen was displayed.
AHA , has my little neighbor betrayed
her trust? This British manufactured
dress is new. Have YOU bought this p
asked the inquisitive little French-Cana-
, dian.
Polly evadcd him by answering that
She was presented with the goods in Bos
ton.
In coming through the little chapel
where lay the wounded of both the enc
my and the Continentals. Polly heard Il
surgeon say. I'VE need some soft lint for
this mans wounds"
There is none to be had, sir" re-
spondcd his assistant
You may have this dress if YOU find it
acceptable. sir. said Polly. courteSying
and given the precious but now detestcd
Irish linen to the surgeon, and sitting
down upon IA stool. commenced unravel
ing the costly dress. \ soldier lying up
on mattress watched her as she was en-
gagged in the task lIcworc a relocated
uniform and was the one for whom Polly
was sacrificing her Irish linen.
Come here, please he said at length.
''cOme here"
Are you calling me-" she asked turn
ing round.
''Yes. Is that your Irish linen dress"
She answered in the affirmative The
soldier beckoned to her and handed her a
locket.
That is mine," she cried in accents of
surprise.
is it yonrs? 1t bears M sistcr-in-
laws name. How came you by it," he
asked.
Polly described her visit TO Boston and
the actions of Dorothy and herself; of the
strong temptation which the Irish linen
had given her. and how she now would
rather sacrifice the twenty guinea dress
than allow her patriotic mother to know
of her transaction. Young Captain Ward
listened with increasing interest and adj
miration TO the mothers patriotism and
daughters hypocrisy. and by the time
Polly left him his royal spirit had been
conquered by the little American hypo-
critic.
Polly returned to her home with the
little chest. The next day she again
went to the little church and spent some
hours reading to her relocated friend
Her visits after this multiplied very rap
idly. Early in September he had recov-
cred and was exchanged for a neiohbor's
boy of his own rank and he went to Join
Burgoyne. But he still wrote to Polly,
and his smuggled letters were very wei
come to that humble little Green Noun
tain girl. But after while no mail
could be taken from the British camp
without running a terrible risk. The
Americans had completely surrounded
the invader and held every road. SO that
20 which way he chose. he could find no
way open except by risking an open bat
tie. No water except that of the muddy
little Fishkill was obtainable in the
British camp. and even then ii was only
drawn at Il great risk Of ones life, "a
American bullets flew thick and fast at
every one who attempted to get it, ex-
cept the women. who were not molested.
The delay of the post caused by the vigi-
liant watch of the American gave Polly
great deal of alarm and hcartache, for She
had begun to love the relocated officer.
She pined and fretted, and wore the gold
locket constantly.
At length the eth of October came. and
all day Polly listened to the low, distant
thunder of artillcryat Saratoga, and knew