The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-10-30
A DETERMINED WOMAN.
BY MAURICE SLINGSBY.

In one of the back settlements of
South Carolina, in the days which rem
dered the name of Marion, and other he
roes, forever glorious in the annals of
their country, dwelt brave and devoted
family of patriots, named Hart.
Abijah and Abigail Hart were scarcely
past the prime of life, although they had
been blessed with large family of chill
dren, only three of whom, however-two
boys and girl-had survived the COM
mon ills incidental to childhood.
The elder son would have been two
and twenty had his life been spared :;
but eight months before he had fallen
an innocent victim to the rage and mall
ice of the Tories, who swarmed in pred
atory bands throughout this section.
Upon these numbering wretches, who
had thus wantonly deprived them of
their eldest born, at time when he
might have been of inestimable service
to them, the father and mother,
and only remaining son, Silas, now in
his nineteenth year-afterward the Gel
ebrated Indian fighter of Hardin County,
Kentucky-swore to be revenged, when
ever and wherever an opportunity should
offer to wreak their vengeance.
Leah, their second remaining off
spring, was a beautiful and warm hearted
maiden of seventeen, and the affianced
BRIDE of Randolph Darrell, brave young
officer, at one time upon the staff OF
General Marion.
Young Darrell was in the habit now
and then, whenever he could make an
excuse to obtain a furlough, of paying
afying visit to Gum-Tree Farm, the
humble, though comfortable, home OF
the Harris.
On one of these occasions party OF
seven mounted Tories pursued him near.
ly the the entire distance from the Amcri.
can camp to the residence of the Harris,
he, however, continuing to elude them in
piece of woods just before reaching the
farm.
An abrupt bend in the road had fay
ored him, and the Tory rangers, moi
dreaming of this adroit move on the par
of the flying fugitive, dashed furiously
. on till they came to the farm house
where they tumultuously demanded O
Mrs. Hart, who was standing in thu
doorway, if she had seen a horsemar
pass by who wore the uniform of al
American officer.
The woman shrewdly surmised wht
the officer might be who would be com
ing alone in that direction, and promptly
inquired if the horse he rode was a sor
rel one. To her seemingly careless ques
ton the Tories promptly gave an aftir
native reply.
''Then he has rid into the swamp yon
der, by cartpath that leads on to tn,
Beechknoll road," answered the quick
witted woman, with an admirable pres
ence of mind, and an apparently cool in
difference to the subject, which carried
instant conviction to the minds of tn,
Tories, who again spurred on in suppose,
pursuit of the fugitive; but, to thei
great disappointment, the cart-road pres
emily terminated in bog, and, on a care
full examination, they discovered that n,
other horse-tracks had been left Their
but those of their own animals.
she must have taken to the thicket,
said the leader, after fully satisfying hi
mind on the subject. There is no use a
all in beating the ground farther, for h
has had ample time already to escape
We may as well make a virtue of neces
sity, and go back and see what is to b
got of the squint-eyed old woman at tn
farmhouse in the way of eatibles. Blu
isn't she big one in size, thought
"And uglier-looking than sin, thuu
derin' sight" added one of the men.
The Tory horscmen now wheeled abou
and retraced their way to the farmhouse
which was only short distance, just q
Randolph Darrell was on the point Q
emerging from the wood; but luckily h
discovered them in season to escape thei
notice, by abruptly retreating back agai
under cover.
Alighting once more at the door of tn
farm house, the Tory leader ordered Mrs
Hart to prepare dinner for the party, an
bestir herself
"How can | give you dinner whe
I've nothing to cookl" retorted the reso
lute-looking woman, angrily. 81 shout
need full larder to satisfy half-doze
such dirty rascals as you are"
''Silence, womau!" Numbered tb
Tory, in commanding voice, "and d
our bidding" 'Ill soon give you some
thing to cook" he added, leveling hi
carbine as he spoke, and bringing dow
a plump turkey gobbler that was stru
ting along under cover of the garde
wall. ''There, now, go and pluck ths