Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-11-06
a DETERMINED WOMAN.
How She Avenged Her Sons Death
In Revolutionary Times

How She Avenged Her Sons Death
In Revolutionary Times.
In one of the back settlements of
South Carolina, in the days which rem
dered the names of Marion and other
heroes forever glorious in the annals of
their country. dwe1t brave and de-
voted family of patriots named Hart.
Abijah and Abigail Hart were scarce
1y past the prime of life, although they
had been blessed with a large family of
children, only three of whom, however
-tYo boys and girl-had survived the
common 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
malice of the Tories, who swarmed in
predatory bands throughout this sec
ton.
Upon these numbering wretches who
had thus wantonly deprived them of
their eldest born at a 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-afterwards the cele-
brated Indian fighter of Hardin County,
Ky.-swore to be revenged, whenever
and wherever an opportunity should Of
fer to wreak their vengeance.
Leah. their second remaining Off
spring, was beautiful and warm
hearted maiden Of seventeen, and the
affianced brida OF Randolph Darrell, a
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
a flying visit to Gum-Tree farm, the
humble, though comfortable, home of
the Uarts.
On one of these occasions a party of
seven mounted Tories pursued him
nearly the entire distance from the
American camp to the residence of the
Harris. he, however, contriving to elude
j. them in a piece of woods just before
reaching the farm.
An abrupt bend in the road had fav-
.ored him. and the Tory rangers, not
Streaming of this adroit move on the
part of the flying fugitive, dashed furi-
ously on till they came to the farm
house, where they unanimously de-
manded of Mrs. Hart, who was standing
in the doorway, if she had seen a horse
man pass BY mo wore the uniform of
an American officer.
The woman shrewdly surmised who
the officer might be who would be COM
ing alone in that direction, and prompt
ly inquired if the horse he rode was a
sorrel one. To her seemingly careless
question the Tories prom ptly gave an
Affirmative reply.
Then he has rid into the swamp yon-
der, by a cart-path that leads onto the
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 the
Tories, who again Spurred on in sup
s posed pursuit of the fugitive; but, to
their great disappointment, the cart
road presently terminated in bog, and.
on a careful examination, they discov-
cred that no other horse-tracks had been
left there but those of their own ami
mails
.sHe must have taken to the thicket,'
said the leader. after fully satisfying
his mind on the subject. There is nc
use at all in beating the ground farther
for he has had ample time already to es
necessity, and go back and see what is
to be got of the squint-eyed old woman
at the farmhouse in the way of eata
bles. But isn't she big one in size
thought
And uglier-loolzing than sin, q thun
derin' sightv added one of the men.
Tho Tory horsemen now wheeled
about and retraced their way to the
farmhouse, which was only short dis
lance, just as Randolph Darrell was OF
the point of emerging from the wood
but luckily he discovered them in sea
son to escape their notice, by abruptly
retreating back again under cover.
Alighting once more at the door of the
farmhouse, the Tory leader ordered
Mrs Hart to prepare dinner for the par
ty, an dbestir herself.
show can I give you dinner whe1
I've nothing to cook?' retorted the res
olute-looking woman, angrily sc
should need full larder to satisfy ,
half-dozen such dirty rascals as you are.
''Silence, womanr' Numbered tn,
Tory, in commanding voice. s'and d,
our bidding. Pll soon give you some
thing to cook" he added, leveling hi
carbine as ne spoke, and bringing dow,
plump turkey gobbler that was strut
ting along under cover of the garde,
wall There. now, go.and pluck tina
dne fellow, my beauty. and don't b