The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-07-11

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proud with twin on either arm.
"Well. Molly" said her father.
locking at her admiringIy as she
eprang lightly to the ground, "you
are AS spry as ever. We had begun
to worry about you. What made
you so late' >"
II WAS waiting for dispatches from
Edward. and they came just before
left. They've had IA terrible win.
ter, father" and the tears gathered
in MoIly's eyes. "Our brave men
have been without shoes, and had
only miserable rags for clothing, and
hundreds of them have died from
hunger and cold. AT times they have
had neither bread nor meat in the
camp, and the Continental money
lost value so that it took four months
pay ofa private to buy Il bushel of
wheat !! Edward says if it had not
been for the great heart and courage
of Washington they would have
given up IN utter despair. But
things are looking brighter now.
Congress has sent them money and
Gen. Green has had some 40 endiG
victories in the South, and Edward
says there are still more to follow" "
"YUu don't say !" cried the farmer
in ringing voice. and his bent form
Strengthened and his blue eyes flash
ed. Nov, may the Lord be prais.
ed! How many times have | told
you, mother. that we'd certainly win
in the end ."
"But these victories cost so, faith
er !" said Molly, throwing her arm
over the horses neck and hiding her
face against his glossy mane. 80,
Duke. Duke! When will your mas
ter come back to us 3"
Duke had Eeen champing his bit
unpaslIy. but at the sound of his mis-
tres voice he became instantly
quiet. He turned his full bright
eyes on her and lowered his head un-
til his nose rubbed against her hand.
Just look at the critter, mother !"
cried Farmer Holley, 81 think he
actually knows what the girl is say
ing"
edward wrote ut there was a
great scarcity Of horses in the army,
and asked me, in case Duke was
needed for our Washington, if
would be willing to give him up"
at would be rather hard to give
up Duke. En-. Molly, girl?"
II would even part with him il
necessary. | will TO anything and
everything that | can for the sake Vt
our country" said Molly. "And
dear old Duke is fit to carry even so
good and great man as Washing.
ton ~
In few moments the family was
seated at the table. and, opening the
big, leather bound Bible, Farmer
HolIey read short chapter. followed
by the simple evening prayer.
The next morning, after break fast
was cleared away. Molly said to her
father:
II believe I'll ride down to Mid
dleseX church, don't like to Miss
one of ParsOn Mather's sermons.
They are great comfort to me.
And | can see. too, whether the
house is all right. | can get there
in time for the afternoon service and
III take Ruth with me for company.
Shortly before noon Duke was
brought to the door, and SO impa-
tient that he could hardly wait for
Molly and Ruth to mount, OFF they
went at a rapid pace through the
gate and down the old post ROAD.
After a few pats and a little coax
ing Duke settled down to sober
trot. A ride of six miles brought
them to Molly's house, and glance
them that all was safe. Then they
came in sight of the wooden meeting
house, with It's stiff little belfry. On
one side was dense swamp border
ing tie road. AS they passed it Ruth
glanced carelessly back, and her
heart gave a great thump, as she
thought she saw bit of red color
and a glitter as Of sunshine on bur.
nished steel. She looked again. but
there was nothing but an unbroken
wall of green leaves, so thick was the
growth of bushes and tangled vines,
Her first impulse was to tell Molly.
Then she laughed at her foolish fears.
Ppm but silly girl" she thought
"it was all imagination"
The bell was ringing, and Molly
went behind the church, where the
horses were fastened. and tied Duke
to tree. Then she took Ruth by
the hand, crossed the porch, passed
through the little entry and walked
uD the aisle to square, high backed
pew.
The young girl heard but little O