Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-01-15
REVOLUTIONARY GIRLS.

When the revolution broke out the
Van Alsti1es. with numerous other
families, inhabited the lovely Mohawk
valley. A fairer landscape did not ex-
ist, but despite its beauty it soon be-
came the theater OF stirring and bloody
scenes. 1t was the battle ground
where the Indian waged relentless
warfare on the patriot settler, and
every rod Of it was trodden by the
willy and sanguinary foe. The people
who then dwelt in this region were Il
mixture Of hardy New Englanders
and of Dutch, the Van Alstnes be-
longing to the latter race; but all
were equally brave, the women vying
with the men in deeds OF heroism and
devotion.
Mrs. Van Alstine, the mother, had
passed through some of the most
thrilling scenes of colonial history.
and, dwelling on the New York
frontier in the midst Of savage alarms.
che had reared a family OF fifteen and
lived to count almost 100 years OF life.
Her Oldest daughter, Betty, was a
child who inherited her mothers
bravery and determination. She was
still in her 'teens'' when Sir John
johnson, the famous Tory leader of
the Mohawk valley, descended on the
patriot settlement at the head of
band of Tories and Indians intending
to complete the work of devastation
which Brant HAD inaugurated the pre-
yious year.
Everybody had cause to fear these
merciless marauders, who sometime $
plundered friend as we'll as foe, and it
was expected that tine Van Alstines.
being stanch patriots, would be among
the first visited by the invaders. Dur
ing Rrant's invasion the family had
been compelled to seek safety on an
island in the river near by, and, from
the shelter afforded by this retreat,
sec the houses OF their neighbors in
flames, their own home being spared
by miracle.
When it was known Sir John and his
army were actually on the march the
suffering patriots began to quit their
homes.
''You won't go this time, will you,
mother?' asked Betty, her eyes kind
ling with indignation as she looked up
into her mothers face.
1--WE haven't decided what to. do
was the matron's reply. 1--WE will
know tomorrow, if we are spared till
then"
That very day, just as the sun was
sinking behind the lovely hills OF the
Mohawk. band of yelling Indians
burst upon the little settlement, and in
few moments the Van Alstines were
surrounded. Escape was not to be
thought of now; it was too late.
Mrs. Van Alstine knew that it would
be useless to argue with the savages.
and thought the best way to deal with
them would be to let them have theil
way so long as they did not attemp
any personal indignities. In a snor
time they swrmed into the house
breaking everything breakable, ant
the mother saw her most valued arti
cles, nearly all OF which had beef
brought from the old homestead il
Holland. demolished and the foo
strewn with the fragments. In vail
did the girls try to save from destruc
ton handsome mirror. In response
to their pleadings the savages led in l
hn fn,v OF
PEELED it to walk over the glass
wrecking it completely. after which
they placed the frame around tn
animals neck.
There was one article which BETH
Van Alstine was guarding with watch
full eye. This was a new hat whic
her father had brought her fror
Philadelphia, and, being present.
was highly priced. At the first alarr
she had placed it in a basket whic
she had secreted in tho darkest re
cesses of the closet, in hopes that l
might escape the Indians eyes.
But alas! for Betty's care. the re
.searchers espied the closet, and in
moment the basket was brought fort
and n young warrior was making q
with the trophy when the patriot gi
bounded after him and seized III
property.
..You can't have my things!" Q,
claimed Betty, as tho Indian turned
resent the Interference. and then
sharp struggle ensued. which WI
watched with delight by the otht
marauders. who left their work I
plumber and gathered round the pal
Betty Van Alstine was stout cir
used to the hard knocks OF border lif
and the warrior soon discovered tn;
he had no mean antagonist. He W
forced to relinquish his hold on Il
basket. which Betty did not give I
for II moment and all at once he four