The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-06-14


ly up the plank to the cart.
You roll it up as if it was full Of
glass, said one of the soldiers. Let me
help you.
Never mind, friend, said the miller.
sWe can handle it better without thy
help. So-now, John--that's it, (" and
the barrel was rolled into the cart and
fastened in its place with ropes. The
soldiers did not notice that it lay upon
its side, the end nearest the head of the
cart raised little higher than the other.
AS they went by Colonel Gorses head
quarters the orderly who had befriended
Friend Joseph stood at the door. A
young, boyish looking lieutenant wrap
ped in a cloak sat upon horse near by,
and two troopers and corporal stood
beside him. the muzzles of their guns
pointed downward, the fintlocks shell
tered from the drizzly rain under their
oyercoats.
SIS this the barrel of flour~ said the
orderly, peering into the cart.
AYE" said Friend Sparks. "that is
st is plaguy big one,' he observed.
st is easier to send it in such bulk.
said the miller.
These men are going to Chester"
said the orderly, pointing to the young
officer and the three troopers '1They
will see you safe through"
His words fell upon Friend Sparks like
thunderbolt. His mind seized upon
everything in one instant of fight. Those
few words meant either death to the
wounded man, who would have to stay
five hours in the barrel dreadful death.
cramped and tortured in the narrow
space-or else, should the secret of the
contents be disclosed, imprisonment for
himself and perhaps for his niece. He
looked at Matte, but she kept her head
turned away and made no sign.
Forward" said the young officer, and
off they moved, he riding in front and
the three men marching beside the cart.
The miller stood looking after them
until they had passed beyond the crest of
the hill.
Are you sick, Mr.. Sparks?" the order
~ asked, looking into his face
May, said the Friend with start,
"but feel chilly. think I'll go home"
Matte had heard the words as well as
her uncle, and as she rode along, unheed-
ing the rain and rough shaking of the
cart, her thoughts teemed like hive of
bees, planning and planning as to how
she should leave her precious burden at
Cousin Jane Penny's house. She made
mp her mind at once that, should they
pass it by, she would confess to the young
lieutenant. For imprisonment in the
hulks was better than the chance Of
death in the long ride to Chester
About two miles from the town there
is little brawling stream, then known
by the Swedish name of Skllpot. or Stony
brook. At the edge of the woods, close
to the stream, was company of troop
ers, who had been stationed to watch the
high road for stragglers from the Amer
lean army. They had built rude shell
tel of fence rails and brushwood beside
the road.
As the company came by, one of the
sentinels on guard stopped them, and the
young lieutenant showed the passes for
the cart and its burden.
"Look'ee, Jack, said the soldier, cali
ing to the others Here is chap with
the biggest barrel of -four that ever
see Tell them to fetch the pan and
well fill it."
For moment Matties head spun
dizzily; then she cried out in shrill
voice: s.You slla'n't touch the -four. The
barrel is not yours. Yon sha'nt touch it"
"Zoundsw said the man "Why
sha'n't we touch it. Can't you spare
little pinch of -four ont of such big
barrel as that?"
NO. cried Matte passionately. "You
sha'n't have itl'
"Let the man have little, urged the
lieutenant.
"No, he sha'n't have It'll" she cried more
and more vehemently.
Two or three of the others had come
forward now, and one stood by with
Ratchet in his hand.
"By the Lord Harryt" said the man
who had just spoken, I'VE shall have
some, tell eel Here, Dick to the other
sentry, .hold the boy. Now give me
the ak till knock in the head
Let me gor' screamed Matte. strug-
Cling with the fellow who had caught
her by the arms and held them behind
her back
What is the matter thereT said a
harsh voice, and Matte, turning her
head, saw an elderly officer wrapped in
cloak standing by the fence beside the
road.
They want to rob me" cried she in
gasping voice. land they sha'n't do til
They sha'n't do itir
What's the matter, my menT the Of
ficer asked, coming forward. Oneof the
soldiers explained, and the officer turned
TO Matte with some surprise. "And
will you not give the poor man little
of your -FOUR said he
"No," said Matte, 81 cannot"
But whyg' said the officer.
Matte hesitated moment, and then
2 sudden determination came upon her
81 win tell you" said she; ..but can
not tell them"
Very we'll" said the officer; ''tell me,
then" And he led her little apart to
the side Of the road. The poor girl hes
itated for moment or two; looked to
the right and the left like hare in the
tolls, then catching him by the arm and
raising herself upon tiptoe she breathed
into his ear, Because am poor girl
and am irving to save nv dear friend,