St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-08-20

i
At that moment Dinah. the cook,
came in-a stout negrcss with snowy
bandanna head-dres& Mis- Hem
stead, whatever I do wild De dinner?
It'll be ready BY twelve o'clock, an
ct de rcdcoats come dey'll eat il up. TO
shuah.'
Poor Mrs. Hampstead! She was think
ing whether her house could be saved
from the destruction foretcld BY those
heavy clouds OF smoke near BY; and
now to be asked about . dinner. Just
then, not more than . hundred feet
from the house, she saw something
bright fash under the tall elm trees.
and then several British soldiers ap-
peared, followed BY some mounted off,
cers and larger body Of the rank and
file, making Z finc appearance in their
scarlet coats They were not approach
ing the house.
PATTY" she cried, look quick: Do
you see the officer on the black horse?''
''Yes'm," said Patty; ''what = pretty
horse he has,"
Look at the man, child, not the
hors.-@ook 1t him WE'LL" exclaimed
Is the traitor, Benedict Arnold. who
tried to sell his country to the British.
I saw him years ago. and I remember
his face well Oh! II he is in command,
we shall have our house burn. over our
heads" As she spoke, the detachment
passed ont of sight, keeping to the
higher ground, up Huntington street.
toward the old cemetery on top Of the
hill. From thence Arnold witnessed
the destruction Of the town.
Mother" said Patty. suddenly, III
the redcoats come here, wont they
let us alone il yoa give them the dinner
we were going to have for Uncle
Stephen
de sogcrs come I reckon dey'tl take de
dinner. anyhow, widout bein' astcd:'
Hush. Dinah. said Mrs. Hampstead,
quickly, perhaps Patience is right.
Get dinner on the table as soon Is you
can; perhaps those wrctches may
spare the house If they find . good din
ner ready"
Almost an hour passed; the smoke
grew thicker In the mir. and many
houses could be seen in flames; but
none Of the enemy had appeared ex-
oept Arnold's escort. Just as the old
clock in the hall struck twelve, Chloe,
the younger servant, came In, evidently
frightened ont Of her vita, to say din
ner was ready; when Patty, who had
never left the window Tor . minute,
turned quickly around with = little cry:
II see them. They're comin'!'
Sure enough they werc-one. two.
three. eight British soldiers, led BY IN
officer. were approaching. With a|
scream, Chloe fed to the kitchen. Mrs.
Hampstead. pale and trembling, but
calm, took Patty by the baud. ente red
the dining-room. and took her seat Mt
the head of the table. inst then was
heard the sharp order; File right and
left Surround the house. Shoot any
rebel who comes out"
A quick step sounded on the thresh-
old, the house door opened, and .
young officer, in the gorgeous scarlet
uniform Of the British army. and with |
drawn sword. appeared in the hallway.
A few steps brought him TO the open
door of the dining-room, and he en-
looking for m enemy. Patty gave . |
gasp and sat erect In her high backed |
chair, rigid with fear. Her mother,
very Greet and pale, but with : red spot |
on each cheek, turned quietly in her /
chair and faced the officer. who. a he |
saw the two motionless figures. invol- |
unfairly touched his three-ctFnered hat |
Mrs Hampstead bent her kesd in dig
niiedi acknowledgment. Of the salute.
"Htw.s this,s, he exclaimed. . his
eye qtickly took In the situation-the
wells pread table with six chairs around
il, but only two occupied. "What-why
-ms4ams4Ifpe gen expected company
10 dinner, hut mot NY company, I'll
wager. Ha! Hal Well, this Is lucky!
l am tired and hungry. and 50 are my
men, too"
Turning on his heel he called: Ser
geant!' A soldier promptly appeared
and saluted. Take two men and
search the house for any rebels who
may Be hidden, then post . sentry
front and rear and wait till / have
dined Now, madam. BY your leave I
will dine with you and your pretty
child" And, laying hat and coat en-
the chair beside him. he sat down on
the chair next Mrs. Hampstead and op-
posite Patty.
A strong odor Of smoke accompanied
him, and Mrs Hampstead inwardly
shuddered Is she thought: This mani
can burn my house II he chooses. after
dining 1t my table" |
Ensign Brereton, - he announced
himself, was evidently hungry. and for
several minutes applied himself to his
dinner. Chloe, with her black face
turned IN ashy gray with fear. waited
% him with scrupulous care, while
Patty gazed 1t him with wide-open
Eyes until = warning glance from her
mother made her attempt to eat her
own dinner. Mira Hampstead. BY .
zreat effort, controlled herself and ate
IS il British officers were regular and
welcome visitors q her table.
The sergeant returned and reported
hat he had found no hidden rebels"
Very well, said the officer. with his
Voice muhled by . large piece of chicken
pie, ''let the men rest themselves until
return" /,
"Well. child" said he, suddenly I'D /,
lressing Patty, where's your fAthcr?"
I'm New York, sir" timidly came the
'eply, while her cheeks burnt. Il
flows that?'
my husband is . prisoner on the
jersey sir, }" said her mother. with . I
Jump rising in her throat
The Jersey! Um-h'm! I'm sorry