The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-02-18

Gen. Washington is not in the habit
Of receiving visits from little girls, at
such late hours" he replied, with a
wondering smile in the clear, gray
eyes.
'Ohv she exclaimed, pathetically, a
sense of her improperly suddenly
dawning upon her.
"Well, never mind, dear. Trust me
with your troubles l have great in
fluence with the commander in chief,
and may be able to help YOU"
''Oh, do you know Gen. Washington,
sir?" she cried, Frightening and catch
ing one of his hands, hopefully.
"Yes, my dear child, l know him
we'll"
And will you tell him my troubles,
and help me?" she cried, eagerly.
Il will help you. Now tell me, dear
child, what has driven you forth this
dsagrecable night to seek Gen. Wash
ington at his headquarters.
And he took her little, chilled hands
and held them alphabetically in his
warm, shapely ones.
Thus urged, Hope told her story of
how news had reached the farmhouse
of her fathers arrest on the charge of
his being traitor, how it had affected
the fee BILE, old grandfather, and how
the troopers had come to guard their
house, terrifying them with their rude
behavior.
listener asked, when she had finished
briefly outlining her troubles
Hope Howell" she answered.
"And your father is
albert Howell"
do not worry any longer, Hope. l
give you my promise that Gen. Wash
ington will do all he can for your
father"
"Oh, thank you, sir! God will be
good to you. Save my father, for
there is no lraver soldier, no truer
American, in all the colonies Not
one"' she said, with earnest, dilating
eyes.
THE father of such a daughter can.
not be very bad; no matter how dark
is the suspicion cast upon him." re-
marked the man, more to himself than
to Hope. There must be some mis-
take. The case must receive careful
attention, and without delay"
Then, as if remembering the little
girls present position of discomfort, he
said:
But, dear one, l must carry you
across these slippery boards, and see
you safe home"
Taking her up in his strong arms, he
carried Hope safely over the stream
and led her back to the farmhouse.
On the threshold he paused, saying,
in his CHEEKY way:
Now, Hope, do you run up to your
grandfather and tell him he need fear
the troopers no longer. This is not a
tory household.
Hope fastened to do his bidding,
while her gray-cloaked friend called
the sub officer of the troopers to him.
The troopers bestirred themselves
before the coy old fireplace, ex-
changed startled glances, while there
was vain attempt to put a suspicious
looking jug and several mugs out of
sight.
The conference in the hall between
the tall figure in the long cloak and
the sub-officer was short, and the
trooper soon returned to his fellows.
I'VE are ordered back to headquarters
at once" he announced. This farm
house needs to be guarded no longer. ~
The call figure stood majestically
aside, while the men filed out into
the darkness and away toward the
American camp.
He seemed lost in thought as he gazed
after the retreating forms of the sol.
diers, as if his surroundings were en-
tirely forgotten.
Presently there were light steps hur-
rying down the stairs, and little hand
touched his arm softly.
Did you send them away?"
Yes, Hope. How is your grand.
father?' he asked. coming back from
his reverie.
"He seemed much better when told
him of your kindness to me and what
you had said
''There is no cause for further fear
my child"
"You make me very glad, sir, she