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

day there had been drip, drip of chilly
rain around a two-story farmhouse
which chung ito New Jersey hillside,
a short distance from Morristown,
where the American army under Gen.
George Washington was encamped.
Hope Howell, thoughtful-faced lit
tie girl of eleven, dressed in a plain,
homespun gown, sat by the bedside of
her feeble grandfather, and strove
earnestly to divert the invalid's mind
from the noises which came from the
kitchen downstairs.
Never mind, grandfather" she said,
comfortingly. They are American
soldiers, and will not harm us, if they
are rude. If Gen. Washington only
knew how they are behaving, l know
he would send them away. There,
don't mind-please don't!' she pleaded,
bending over the nervous sufferer and
strokiug the gray locks away from the
aged face.
A hoarse voice sang fragment of an
army song; boiste.ous cheers followed;
then the exchange of jokes was re-
sumed by the troopers seated around
the kitchen fire.
These sounds all penetrated to the
chamber above, disturbing the peace Of
the sick man and awakening fresh ap-
prehensions in Hopes young heart
Twice that afternoon she had crept
timidly downstairs and had asked the
men if they wouldn't please be more
quiet for her sick grandfather's sake.
1t is due those soldiers to say that
fol ho ~
and tried to obey her. But some hard
cider they had found in the cellar
played havoc with their resolutions to
quiet up" and they INDUCED in such
a rough kind of merriment as would
have vastly surprised themselves in
their sober moments.
''As if it were not bad enough to ar
rest my brave son on suspicion of his
being traitor" moaned the old man,
as his grandchild tried to soothe him,
they must suspect US of being tories
and guard our home as if we were in
actual league with the enemy. 1t is
dreadful to bear!''
Yes grandfather, it is hard for u.s."
said the child; but please try not to
worry. Father is not traitor. and he
must come clear of the charge" de-
clared Hope. with flash of her dark
eyes
Heaven bless you, Hope replied
the old man, placing trem bling hand
on her crown of nut-brown curls. 1--WE
will pray for the vindication of your
fathers good name and his restora-
ton to place of honor in the Ameri-
can army. 1t can't be that he must
die as traitor-my son, SO brave and
true"
NO, no, grandfather" assured the
little girl. He will not
1t required no light effort for Hope to
keep up a semblancc of cheerfulness
before the invalid, for her own heart
was sorely weighed down with trou-
bles.
Only that day had the unpleasant
news been brought them that brave
Albert Howell the old mans son and
Hopes father, had been arrested on
the serious charge of purposing to re-
veal the plans of the American army to
the enemy.
He had proved a valiant soldier, had
gained the respect of his officers, and
had Just been mentioned for promo
ton.
Howell Indignantly denied the
charge, but a mysterious paper found
on his person made it look very dark
for him. However. he insisted that he
knew nothing about the paper, dcclar-
ing it must have been placed in his
pocket while he slept
But his word was not sufficient to en-
able him to escape imprisonment, and
the trial which he would have to un-
dergo the next day.
few troopers under sub-officer
had been sent to watch the house of the
prisoners father, who was forthwith
suspected of being Tory sympathizer.
They had no orders to enter the farm
house, as they had done, but the inclem-
ent weather pierced to their very mar
row, and made the big fireplace in the
wide old kitchentoo inviting to resist 1t
had been weary day to the prisoner
at Morristown and very sad one to
Hope and the old grandfather.
The presence of the troopers who
had taken possession of the house be-
low stairs, increased their apprehen-
sions and it was not until long in the
night that their rude jollity ceased and
the nervous sufferer became somewhat
quiet
Then Hope sang to him soft and low,
As mother over . sick child. 1t was