The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-11-30

| 1" VAtL4IC't ipOu 1bS rusty hinges.
'What is it that you hear, Abbie p"
said the other.
cit seems to me that I hear the
march of the company, and still I do
not know but It's the wind. See, the
snow has begun to fall q little" The
other maiden arose and went to the
door, and SO they stood side by side,
peering ont far down the highway to
the turn OF the road, where it skirted
the Long Island Sound. And such q
picture did these fair maidens make as
they stood thus framed by the door
Sill and jamb as would have delighted
the eyes of any of the young men of
that town.
" 'Tis true, Abbie It's true. I hear
their step, and surely that is Ephra-
inns fife"
Abbie returned to the kitchen and
made preparations for the great table
to receive the bounty with which the
dey was to be celebrated, while the
other maid stood awaiting the coming
of her father She saw the company
as it marched around the bend in the
road, with her father at the head, and
she was going forth to meet them,
when OF Il sudden she halted. The
look of JOY upon her face was changed
to one OF wonderment, and she stood,
her head bent slightly forward, that
she might the better see, perplexing
and hesitating.
The company had come as near to
the farmhouse as the meadow that ad-
Joined it on the west, and there they
halted, and the maiden saw that one
was with them who was not of the com
pany when they marched away the
night before. He stood alone, erect,
constrained, and she perceived that his
hands were tied with thongs behind
his back. She saw her father talking
earnestly and seemingly directing two
or three men of the company to take
this man in charge. and scarcely know
ing what she did she approached her
father and was so near that she could
have put her hand upon his shoulder
before he saw her.
'FSir," she heard her father say,
"you were captured within our lines
without pass and having no authority
to be there. am going to send you
with O guard to the commander of our
army, who is in the camp a dozen
miles or so beyond. He will discover
whether you are no British spy, but
have strayed, as you have said, within
our lines by accident"
"What has he done, father?" the
Girl asked, for she was filed with pity
for this man, who seemed SO proud and
vet so pleading in his manner.
"What Thankful, is it you? Why
are you here, my daughter?" said the
Captain.
~ came to welcome you, father. ="
''But this is no place for you. We
have prisoner.
ga prisoner! Surely he can do no
harm. He is not like an army man
and he seems we'll favored" "
Nevertheless we found him wan
derinc within our lines and there are
spies about and he may be one of
those"
ga spy? Surely, l think not. "
And the girl went to the prisoner
and stood before him in the innocence
OF maidenly confidence and looked full
into his eyes, lifting her head to do SO,
for he was tall and seemed to tower
far above her in his splendid presence.
''You are no spy" she said at last.
''No, my child, not spy. L am an
officer of the Kings army who has
strayed within your lines. Thank you
for your sympathy. You have beauty
in your face, my child, but you have
what is better-you have sympathy.
The girl went back to her father and
she said:
"Father, suppose my brother John'
who is somewhere in the Jerseys with
Washington, should by accident be
captured by the redcoats. 1t would
break your heart and mine If they took
him for a spy. Surely there is truth
in this mans words. Come, bring hlm
with YOU. Don't you remember that
it is Thanksgiving Day, and that we
are to have a roasted goose and a chickeh
pie. and Abbie has baked II glorious
pumpkin pie? Let him come and be
our guest, and I'll warrant he promise
me that he viii make no effort TO
escape until you hear from the General
what shall be done with him.
The Captain seemed to hesitate for
IL moment, and then turning To ms
prisoner he said: "Sir, / am myselt
impressed with your dignity OF man
ner It may be that you speak tle
truth. My daughters intultlohS are
that it is 80. 1 have changed my mindi
shall send n messenger to the "eherai la
with dispatch telling of your capture,
and then whatever he communicating
will | do. Meanwhile, sir, 1t is our
feast day, We are accustomed every ,.
wear after the harvest to give thanhs
to the Lord and to eat a great leaST
and to make merry in our famllles; w.,
will ask you to share this with as, rs ,,,,. lou
will be a prisoner, but | Will tahe axe ~ yota ~
parole that you will make no eilor' 10
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