River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-05-11


must hide" Suddenly a memory
came to the girl of the days when as
children they used to play hide and
seek together. Get in the clock" she
whispered, for the soldiers were already
knocking at the door ''It is big enough.
Oh, Larry, be quick II was the only
chance. In moment the Young man
with difficulty crowded his body into
the tall barrel of the time-piece and
Polly locked the door and put the key
in her pocket. Then throwing his coat
and hat under the sofa. she hurried to
admit the unwelcome guests.
They were swearing at the delay, but
the beauty and dignity of the girl had
its effect. and one of the officers said.
politely enough: Pardon us, but can't
you give ms shelter for an hour or two
and some food. in the kings name?a
The request was practically an order,
and without more ado they marched
into the house, their hateful scarlet
coats dripping with water and their
boots heavy with mud.
Though trembling with fear the girl
managed to conceal her agitation and
was inwardly rejoicing that their
stay would be a short one. She ordered
servant TO bring food and drink COR
them and then settled herself with a
book in the corner. When they had
finished eating one of them brought
brandy from his saddle bags and they
all began to drink freely.
The oldest of the intrudcrs was deaf.
and in speaking TO him his comrades
raised their voice to an unpleasant
pitch. Before an hour had passed they
were all drunk and used such vulgar
language that Polly swept from the
room. her face flushed with anger and
disgust. Even in her room the noise of
their carousing reached her. IL was al
ready dark and. to her relief. she heard
The officers getting ready 10 depart.
One by one they filed out of the front
door, but just as they We're mounting
their horses. which they had tethered
to the fence. one of them turned TO the
deaf Englishman and said: Go back and
see what time it is by that big clock
in the corner" The drunken fellow
staggered up the steps and into the
house ''- it's stopped. and, by
the Lord Harry. ii will never run
again, he muttered. and taking his
heavy saber he ran it several times
through the dial into the delicate
works Then, as if not satisfied with
the damage he had done, he drove it
twice through the polished panels of
the door.
There was a smothered groan from
the interior of the clock and cracking
Of hinges which did not reach the
dullcd ears of the royalist. and he was
too much under the influence of brandy
To note that the end of his saber was
dripping with blood. With a grunt of
approval he returned TO his comrades.
and Polly, from her window. heard
them ride away toward the British
camp. After waiting until they were
out of earshOt she hurried 20 release her
lover.
As she crossed the room a black
stream that wound its way from the
base of the clock to the middle of the
polished floor like a snake caught her
eve. Her first thought was that the
red-coats had spilled some liquor. She
leaned forward and touched il. II was
warm. and as she rose a titful CLEAN of
the fire showed her hand crimson with
blood. With a frightened cry she
Sprang to the clock, and as she opened
it the body of the poor officer fell
. heavily forward. the blood gushing
from two great gashes in his breast. lie
was dead-Philadelphi Times