Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-06-14

said Naomi. "And Betty may lose the
Holland feather bed and pillows; they
are portion of her dowry."
"May they be smother Them laughed
Betty, "if they try to plumber me of my
Holland bed. 'I'm well nigh smoth-
cred just in the turning of it over"
They could not forbear smiling, even
in their anxiety. Plans and discussions
followed; much sound advice was given
and when the stars appeared in the
heavens the horses were brought forth
and the two men departed on their
night journey, the women knew not
whittier save that it was on some inn
portant mission and might lead to dan
gerous results, though in a righteous
cause.
Daughters, it is time you sought
your rest; as for myself, l shall put the
bark in the kettle for boiling that l may
prepare the dye for coloring warp. /
have many and narrowing cares and
cannot sleep"
81 too, mother, would like to remain
with you for time; 1 will write to m y
cousin, Lydia, for Luke will go very
near there when he gets home from
this dreadful journey"
"And only birch-bark on which to
write a letter to your kinswoman, "
said Betty. "Well, I'll sleep and dream
of the day when we can write on colon
ial parchment, and not depend on the
brutal Britons for our supplies" and
the mother and elder daughter We're
left alone.
"Why do you not use the dried tea
leaves as you used to, and save yourself
all this trouble?" said Naomi.
oh Cot
never abide the color. He told me to
tured the contest of the tea caddy on
the back log in the fireplace"
eyes, and how lOrdly he looked as
he watched the fiery particles and said,
so perish the hopes of the Britonsn"
The tiny sheets of smoothly prepared
birch bark were rapidly covered with
messages, such as are prompted by the
loving remembrance Of absent friends
and going about to see if the shutters
were all fast Naomi took the family
Bible from it's shelf against the wall
and began reading the story of Esther
She dearly loved the Prophecies and
the sublime history of the old tesla
ment, and often read of an evening to
the family; and great comfort was
drawn from these scripture readings as
applied to the condition of Gods peo-
pie in this new world so full of danger,
toll and heroism. The silence was brok-
en- by the voice of the elder woman:
"This is a fine shade now" she said
dipping bit of candle wicking into the
hot dye. AS she was bending over the
kettle hanging on the crane, which she
had swung around from the glowing
Goals in the fireplace, she was startled
by noise from without. Naomi rose
from her chair and, stepping cautiously
toward one of the shattered windows,
listened breathlessly almost, for the re-
petition of the sound.
II can hear footsteps, mother, and of
more than one person, am sure. The
talk by the forest brook has evidently
borne fruit. Will you admit anyone,
mother?'
"Not unless 1 am assured it is a
friend"
Betty was awakened by the sounds
and hastily dressing went to the kitch-
en- and had scarcely entered it ere loud
calls of "open, open, in the kings
NAME" were heard. The cries grew
fiercer; the doors were battered and the
shutters also.
The "queens armu was loaded and
Mrs. Enlow brought it and the powder
horn and leather bag of bullets. Her
face was pale; but in her eyes glowed
the fire Of undying courage, and her
voice was firm as she said to her daugh-
tiers, 81 know not what is without, nor
the dangers that await us within; but
dear God, to thee we commit ourselves
and await thy help and guidance!"
"This was her brief, earnest prayer,
and the daughters reverently and ear
nestly responded Amen"
The fierceness of attack increased and
voice shouted, "As subjects of the
king, order you to admit his servants !.
Know you not, that this is treason ?"
ave are the subjects of no king, save
the king of kings and as we do not
claim allegiance to the master you
serve, we own to no reasonable intent, y
said the intrepid woman.
"You then refuse admission ?"
II refuse, absolutely ~
"Then, you will sup off the bitter
herbs of disappointment as your rebel
of daughter said to me this day, if
you think to keep us out " and the
siege was renewed.
Fear had no place in the heart of
Mrs. Enlow, but Naomi feared they
IlIlS LII HOlu Ouu Noluly dSdluSU lHclI III
visible foe, realizing as she did that
they were led by one who was angered
at thsir patriotic words and fearless
demeanor, and in what manner they
We're armed none could tell in the utter
darkness of their seclusion. An Indian
war-whoop rent the air, and Mrs. En-
lows brave heart sank within her, for
she knew the British soldiers piled the
Indians with fire-water, and she felt
that they were doomed, if no assistance
reached them, to captivity, if not to
death, the latter being in some ways
preferable to the brave woman.
Betty" she cried, and her voice
was hollow with anguish, ''run for
your fathers broad-axer'
With white face the child ran, and
bringing the ponderous thing gave it
into her mothers hands.
"Naomi, you must discharge the gun,
if my blow with the axe is not GER
tain ~
"What do YOU anticipate. - said the