The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-06-22
SIBYL'S SLIPPER,


When Sir William Howe succeeded
General Gage as governor and mill
tary commander Of the New England
province, lie at once set TO work 10
make himself and the kings cause
popular, in social way. by giving q
series of fine entertainments in the
stately province house.
To these entertainments were hidden
all the Boston townsfolk who were
loyal to the British crown Among
such, none were more prominent or
made more welcome than Mr.. Jeffrey
Merrldew and his pretty young niece,
Sibyl.
Mr.. Morrldew was stanch royal.
list, though he was by no means Il
violent hater of the rebels.
His only brother, DR.. Ephraim Merri-
dew-Sibyls father-was rebel at
heart though in faraway Barbados.
where h' was at that time engaged
IN business, hp could not serve the re-
bel cause in person. Hs he would glad
~ nave done.
But he left behind him a son, who,
in full sympathy with his fathers
views, ranged himself boldly on the
rebel side as part and parcel of the
American army.
A rebel relative in Barbados was
not matter to trouble ones self
about greatly, but a rebel relative on
tne spot, so to Speak-for young
Ephraim was only six miles away at
tne Cambridge rallying ground-was a
different thing. The young man could
not, of course. be allowed free inter
course with his sister.
what harm do the kings soldiers
think poor Eph can do them by now
and then pawn" visit to his sister,"
she asked her uncle scornfully.
Harm You are very young.
Sibyl. and don't understand these
things. Your brother has chosen very
foolishly 10 join the rebel forces. and
so has made himself one of our ac-
knowledged enemies, and / never
heard OF declared enemies in time of
war walking in and out of each others
houses like tame cats" answered Mr..
Merrldew sarcasticnlly
"You think Eph would be so mean
az TO tell tales" exclaimed Sibyl in
high Indignation.
'"rell tales" repeated Mr.. Merridew,
f1inging back his head with irrepres.
sible laughter at Sibyrs ignorance.
why, my dear, the reporting OF im
portant facts, however gained, in
times Of war, is part Of war tactics
it is not called telling tales"
"And would you-would you, If you
were In Ephriam's camp as a visitor,
would yOu-"
Tell tales" laughed Mr.. Merridew.
Indeed, | would, if heard anything
worth telling-anything that thought
would serve the cause l believed to
be a righteous cause"
Then. more seriously, "Why, Sibyl.
II would he my duty to do It,"
"Oh, oh" cried Sibyl, at is odious,
odious, all this war business"
"Yes, | grant you that, but who is
to blame for bringing this odious busi.
ness upon usI Who but these foolish
malcontents, these rebels, like
Like my father and my brother"
broke in Sibyl hotly as Mr.. Merridey
hesjtated
brother. | am sorry to say" concluded
her. uncle grayely
mo, no, no." cried Sibyl exciteily.
1T is not they who are to blame. They
are good and brave and wise. They
only want justice and fair play. Ii
Is the kings folk who are to blame
the kings folk who want TO oppress
the people with unjust taxes that they
may live in grandeur"
Mr.. Merr!deW stared in silent as.
tonishmont Gt this unexpected out
burst Then in n severer tone than
his niece nAd ever heard from his
lips, he said
80 this is the reasonable talk YOU
have heard from your brother-these
are he teachings that he has been in
stiling into you? All, 1T is none too
soon yha. you are cut off from the in
iiuence OF that headstrong boy"
"And you're 20 dance the last dance
with me, remember, Miss Merridew."
Indeed, Sir Harry, | will not prom
ise you that"
"You viii not promise9 But you
have promised"
Have promisS ~ What do YOU
mean, sir? ! think you are forgetting
yourself" and Miss Sibyl Merridew
lifted NJ her graceful head with n little
air Of hauteur that was by no means
unbecoming 70 her piquante beauty.
But young Sir Harry Willing was
not to be put down by this pretty
little provincial-not he-and ~, nft.
ing up his head with an air Of han.
teur, he said TO Miss Sibyl:
II crave Miss Merrldea~s pardon.
but perhaps If she will reflect mo
ment she Will recall what she said 10
me yesterday morning when begged
her TO give me the pleasure OF dancing
the last minuet with her tonight"
"But ! never reflect"
$50 / should Judge, madam" retort
ed the youth wrathfnliy, but per
taps" he went on. IF Miss Merridew