Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-04-20
BRAVE JENNIE'S RIDE.

was strip of land in Westchester
County, New York, called the neutral
ground. 1t was SO named because il
was not held by either the American
or British army, but lay between them
forming common foraging ground
for both.
The people of this section had a
hard time during the long eight years
of conflict, for they were liable at any
time to be overrun and robbed by
friends and foes, scouts from either
army, or, as it often happened, by
Williams who cared nothing for the re-
suit of the struggle, but took advan-
tage of the unprotected condition of
the inhabitants to serve their own in
terests, no matter at whose expense or
Inconvenience.
Near the center of this famous neut-
raj ground their lived n widow-gen-
tie Mrs McNeal- and her pretty fif-
teen-year-old daughter, Jennie The
husband and father had been an hon
est, working man, and at Ii S
death had left his little family in as
comfortable circumstances as was com
mon in those trying days. The
rosy cottage where they dwelt was
all their own, and the few ncres which
belonged to the little homestead were
very fertile, yielding quite enough to
supply the modest demand of the fru-
gal widow and her industrious daugh-
ter. The father had been as brave as
he was honest, and several times had
laid down his farming implements to
take part in the Indian wars that at an
earlier period had devasted the land
OF his adoption. He was an intense
American and had not his career been
brought suddenly to close by the
common enemy-death- Just on the
apasafa athssss assttl.. sA.s-s-s esssss u,
doubtless have laid his life on the
altar of his beloved country--a willing
sacrifice.
Jennie not only inherited her faith
er's patriotism, but his fearlessness a.
well, and she and her mother, refus-
ing the advice of friends to move into
more protected section, remained III
the home that love had provided for
them unmolested by friend or foe, IN
til two whole years of life and blood
shed had passed away.
Though gentle and loving to her
friends, there was plenty of fire in Jeu-
MES black eyes, and those who were
evil disposed knew that she would not
hesitate to use her fathers old gun
which hung high up ON the kitchen
wall, should it become necessary for
her own or her mothers protec-
ton.
One dark, rainy night, late in No
vember, after the evening work was
finished and she and her mother had
settled themselves for pleasant hours
chat, there came loud knocking at
the outer door. Jennie ran to draw
the bolt, but before she had time to
raise the latch the door was thrown
open and in walked dozen or more
Dragons. That they were British
soldiers their stained and muddy red
coats plainly showed, but withal they
were gentlemen, fact which Jennie's
quick eye detected, and made her feel
that helpless women were safe in their
presence. The leader, called by the
other soldiers Capt. Long, bowed
courteously, and in respectful tone
asked for something to eat, saying
that they would pay for all the trou-
BILE they made. And then he added
"Please madam, be as quickas possible
about placing food before us, for We
have to ride ten miles to catch Col.
Adair of the rebel army, who is at home
for the night. Hurry up now, my
pretty lass, F." he continued, to Jennie.
"He is lucky chap, if he slips me
this time and you shall be well paid if
you give us lift by Fastening us on
our journey"
Jennie went to the kitchen to help
her mother, apparently as unconcerned
as if the gray-haired Colonel was alto
gether unknown to her. But for all
that her heart was very heavy, for,
to her mother, the brave old war
rier was the best friend she had on
earth. Her father had fought by his
side, and once on the field of battle he
had saved that dear fathers life.
He had taught her how to row and
ride and shoot, and since her father
death he had looked after her mother
and herself, with as much interest as
if they really belonged to him. She
must save him at any cost, and while
she worked her brain was busy with
schemes to accomplish her purpose.
As soon as the redcoats were seated at
the table, without word even to her
mother, who OWNED her object, she
slipped out of the back door, and, run
ming down to where the horses we're
feeding, she sprang upon the Cap
tain's fiery steed, and in moment
was galloping down the hilly. rock
strewn path, needless alike of storm or