The herald., 1894-04-24
JENNIE'S RIDE.

During the Revolutionary war there
was strip OF land in Westchester conn-
ty, NJ Y, called tho neutral ground. II
was SO named because it was not held
by either tho American OF British army,
but lay between them, forming COM
mon foraging ground for both.
Near the center Of this famous neu-
trail grOand there lived a widow, gentle
Mrs. McNcal, and her pretty 15-year-
old daughtcr Jennie. Tho father had
been as bravo as ho was honest and sew
eral times had laid down his farming
implements to tako part in the Indian
wars that at all earlier period had dew
astatod tho land of his adoption. He
was an intense American, and had not
his career. been brought suddenly to a
close by the common enemy-death-
Just on the eve Of the battle Of Le.sing-
ton, he would doubtless have laid his life
on the altar Of his beloved country, q
willing sacrifice.
Jennie not only inherited her ia
thers patriotism, but his fearlessness as
well, and she and her mother, refusing
the advice of friends to move into a
moro protected section, remained in the
home that love had provided for them
unmolested by friend or fee until two
years Of strife and bloodshed had passed
awcy.
Though gentle and loving to her
friends, there was plenty of fire in Jen-
nie's black eyes, ard those who were
evil disposed knew that she would not
hesitate to uso her fathers old gun,
which hung high up on the kitchen wall,
should it become necessary for her own
or her mothers protection.
One dark, rainy night late in Novem-
Der, after the evening work was finished
and she and her mother had settled
themselves for a pleasant hours chat,
there came a loud knocking at the outer
door. Jennie ran to draw the bolt, but
before she had time to raise the latch
tho door was thrown open, and in walk
ed dozen or moro dragons. That they
were British soldiers their stained and
muddy red coats plainly showed, but
withal they wero gentlemen, q fact
which JenRie's quick eye detected and
made her feel that helpless women were
safe in their presence. Tho leader, called
Dy Jfe other soldiers Cal,taizn L0Ezsy,
bowed covrteously &nd in o respectful
tono asked for something to eat, saying
that they would pay for all the trouble
they made. And then he added: "Piease,
madam, be as quick as possible about
placing food before us, for we have to
ride 10 miles to catch Colonel Adair Of
the rebel army, who is at home for the
night Hurry up now, my pretty lass, -
he continued, turning to Jennie. HE
is lucky chap IL he slips me this time,
and you shall be well paid If you give
us lift by fastening us on our jour
noy."
jennie went to the kitchen to help
her mother apparently as unconcerned
as if the gray haired colonel was alto
gother unknown to her. But for all that
her heart WINS very heavy, for next to
her mother the brave old warrior was
the best friend sho had on earth. Her
father had fought by his side, and once
OH the field Of battle he had saved that
dear fathers LIE
He had taught her how to row and
ride and shoot, and since her fathers
death he had looked after her mother
and herself with as much interest az 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 We're seated at the table,
without a word even to her mother
who OWNED her object, she slipped out
of the back door, and running down to
where the horses were feeding she
sprang upon tho captains fiery steed
and in moment was galloping down
the hiky, rock strewn path, needless
alike OF storm or darkness. She had not
dared to wait for cloak or bonnet. and
whenever the ragged lightning cleaned
her long black hair might have been
seen streaming out behind her.
Her fight WAS not discovered until
the dragoons were ready to mount, and
then began a chase for life or death.
Soon from the mute hills over which she
had passed Jennie heard the chatter Of
boots in hot pursuit, but she had chosen
the captains gray, the swiftest flier
among tho steeds, and for miles the dis
tance between her and her porsuers in
creased rather than diminished On and
ON she sped, fire flying from the rocky
road as the gray herse's iron shoes
clashed along at a fearful pace.
More than half of the distance had
been covered when far in the rear came
q command, loud and stern, "Halt, or
your blood bo on your hendp'
"On, on, brave beast--on for your lifel
Don't fail mo nowp' cried Jennie,
streking the horse's foaming neck with
,oaxing hand
"HaltP' again came the voice of
Tread Halt halt, or take the risk Of
osing your lifel''
NO answer being returned, volley Of
lcaden bullets ratified after her. They
'asse0 her as the ,naddencd flight con-
'inand, screaming to tho right, screana-
Il. to the left. whizzinG over her head
Ike SO many harmless birds seeking for
helter from the nights storm.
With prayer Of Thanksgiving on her
ips she rushed on over the slippery
rack, through wood and valley, over
i'll and plain, tho gray horse as true as
teel, until In an ullluelcy leap ho stunu-
led and foil, throwing his rider with
orco against rock on tho edge of the
itch oyor which ho had tried to spring.