The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1894-01-30
JOHN WENT BACK.

John w. Low in New York Commercial Ad-
vertiser.
JOHN WENT BACK.
Two fertile farms lay side by side on
the road between the village of Bridge
town NOW Mount Holly and Burlington
in the year 1775.
Reuben Most and John Grigg were
still won't to consult one another con-
corning the affairs of their respective
farms.
So by the same process Reuben Most
and John Grigg found themselves when
the necessity arose shouldering Cont
mental muskets together
1t must not be supposed, forsooth, that
Reuben and John were childless and
alone simply because no mention has
yet been made of anything to the con-
trary. Patty Most was as fair an 49,
year-old slip of girl as one would care to
feast his eyes upon.
Reuben and John had many years ago,
long before the birth of Patty, confded
to one another the hope that one should
be given son, to the other a daughter,
and that the lifelong friendship of the
fathers should find even stronger tie in
the union of their offspring.
When, shortly after the girl was born,
therefore, Johns buxoln spouse duly pre-
sented him with an heir, the two old
friends renewed their pledges over many
a giant mug CT home brewed ale.
At the period when the tale begins
Patty Most was a demure little country
beauty trife over 18 years of age, and
John, Jr., was a sturdy youth a month
younger. Up to this time there had been
but small need for the manifestation of
their fathers desire concerning mar
rage between them.
On the evening before the departure of
the men young John walked down the
cowpath, jumped the boundary fence be-
tween his fathers and Reuben's lands,
and strobe up through the meadows to
his sweetheart's home.
The parting with her was Johns worst
trial. Even this, however, was softened
by his anticipation of the glory which
would cover him when the war was over
and done. and when the name of John
Grigg, Jr., should stand high upon its
list of heroes.
"Oh, John, don't go to the horrid warI"
exclaimed Patty impulsively. 'Tm just
certain you'll get killed."
''Pshaw, Patty" said John as he put
his arm around her, don't be little
coward. I'll come home great man,
and then you'll be glad went"
The same day Patty and her mother
accepted an invitation extended by the
girls aunt, who lived in the village of
Bridgetown, to make their home with
her until the return of Reuben. So, leav-
ing the farm affairs in charge of an old
man. who was too far advanced in years
to be of service in battle, Mrs. Most and
Patty went to live with Mrs. Milford
in the village until the happy day when
the war should end.
Mrs. Milford's house stood on Main
! street, not far above Garden lane, upon
the corner of which two streets stood
the even then old Friends meeting
house, where the mistress, who was a
member of the society, was wont towor-
ship on First days.
About four weeks subsequent to the
two Johns and Reuben's departure a
company of British troops en- route from
the Atlantic seacoast to Boston invaded
Bridgetown for some unknown reason
and proceeded to quarter themselves
upon the startled residents.
Those of the troops who violated the
privacy of Mrs. Milford's household
were three young officers. That dame
did well for her involuntary guests, set
ting before them the best to eat and
drink that her house afforded.
Major Derrond chose as the drill ground
the main street of the village, that being
greater in width than any other. Upon
this street stood Mrs. Milford's house,
directly in front of which the British
company would be forced to pass. This
Patty notedSsTith secret satisfaction.
Out marched the British column, pass
ing and repassing with absolutely cor
rect unanimity of motion. Twice, thrice
it passed the Milford mansion, and now
it was about to do so for the fourth time
A minute more and the center of the long
line was exactly opposite the house.
Suddenly the shutters of second story
window few open, and from out the
window was thrust an American flag. A
bonny head appeared just behind it, ant
the accents of shrill, girlish voice ranG
out:
"Hurrah for the Americans"
The company stopped like flash.
ARREST that womanv Numbered th'
major.
A dozen soldiers ran to fulfill the order
The window was quickly thrown down,
fastening the flagstaff down and holding
1t in position, where it continued to gen.
tly wave defiance to the Tory throng
low.
Meanwhile Patty had heard the order
for her rest and ran like the wind
down the rear steps, through the plat OF
ground at the rear of the house and out
into Garden lane.
Across the way the door of the old
meeting house stood invitingly ajar, the
aged sexton having forgotten to close il
after the days garnishing. Into tit Patty
ran, but not quickly enough to escape
observation by the soldiers.
One of them caught glimpse of hel
: fiyinZ skirts as she entered the door anc
gave the alarm. In a moment the entire
command, forgetful for the time of al
discipline, rushed headlong after her.
Just as they had all reached the meet
ing house SLANT sounded the soliC
door in their faces, and as they gath
cred angrily around, baffled, they coul(
hear the sound of the heavy iron bar a
it dropped into place on the inside.
"Crashi' went the bullet through TIN
pane, sent by some dastardly soldier
pistol.
''Stop thatr' shouted one of the JUNO
officers of the company. 1.-THE next maj
who shoots at that girl will be placed un
der arrestp
On the inside Patty crouched in from
of the center pillar of the building
breathless and good deal frightened
The bullet whirred over her head ant
buried itself in the wood about foo
above her
In a moment one or two of the mel
outside, assisted by their comrades, ha,
climbed to the window sill and had sue
ceeded in raising the window about sil
inches. BY degrees they widened tn
distance sufficiently to allow q soldier