The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-04-04
JENNIE'S RIDE.

Ks t'o " o'tip vi litIlu Ill w cStcneSter cOrlI-
Sg, N. Y, called the neutral ground. 1t
as so named because it was not held
llt,y either the American or British army
gut lay between them, forming o com
6ssion foraging ground for both.
n Near the center of this famous neu-
Atal ground there lived a widow, gontlc
AIRS. McNcal, and her pretty 15-year-
Md daughter Jennie. Tho father had
fHaseen as brave us he was honest and sew
Wal times had laid down his farming
,,iHsnplemcnts to take part i'll the Indian
,SSy ars that ut an earlier period had dew
,,fStatcd the land of his adoption. He
ssgas an intense American, and had not
.STls career been brought suddenly to IL
hi ose by the common enomy-dcath-
Mast on the eve of the battle of Licking
Epn, he would doubtless have laid his life
ssssn the altar of his beloved country,
ySilling sacrifice.
IA Jennie not only inherited her IA
sSler's patriotism, but his fearlessness as
%cll, and she and her mother, refusing
lslc advice of friends to move into
lsllorc protected section, remained in the
lAonc that love had provided for them
Sanmocstcd by friend or foe until two
asars of strife and bloodshcd had passed
sgway
N Though gentle and loving to her
ltl'icnds, there was plenty of fire in Jen-
Mes black eyes, and those who Were
Evil disposed knew that she would not
hesitate to use her fathers old gun,
Sghich hung high up on the kitchen wall,
Would it become necessary for her own
81 her mothers protection
II One dark, rainy night late i'll Novcm-
Tier, after the evening work was finished
Ind she and her mother had settled
themselves for Il pleasant hours chat,
aherc came loud knocking at the outer
aoor. Jennie ran to draw the bolt, but
Before she had time to raise the latch
th6 door was thrown open, and in walk
III dozen or more dragons. That they
;Eerc British soldiers their stained and
Muddy red coats plainly showed, but
%-ithal they We're gentlemen, fact
Which ,Jcnnic's quick eye detected and
Wade her feel that helpless women We're
Esifc i'll their presence. Tho leader, called
1ly the other soldiers Captain Long,
flowed courtcously and III ii respectful
Spne asked for something to cat, saying
itiat they would pay for all the trouble
Belcy made. And then he added: please,
Isladam, DC as quick us possible about
slacing food before us, for we have to
eide 10 miles to catch Colonel Adair of
silc rebel army, who is at home for the
Blight. Hurry up now, my pretty lass, ="
He continued, turning to Jennie "Hc
'sss lucky chap if he slips me this time,
end You shall be well paid if You give
Is Il lift by fastening us Oh our jour
Ncy."
b Jennie went to the kitchen to help
Ncr mother apparently as unconccrncd
rs if the gray hatred colonel was alto
gcthcr unknown to her. But for all that
Ger heart was vc:y heavy, for next to
Yer mother the brave old warrior was
Me best friend she had on earth. Her
;$lthor had fought by his side, and once
I'm the field of battle he had saved that
Gear fathers life
y He had taught her how to row and
eide and shoot, and since her fathers
Rcath he had looked after her mother
End herself with as much interest as if
ahcy really belonged to him She must
gave him ut any cost, and while she
worked her brain was busy with schemes
10 accomplish her purpose. As soon as
Nhc redcoats were seated at the table,
without word even to her mother,
Syho OWNED her object, she slipped out
bf the back door, and running down to
Nyhcrc the horses were feeding she
Bprang upon the captains fiery steed
end i'll moment was galloping down
Che billy, rock strcwn path, needless
Mlikc of storm or darkness. She had not
alarcd to wait for cloak OF bonnet and
ayhcncver the ragged lightning cleaned
Der long BLACK hair might have been
Seen streaming out behind her.
Her flight was not discovered until
''lthe dragons were ready to mount, and
Chen began a chase for life or death.
Soon from the mute hills over which she
Enad passed Jennie heard the clattcr of
snoofs i'll hot pursuit, but she had chosen
I4he captains gray the swiftest flier
among the steeds, and for miles the dis
'tance between her and her pursuers in
creased rather than diminished. On and
'on She sped, fire flying from the rocky
road as the gray horses iron shoes
Tclashed along at fearful pace
More than half of the distance had
been covered when far in the rear came
y command, lond and stern, Halt, or
your blood be Oh your head!'
"On, on, brave beast-on for q sr lifel
Don't fail he now!" cried Jennie,
.stroldng the horses foaming neck with
coaxing hand
"HaltF' again came the voice of
dread. Halt, halt, or take the risk of
losing your lifeP'
4 No answer being returned, volley of
4 4 L. II - Il mn