Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-06-14
WHAT BETTY DID WITH HER
WEDDING PORTION.
A Tragic Bit of Colonial History.
PART SECOND.

"And mother" said Naomi, Gan
Indian was his companion. l distinct
ly told him we should object all pro-
posals, though they came from those
high in authority, to submit to the I'M
just requirements of the king"
"That was right, my daughter, if you
were of the dignified demeanor you
should have been, which [ doubt not
was the case.u
"Indeed, mother. All thought OF
dignity went to the winds. l thought
only of the poor colonists, their hard.
ships and the wicked injustice meted
out to them"
"Mother" said Betty, "She had the
dignity of queen. The miserable var
let was shamed out of utterance, and
that's the truth. If father could only
have seen the hot blood mount into his
face when he listened to my sisters
words! He got sup of truth, well
seasoned with scorn, / can tell you.
May it nourish him well, for Pm think
ing he'll need nourishment ere my
father makes an inn of his house for
the British soldiery."
Betty, Betty, mends the socks and
quiet that tongue. You are too old in
your speech, by far, child"
:. "Pray do not censure her mother, y
said Naomi, 1.-THE new world pushes it's
babes out of the cradle as soon as their
sturdy little feet can walk, and my sis
ter is a brave, loyal little woman and
the red-coat found it SO, and would no
more dare to question her dignity than
mine"
The mother smiled for answer, and
the trio worked rapidly for some time
without speech or sound to break the
stiffness. At length the peculiar ring
of horses hoofs smote on their ears
and Naomi said, ''Our father is here
Betty; had you not better assist him
when he alights? Doubtless there are
bundles to remove from the saddle
bows.n Betty arose, but on looking out
remarked, ut is Luke Ellsworth; l
thought it was not PAGERS hoof-beats,
I think Luke is trying to persuade my
sister to change her name, but don't
YOU consent Naomi, for Goody Pratt
says:
s'You change your name and not the letter
You'll change for worse and not for bettern
"Mercy, Betty. Have you been talk
ing to Goody Pratt?"
mo, ma'am. She talked to me, but
not of our Naomi. 1t was repeated OF
SOLlo Olle clSc.
"Goody Pratt has foolish tongue
see that you forget her improper
speeches."
"My memory does not yield to con.
troll. but my tongue / can keep in sub.
lection, I trust" AT that moment
PAGERS feet struck the soil in the home
enclosure and the. conversation ceased
for the time. Soon Mr.. Enlow entered
followed by Luke Ellsworth. The usual
civilities were passed, Betty's adven
ture related, and Mr.. Enlow said "What
think YOU, Mr.. Ellsworth? l fear me
the Indian bodies no good as companion
to one of his majesty's soldiers"
"Treachery of some kind is afoot,
said the young man. POSSIBLY they
come as spies. l think you had better
ask Betty to relate the conversation al
nearly as possible
She related as nearly she could what
has already been narrated, also that IN
the beginning he asked if Mr.. Enlow
came from England and if he had any
thing in his home brought hither with
him. because if he had, the soldiery
sent to quarter on him THAT is, Obtain
board in the family with little cost
would show more favors than other
wise.
~ told him of the great punch-bow
and he said that would have to be filled
in honor of odd England, and l sale
father had stored the plate my grand
father babe him take to America, anC
I told him of the goose-down pillows
and bed that were made in HOLLAND
when YOU were eNiled there"
Seeing strange look on her fathers
face she said, 81 trust / did no wrong
father?"
Certainly not with intention. wisl
however, / had not promised to go OF
the journey. And you, too, are pledge(
are you not, Luke?''
81 am. What can do for you?"
sThe very hairs of your head are oil
numbered said Mrs. Enlow land sure
ly we are mora than sparrows that fal
not to the ground unnouced."
1--WE have not been trained in tn
school of adversely for naught; and yei
if my little Betty had not Innocent.
praFfled, would be more at ease, sat
Mr. Enlow.