The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-03-28

Il
to-day, John, and get a load of corr
ground. Mother says we are out of mea
and I've no mind to give up my johnny
cake in the morning. You may take the
gray mare, and while the corn's being
ground you can call on Maj. Frye, JUS
beyond, ask him if be can pay the inter
est due on that note. 1t is two pound
and sixpence. Don't forget now, and
don't make blunder. I've got the corn
put up"
"All right" answered John, cheerful
ly.
And he went out and sadd.ed old
Suke, the gray mare, and in half an houl
was ready to start.
"Here's some cheese and doughnuts fol
your luncheon" said Mrs" Holton,
giving him a small parcel which
he placed in his coat pocket; "and here's
a new pair of mittens that 1 knit for you
You'll need them to-day, for there is q
raw, cold air.
"Oh, thank you, aunt They will keep
my hands warm as toast" replied John
with good deal Of feeling.
"Tell Googin's to take good toll, and
get back before dark ifyou can"
This was the 'Squire's parting injunct-
ion as this "boy of seyenty-six" started
on his journey to the distant grist mill.
1t was not exactly seventy-six, but il
was the 22d of February, 177S.
Going to mill in those days was differ
ent affair from what it is in this year OF
grace.
John Russell, dressed in a coarse home
spun, with knee-buckles and shoe buck
les, coon-skin cap on his head, and
wearing his thick wooden mittens, mount
ed upon the staid old farm horse, bag
of corn behind his saddle and another in
front of him, presented a picture that is
not likely to have its counterpart in mod
ern times.
He whistled merrily as he rode forward
through the cold February day on his
errand, forit was pleasant changing
from driving oxen and telling trees.
Googin's mill, so called after the pro-
prietor, who wasa German ofthe name
of Hans GoOgins, was eight or nine miles
from Squire Holton's place, down on
French creek.
About a mile east of the mill the road
branched, the left hand leading on to the
mill, the other taking one to the Ameri-
can encampment at Valley Forge, which
was four miles distant.
John would have liked nothing better
than to have gone to the patriot camp,
but his orders were imperative, and he
dared not spare the time, so he reined
old Suke to the left and kept on to the
mill.
The miller, short, stout German with
broad, good-humored face, greeted our
hero with hearty "Goot morning, mine
young frient!'
"How's business?7 asked John.
"Peautiful," replied Hans. $50 goot
vat nefer vas"
"That is good for you. l should ike
to have my grist by two o'clock. Uncle
says you must take toll enough to pay
you we'll"
"Yaw. Mynheer Holton ish Won fine
man, unit knows il" said the miller.
"Vell, will grind dat grist right away
vuick. Maybe you will go in unit see
Katrina mt der childrent De leedle
ones viii be glad to see you, dells you," "
said the hospitable Hans.
Thank YOU" answered John, "but l
have an errand to do at Maj. Frye's, and
brought luncheon in my pocket"
"DAt Maj. Grye ish Won rascal unit
don't you forgit it! Veil, don't want to
shpoke apoud him any more"
And with shrug of his thick should
ers, Hans pulled up the gate and set the
great wheel in motion.
John remounted and rode slowly away
from the old mill, whose picturesque sit
uation was heightened by its winter
garb Of white.
1t was about noon when he approach
ed the house Of Maj. Frye, who was an
old militia officer and had served in the
French and Indian war.
AS he rode into the yard, he was sur
prised to see two horses standing near
the door, on one Of which sat a British
orderly. Before he could dismount, the
owner of the house, Maj. Frye himself,
appeared in the open doorway, ushering
an officer in gay uniform without.
"You mag trust me, sir" the MAJOR
was saying. There will be no mistake.
The General is to be here at eight pre-
cisely, this evening. 1t will be your fault
if you don't secure him."
Then, seeing the newcomer, he hesitat-
ed, and, as his countenance changed, he
whispered something to his English visi-
tor, who, with slight inclination of the
head, mu;tered the one word: "Rsmem-
ber!" and then hurriedly remOunted his
horse and rode away with his orderly.
"W,n, young siT, 1 am glad to see
you," said the Major, with well-feigned
cordiality, addressing John. Il know
the errand you have come for, and have
got the money. So lead your horse into
the barn and come in. have reckoned
up the interest on the 'Sluire's note, and
it is two pounds and fOnrpence,' he re-
marked, as they entered the house.
"Uncle called il two pounds and six
pence" said John, sand he told me to
collect it."
ooh, that isn't much difference guess
it's all right, anyhow. | don't know as |
should have had the money if hadn't
Just sold some fat cattle to the British.
They offered me little more than the
Americans would, and let them 60"
81 wouldn't have done itF' declared
John, with emphasis.
81 hated TO. But, you see, knew the
Squire would be after the money. 1t
was due yesterday, and he's regular as
the sun. Besides, | am going to let
Washington have yoke of fat oxen To-
night. It's his birthday, and the com
mander-in-chief is going to make feast
for the patriots. He is coming himself
tonight to get them, as he wishes 10 sur