Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-07-21
JUST I'm TIME

cleared ground about &C. That was the
only home Captain Thomas Mitchell. late
In tho service Of his most gracious majes-
ty King George III, could offer his family.
But he was content though twice q cap-
tive He had been taken prisoner first
when Burgoyne was defeated at Saratoga
The second time ho surrendered willingly,
for the battery nained upon 10 dofenses
was pair of bright eyes shining forth
from the oorely face OF a patriot maiden
He had crossed the seas to conquer tho
Yankees. His sword was yielded on the
field OF battle with regret, 70 be sure. and
after gallant struggle. His commission
followed, but at this there was no repin-
ing, for the day no sent his resignation TO
New York no won his freedom and the
love OF trse hearted American girl
In the days just after the close Of the
Revolutionary war tho country was poor
poorer than we OF the present gener-
alton can woll imagine--and as time went
by Captain Mitchell beheld his small store
OF wealth dwindle, while his responsible
ties were increased by tho birth Of two
children, vigorous boys, who at the date
of our story were . and years OF ago.
Therefore he resolved 70 go into the depths
OF tho Vermont woods and There make a
home. Land was cheap and To be had al
most for the asking, 80 the purchase OF
400 acres from the owner OF one Of the
enormous grants was not too great drain
upon his slender resources. The fall after
his removal found him fairly comfortable
A rude house had been built little corn
raised, aud lucky encounter with a bear
had solved partially the meat problem. But
the father felt that he could not remain idle
during the long winter. Ho was u scholar
Of no mean attainments, and from the
nearest settlement Of size, a hundred miles
away, came IA tempting offer To teach-hve
months employment at salary OF IL
Spanish dollars per month and board. He
accepted and spent the remainder Of his
stay at home tn arranging for the COM
fort OF his family. He also contracted with
the nearest neighbor, l2 miles distant, to
keep the wood pile replonished and take
corn TO the mill. 40 miles northward, as
occasion required. Then he rode of and
was lost to sight among the thick pines
and towering birches. The young wife
faced the dreary winter with the brave
heart and high courage 30 characteristic
Of the pioneer women Of America. BY day
she busted herself with household tasks,
and at night. by the blaze of logs In the
big fireplace, taught her children their let
ters and told them stories OF the wonder
ful things their father had seen In the fair
land Of his youth and early manhood. Tho
snow and the cold came all too soon. Her
supply Of fuel gave out, and she could not
make her way through the drifts to the
forest that stood SO near and YET so far
beyond her reach. The faithless neighbor.
who had been paid In advance for his serv-
ices, never appeared. The store Of meal
failed The greet blase lcssened 10 o
spark. A little parched cosn ssna snt .,aii
cooked meat hardly sufficed to keep body
and soul together. One evening the poor
mother, rendered half delirious by anxiety,
broke up some Of the rude furniture,
built a rousing tire, cooked the last rem
nants OF their provisions, saw hor chill
dren, no longer hungry and cold, tucked
safely into their bcd and sat down to
brood before the expiring flame. Unless
help arrived the morrow would behold
them starving and freezing. She uttered
prayer, aud then strange fancies floated
through her brain. She was at home, and
news had just come of the fight at Bunker
Hill. Her father and brothers were taking
up their fiintlocks and preparing To John
In the mighty struggle for freedoan. The
soeno shifted. She was listening 60 the
roar Of the cannon and Watching the dis
tant clouds of smoke that told where Gates
and Burgoyne We're struggling for che
mastery. A troop Of cavalry approach.
They stop at the farmhouse gate. Her ia
ther and two others dismount. One OF the
three wears the uniform OF hated red, but
he Is young and handsome and wounded.
Here, Lucy" says her father as they
enter, lis a prisoner. IT'S o British OIL
Ger, and no has passed his word not 70 es-
cape, though methinks there Is small fear
Of that now," glancing oompassionately
at the captive's limp right arm. Then tho
days OF nursing, the econfession Of love. tho
pride felt when, for her sake, her hero sao-
rifced home, friends and prospects-for
her, a simple farmers daughter.
The fire grows dim, flares up, goes out.
What Is thatP Before her eyes appear
her elder brother and his wife They
stretch forth welcoming hands Thoy
greet her They smile with Joy. Savedi
No, the vision is gone That soundl IL
Is like the neighing OF horse. 1t cannot
DO. A rap at the doori Impossible IL
the overburdoned mind sinking into mad
nesst Another rap. Away with phan-
tasiesI She will be brave and solve the
mystery. She takes of the bar and
swings wide the portal,
Lucy, dear, how are you"
"Brotheri"
Brother and brothers wife indeed, and
u sleighload of provisions for the desolate
sister In the winter woods No moro
crazed dreaminGs now, but glad reality.
Next morning stalwart Major Rolfa
went To work. lie forced passage to the
trees For hours his ak blows echoed on
the frosty air, and when the Sabbath came
Il noble pile Of logs lay right at hand
Monday he mounted one of his horses and
rode away He returned before nightfall.
but refused to toll whittier he had jour
neyed AZ dawn Of Tuesday the visitors
departed Farewells and handshakings
over, the big sled started homeward. As
IL moved of the major turned his head.
and laughing said:
Lucy, do you want to know my busi-
ness yesterday ] licked the man the
captain hired. Fired G. Dayton In Ro-
nance.
A Gallant Little Newsboy.
- "A a..