The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1894-08-29
JUST IN TIME.

A 4OS CdDiu III the forest, mile from
any other habitation and with an acre of
cleared ground about it. That was the
only home Captain Thomas Mitchell, late
III the service of his most gracious males
ty King George III, could offer his family.
But he was content, though twice a cap
tive. He had been taken prisoner first
when BurgOyne was defeated at Saratoga
The second time he surrendered willingly,
for the battery trained upon his defenses
was d pair Of bright eyes shining forth
from the comely face of a patriot maiden.
He had crossed tie seas to conquer the
Yankees. His sword was yielded on the
field of battle, with regret, to be sure, and
after a gallant struggle. His commission
followed, but at this there was no repin-
ing, for the day he sent his resignation to
New York he won his freedom and the
love of a true hearted American girl.
In the days just after the close Of the
Revolutionary war the country was poor
poorer than we Of the present gener-
alton can well imagine-and as time went
by Captain Mitchell behold hissmall store
Of wealth dWindle, while his responsible
ties were increased by the birth of two
children, vigorous boys, who at the date
of our story were 2 and 4 years of age.
Therefore he resolved to go into the depths
Of the Vermont woods and there make a
home. Land was cheap and to be had al
most for the asking, SO the purchase of
400 acres from the owner of one of the
enOrmou grants was not too great a drain
upon his slender resources. The fall after
his removal found him fairly comfortable.
A rude house had been built, a little corn
raised, and d lucky encounter with a bear
had solved partially the meat problem. But
~. e. I = +lo+ 10 oc,Il mot O-Ooi iIlo
during the long winter. He was a scholar
Of no mean attachments, and from the
nearest settlement of size, ii hundred miles
away, came a tempting offer to teach-fve
months employment at a salary of II
Spanish dollars per month and board. He
accepted and spent the remainder OF his
stay at home in arranging for the com
fort of his family. He also contracted with
the nearest neighbOr, - miles distant, to
keep the wood pile ~replenished and take
corn to the mill, 40 miles northward, as
occasion required. Then he rode off 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 SO 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
tiers and told them stories of the wonder
full things their father had seen in the fair
land of his youth and early manhood. The
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 great blaze lessened to a
spark. A little parched corn and half
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 fire, cooked the last rem
nants of their provisions, saw her chill
dren, no longer hungry and cold, tucked
safely into their bed and sat dow to
brood before the expiring flame. Unless
help arrived the morrow would behold
them starving and freezing. She uttered
a prayer, and then strange fancles hOated
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 fintlocks and preparing to join
in the mighty struggle for freedom. The
scene shifted. She was listening to the
roar Of the cannon and watching the dis
tant clouds of smoke that told where Gates
and BurgOynC were struggling for the
mastery. A troop of cavalry approach.
They stop at the farmhouse gate. Her ia
Their and two others dismOunt. One Of the
three wears the uniform Of hated red, but
he is young and handsome and wounded.
Hero, Lucy" says her father as they
enter, lis a prisoner. IT'S a British Off
Ger, and he has passed his word not to es
cape, though methinks there is small fear
Of that now" glancing compassionately
at the captive's limp right arm. Then the
days Of nursing, the confession of love, the
pride felt when, for her sake, her hero sac
rificed home, friends and prOspects-fOr
her, a simple farmers daughter.
The fire grows dim, flares up, goes out.
What is that? Before her eyes appear
her elder brother and his wife. They
stretch forth welcoming hands. They
greet her. They smile with joy. Saved!
No, the vision is gone. That sound! 1t
is like the neighing of q horse. 1t cannot
be. \ rap at the door! Impossible, Is
| the overburdcned mind sinking into mad
ness? Another rap. Away with phan-
tastes! She will be brave and solve the
mystery. She takes off the bar and
swings wide the portal.
Lucy, dear, how are your"
"BrOther!'
Brother and brothers wife indeed, and
a sleighload of provisions for the desOlate
sister in the winter woods. No more
| crazed dreamings now, but glad reality.
Next morning stalwart Major ROlfe
went to work. He forced a passage to the
trees. For hours his ak blows echoed on
the frosty air, and when the Sabbath came
a noble pile of logs lay right at hand.
Monday he MOUNTED one of his horses and
rode away. He returned before nightfal,
but refused to tell whittier he had jour
neycd. At dawn of Tuesday the visitors
departed. Farcwells and handshakings
over, the big sled started homeward. AS
it moved off the major turned his head,
and laughing said:
Lucy, 90 you want to know my bust
ness yesterday? l licked the man the
captain hired, Fired c. Dayton in Ro-
nance.