The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-05-01

THE following story is taken from
the diary Of the heorine by her great
grand-nieee. E
When I awakened New Years nigh
and beheld my mother over me with /;
candle, thought il was dream, but
she laid her hand on me and spak,
aloud:
''Lois! Lois Awake quickly;
have need of theer
1.-THE mother of my great-grand-aunt
being raised Friend, both she and
Aunt Lois had acquired their mode oI
speech. She continues j
ait is not dawn" said /; for not
having a man TO help Us, | must even
go out TO the barn at dawn and make
ready for the day.
''No, God be thanked, il is not dawn,
quote my mother. Thou must be mp
and away before break OF dawn, my
child so hasten ~
Isprsng up and quickly pat on my
clothing, knowing that my mother
would explain il in her own time, for
at best she had few words. Coming
nearer, she said, TBreathe il not, Lois,
but thy father is hcrc,-shoi -
"My father hcre-shot >" began
TO fear but she urged me To hasten and
pause not. My mother then made
known 10 me how that my father had
been given most perilous Grand
namely, to gather some information,
and bear il or send il by means Of q
paper to our cominander-in-chief, Sen
eral Washington, he then being, rs my
father sarnised, OF his way from. Tren-
ton to Princeton, but nobody knew by
what road Ny father, in making a
wide circuit around for better conceal
meni, was shot but not 80 General
his horse, who rushed for the woods,
and in SO doing concealed my father the
better Ny mother went on TO tell me
that inasmuch as my father did lose
several hours from Inconsistencies and
veakpess, though sill clingng toGeE-
erals neck he found himself when he
aroused all but home, whereto General
had brought him straight.
"'Tis wonderful he did not fall OF -
spake my mother; "aDd, Lois, see to I
no one learns from thee OF thy fathers
coming"
"Nay," quoth l "there is no other
gossip TO prattle with saving thyself
and Clover"
Then marked my mothers face as
she laid her hand upon her heart and
let her eyes rest upon me, and some
way | understood. -
''Lois," quoth she, "thy fathers
errand must be finished for him. /
dare not leave him go."
NAY" said al will go mother. y
She spake not but turned away, and
saw she was sorely troubled.
Mother" spake /, fastening the
more, 'get it not fright thee. | know
not what the errand be, but my father
is wise and good, and | will but do As
he saith. | have no fear ~
"Nay, hadst thou more | would fret
less" spake my mother Thou art
thy father again, Eois,-ever venture
some and knowing net of fear -
While speaking she laid by me my
h a; V quilted petticoat and pelisse, fol
the snow which came after was already
in the air. Then by the lanterns light
at my mothers bidding, pat my own
saddle on General George, adding my
fathers saddle-pockets. For General
whom / have named after good George
Washington, hath tremendous strength
and was already, having h2d meal,
lit to be off again. | then straiglitway
ate hasty bit which my mother had
prepared, placing the remainder in the
saddle-pockets. My mother then pat
on me her own quilted bonnet and oveI
it tied. a heavy comforter still moi
knowing what it was Eshould under
take, but knowing r Should hear in
good time. / slrove to push back the
comforter, but my mother adjusted il,
saying:
NAY; let be, IT were better to have
thy face covered when a lass like thee
goes about at such an hour -
Then in the dim light | sought my
fathers couch, where lie had fallen al
hour before.
"My daughter, are you there ," spak'
my father.
answered and drew nigh as h
said: ~
"You are going an an errand for me
daughter?p
"Yes, father" quoth I.
ssDo YOU know its nature, Louis -
said he weakly. -.
ssNo father" said |.
at is to bear that which is of valu
and intrusted 10 me. Ii must go {
the first officer of the American arm.
you can find this side of the town"
"The town. quoth /, in wonder
ment for that is full thirty miles away
"And | would not have you TO think
ing II safe or wise thing for maid t
do quoth he. "There are danger
which | cannot even warn you against
not kaowipg them Only this: yo
may be arrested and searched, Lois
hence YOU must bear naught about you