Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-02-17

-NM\k~ tuo Duttle Qau DGeQ
owe chased hither and
thither by flying squadrons of cavalry,
but always managing to o,elude their
grasp, and I found myself when night
came down at a little. distance from
the scene of the conflict.
Presently I espied, with no small
satisfaction, bright ray of light
issuing from the trees in front of me.
As approached 1 saw that it pro-
ceeded from the window of low
thatched cottage, which. to man de-
jected and weary in body and mind,
was pleasing and most comfortable
sight.
l had occasion to rap twice before
the door was opened by wizened old
woman with kindly face. In trem-
bling voice she inquired my name and
business.
"My name, good dame. Unanswered,
'is Of little consequence, I am a
Captain IN His Majesty's Sixth Regi.
ment Of horse. and I crave food and
rest"
"Nay, I pray you, sir, to 70 away"
replied the old crone, whose fear had
become the more manifest as I spoke,
"The rebels are encamped not O
league away. ] dare not let ye in.
have all the heart, kind sir, but I dare
not"
"Nay, let him enter, good mother, "
said sweet voice behind her. "If he
is for the King he is friend"
The old woman, as I entered, was
bending over large iron pot which
was seething on the fire, and from
which proceeding the savory smell
had before noticed. Beside her, on a
low wooden stool, was seated maiden
of such exquisite beauty that, looking
at her, remembered no longer my
hunger but only the disorder of my
attire.
She was dressed in peasants cos
tune, but the softness of her skin, the
! whiteness of her hands, the grace of
her bearing, all told me it was no
peasant gazed upon.
So l took out pocket comb and
small hand mirror I carried with me,
and going toward the candle endeav-
ored to remedy to some extent the
defects in my appearance.
II perceive, sir" she said, "that
you belong to the court"
''It is true, madam, that have the
honor and privilege to attend upon
His Majesty. May J., IN turn, be par
doned for saying that 1 discern you
are not such as it would seem you de-
sire to appear?'
"Nay, sirrah, am peasant, as you
perceive"
This did not believe, nor could l
be wholly sure that she wished to be
believed.
The old woman placed the savory
mess upon the table, accompanying
the action with many apologies for
the homeliness of the fare, which, in
truth, were unneeded, for l set to with
q will and never found kings ban
quet more to my taste.
Taking the rush light which the old
woman proffered, started YEARLY to
mount a ladder, and soon was sound
asleep in room above.
1 was awakened after what seemed a
few minutes by the sound of mems
voices in the room below, and, filled
with apprehension, 1 crept quietly to
the trap door and partly raised the
lid. A burly, red-faced Sergeant and
two troopers, all dressed in the rebel
uniform, had entered the house and
we're engaged in lively conversation
with the old woman who had shown
me kindliness.
'Itell ye," she was saying, "there's
none that ye seek in here"
"This gives you the lie, old wo-
man." said the Sergeant, and with a
sneer he dug his sword into cloak
which J., with sad lack of fore
thought, had left to lie upon the bench,
and held it up on the point. "This is
no raiment of servant OF the Lord"
The Sergeant took step in the di-
rection of the ladder, but the young
maiden, who until that moment had
remained seated, rose majestically and
barred his way.
''Stay!" she cried. "You have NO
right to enter to search this dwelling,
poor though it be, except this old
dame bid you. Wherefore, then, do
ye come? You have conquered in the
combat, you have killed and captured
many thousands of the Kings brave
men-why seek ye Inore?"
"By my faith" he said, with G
smirk, 80 comely damsel! and such Q
one, it seems, as the Lord reserves for
His own elect |" and with that he would
have touched her face.
But the blood rushed hot to my
cheek at the thought of the indignity
and drawing my sword, made shor
work of the ladder and appeared pei
nell in the midst of them.
-SParrying fierce blow which tn,
foremost trooper dealt at me, go
under his guard and passed my blad,