The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-10
ANNABELLE'S FEAT.

Peter Strump, mine host Of tho Bell
and Hand tavern, sat nodding on the SET
tee before the door. His long clay church.
warden lay at his feet, and by the melodi-
GUS snores which came from bis rosy tinted
nose one would know that Peter slept
30 observed Master Jaffrey Warrell as
he strobe into the courtyard leading bis
mud spattered and stone lame nag by the
bride.
"What, no, Peter Strump' he beloved
Justify. "Food and shelter for man and
beast forthwithl'
Ere many moments he had his legs
stretched under q table laden with only
such a repast as Boston In the year Of
grace 1776 could provide, and meanwhile
reading for the second time letter he had
drawn from his pocket And In very
sooth strange enough screed 1t was:
For ye handle of Master Jaffrey warrell, at ye
taverne Of ye Belle and Handle, in We towne
Of Boston:
that ye would of me, and tho fain would
pleasure you In ale thyngs-yet thys l fear
cannot be- that l should betray my countrie
Yet will meet thee tomorrow nighte at thys
place We speake Of. Till then adieul Ever thy
sweetinge, ANNABELLE.
April ye 18th, ITO
After time Jaffroy appeared again in
the courtyard.
"Ho, mine host Peterl" he spoke. "'Iis
in my mind to tarry tonight with you. Sec
to 1t that bed be well aired, beg, and
look kindly to Fairfaoe my mare. She is
gravel lame methinks"
With these words he walked away into
the town, leaving the hostlers to do his
bidding
Not till late did he return, and then in
perturbed mood. So quietly did he enter
his chamber that the men in the next room
heard him not, nor ceased in their loud
talking. But Jatfrey paid little heed to
them, thinking them some noisy topers,
till word caught his ear. And that word
was "Annabelle. Then look not good
to see settled upon his face, and nearer to
the wall he crept and listened.
Anthony, why art such poltroon2"
angrily exclaimed one of the speakers. II
tell you this coup must be successful, and
surely we are not in such good odor with
the commander that We can afford to let
slip any opportunity. Moreover" he add
ed. "the girl Annabelle will aid us.
"Think you the jade is faithful" de-
manded another. "Meseems she looks too
fairly on yonder puppy, Warrell."
"Pshaw, she but dupes the poor fool"
said the first with hoarse laugh. "She
said as much herself"
Warrell, on the other side Of the wall,
gritted his teeth in his rage and felt fran
tically for his rapier.
"Then reveal your plan, De Lacy"
lnl i,l
and tomorrow is soon here"
Briefly, then it is to seize about two
score of the chief farmers and husbandlnen
of Lexington and Concord as hostages,
then demand general surrender under
threat of executing our prisoners. This
will etfeotually put down the trouble which
is brewing in that quarter and at the same
time do us world of good with Corn
wallis Tomorrow we will act. Are yc
agreed?"
"Wo arc, " returned the Others.
AS the conversation ceased Warrell turn
ed away and Immediately tho rumble of a
carriage and the hoof beats of galloping
horses sounded on his car.
"She comes" ho nuttered. "And now
for the truth. "
AS the stage dashed up before the door
he stepped into the courtyard and assisted
young lady: heavily yelled to alight.
Then leading the way, he entered the inn,
closely followed by his companion.
"You are come" he whispered. "Now,
by the heavens above, speak truly, I abjure
yun!'
"WhntY" she asked.
as it possible you deceive meP"
Int | hD ptpp
skies, "
They entered the breakfast room and
were astonshed to find four British officers
standing near the fire. They seemed very
merry.
"What!' exclaimed one, laughing. "'Tls
cur little Annabelle. "
The girl shrank back, while Jaffrcy's
rage rose high, for he recognized the plot
ters voice.
What mean you, sirrahf" he demand
cd, You owo tho lady an apology"
'Ho, ho!' laughed the soldier. "This is
the Yankee lover, is it? Ho, ho" And he
turned his hack impudently on the pair
"Ayo, and l know your precious plot"
shouted Jatfrcy, whipping out his blade.
ION guard, sir, "
"WhatP" ruarcd tho officer "Thcn, in
decd, has your time como. Down with
him, ladsp'
In an instant four blades were playing
about his head, and the A merican was in
extreme peril,
By the flerccnesS of his attacks he beat
down the officers blade, and in twin
king had passed tho steel through his
body. Then fiDging chair at tho man
between him and the door, he leaped over
his PROSTATE form and flung shut the stout
0akcn portal. As he braced himself
against IT, he was astonished to see Anna
bello standing beside him.
"BehUld,' she IuurInured, "the latch
has been lost. They may easily force their
way out"
" lis true" he muttercd lnoodily.
"Thcir plot will DO carried cut despite
me-
Not so, she made reply. behold the
proof that ain al American, though my
kin be English
She thrust her arm through the two
openings for the missing bolt, and thus
with her flesh and blood barred the door
Fly, my love, post haste to Concord.
Warn the people and bid them rise to
nrrIs. For some time can l hold these
men here, for there is no other exit So
go, my love, und at onccl'
He nadly kissed her dowy lips and then
dashed TO the stables. Two minutes later
he was galloping for the lives of many
mon through the darkness and gloom of
that April night Long ere morning broke
there was arlning and gathering in Con-
cord town, and what they did next day is
history.
For Annabelle was faithful and held the
door till her arm was broken Which is
just what an American girl would do
Boston Post.