Connecticut western news., 1897-09-30
A PATRIOTS WIFE.

One warm morning in the spring Of I7S0 Mrs. Slocumb was sitting on the broad piazza about her home on large plantation in South Carolina. Her hus- band and many of his neighbors were with Sumter, fighting for the strug- gling colonies, but on this beautiful morning there were almost no signs of war to be seen. As yet his plantation had not been molested, and as Mrs. Slo- cumb glanced at her little child playing near her or spoke to her sister, who was her companion, or addressed word to the servants there was no alarm mani fest But in moment the entire scene was changed.
 "There come some soldiers, said her sister, pointing toward an officer and 20 troopers who turned out of the highway and entered the yard.
 Mrs. Slocumb made no reply, al- though her face became pale and there was tightening of the lips as she watched the men. Her fears were not allayed when she became satisfied that the leader was none other than the hat ed Colonel Tarleton. That short, thick set body, dressed in a gorgeous scarlet uniform, the forid face and cruel ex- pression, proclaimed tho approaching officer only too well. But the mistress gave no sign of fear as she arose to lis ten to the words of the leader, who soon drew his horse to halt before her.
 Raising his cap and lowing to his | ha pleasure of addressing the mistress of this plantationf"
 "It is my husband's"
 'And is he here?"
 ''He is not.
 "He is no rebel is he?''
 ''No, sir. He is soldier in the army of his country and fighting her invad- CTS.
 "He must be rebel and no friend of his country if he fights against his king"
 ''Only slaves have masters here, re- piled the undaunted woman.
 Tarleton's face flushed, but he made no reply, and, turning to ono of his companions, gave orders for n camp to be made in the orchard near by. Soon the HOO men in his command had pitched their tents, and the peaceful plantation took on the garb of war.
 Returning to the piazza and again lowing low the British colonel said: Necessity compels his majesty's troops to occupy your place for time. and will have to make my quarters in your house; that is, if it will not be toe great an inconvenience to you. My family consists at present of only myself, my child and sister, be- sides the servants, and we must obey your orders"
 In less than an hour the entire place was transformed. The white tents GOV. cred the lawn, horses were tied to the high rail fences, soldiers in bright uni forms were moving here and there. Be. fore entering the house the British colo mel called some of his officers and gave sharp orders for securing the country within the neighborhood of 10 or IL l miles.
 This sharp command was not lost up I on Mrs. Slocumb, nor was she slow ts l act upon it herself. as we soon shall see | But for the present, trying to stifib hoI fears, she determined to make the bes | of the situation and avert all the danger | possible by providing for the comfor of Tarleton and his men, and according | fy she had a dinner soon ready fit for | king, and surely far too good for sucl cruel and bloodthirsty man as Tarle ton soon was known to be. When the colonel and his staff wer, l summoned to the dining room, they sa \ down to a table which fairly groanet \ beneath the good things heaped upoi k it. It was such a dinner as only thu \ South Carolina matrons knew how t' | prepare, and the men soon became Jo | vial under its influences. "We shall hay' l few sober men by morning." said cap I tain, "if this is the way we are to b' treated. I suppose when this little wa is over all this country will be divided I among the soldiers. Eh, colonel?" | Undoubtedly the officers will occu | py large portions of the country, re
 piled Tarleton. .. | "Yes, I know just how much the, will each occupy" said Mrs Slocumb unable to maintain silence longer.
 And how much will that be, mad am?" inquired Tarleton, lowing low. | "Six feet two"
 The colonel's face again flushed witl anger as he replied, 'Excuse me, but
 shall endeavor to have this very planta tion made over to me as a ducal seat. | "I have u husband, whom you seen to forget, and can assure you he is no the man to allow even the king himsel to have quiet seat on his ground. " | Bu. the conversation suddenly wa interrupted by the sounds of firing. | "Some struggling scout running
 away" said one of the men, not quit willing to leave the table.
 "No sir. There are rifles there, and good many of them, too, said farleton, rising quickly and rushing to the piazza, an example which all, including Mrs. Slocumb, ut once followed. She was trembling now, for she felt assured that she could explain the cause of the com motion.
 May I ask, madam, '" said Tarleton, turning to her as soon as he had given his orders for the action of the troops "whether any of Westinghouse forces | are in this neighborhood or notl"
 "You must know that General Greer and the marquis are in South Carolina and I have no doubt you would D,