The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-10
PANrRr JOE X
\ Hero Who DIdn't Fisht at IexIuEton. but
Was on Hand at Elunher lInl.
From The i'oufh's Companion.

FToW me I0ufhS Companion.
News of the fight ut Lexington flew fast-so
tast that in towns thirty or forty miles distant
companies and groups of Revolutionary patriots
started hastily in many cases for tho scene of
the fray, in the hope of arriving before 1t was
all over. They were, Of course, disappointed,
ana were usually met by bearers of later infor.
nation, and turned back long before they
reached their destination.
One such ardent band.marched from a little
village some thirty miles from Lexington, only
10 be met by II messenger from the next town
and sent home again before It had gone Ave
miles. That distance IL made in hot haste, re.
turning more leisurely, yet scarcely absent in
all moro than two or three hours; but during
that brief period one young patriot underwent
what so family. tradition rclatcs-he was wont
10 Term his hardest experience during the tteyo.
,m6,hsr mo was 2 prisoner of war-and his
Living on the outskirts Of the town. tho
alarm had reached the Jecklcy house first of
al, and. Joe Jecklcy. a youth of nineteen, took
down his gun, and was ready and waiting TO
join his village friends, who would have to pass
tho gate on their march for Lexington. but
Mrs. Jcckley, q widow with one son, though
she was not a Tory, was a rather q lukewarm
rebel, and cared moro for Joe for the present
than for Independence in the future. she, did
not wish her boy to get into any fighting, and the
more eager he showed himself, the more fright.
cncd she became.
suddenly a bright idea struck her, and telling
him.that with the long march in prospect, and
no knowing when he would get anything TO eat.
T. would certainly be wise to fortiiy himself be.
tho best meal he could while waiting for the
men from the, village.
no was inside the pantry he heard the key
turned ana tho noi1 shot hot and realized that he
i TTa WHIT WIKI maternal tennsp' tr thrai lef in Ger SO 9o ,neSrm ned
though he begged and pleaded and raved and
storlnel, he was not to be moved from her
soon he heard afar of the cheers from the
village green which marked the departure Of
f from c %o4Ss y a sei il He dksis a9FsS a0G n he TnsSss I'd
the door; but it held fast. Then he tiled to
squeeze through the pantry window, but the
and he stuck half way. waving his arms With
out and his legs within. chile pans and jars
his vigorous heels.
Quite out OF breath and unable to get either
IN or out, he paused at length, and humbly en-
pulled him in he would rush past her out Of the
she pulled him through into the yard, discreetly
went round the house out OF doors, and with
much dificulty and many gasps and groens
from the bruised and outraged Joe, succeeded
IN showing him back by the shoulders, SO forci.
bly, that a loud crash and spatter of milk an.
Meanwhile the company-one man short
had passed by during the struggle and were al.
TisGE out hop Sf eisht a and mot i had The so Sass Tss
Realizing his defeat and the ignominious man.
ner Of Its accomplishment, Joe's, self-control
vanished, and still seated in n puddle OF milk,
smeared with jelly and powdered with meal. he
burst into sobs and tears Of wrath, disappoint
mcnt and wounded pride.
Mrs. Jeckley, after a little good advice ad
ministcred through the keyhole, went away
and left the poor fellow, to have his cry out ii
she learned the danger was over, she let hin
out: but though Joe was not reckoned an un
filial youth, he was so sulky for the next few
weeks that lie was scarcely on speaking term:
with his too prudent parent.
Nor was his anger assuaGed by the fact tha'
the story got out, and he found himself cruelty
nicknamed Pantry. Joe"-a nickname which
stuck to him all his life, although after the l7tf
of June il lost its bitterness. For Joe hac
learned wariness. and when his final resolv,
was taken to Join the Continental Army. h,
took good care not to be on the wrong side OF
locked door when IT was time to march. III
Joined in season 10 fight on Bunker Hill. wher,
he had the honor OF being wounded in the ser
| vice of his country.