The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-10
IN COLONY TIMES.

stead.
Dorothy Sinclair was a beauty of the
old colonial days. Upon her cousin, Henry
Fairfax, she looked with favor, and their
troth was plighted in the oak paneled room
that was destined to play so important a
part in their love story.
When the course of their lives seemed
running smoothest, dark rumors of a dis
affected colony reached their cars The
overtaxed people revolted, and the tea
party which was destined to bring a new
nation upon the earth took place in Bos-
ton harbor. At the outbreak of hostilities
Henry Fairfax joined the Revolutionists
and soon rose to position of high rank.
At last, after a night of unusually fitful
sIum Der, they were startled early one
morning by the cries of their slaves on
the lawn beneath their windows. Uncle
Pomp, gray headed negro who had Civ
en- his lifelong service to the family, en-
tered the house and knocked on the doors
of their sleeping apartments and said:
'Oh, Massa Georgel Oh, old missy
De bay is chock full O. dem Oh, git right
upl Yo' amt no time fer sleepinl''
In few moments the little family were
dressed and ready for action. Most of the
slaves fed in fright and hid themselves
about the farm, but Uncle Pomp and a
4SW uOuS6 servants 5bOOd DfaN6lJ Dy bn64E
beloved master and his family.
"Dey's orful thieves an robbers, Nassa
George' said Pomp. ''Dey'u take cherry
ting in de house. We's bes' hide de wala-
bles.''
Taking Uncle Pomp's advice, the silver
ware, jewels and fine homespun linen
were collected together with many other
articles of household wealth.
''Whar yo' gwine to hide desc, Massa
GeorgeP''
I'm the panel closet, Uncle Pomp.''
The British captain, thinking he had
obtained everything, ordered his men in
for the night; but, finding they needed
the masters sleeping room, they turned
him and his wife out of the house, telling
them to sleep in the barn.
George Sinclair Indignation at this
outrage was thoroughly aroused. Bidding
Uncle Pomp to harness up, he and his
wife left the place under the cover of dark
ness to obtain help from neighbors living
some miles distant.
but we must not leave Dorothy
whispered the grief stricken mother.
''Our child is safe, - answered her hus-
band.
mot if they should fire the house.
'They will not do that. They need it
for shelter Comel Comei We must not
waste moments time. There must be
quick action to save our darling and our
home'
They drove rapidly away through the
gloomy night.
Fall inl March to the boatsP' But
instead of the orderly tramp Of marching
feet there was the confused hurry of re-
treat.
Then there came a sound like the rush
of a whirlwind, sharp shots rang in the
air, shriu cries were heard, and Dorothy
realized little of the horrors of war.
A short time before the retreat to the
boats the Hessian guards recognized the
tramp of the soldiers far up the road and
ran to the house with the news that an
army was marching down upon them.
The coWardly men feared being caught in
the house like rats in trap and fled to
the boats. AS the last man ran down the
lawn Henry Fairfax and Lewis Sinclair,
with a few officers and men, came down
the road, little dreaming that enemy
was in possession of the homestead. But
Uncle Pomp gave the word in time, and
they galloped to the shore and sent a
shower of bullets after the fleeing enemy.
Uncle Pomp told the story of the eventful
day to Colonel Fairfax.
but where are the foIksP" he inquired
eagerly: .,.,.,..,. -, -.
out. But o Lawd a-massyI" Uncle
Pomp's voice broke into a hoarse whisper
as he gasped, ''Whar, oh, whar is Miss
Dolly?''
''What do you mean?" demanded Fair
fax sharply. Ibid not Miss Dolly go with
her father?''
"No, no, Massa Harry neber fought
till dis minnit. Massa an old missy done
gone alone; de debbils hev carried off Miss
Dolly. o LawdP'
Fairfax staggered like a man who had
received his deathblOw; then, recovering
himself, he shouted his orders.
ride back for e-enforcementsl Get
hoo r irl- for he Of
GodP' Then he staggered toward the
house.
Deere, dere, Massa Harry, yo'n find
her all right. Come inter de house, an
Uncle Pomp will give yo' somet'in dat'n
put life into yo'."
Soothing and comforting the strong
man as a mother would child, Uncle
Pomp led him into the paneled room and
hurried away to find some fine old wine he
had hidden from the soldiers. Henry Fair
fax stood dazed in the room so dear to
him and Dorothy, now the confused scene
of soldiers revel. In the great anguish
of his grief stricken soul he called aloud
Dorothy Dorothy Where are you,
my beIoved?''
''Oh, here I am, dear Harry Let me
outp'
Fairfax started. He was like mailman.
Was he dreaming? Had his senses left |
44AAAE OOuId DO44J VIC NOesNAs AAAAOA W OAAO
soldiers, and was her spirit answering
him?"
ooh, Dolly DollyI Speak again, dearr'
''Here 1 am, Harry - she called, knock |
ing on the wall I'm the panel closet
Frantic with joy and great revulsion of |
feeling, he sprang to the door, touched the |
hidden spring, and there stood Dolly, safe
and radiant as the morning. He caught |
her to his breast, and with a sigh of con
tent her head lay upon his throbbing |
heart.
Fer de good Lawd's sake, Miss Dolly, |