The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-10-19
THE MANN THE
C0RNHOUSE.
BY sEwELL F0RD.

Although heincidents occurred dur
ing the War of 1872, they had nothing
at all to do with the beginning or end
Of that struggle. They might, barring
a few details have happened yesterday.
So don't expect history.
Do you know how clear and cold De
cember morning in Lower Quebec, just
across the Vermont line, can be? Well,
it was just that kind of morning
when Elizabeth Brewers went TO the
courthouse and had an adventure. She
was after an ear Of corn for her pet
horse. As she Unmatched the corn
house door she heard a rustIing sound
within. Rats" thought Elizabeth,
and was undistnrbed. Bat AS she
opened the door she saw man. he
had been facing away from the door,
probably peering through the cracks
in the direction of the road, but he had
turned as she opened it. He was a tall
man and a young one. He wore the
cooked hat of the American militia
man, but otherwise mis- dress was that
of civilian.
"well, sir?' said Elizabeth, inquir-
ingIy. She was startled, but not fright
ened.
"well, young mistress?" returned
the intruder, looking her coolly in the
face.
MAY 1 ask the nature of the busi-
ness which brings you to my fathers
eornhouse?p
Tramps were unheard OF in those
days, and thieves were equally un-
known in that section.
you may ask, but ! would rather
not answer
"But / insist, sir"
"Then l obey. The garrison of the
fortress in the village is to be paraded
in yonder field to-day. l came here
70 watch the evolution. entered your
fathers courthouse because its open
walls offered an excellent place OF OBJ
servation and shelter"
why not make your observation in
the open -
Because wish to see without being
seen"
'Then you are Yankee spy
'sYour eyes are gray
'You are an enemy Of my country"
~ am your sincere admirer"
"Your words are unbecoming. /
have not met you before, sir"
'.Nor you, but the best of good for
tune comes when least expected"
This meeting can mean no gooo
fortune TO you, sir"
"And why not ?D
"Because I must deliver you to the
authorities as a captured spy"
al became your captive the moment
/ looked into your eyes"
You are pleased to speak very light
Iy of your situation, sir.n
mot so [ was never more serious
ia my life. Failing in love Is no light
matter"
You seem to make no hard work of
it,
"It was no task at all"
"Nye are not talking sense, sir.
What am to do with you?o
"what do you usually do with your
captives?7
al never had one before"
'Then all the men hereabouts must
be blind"
Il am in earnest, sir. l find you
hiding in my fathers cornhouse, aud
you admit -"
That 1 think your eyes are beauti-
fuI."
Elizabeth made gesture Of impa-
thence at the interruption.
"My father and Captain RyIance, of
the Garretson Guards, are at this mo-
ment within, y shecontinued. s'Should
/ shout they would come and take you
prisoner. It is my duty to them -"
Liz 'beihi iLiz'beth r.
The voice came from the direction of
the house.
"Yes, mother ~ responded the girl.
"What are you doing?n
"I-why, l am getting some corr" !"
Elizabeth stammered.
The man ia the cornho1se laughed
easily, and Elizabeth for the first time
flushed.
s.Do not think it is because of your
fine words that | have not exposed
YOU" she said cit is because have
naught 10 do with war and wish you
no harm. You-you may go now, sir,
and pray be quick
THANK you, Elizabeth, but believe
me, never saved my neck with so
much reluctance. Since have learned
your name / will tell you mine; it is
Matthew Alden. l am of Vermont,
and am on the staff of General Hamp-
ton. Goodby, but remember, am
still your captive" and before Eliza
beth could stop him the tall young
man had held her for second in his
arms and touched his lips to hers.
Then he had disappeared behind the
barn.
Just what were Elizabeth's thoughts
for the next few hours do not prefer d
to know. Not being young woman,