Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-07-06

~ NJ NtohS 4ueSc ana OIneE
similar questions passed through her
mind, bringing to her fair, serene face the
anxious, sad expression never seen there
until this great trial came.
AL trace of tears had disappeared by
the lime she led Featherfoot out of the
barn, across the thick, fragrant turf of
the dooryard, followed by. little Joseph,
mounted on the old, white mare. Sylvia,
covered from head to foot with a dark
blue cloth cloak, stood ready. A large
straw hat was tied with broad, blue rib
bon under her chin. On her hands she
wore thick gloves.
While Desire was tying the pail4pf but
ter and the basket Of doughnuts to the
saddle, Mistress Esther stepped quite
close to Sylvia IF you should by any
chance meet your sister Delight, Sylvia,
be-be kind to her and give her my dear
love-"
Yes mother" said Sylvia, wondering,
and trying to swallow the lump which
came suddenly in her throat.
Farewell, then, my good child. May
your Heavenly Father bring you safely
to your journeys end and home again"
She went around for a last word with
Joseph, and Sylvia, after kissing Desire
and giving Dolly convulsive squeeze, as
cended the horse block and seated herself
in the saddle. Gathering up the reins,
she spoke to Featherfoot and they were
off.
The three left behind stood in silence
until the last hoof-beat had died away.
''They are in Gods hands, there as well
as here, in darkness as in daylight. Let
us not give over-anxious thought to their
condition, lest we dishonor Him and unfit
ourselves for our own hourly duties" So
saying, Mistress Esther took Dolly by the
hand and led the way into the lonely
house.
When the two had ridden some distance
Joseph said:
''It isn't as dark now as it was when
we started, Sylvia. What makes it grow
lighter?"
Il guess your eyes are getting used to
the darkness. Then there are more stars
shining now than there were when we left
home"
Eyes, that is So I see them coming
out all the time. l always like to look at
the Great Dipper. Father showed it to
me once. He says it is in bear. I've
tried a great many times, but | never can
see the bear up there. Can you, Sylvia?"
mo, Joseph. But when we are older
we shall understand much more than we
do now. How pleasant the air is to-
night!'
And it is so much warmer right here
than it has been, and it smells different.
What makes that, Sylvan?
1T is warmer because we went through
a hollow, and you smelled the"
She was interrupted by the sound Of
approaching riders. She guided Feather
foot close to the side of the old white
mare, and strained her eyes to see whom
they were meeting.
Don't be afraid whispered Joseph;
81 will take care of you"
She could not help smiling at this. At
the same instant she heard a pleasant
voice call out:
"Good evening to you, friends. Can you
tell me how far it is to Lexington viii
lager"
"'Tis about three miles, SIR spoke out
little Joseph, gruffly, before his astonish-
ed sister could answer.
"Know you aught Of man there, Eb-
enezer Badger by name!'
''He lives two miles beyond the meeting
house, to the westward"
Thank you kindly, and a safe journey
to you," returned the pleasant voice, and
two horsemen rode by them at round
pace.
Sylvia bent low in the saddle and COW
cred her mouth with her hand to keep
from laughing aloud.
Didn't 1 talk just like father?" asked
the boy, proudly.
Eyes, Joseph; you prove rare escort.
Our father will be much pleased to know
how manly you are grown
She went off again into silent laughter
at the lads nimble wit and ready tongue.
For Ebenezer Badger was the man who
walked down the lonely road with Harry
Read, and she shrewdly suspected that
these two horsemen were Tories on their
way to meet the strangers from Virginia.
Little Joseph, in his zeal, had, all limo
Gently, directed them to the home of Eli
iah Badger, brother of Ebeneezer, and
she hoped they would not discover his
mistake until they had wasted considera-
BILE time. She said nothing of all this to
the lad, who found much to interest him
in the novel experiences of the summer
nights ride, and she patiently answered
his countless questions as best she coul&
They went on mile after mile, meeting
no one, hearing nothing but the soft, I'M
, usual noises of the evening time. 1t was
clear, bright starlight, and Sylvia knew
by well-remembered landmarks when they
drew near to Cambridge.
81 think we'd better rest here for few
minutes, Joseph, by this brook and let
our horses drink. Perhaps, too, you would
like to eat doughnut from the basket.
No, do not dismount. Do you not remem-
Der that mother charged us on no account
to leave our saddles unless absolutely nee
essary? We will ride into the brook. 1t
is not deep See?'
So the horses were refreshed. Joseph
disposed, with good relish, of the dough
nuts handed out to him, and they started
on.
twill be better il make answer to
any questions now. Joseph" she said,