Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1899-01-14

Behind her, on the pillow, and Sc
curely tied to her waist, was four
| year-old Geordic, while in front,
| encircled by her arms, sat the baby
twins, Ben and Desirs, as like as two
| peas. In a moment, Geordie was
unfastened and Ruth was smother
ing him with kisses, while Mrs. ISL
ley looked very proud with a twin
on either arm.
| swell. Molly" said her father,
looking at her admiringly as she
sprang lightly to the ground, "you
are IS spray as ever. We had be-
gnn to worry about you, What
made you so late 2"
~ was waiting for dispatches from
Edward, and they came Just before
I left. They've had terrible win
ter, father" and the tears gathered
in Molly's eyes. sour brave men
have been without shoes and lad
only miserable rags for clothing, and
hundreds OF them have died from
hunger and cold. At times they
have had neither bread nor meat in
the camp, and the Continental
money lost value So that it took
four months pay of private to buy
bushel of wheat Edward says
if it had not been for the heart and
great courage of Washington they
would have given up in despair.
But things are looking brighter now.
Congress has sent them money, and
| General Green has had some splen-
did victories in the South and Ed
ward says there is still more to fol-
| low."
"You don't say !" cried the farmer
in ringing voice. and his bent form
Strengthened, and his blue eyes fash
ed. "Now, may the Lord be praisedl
How many times have l told you,
mother, that we'd certainly win ia
the end.n
| "But these victories cost so,
fatherl" said Molly, throwing her
arm over the horses neck and hid
ing her face against his glossy name.
Oh, Duke, Duke! When will your
master come back TO us ~
Duke had been champing his bit
uneasily, but at the sound of his
mistress's voice, he became instant
ly quiet. He turned his full, bright
eye on her and lowered his head un-
til his nose rubbed against her hand.
"Just look at the critter, motheri'
cried Farmer Holley. 81 think he
actually knows what the girl is say
ing?'
| edward wrote that there was
great scarcity of horses in the army,
and asked me, in case Duke was
needed for our Washington, if
would be willing to give him up"
cit would be rather hard to give
up Duke, Eb, Molly, giil?"
II would even part with him. If
necessary. / will do anything and
everything that l can, for the sake
OF my country" said Molly. sand
dear old Duke is tit to carry even so
good and great man as Washing
TOM
In few moments the family we're
seated at the table, and opening the
big, leather-bound Bible, Farmer
Holley read short chapter, follow
ed by the simple evening prayer.
The next morning, after breakfast
was cleared away, Molly said to her
father
81 believe I'll ride down to Mid
dlesex church. | don't like to miss
one of Parson Washers sermons.
They arc a great comfort to me.
And | can see, too, whether the
house is all right. I can get there
| in time for the afternoon service,
and I'll take Ruth with me for COM
rany."
Shortly before noon, Duke was
| brought to the door, and SO impa-
tient was he, thit he could hardly
wait for Molly and Ruth to mount.
OFF they went at rapid pace,
through the gate and down the old
post.road, and Canaan Parish was
soon left far behind.
After few pats and little coax.
ing, Duke settled down to a sober
trot. A ride of six miles brought
them to Molly's house, and a glance
told them that all was safe. Then
they came 10 sight of the wooden
Westinghouse, with the stiff
little belfry. On one side was
dense swamp bordering the road.
As they passed it, Ruth glanced
carelessly back, aad her heart gave
a great thump, as she thought she
saw bit ofred color and glitter
as of sunshine on FURNISHED steel.
She looked again, but there was
nothing but en- unb-oken wall of
| green leaves, so thick was the
growth of bushes and tangled vines.
Her first impulse was to tell Molly.
Then she laughed at her foolish
fears. aI'm but silly girl,' she
though; Kit was all imagination"
The bell was still ringing, and
Molly went behind the church,
where the horses were fastened, and