The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-16
III Soldier.
and a M2aiden.
st. Louis Globe-Democrat

80 III the dress of farmers and
49, -, - I.ieAu carrying a f1int-lock muslxet
ooioer mad stopped in front Of
- 49, 4T Iarm house, near Tarrytown,
- o. ASoll. 4nresponse to the call
VI y appeared at the door His face
was was scaiaet from having knelt before the
, nie Aoi .ne last half hour and in one
q, No iie1o pair of bullet moulds, and
III the otner dozen newly cast bullets
Ready In a minute y he shouted as ne
retreated into eshouse and the men at
the gate nghted their pipes and sat down
U VI IHo grass. Three ordinary men
Paulolng, Van Vert and Williams-uned-
ucated, hard working, and unknown be.
!oha the ne1ghborhoodJ but ON that Sep
TEMPER day of 1850 they, were going to
save the life of nation and make his
tory for the world to read.
VINO is it?" asked the wife of Pauld-
ing VINO has been busy clearing away the
breakfast things as he nodded his bullets
Van Vert and Williams
And what are you going to dor
Have pop at some of the British for
ayers If the chance comes. Van Vert
heard last night that they took about ev-
erythtng Jim Henderson had yesterday
afternoon. We amt got no order from
anybody but were goin' to do a leetle
scout1n' on our own hook, and I'm hopin'
some of these bullets will find a mark
BE careful James-be careful eau
toned the wife.
I'll be careful 'nuff. Say, now, listen
to me. You know that big tree and the
thicket over on the crossroads? It's
only mile from here cross lots. If you
see any suspicious persons hangin' about,
or If the fordgers come this way send
Minnie to tell u.s. We shall hang out
there all day unless driven off, and I
may not be back before supper time
With that the man passed cut and
joined his companions, and the three dis
appeared in the woods. At almost the
same moment Minnie Paulding, a girl of
1e, who had passed the previous night at
the house Of q girl friend two miles up
the river, started to return home. She
had hardly passed the Smith homestead,
When stranger, who had come out If
the house FASTENED his steps and over
took her.
"A fair good morning to a fair little
maid" he said, as she turned at the
sound of his footsteps.
At glance she RELAXED that she had
never seen the man before. In the four
years of the war she had encountered
hundreds Of strangers passing to and fro
over the highways. but she instantly Ill
V1ned that the man before her was differ
ent from any of them. While his clothing
was rough and coarse, she detected the
figure Of a gentleman beneath the garb.
Ills step and bearing told ner that he
was soldier, and his speech was not
that of a countrXman. His voice was soft
and gentle and he made her cbeisance as
he saluted.
And good morning to you," she replied
IN return as she resumed her walk
And may I suppose that you live nos
far aWay?' queried theDstranger, as he
kept step with her, and\ struck at the
Wayside bushes with the switch in his
hand.
And thy father-is he kings mann
Indeed, no, else Washington would not
have dined with US a month ago This
Is 70 road for the kings men to travel,
Il fear me, little maid' he said, after a
light laugh, that 1 should find thee a
little rebel, If 1 knew thee better"
I am one sir, as is everv.-one about
here, except the Smithssd It's a. shame
that Tories should. be allowed to live
on among US"
but these are the kings possessions,
and those who remain loyal to their king
should not be objects of contempt and
malice though We're a kings man I
might forgive thee on account of thy
sex 1t is not fnrrwerr1eTi- less for
young matdens-to talk politics and war;
But thoughtIyoaI might be a kings
man." she said, as she looked him square,
ly in the eyes.
He laughed and flushed, and it was
| full minute before he replied:
Leave war for men,, little. maid
should guess thine agezto- be about sew
| enteen, and
Sixteen, SIR
1T stand corrected, but let me finish,
Chestnut hair, hazel eyes, Grecian
nose perfect teeth, trim figure, small
feet and charming frankness. There is a
great promise here, and yet, alack!
faN1y
boor toiling among these hills for his
daily bread"
He had not spoken with impertinence,
but the cheeks of the maiden Redeemed,
and he saw that she was angry. They
walked on for a few rods in silence, and
then he halted and uncovered his head.
and, making low bow, he said:
Il have hurt thee, and beg forgive
ness. Let us talk of other things. Is
the road clear of pickets and patrols?"
Il believe 1t is she answered, molli-
fled by his words, "but if you are of us
you need fear no danger
'Didst [ not tell thee to leave war to
| men?' he asked, withaa laugh
II go this way ito my home, and you
go that way to Farrytown. Sir, bid
you good-day"
"But not without clasp of the hand"
he replied, as he extended his and DOTTED
his hat you have made this walk pleas
! ant for me. thank you and wish you
happiness. Should we meet again.
He did not finish A cloud came to his
face, he looked apprehensively around,
and then, forcing a smile, he made a.
i grand bow and went his way down the
river road.
who can he be?" unused the girl, as
she stood and watched him. HE is sure
ly soldier and a gentleman but he Is
not one of US. Are British spies men
of gentle speech and eourtly manners?
He must have had business with the
Tory Smith, but surely he can be no
spy"
When she reached home she had much
to say to her mother of the stranger
who had walked with her on the high
way, but she had spoken very few words
when the mother Interrupted:
IF the man IS a patriot what was he
doing at the house of a Tory? Girl, run
and tell your father and Van Vert and
Williams. They will have time to in
tercept him on the river road
Half an hour later the girl appeared at
the big tree on the cross roads and told
her story.
ut isn't likely that British spy would
be walking the highways In broad day.
! light" responded the father, but If he
be stranger to these parts let US over
haul him. If he be an honest man 1t
will do him no harm. Come, girl. YOU
may go with us and return by the
road"
The stranger had dallied by the wav-
side after the girl had parted from him.
1t was a glorious morning, and the
squirrels were gathering their breakfast