Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-08-06

messenger rode through mere, feplieu |
my father, land. as he had his horse
with him, he rode away without wait.
ing for the company to assemble"
You may imagine my feelings as
turned to go home. This was my we'd
ding day, and the man who was to
marry me had ridden Off without n |
word. knowing, too. that he might new
er return. If all they were saying about
fights and resistance wns true.
MY father had reached home before
me, and as opened the door | heard
mother ask. 'Do you think it is any.
thing serious father?"
"I am afraid 1t may be. wife," he
snid "The messenger said that Gov
ernor Gage has sent some OF the kings
troops to destroy the supplies which
have been stored at Concord If the
report Is tsle there will be resistance,
and If 1t comes to that it will be very
serious business for u.s."
My mots,,r kept her fears to herself
and did her best TO make me feel that
II would come out all right, but those
hours were the most anxious | ever
spent. So through the day we watch
ed and waited for news.
The first news that came to us from
the fight at Lexington and the other
loings of that day arrived about 6
o'clock in the afternoon, when some
minutemen from another town stopped
| Mt the tavern on their way home. They
| told the story of the day to the little
crowd of anxious women who eagerly
questioned them for news of some dear
one.
My father would not let me go down
to the tavern, but went down himself
and brought us the news. l can see
him now hurrying along the road.
Something unusual has happened,
Maryw exclaimed my mother. II new
er saw your father look so excited"
| hastened down the path to meet
him.
bad news, my child; bad news" he
exclaimed. "There has been an en-
| counter with the kings troops" And
then, reading the question In my eyes.
he continued, But they brought no
news of our men,"
The hour set for the wedding was 8
O'clock but it began to look as If there
would be no wedding; for it was now
after o'clock. and none of our men
had returned home.
Mother aud sat In silence in the
kitchen while father walked back and
forth in the room above,
At last we heard steps outside, and
then my brother Arthur, who was
among the first to reach home. stagger-
ed into the room. sprang up and ran
to him. He sank into the nearest
chair, and his gun fell to the floor with
thud. Arthur was only boy of 15,
you must remember, and the day had
been terrible one.
When he had recovered a little, my
father spoke. what news do you
bring. my SOM" he asked.
Now, had felt from the first that
he had brought bad news, and by the
way he hesitated and glanced from fa-
ther to me and still did not speak
felt sure Of 1t. So put my worst fears
into words.
Arthur" said. 'is 1t Henry?"
Listen" he said, speaking rapidly.
"The kings troops were In full retreat
when we reached the road. We did
not keep with our companies. but each
one found shelter as he was able be-
hind trees. walls or fences. met Hen
ry as | was crossing a field, and we
took shelter together ;vid awaited the
coming of the troops. We had just got
settled when Henry caught sight of a
fanking party coming right down on
| 10 m hn IN
run for their lives, and at the same
time we both jumped the wall and ran
for house which stood in in the field
Just opposite. reached the opposite
wall in safety and turned round to look
for Henry, but ihe was not with me.
At that moment the troops came round
sudden turn in the road and sent
some shots in our direction. AT the
risk of being shot at ! stood up and
looked across the road. He must have
been hit by the finnking party, for he
lay just by the WALL"
Are you sure 1t was hep asked IA
ther.
: Yes; knew him by the green on
his powderhorn." replied my brother.
"You staid by and looked after him ?"
asked father.
II tried to, sir, but the troops came
down on US, and we We're obliged to
move on. went back to the place as
soon as ! could, but must have mis-
= taken the spot for could not find
him."
, Meanwhile sat In my chair, feeling
as IL had just awakened from a bad
dream. | did not fully realize what
had happened, for 1t seemed impossi-
! BILE.
. Here are some people, Mary" said
mother. "You would better go up 10
, your room and lie down."
6 did rs 1 was told. There on the
bed lay my wedding gown. could not
bear to look at 1t, and, picking 1t up,
, placed 1t In the large chest in which
! my linen was packed aud pulled down
{ the lid; then threw myself on the bed
and tears came to my relief. So lay
6 there thinking over the events of the
day, my wedding dny that was to have
been. How different from what ! had
anticipated.
: Suddenly | heard the sound of a
horses feet coming up the road at flu
@ rlous pace, | sat up and listened
Somebody is riding on an important
armand - soid 10 unvsoIf Naarer md