Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-10-19
b<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<%<<<%%
5 SOLDIER AND MAIDEN +
<<<+<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<%<<<<<
sHELLO, the household"

ELLO, the house-hello!''
II Two men in the dress of
farmers, each one carrying fint-lock
musket on his shoulder, had stopped
in front of the Paulding farmhouse,
near Tarytown, on the Hudson. In
response to the call man of 30 APP
peared at the door. His face was
scarlet from having knelt before the
fire for the last half-hour, and in one
hand he held pair of bullet molds
and in the other a dozen newly-cast
bullets.
Ready in minute!" he shouted,
as he retreated into the house, and
the men at the gate lighted their
pipes and sat down on the grass.
Three ordinary men-Paulding, Van
Vert and Williams-uneducate ted, hard
working, and unknown beyond the
neighborhood, but on that Septem-
Der day of 1880 they were going to
save the life of nation and make
history for the world to read.
"Who is it?" asked the wife of
Paulding, who had been busy clearing
away the breakfast things as he
nodded his bullets.
Evan Vert and Williams"
"And what are you going to do?"
"Have pop at some of the Brit
ish foragers, if the chance comes.
Van Vert heard last night that they
took about everything Jim Hender-
Son had yesterday afternoon. We're
goin't to do a leetle scout1n' on our own
hook, and I'm hopin' some of these
bullets will find a mark"
But be careful, James care
full" cautioned the wife.
III be careful huff. Say, now, lis
ten to me. You know that big tree
and the thicket over on the cross
roads? It's only a mile from here
cross-lots. If you see any suspicious
persons hangin' about, or if the for
ayers come this way, send Minnie to
tell us. We shall hang out there all
day, unless driven off, and I may not
be back before supper time"
With that the man passed out and
joined his companions, and the three
disappeared in the woods. At almost
the same moment Minnie Paulding, a
girl of 16, who had passed the pre-
vious night. at the house of a girl friend
two miles away up the river, started
to return home. She had hardly passed
the Smith homestead when stranger,
WHO udo COIuc OuG Ol Tic uOuSS, mas
tened his steps and overlook her.
"a fail. good morning to fair little
maid," he said, as she turned at sound
of his footsteps.
In the four years of war she had en-
countered hundreds of strangers pass
ing to and fro over the highways, but
she instantly OWNED that the man be-
fore her was different from any OF
them. While his clothing was rough
and coarse, she detected the figure OF
gentleman beneath the garb. His
step and bearing told her that he was
a soldier, and his speech was not that
of countrJman. His voice was soft
and gentle, and he made her obeisancs
as he saluted.
And good morning to you." she re-
piled in return, as she resumed hel
walk.
"And 1 may suppose that you live
not far away?" queried the stranger
as he kept step with her, and STRUCK
at the wayside bushes with thu
switch in his hand.
1.-Two miles below, SIR
"And thy father-is he a king.
man?"
Indeed, no, else Washington would
not have dined with us month ago
This is no road for the kings men t.
travel"
81 fear me, little maid" he said
after light laugh, that I should
find thee a little rebel, if knew the,
better"
81 am one, sir, as is everyone abou
here, except the Smiths. IT'S q sham
that tories should be allowed to liv,
on among u.s."
'But these are the kings posses
sions, and those who remain loyal t,
their king should not be objects o
contempt and malice, though were
kings man 1 might forgive thee OF
account of thy sex. 1t is not for won
en-much less for young maidens-
to talk politics and war;
"But I thought you might be
kings man." she said, as she looke
him squarely in the eyes.
He laughed and flushed, and it wa
full minute before he replied,
Leave war for men, little maid.
should guess thine age to be abou
IT, and"
sixteen. sir"
81 stand corrected, but let me fir
ish. Chestnut hair, hazel eyes, a Gre
eaan nose, perfect teeth. trim fieur,
50 y -