Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-07-11
DOROTHY AND
THE HESS|ANS

ADOVVsSS
r, the wear 1776 little Dorothy Stirling,
10 was then just 10 years old, lived
v;,h her parents in pretty vine covered
,ause on the outskirts OF Flatbusb,
,rh,ch. rs you know. is on Long Island.
o. Jnly 1 her father. having important
,na,ters TO attend to in New York, took
sis wife aud daughter over there with
sirr and they staid nj the house of a
S,;cna This house stood at what IL now
.bc corner Of Broadway and Leonard
s,rcet. but in those days il was all open
country, lovely green fields aud pasture
land. 80.
vas destined to he the most eyentful in
tho history OF our country. Wonderful
cvcnts we're taking place, and the old
ci,v OF New York was filed with hustle
and suppressed excitement. Dorothy did
not understand what II all meant, but she
loew something unusual was happening.
Her father. instead OF laughing and romp.
;no with her as he was wont to do when
he came home at night was very grave
and quiet. and sometimes he would hold
his little daughter In his arms for a whole
borr without saying a word. gazing out
through the open window over the green
selds and with look on his face that
made tender hearted Dorothy murmur
softly, Poor papa" and with her little
hands she would try TO brush away the
deem wrinkles that had gathered on his
brow. Her pretty. bright little mother
had grown quiet and sad, too. and once
Itnro,hy found her sewing on n gny blue
coat with brass buttons and weeping.
MARINA" said Dorothy. kneeling at
her mo hers side, what makes you cry.
and what makes every body So graveT"
Dorothy" said Mrs. Stirling stroklng
lie child's fair hair. the time has nearly
come when all brave and loyal men like
parn must fight for their country and
when all true women like you and me. my
darling, must stand by them, for they
VII need our help and comfort sorciy be-
fure It's all over
Then she told her daughter that the
English king had not dealt fniriy Icy his
people in America. and that they had de
t,Yaiincd to rebel from his authority and
r,,,c themselves, aud this little girl learn
e,l that her father was going 10 be a sol
der and cnrry fine sword aud fight
a.ainst the English when the right time
came.
The next day her father took her down
90 Bowling Green to SEQ some soldiers
drill. They were gay looking fellows in
knickcrhockers. with funny powdered
wigs and long cues under their three cor
uered hats. And then Captain Stirling
took her down to the waters edge and
pointed out lot VI the kings ships, with
flags flying, that lay off Staten Island.
And as she looked n roll Of drums and the
sharp squeak of the tifcs came floating
over the bay
Dorothy clappcd her hands In delight.
"Oh. papa" she cried, do you think
they will come to New York? | love To
hear the drums
Il fear So. dear" said the father. pick
ing up his little daughter and kissing her,
But it viii be another tune they'll play
As they were starting on their why home
there was n sharp clattcr Of hoofs and
the mad hurrahing OF a mighty crowd
that surgcd about solitary horseman as
he drew up at Il tavern in Bowling Green.
The rider was covered with dust. and his
hat was gone. while the poor jaded horse
was covered with foam from his ride.
"Hark" cried Captain Stirling. "Hark
10 what the man is saying"
We are declared free and independent
states by the Continental congress Mt
Philadelphia. 1t WAS ratified on the
Fourth Of July. We are free
These were the words that rang in the
b.r faf