The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-02-16

most Of despair, the man meanwhile
watching her and not uttering sound.
Z, As soon as she had the tube ready,
she grasped the shovel, which was near
the kitchen door, and said: "Come!
Be quick! We haven't minute to
spare"
The man followed her, not perceiving
her purpose, but too frightened to ques-
ton or protest. Quickly Mistress Fish
er ran to the ash heap and began to dig
with feverish haste. Every moment was
precious now, and she labored desper-
ately, knowing that the fate of life
depended upon her efforts. As soon
as she had made hole large CROUCH to
satisfy her, she dropped the shovel, and,
taking the quill tube, said to her COM
panion: Here! keep this in your
mouth! Now jump in and I'll hide you.
Be sure and keep your eyes and mouth
closed. Quick!"
Her purpose was clear now, and in
stantly the man obeyed. Then Mistress
Fisher covered him with ashes, being
careful to see that the end of the tube
was left free, and as soon as the labor
was completed she flung the shovel to
one side of the house and entered the
kitchen, just as the tories came up on
the piazza. Her heart was trembling,
though her countenance was bold, as
she advanced to meet the band.
"Who are you? What wish you here?"
the brave woman demanded.
"Give up that rebel, Joe Butler" said
the leader; 1--WE saw him turn in here"
"Think you would give him up if
he were here?"
"You've got him here somewhere.
Now, give him over!" shouted the lead
er, fourishing a pistol as he spoke.
Mistress Fisher felt strangely sick
and faint, but, still striving to keep up
her bold appearance, said: Keep your
pistol to brighten children with; you
shall not intimidate me! Ifyou want to
give up your chase and look for my
neighbor Butler here, it is your priv
ilege. IT'S not the first time defense
less women in Westchester county have
had their homes invaded by hirelings!"
'Come on, boys!" called the leader,
restoring his pistol to his belt and
turning to his followers as he spoke.
"She hid that rebel husband of hers
under the kitchen floor, and perhaps
Joe Butler is there now!"
In moment the search was be-
gun. The loose boards of the floor
were torn away, but no "rebel' was
found beneath them. Then into the
cellar, into every room and closet,
tearing apart the beds and overturn-
ing chairs and tables in their efforts.
The men searched the house, but the
missing man could not be found.
''Some of you go out to the barn."
said the leader, at last. 'I'll stand
here and keep my eye on both places"
he added, as he stepped upon the ash
heap.
In en- agony of fear Mistress Fish.
err watched and waited. Would he dis
cover the presence of the man con-
cealed beneath his feet? The mo-
ments dragged on like hours, but at
last the search was abandoned and
with many threats against her "rebel
husband" and the wing who for the
presen. had escaped them the men de-
parted. The woman waited until a
half hour had gone and then, taking
her shovel, began to dig into the ash
heap again. Soon she had freed her
neighhcr from his hiding place, but
what spectacle he presented NJ
most too exhausted to stand, streaked
with the ashes, and almost blinded as
we'll, it was long before he was re-
stored. But at last, by the aid Of
soap ard water and such simple means
as were in the house, he was made
ready to return to his horne or go to
the camp, as he deemed best.
AS lie stood on the piazza he said:
Il thought I was a dead man when
crawled into that ash heap. I was
thinking of the words of the preach
er-'Dust to dust, ashes to ashes.'"
"Out of the ashes you came to life
again. responded Mistress Fisher,
solemn]y. $50 may it be with our
country and with us ALL" And the
true-hearted woman stood in the door,
way and watched her neighbor until
he disappeared in the forest-Everett
T. Tomlinson, IN Congregationalist.