The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-10-05

Quick, be quick and she unlocked
the door, half pushed the man within
and hastily turning the key again put
IL in her pocket.
"Open! Opcnw cried the voice out
side. "Open in the kings name" and
the raps were repeated
Coming, good sirs, cOmingp cried
Polly. Then her eye fell on the young
patriots great-coat lying across n
back OF the chair. If seen that would
betray all. She snatchcd IL up and
plunged IL into the great kettle OF
scarlet dye Then, throwing the door
open and courtesying low, as was the
custom OF those days, she cried: Good
evening, Cousin Charles. Welcome,
good gentlemen. My mother has gone
to Natck for the 2ay. Ne'theless you
are right welcome"
ayr grumbled the young officer
"After my knuckles are skinned with
knocking. But prithee, Polly have
you seen naught OF this insolcnt
| knaveW
Indeed, Cousin Charles, this Is but
~
dar. "Since when has my family
been augbt but loyal to the king"
True" assented the Briton. "Yet
the rascal may be lurking about"
Enter, then, and see for your
selves" cried Polly. my mother
would earnestly desire you to purge
her house of rcbelsw
They came noisily in - while the
young patriots heart beat fast-thcy
pcered into hooks and corners, and
presently assembled to the attic.
"Do not forget the cellarw cried
Polly, gaily, opening the door and
handing her cousin lighted candle.
"Pcrchance the knavc is hiding in
some bin or box"
The quest there proved as truitless
as in the chambers, but on emerging
one Of the party noted the closed door
by the chimney and tried II. "Why
lockedY' he exclaimed. "The key, fair
mistress"
For that you will do well to ask my
mother" replied Polly, carelessly.
''The closet is my mothers keeping
room, and II Is ever her custom to
carry the key In her pocket"
True" remarked her cousin, who
knew the ways of the household
"The rogue will hardly have got into
madam's keeping room. Doubtless he
has slipped away"
"If ever he were here" flashed back
Polly. But beyond doubt good cou-
sin and gentlemen, you must bc hun
cry after your hard ride VIII you
not partakc of our cheerY
Nothing loath the young redcoats
gathered about the supper table, where
for an hour or more Polly maintained
the reputation of the house for loyalty
and good entertainment. In truth the
soldiers were slow TO depart, and
would hardy have gone by nine
o'clock had not Polly adroitly remind
ed her kinsman that the "knavc" they
were pursuing would surely get clear
away. Thercupon they took leave and
rode of with much laughter.
But fearful lest they might return
Polly waited long listening, and not
|
the outer door for the night and close
| the shutters would she release her
| prisoner.
Come forth. sir" she at last com
mandcd. with assumed austcrity.
| what have we here? A rebel, | fear
me. from all | am told"
But one profoundly grateful to his
prescrvcr." replied the young man, and
to old Rastus's great astonishmcnt.
he took Mistress Polly's hand and gal
| lantly kissed the tips of her fingers.
| albeit they were tingcd with scarlet
from her dye.
"Methinks, sir, IL but i'll becomes me
To accept such thanks from one who
conf, Sses his dIsloyalty To King
george" Polly replied still with seem.
ing severity, "and whose name l do
not even know. But since you are
| here, prithcc take seat before the fire.
| For Of necessity, sir, ! have made Il
good Royalist OF you, so far as your
| great-coat covers you. See" And
with the clothes stick she lifted the
coat out OF the kettle. Not Cousin
Charles's own is n brighter scarletr
The stranger burst into hearty
| laugh.
Good faith, had not thought to
wear Il scarlet coatr' he exclaimed.
Yet, sir. IL may stand you in good
stead. rs you ride into Boston to-mor-
row." replied Polly. 1T was of that
thought as | dipped IL. And now let
us powder n little alum I'm the mortar
to Sc, the hue. would not have thy
loyalty wash out. sir. in the first show
or that falls on you"
As consequence. our young patriot
found himself powdering alum to dye
his own coat scarlet. Aud midnight
came and passed as he and Polly sat
i'm front of the great brass kettle and
old 'Rastus nodded I'm the corner.
Beyond doubt they became better
acquainted in this time and Polly Ger
tainly learned the strangers name. for
as the tall old clock I'm the corner
struck one she said. 1T is now time to
wiring thy coat. John Henderson"
When wruug IL had still To Ice dried.
and Polly put It for an hour into the
warm brick oven.
Somewhat puckered from the dye
the garment still required pressing
out. and TO heat sad.iron and ac-
complish this occupied yet another
hour. The old clock struck three.
Truly. John Henderson. making a
kings man OF thee has been long
taskr exclaimed Polly. as she held