Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-11-01

those hours were the most anxious l
ever spent. So through the day we
watched and waited for news.
The first news that came to usfrom
the fight at Lexington and the other
doings of that day arrived about 6
o'clock in the afternoon, when some
minutemen from another town stop
ped at 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 Lot let me go
down,to the tavern, but went down
himself and brought US the news. I
can see him now hurrying along the
road.
Something unusual has happened,
Mary p exclaimed my mother 81
never saw your father look SO excited.
fastened down the path to meet
hlm.
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 vas S
o'clock, but it began to look as II
there would be no wedding, for it was
now.after 7 o'clock, and none of our
men had returned home.
Mother and l satin silence in the
kitchen while father walked back and
forth in tie room above.
At last we heard steps outside, and
then my brother Arthur, who was
among the first to reach home, stag
gered into the room. l sprang up
and ran to him. He sank into the
nearest chair, and his gun fell to the
floor with thud. Arthur was only
a boy of Is you must remember, and
the day had been a terrible one.
When he had recovered a little, my
father spoke. What news do you
bring, my son ?" he asked.
Now, had felt from the first that
he had brought bad news, and by the
way he hesitated and glanced from
father to me and still did not speak !
felt sure of it. So l put my worst
fears into words.
Arthur" said, "is it Henry"
LISTEN, he said, Speaking rapidly
"'The kings troops were in full re-
treat when we reached the road. We
did not keep with our, companies, but
each one found shelter as he was able
behind trees, walls or-fences. met
Henry as was crossing a field, and
we took shelter together and awaited
the coming Of the troops. We had
Just got settled when Henry caught
sight of Aanking party coming right
down on US. He called to the men
near US to run for their lives, and at
the same time We both jumped the
wall and ran for house which stood
in the field just opposite. ! reached
the opposite wall in safety and turned
around to look for Henry, but be was
mot 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 l stood up and looked across the
road. He must have been hit by the
fanking party, for he lay just by The
wall.
"Are you sure it was he ?" asked
father.
ayes; I knew him by the green or
his powderhorn. . replied my brother.
lyon staid by and looked after
him ?" asked father.
81 tried to, sir, but the troops came
down on US, and We were obliged to
move on. l went back to the place
as soon as l could, but I must have
mistaken the spot, for I could not find
him. "
Meanwhile I sat in my chair, feel.
ing as if | had just awakened from a
bad dream. l did not fully realize
what had happened, for it seemed im'
possible. e.,
Here are some people, Mary, said
mother. You had better 60 to youl
room and lie down"
l did as was told. There on the
bed lay my wedding gown. / could
not bear to look at itrand, picking il
up, placed it IN the. large chest il
which my linen was packed aud pullet
down the lid then l threw myself OF