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

By riargaret Henderson.
r n 1774-5, previous TO the outbreaI
III 10 q.

y
of whom was related 10 the Callen
dars, frequently rode out from Bostol
10 call at the hospitable country house
1t was Polly Calendar whom the.
went to see; her beauty and yiyaciou
wit were the theme Of many toasts
And up to the evening Of this stor!
Polly was as disdainful Of the min
ute men" as was her mother.
At about noon OF that day MADAM
Calendar was summoned 10 the bed
side OF Elizabeth Ballard kinswom
an living near Natick. She had lef
her brick oven full of the weeks bak
ing, and had set n large brass Kettle
filed with redwood dye, on the crane
in the great fireplace. Madam Callen
dar's parting directions TO Polly had
been not My TO watch the oven, but
en- yarn, spun during the previous
Numerous skeins and banks Of wool
en- yarn, spun during the previous
winter, were immersed in II, and the
last warning from Polly's mother was:
Redwood must never be hurried,
Polly. Stir often, lass. Press the
hanks down hard with your clothes
stick. and then drop in little OF this
powdered alum TO set the scarlet
SO through IN, long, foggy afternoon
II was Polly Calendars homcly task
TO watch the oven and tend the scar
let kettle" But with evening came
an unexpected diversion. A knock
was heard at the outer door, and when
old 'Rastus, the negro servant. had
opened IL, tall young man, In provn-
cial garb, inquired how far IL was to
Boston, and what was the road.
Learning that the distance was still
considerable, he entreated hospitality,
saying that having ridden since dawn
he was both tired and wet. Polly at
first demurred, but In the end, moved
by his plight and persuaded somewhat
by his respectful manners and hand
some face, she sent 'Rastus TO stable
the horse.
She spread plentiful supper before
the wayfarer, and then, because hbs
appearance pleased her, she brewcd
for him some OF her mothers cher
delicate teacups that had come from
England.
But the young man ate in silence,
Notwithstanding these attentions.
Truth to say, he was III at ease. lie
was on his way to join the minute
men, and he was bringing with him q
hundred pounds that had been con.
tTibuted by the patriot committee" of
his native town. He feared that in
some way the redcoats had been given
hint Of HIS mission. Mounted men
had stared hard at him that day. and
he had thought IL wise TO avoid n troop
patrolling the roads. And now, de
spite the quality of his supper. he
paused to lit.en anxiously whenever
horses hoofs or voices were heard
without. Polly, noticing his uncasi.
ness and marking his blue, colonial
home nun, drew her own differences.
OF a sudden the young man took
note Of the kettle and It's scarlet con.
tents.
That is bright dye which you
have there, mistress he remarked.
"Arc you fond of SO high n color?"
I'm good truth, sir, and why notF''
replied Polly. Have you any fault TO
find with it,"
II would be n churl If | did an.
swered the guest, gallantly, "since 1t
Is scarcely more pink than the checks
OF my fair hostess.
'The redcoats must feel Hattercd at
your preference. he added.
And Is it not the hue that al. loyal
subjects should prefer" qucried
Polly, demurely.
NAY. but | will not gainsay you.
mistress replied the young man.
"And yet" he added. lit is a color
soon to fade under our American SUI" ."
But not from the hearts OF the
kings loyal subjects" retorted Polly.
This Is no rebel household, sir. My
kinsmen, who were here but ycstcr-
day, wear the scarlet. and are the
kings loyal servants" And saying
this she observed her guest closely
and saw that he WINGED.
Beyond doubt he is one Of the pa
triots," she thought. But such n
handsome youth! Moreover, he is
most courteous, and his voice and
ways are more gentle and respectful
than those OF Cousin Charles"
AS for the stranger his heart sank
nfresh. Il will pay for my supper
and get on" he thought. II shall bc
safer abroad in the darkness than
here" And he rose TO take leave rs
gently rs he might, but at that mo-
inent the tramp of horses was again
heard, and this time they did not pass.
but pulled up before the house door
MY kinsmcn. 1t is very like" said
Polly. smiling. "Thoy wear sharp
swords, sir" Then. rs she noted the
hunted look which the young man cast
about the room. her light and taunt
ing manner changed. "Is it that you
would not like TO meet them. sry'
she asked in low tone.
AS she spoke there came an impera
tive rap 1T the outer door. and cry
OF, open I'm the kings namew
For heavens sake. mistress. show
Inc some N-ay out" cried the stranger
ut Is less that | fear their swords
but ! am tn mission of importance. b
open. madam! Open Polly! II {,
j, your Cousin Charles. and they say
there is a rascally rebel herer' cr!et
the voice outside. "Rut we have tn,
house surrounded"
Polly had turned toward real
door. but hearing these last words
dartcd TO the centre OF the room again