The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-09-14
Romance 0fO|dS ST, D0VId'S

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Prudence Jones was the fairest of all
the maids of Radnor.
Indeed twas said her beauty was
greater than that of many a fine lady
in Philadelphia. Thither she had just
been. having gone chiefly to buy material
for gown to wear when Gerald Harper
would presently lead her to the altar of
St. David's.
The buxom country lass, with a COM
plexion not made before the mirror. un-
Willingly captured heart that had been
proof against Cupid's arrows. Rowland
Burgess, whom many a city girl would
have been glad to wed, had asked her to
be his wife. When she hesitated. the
petted child of fortune was annoyed
When, with becoming candor, she con-
fessed she was to marry another. he
vowed his sword would settle the right
to her hand.
Not little fearful. Prudence broke her
engagement with Gerald.
I'VE will never see me again. I'm GO
ing to drown myself" the young farmer
declared. But on reflection he did moth
ing of the sort. He dug his cornfield
with redoubed vigor and resolved to
marry the first comedy girl who would
have him.
Gossips whispered unkind things about
Prudence. but il was plain envy was at
the bottom Of their talk. She paid no
heed TO them.
Young Burgess gave her little time to
change her mind again. He began at
once to build II house near St. David's.
and scarce six months had gone by ere
all the country folk were hidden to the
wedding.
Twas a day long to be remembered.
None who could go staid away. E'eE
Gerald was there.
"It's an i'll wind that blows no good"
observed the honest farmer. To him eti-
quette was an unknown art.
Prudence. upon the arm of her lord and
master, smiled indulgently. She could
scarce have been expected TO regret her
choice.
Ere many months Of the honeymoon
had sped there came into the quiet valley
news that the warcloud had at last burst
Far though it seemed from the busy
world, the young men soon began to talk
of enlisting. Yhe first to proclaim him.
self as anxious to bear arms against the
mother country was Gerald Harper.
mo maid wants me. | may as well
90 to the war;" was his decision.
Prudence gave him godspeed as he set
off for Philadelphia to join Proctor's ar
tillery.
Her husband looked on smilingly.
''There will be enough single men to sat
isfy British bullets" he declared.
And as the days went by he kept say
ing so, though it became more and more
evident if the colonies were to win there
could not he too many men in the field.
But It's hard for a man to leave an ap-
parently never ending honeymoon to face
the common enemy-death.
Twas now more than a year since in
dependence had been proclaimed. and the
word was yet mockery, sounding hope
lessly as it did amid the din of battle.
St. David's had been closed as place
of worship. William Currie. the rector,
having deemed it his duty to read the
English liturgy, had been driven out as a
Tory. The church was q barracks for
a company of Continental soldiers. A
communion set given by Queen Anne and
the lead of the windows had been nodded
ihlo ouCu was lHc loyalty OIL
these sturdy Welsh settlers to their
adopted country.
And still Rowland Burgess remained
by his wife's side.
One day Prudence received n letter.
IT'S from Uncle Davy." she said. "He
is with General Wayne near Chadd's
Ford. and he's coming here to preach"
Next Sunday morning Mad An
fhonv'cp oh Ioin II
cred with dust, his left arm was band
aged. but he sprang from his faded horse
with the agility of lad.
He well deserved the title of "Fishting
Parson." Somewhat below medium
height and weight, he was put together
like a soldier. His keen gray eyes had
a merry twinkle; his face was firm, yet
kind.
He seemed like man who would en-
joy being at war with one half of the
world if he could be at peace with the
other half. He was. indeed. typical of
the bygone days when the church was
close to the daily life of the people,
Your arm, uncler' exclaimed Pru-
dence, as she greeted him.
only scratch from British bullet
q few miles down the road-it can wait.
You see, | have come prepared" And
he drew a dozen sheets of closely written
paper from beneath his coat.
But surely you will have something
to cut and drink, uncle?"
Fighting first. lass-am fighting the
devil today"
They went to the little church, which
was already filled-for the most part
with women and old men. Here and
there was ii young man in civilians
clothes. A score of soldiers Ioitered in
the doorway. They cheered Justly when
the Fighting Parson" appeared.
He donned the black gown of the ban
ished rector and presently mounted the
high pulpit to read the sermon he had
prepared.
His keen eyes wandered around the
church. settling for an instant upon each
high backed pew, apparently seeing into
the utmost recess of the balcony, where
the bellows boy was preparing for nap.
Again he looked around, this time
slowly. He seemed to be counting the
young men in civilians dress. Espe-
cially did he gaze upon Rowland just
beneath him.
He hurled his sermon upon the floor.
Thirteen" he exclaimed. "Why don't
Won go with the American army and
fight the British?''
Then he waited for n reply that came
not. There was no sound save the chirp-
ing of a bird i'll the burial ground.
'I'm not afraid to go. They can't
hurt me. They can kill me IL they like.
they can make drumhead OF my old
hide, brt they'll play humy drum, drum.
humy, drum, drum, till the British are
scared out Of the country"
Then, as if realizing it was Tory
gown he wore, he threw it off, revealing
his Continental uniform.
The women and children were awed.
the young men hung their heads in
shame-even Rowland-and the old pa
triots joined with the soldiers in cheering
the "Fighting Iarson."
Having finished his impromptu sermon,
he brought the service to hasty close,
then announced his desire to eat-'sOme-
thing good. and plenty of it." he ex-
planned.
You We're preaching at me-" observed
the ma,teH of the house rather humbly
s.the!r guest attacked the dinner.
You ana II others. Good beef and
rGiH, PYud, nee, III have more"