Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-09-27
A NEW ENGLAND
HEROINE. E.-r
She Would Not Lie, but
Prevaricated to Save
a Life,

! Ane' !
When the British and Tories attack
ed New Haven, Conn, and set price
on the head of Governor Griswold the
latter fed to the town Of Lyme, where
his cousin, Mrs. Marvin, hid him for
some days in a farmhouse. But at
length the foe discovered his retreat
and one sunny afternoon in May he
was routed from his hiding place by
the tidings that n band of horsemen
was approaching to capture him.
His only chance of escape was to
>reach the mouth of little creek which
emptied itself into the Connecticut
river just above the entrance of the
latter into Long Island sound. There
he had boat stationed, with two faith
full attendants, hidden beneath the
high banks of the creek.
The distance from the farmhouse to
the boat was two miles Of the usually
travelled road. But little path across
the farmers orchard would bring him
to the road only a mile from the boat
and save quarters length of his fear
full run for life.
Just where the narrow path from the
orchard opened into the road Hetty
Marvin sat bleaching her household
linen. The long web of 40 yards or
more, which was diligently spun and
woven during the long winter months,
was whitened in May and thus made
ready for use.
The business of bleaching was well
economical, being usually done by the
younger daughters of the family, who
were not old enough to spin or strong
enough for the heavier work of the
kitchen or the dairy.
The roll of linen was taken by the
farmer or his stout "help" to a grassy
plot beside a spring or meadow brook.
There it was thoroughly wetted and
spread upon the green turf, to take the
best heat of the sun by day and the
dew by night. The little maiden who
tended it would sit near it.
Thus sat Hetty Marvin, the young
daughter of Governor Griswold's
cousin, when her hunted friend sprang
past her into the road to escape his
pursuers. Hetty was a timid child OF
about II years, yet thoughtful and
wise beyond any of her elders. She
was frightened by the headlong haste
with which the governor rushed across
the meadow. But she quickly compre-
hended the scene and instantly quieted
her faithful Towser, who, though q
friend of the family guest, thought it
becoming to bark loudly at his hur-
ried footsteps.
Her wise forethought arrested the
governors notice and suggested
scheme to elude her pursuers.
"Hetty," he said, Il am flying for
my life, and unless q can reach my
boat before l am overtaken l am lost
man. You see the road forks here.
But you must tell those who are chas-
ing me that have gone up the road
to catch the mail wagon, which will
soon be along, you know. Then they
will turn off the other way"
"Oh, cousin" said the little girl in
an agony of distress, Il cannot tell
lie-indeed l cannot. Why did you tell
which way you were going"
"Hetty, child, surely you would not
betray me to my death? Hark! they
are coming! 1 hear the click of their
horses feet. Oh, Hetty, tell them |
have gone up the road instead of down,
and heaven will bless you"
Heaven never blesses those who
speak falsely. But / will not tell
them which way you go, even if they
kill me. So run as quickly as pos
sible"
"It's of no use. Unless can deceive
them l am n dead man."
cousin, cousin, hide under my well
of cloth. They'd never think Of look
ing here for you. Come, get down as
quickly as you can, and I'll cover you
pnd stand sprinkling my linen"
Angry that their expected prey had
escaped from the house where they
hoped to secure him, the six mounted
Tories headed by a British officer,
dashed along the road in swift pursuit.
At sight of the girl in the meadow
the leader of the party paused.
Child" he said sternly, "have you
seen a man running hereabouts?"
eyes, sir" replied Hetty, trembling
and flushing.
(Which way did he go?"
Il promised not to tell, sir.'
"But you must or take the conse-
quences."
81 said l wouldn't tell, if you killed
me-" sobbed the frightened girl.
"Tll have it out of her" exclaimed
the furious officer, with an oath.
Let me speak to her." said his Tory
guide. 81 know the child, | believe
Isn't your name Hetty Marvin he
asked pleasantly.
Eyes, sir"
'And this man that ran by you a
few minutes ago is your mothers
cousin, isn't hep
"Yes, sir; he is"
"WeI, we are friends of his. What
did he say to you when he came
along?"
''He-told me-that he was fleeing for
his life"
Just so, Hetty; that was very true.
hope he won't have to fly far. Where
was he going to hide? You see l could
help him if | knew his plans"
Now, Hetty was not a whit deceived
by this smooth speech. But she was
willing to tell as much of the truth as
would consist with his safety, and she
Judged that her frankness would serve
her kinsman better than her silence, so
she answered her questioner candidly:
my cousin said he was going down
/ to the river where he had a boat and
wanted me to tell the men that were
chasing him that he had gone the
other way to catch the mail wagon"
"Why didn't you do as he told you,
then, when l asked you where he had
gomez" thundered the officer fiegcely.
81 could not tell lie, sir" was the
fearful answer.