The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-05


each one carrying a fiint-lock musket on
his shoulder, had stopped in front of the
Pauling farmhouse near Tarrytown on
the Hudson. In response to the call, a
man of thirty appeared at the door. His
face was scarlet from having knelt be-
fore the fire for the last half hour, and
in one hand he held pair of bullet
noulds and in the other a dozen newly
cast bullets.
Ready in a ninute!' he shouted, as he
retreated into the house, and the men at
the gate lighted their pipes and sat down
on the grass. Three ordinary men-Pauld-
ing. Van Vert and Williams-uneducated
handwriting. and unknown beyond the
neighborhood. but on that September day
of 1850 they were going to save the life
of a nation and make history for the
world to read.
who is it," asked the wife OF Paul
ding who had been busy clearing away
the breakfast things as he moulded his
bullets.
Van Vert and williams"
And what are you going to do?"
Have a pop at some of the British
foregers If the chance comes. Van Vert
heard last night that they took about
everything Jim Henderson had yesterday
afternoon. We amt got no orders from
anybody but we're goin' to do a leetle
scoutin' on our own hook, and I'm hopin
some of these bullets will find mark. I"
But be careful, James-be careful"
cautioned the wife.
I'm be careful 'nuff. Say, now, listen
to me. You know that big tree and the
thicket over on the crossroads? It's only
a mile from here cross-lots. If you see
any suspicious persons hangin' about or
If the foragers come this way, send Min
ME to tell us. We shall hang out there
all day unless driven off, and may not
be back before supper time"
With that the man passed out and join
ed his companions, and the three disap-
peared in the woods. At almost the same
moment, Minnie Pauldng. girl of 16, who
had passed the previous night at the house
of a girl friend two miles away up the
river, started to return home. She had
hardly passed the Smith homestead when
a stranger, who had come out of the
house, FASTENED his steps and overlook
her.
"A fair good morning to a fair little
maid" he said, as she turned at sound
OF his footsteps.
AT glance she realized that she had
never seen the man before. In the four
years of war she had encountered hun
dreds of strangers passing to and fro over
the highways, but she instantly OWNED
that the man before her was different
from any of them. While his clothing was
rough and coarse, she detected the figure
of a gentlemen beneath the garb His
step and bearing told her that he was a
soldier, and his speech was not that of a
countryman. His voice was soft and gem
tie, and he made her obeisance as he sa-
luted.
And good morning to you" she replied
in return, as she resumed her walk.
And l may suppose that you live not
far away?" queried the stranger, as he
kept step with her. and struck al the way
side bushes with the switch in his hand
Two miles below, sir.
And thy father-.is he a Kings MANI
Indeed, no, else Washington would moi
| have dined with us a month ago. This is
no road for the Kings men to travel"
Il fear me, little maid" he said after
a light laugh, that l should find thee a
little rebel if knew thee BETTER
Il am one, sir as is everyone about here
except the Smiths. IT'S a shame that To.
ries should be allowed to live on among
us"
But these are the Kings possessions
and those who remain loyal to their King
should NOT be objects of contempt and
malice, though were 1 a Kings man.
might forgive thee on account of thy sex
II Is not for women-much less for youns
maidens-to talk of politics and war"
But l thought you might be a Kings
man. she said, as she looked him square
ly in the eyes.
He laughed and flushed, and 1t was a
full minute before he replied:
wa =
should guess thine age to be about IT,
and"
Sixteen, sir"
Il stand corrected but let me finish.
Chestnut hair, hazel eyes. a Grecian nose.
perfect teeth, a trim figure, small feet
and charming frankness. There is a great
promise here, and yet, alack! a few years
hence will see thee the wife of a boor.
toiling among these hills for his daily
bread"
He had not spoken with impertinence,
but the cheeks Of the maiden Redeemed,
and he saw that she was angry They
walked on for few rods In silence and
then he halted and uncovered his head,
and making a low bow, he said:
Il have hurt thee and I beg forgive
ness. Let us talk of other things Is
the road clear of pickets and patrols?"
II believe II is" she answered, moIli-
| you need fear no danger"
Did I not tell thee 20 leave war to
men?" he asked. with a laugh.
few minutes later they came TO where
the road branched, and as the girl halted
| she said:
II go this way to my house and you
go that way to Tarrytown. Sir, I bid
you good-day."
But not without clasp of the hand, "
he replied. as he extended his and DOTTED
his hat. You have made the walk pleas
| ant for me. I thank You and wish YOU
| happiness. Should we meet again"
He did not finish. A cloud came to his
| face, he looked apprehensively around
and then forcing a smile. he made a
grand bow. and went his way down the
| river road.
who can he be?" unused the girl, as
she stood and watched him. He is surely
soldier and a gentleman, but he is not
one of us. Are British spies men of gen.
tie speech and courtly manners? He
must have had business with the Tory
Smith, but surely he can be no spy?"
When she reached. home she had much
to say TO her mother of the stranger who
had walked with her on the highway
but she had spoken very few words wher
the mother interrupted:
| IF the man was a Patriot what was
| he doing a the house of a Tory? Girl
| run and tell your father and Van wert
and Williams They will have time to in.
tercept him on the river road"
Half an hour later the girl appeared al
Pa