The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-04-20
BRAVE BETTY

A girl of fourteen years was sitting
on the steps Of humble cottage one
beautiful August morning in 1871.
The sun was just rising over the hills
of northern Maryland and was send
ing it's rays into the peaceful little
village Of Westbrook.
Betty, Betty" called shrtll voice
from within the house.
What is it mother?" she asked, as
she arose. and with reluctant steps
entered the house.
What were you doing out there on
the steps? The housell be in fine
condition, warrant, when get back.
You must do the work and keep the
house tidy" exclaimed tall, severe
woman, as she tied on large black
sunbonnet and packed few trifes in
O somewhat worn travelling bag.
when will you be back mother2"
inquired Betty, as she pulled few
dead leaves from the bright flowers
In the window
81 don't know, Betty" replied Mrs.
Brown. "If Pm not back by tomor-
row mornin there's no tellin' when
I'll get back. Now be a good girl,
Betty, and I'll bring you new frock
for the fair Goodbye" and hastily
imprinting kiss on her fair daugh-
ter's velvety cheek, the mother hur-
ried off.
81 wish she wasn't going" MUIR
INJURED Betty, as her mothers figure
disappeared, "it'll be lonesome here
all by myself, but l suppose they need
her at the hospital. If she comes
back tomorrow father will be all
right, and if she doesn't"-and the
girl shuddered.
Her father and two brothers were
enlisted under General Washington.
The night before they had received
a message informing them that the
father was wounded. Mrs. Brown
was hurrying to her husband.
Betty gazed thoughtfully out of the
window for some time; then she turn
ed to her household duties, saying
half aloud, "Ill give this old house a
good cleaning. Dear mother has so
much to do. Then if finish in time
I'll run over to Anne's and get her
to stay over night with me-"
With this thought in mind Betty
went to work in earnest. She work
ed hard all morning, and stopped to
get light lunch.
ooh, dear!" she thought, as she
swallowed the last bite, will ne er,
never get this old house cleaned?"
Not till half past Eve did she finish.
It was too late to go for Anne then,
even if she wasn't so very tired. She
lay down on the grass to rest, and
YEARLY closed her eyes.
She was just about to fall asleep
when she heard the long grass that
surrounded the house rustling as If
something was moving through it.
She sat up and was very much fright
ened as she saw a human form slowly
crawling through the deep grass to-
ward her. She tried to scream but
couldn't, so she just sat there and
with wildly beating heart awaited to
see what would happen.
Presently the form arose and she
saw a soldier with a very ragged,
worn buff and blue uniform on. His
head was bound with a bloody rag,
and his uniform was stained with
blood and Betty could see that one
foot was terribly wounded.
Her heart sickened as she gazed at
MN, but she pitied him with her
whole soul. All her fears vanished.
She hastily jumped to her feet and
went toward the stranger.
His lips twitched and he sunk to
the ground. In vain he tried to
speak, but his honest blue eyes plead
ed so we'll for him that Betty knelt
down on the grass beside him.
What is it," she asked, eagerly.
He shook his head. Betty ran into
the house and soon returned with a
bottle of blackberry wine and loaf
of bread.
The stranger eagerly swallowed the
wine, and before he spoke a word
finished the loaf. Then he spoke for
the first time.
THANK you," he said; then speak
ing in low, earnest tone, ARE you q
Tory?"
No, indeed" replied Betty, 'T'm
not"
VERY well, then" he responded
with a slight smile, 81 can trust you
l am George Thorne, and am one Of
Marion's men. | am taking mes
sage to General Washington, but
met with some red-coats, and they
were having some fun, target prac
tice. you see. They're pretty goo6
4 shots, too" he added, with a glance
! at his mutilated foot, land they shot
my horse, and I can't go any farther
The message is very important; car
! you help me out?"
Betty thought moment Coult
she trust this young fellow? Plain
! ly he could not go himself. Should
she leave him at the house and g
herself? What would her mothel
think if she should come back?
Can | trust you?" she asked.
ITO the uttermost," he responded.
"Well, continued the bravo girl Il
you'll stay here and keen the no 'c'
for me, and if my mother come;
back tomorrow (she's at the hos it2
now, explain to her, I'll take yCdl
message to General Washin .icl
He lOol,ed a her With 7iie.
with tears of gratitude. Then OK
tending his hand he said: You're 1
brave loyal American"
Betty hurried to the house anC
brought out an old pair of crutchei
her brother had used when he brok'
his leg, and Thorne managed to ge
to the house.
Betty dressed his wounds to tn
best Of her ability, and after hast,
supper ran 70 her room to get