The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-09-04

and save quarters length or his rear
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 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 bis
pursuers. Hetty was timid child OF
about u 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
friend of the family guest, thought 1t
becoming to bark loudly at his hur-
ried footsteps.
Her wise forethought arrested the
governors notice and suggested
scheme to elude her pursuers.
sHetty," he said, II am flying for
my life, and unless l can reach my
boat before / am overtaken 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. II cannot tell a
lie-indeed cannot. Why did you tell
which way you were going"
"Hetty, child, surely you would not
betray me to my death? Harkl they
are comingl hear the click of their
horses feet. Oh, Hetty, tell them I
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 l can deceive
them 1 am dead man."
cousin, cousin. hide under my web
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
and 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.
Olll0y AC SbClAAJs AhNO yO0
seen man running hereabouts?"
Eyes, SIR" replied Hetty, trembling
and flushing.
(Which way did he go?'
II promised not to tell, SIR"
"But you must or take the conse-
quences."
II said wouldn't tell, If you killed
mn co1,had tho frfnhfopod GIRL
"I'n have it out of her!" exclaimed
the furious officer, with an oath.
LET me speak to her." said his Tory
guide. II know the child, believe.
isn't your name Hetty Marvin? he
asked pleasantly.
eyes, sir"
"And this man that ran by you
few minutes ago is your mothers
cousin, isn't he?"
Eyes, sir; he is"
"Well, we are friends of his. What
did he say to you when he came
alongr'
I "He-told me-that he was fleeing for
his life"
"Just 80. Hetty; that was very true
1 hope he won't have to fly far. Where
was he going to hide? You see could
help him If knew his plans"
Now, Hetty was not 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 q 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
goneY Numbered the officer fiercely.
81 could not tell lie, SIR" was the
fearful answer
"Hetty," again began the smooth
tongued Tory, "you are nice child.
Everybody knows you are a girl of
truth. What did your cousin say when
you told him you could not tell
falsehoodT
'He said he shouldn't think I'd be-
tray him to his death"
"And you promised him that you
wouldn't tell which way he went If you
were killed for it,?
Eyes, SIR
"That was brave; and I suppose he
thanked you for it and ran down the
road as quickly as possible"
II promised not to tell where he
went, SIR"
"Oh, yes, l forgot. Well, tell us his
last words, and we won't trouble you
any more"
His last words were, IT'S my only
chance, child, and I'll get down as You
say"
And, overcome with fright and the
sense Of her kinsman's danger should
they rightly interpret the language
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