Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-08-03

My mother kept her fears to herself
and did her best to make me feel that
It would come out all right, but those
hours were the most anxious l ever
spent. So through the day we watch
ed and waited for news.
The first news that came to us from
the fight at Lexington and the other
doings of that day arrived about
o'clock in the afternoon, when some
minutemen from another town stopped
at the tavern on their way home. They
told the story Of the day to the little
crowd of anxious women who eagerly
questioned them for news of some dear
one. -
My father would not let me go down
to the tavern, but went down himself
and brought us the news. l can see
him now hurrying along the road.
Something unusual has happened,
Maryw exclaimed my mother. 81 nev-
er saw your father look so excited"
l hastened down the path to meet
him.
bad news, my child; bad newsw he
exclaimed. "There has been an en-
counter with the kings troops" And
then, reading the question in my eyes,
he continued, But they brought no
news of our men,
The hour set for the wedding was
o'clock, but 1t began to look as if there
would be no wedding, for it was now
after o'clock, and none of our men
had returned home.
Mother and | sat in silence in the
Kitchen while father walked back and
forth in the room above.
At last we heard steps outside, and
then my brother Arthur, who was
among the first to reach home, stagger-
ed into the room. l sprang up and ran
to him. He sank into the nearest
chair, and his gun fell to the floor with
a thud. Arthur was only boy of 10,
you must remember, and the day had
been a terrible one.
When he had recovered a little, my
father spoke. what news do you
bring my son?" he asked.
Now, | had felt from the first that
he had brought bad news. and by the
way he hesitated and glanced from fa-
thti W illt anu sun lOl SPEAK l.
felt sure of it. So put my worst fears
into words.
Arthur" l said, "is it HenryT
'Listen," he said, speaking rapidly.
'"The kings troops were in full retreat
when we reached the road. We did
not keep with our companies, but each
one found shelter as he was able be-
hind trees, walls or fences. met Hen
ry as | was crossing field and we
took shelter together and awaited the
coming of the troops. We had just got
settled when Henry caught sight of
flanking party coming right down on
us. He called to the men near us to
run for their lives, and at the same
time we both jumped the wall and ran
for house which stood in in the field
just opposite. | reached the opposite
wall in safety and turned round to look
for Henry, but he was not with me-
At that moment the troops came round
sudden turn in the road and sent
some shots In our direction. At the
risk of being shot at l stood up and
looked across the road. He must have
been hit by the fianking party, for he
lay just by the wall"
"Are you sure it was hep" asked IA
ther.
YES; | knew him by the green on
his powderhorn," replied my brother.
You staid by and looked after him?'
asked father.
81 tried to, sir, but the troops came
down on us, and we were obliged to
move on. l went back to the place as
soon as I could, but must have mis-
taken the spot, for l could not find
him."
Meanwhile I sat in my chair, feeling
as If had just awakened from a bad
dream. l did not fully realize what
had happened for it seemed impossi-
BILE.
Here are some people, Mary" said
mother. "You would better go up to
your room and lie down."
did as l was told. There on the
bed lay my wedding gown. could not
bear to look at it, and, picking it up,
placed 1t in the large chest In which
my linen was packed and pulled down
the lid; then threw myself on the bed,
and tears came to my relief SO lay
there thinking over the events of the
day, my wedding day that was to have
been. How different from what had
anticipated!
Suddenly l heard the sound of
horses feet coming up the road at flu
rious pace sat up and listened.
Somebody is riding on an important
errand," l said to myself. Nearer and
nearer came the sound, and the rider,
whoever he was, drew rein at our door.
Then there were a murmur of voices
and an opening and shutting of doors
and then my mothers voice calling to
me: MARY, Mary; child, come down!
Henry is here. He's come"
Scarcely believing that l heard Alright,
l got up and ran down stairs and into
the kitchen, and there before me, his
face pale as death, with a blood STAIN
ed bandage bound about his forehead,
stood your grandfather.