The Virginia enterprise., 1901-08-30
The Shiniest Dime.


And again and again she had left her play
To plan how to spend them for Christmas
day.
And grandpa and grandma would all enjoy
Her little gifts as much rs a score
OF other presents that cost far more.
-Four Of the dimes were dull and old,
But one was shining and new, I'm told:
And once the little girl said to friend,
This new one Is almost too pretty to
spend.'
At last the Christmas shopping was done;
The dimes were spent; yes every every one one o,;ro
AS she hurried home with her parcels five.
She had a secret for mothers ear.
II bought Il nice present for papa dear,
And for grandpa and grandma, and baby,
But l spent the shiniest dime for you!'
Jessie L. Britton in st. Nicholas.
How Dolly and Jack Rescued Their
Father from the Hessians.
1t was Christmas day, but there was
no cheerfulness or mirth in the Trues-
dale family as they sat down to their
midday meal Nor was it the scant fare,
which consisted Of dish of potatoes, a
little pork and some rosy apples, that
made the family so downhearted. There
were only three OF them that sat down
to the table-Mrs. Truesdale, a sweet
faced Quaker, and her two children,
Jack and Dolly. Neither of the children
was over II years of age, but they were
more grave and thoughtful locking than
many young folks Of 70.
And you will all understand this when
l tell you that the scene was Trenton,
y. j., or, rather. an old farmhouse near
to Trenton, during the Revolutionary
war. The hated Hessians overran the
country, pillaging and plundering. But
just across the dark, turbulent waters Of
the Delaware Washington's small, reso-
lutte force hugged the campfres waiting
for darkness that they might stead
across and give to the Hessians that
memorable surprise party which is now
Il matter Of history.
Capt. Truesdale, the children's father,
because OF his knowledge OF the sur
rounding country, had been chosen by
Washington to rcconnoiter the enemy )
position for information that would aid
the commander when he should make his
attack on Trenton.
The Truesdale home, with it's green,
fertile acres and it's handsome barn, stool
Il mile to the eastward Of Trenton town,
and along the river road. One faithful!
colored woman was all that remained to
the Truesdales of their help, all the 9TH
ers having taken advantage Of the turbu-
some to join the rebel forces.
1T is but sorry Christmas without
thy father here,' said Mrs. Truesdal,,
sadly.
Yes, but mother DEAR" replied Dolly,
'hc is much safer, is he not, with til"
great Washington than he would be at
home?'
"Oh, mother" cried Jack. II wish
were man that might be with him and
help to fight these hounds OF Britishers -
AYE, but am glad that thou art not
man yet responded his mother gently,
for then I should miss thy aid. Thou
art Il great comfort to me, Jack"
"1f we could but have one glimpse Of
dear father tonight before we 20 to bed, >"
uuoth Mistress Dolly, with sigh.
And so ye shall,' came in a loud whis-
per from the doorway, and the next in
great coat, still glistening with the fall
ing snow, was in the room making vail
ant attempts to hug all three at one and
the same time. When the embraces were
over, Mrs. Truesdale glanced anxiously
out Of the window.
said hy life life Ho!s,dx f in da4Es Sa sn,y she
AYE, but they won't, F! warrant yc,'
said the captain .cheerfully. "Therc are
no foraging bands Of Hessians about to-
day. They are hugging the fires and
brewing the Christmas punch. But il
perchance they surprise us I can hide, in
the secret cupboard in the garret and they
never would think to find me there"
And then they all sat down to the poor
little Christmas dinner while the old black
nanny was sent upstairs to guard from
the window all approaches to the house.
lest the family be unpleasantly surprised.
Now, my DEAR" said Capt. Truesdale,
hn tn1 vo
something that you must not breathe to Il
human soul. There is Il chance that at
daybrcak Washington army will have
crossed the Delaware and SO by the rising
Of the sun every Hessian will be a pris-
Oner.'
How glorious" cried the children in a
breath. "And then. dear father. you may
come home and be with us for a WHILE
AS the twilight crept on they sat by the
smoldering fire in the hearth talking and
planning. The captain was not to recross
the Delaware, but to meet the continent
ais should they land at Yardley's ferry
and guide them thence by the nearest
route to Trenton. He still had some
hours before he should take his departure
under cover Of darkness, going in the d.
rection Of the ferry.
Suddenly there were heard heavy steps
ON the piazza muffled by the drifted snow.
and then sharp rapplng on the door.
With surprised cry the four Truesdales
sprang to their feet. 1t took but a mo-
ment for the captain to spring lightly up
the steps and disappear in the garret
above. The family by this time had be-
come used to wars alarms, and they pre-
sented quite composed features to the
closely-muffled figure that stumbled in as
the front door was opened.
why. it's Jake Stubbs!' cried Mrs.
Truesdale. "Step in, 'Jakey, and what
would ye?'
Thank ye. ma'am. am a bit stiff
from the cold, and I'd like to bide a bit
by the fire before go on toward Tren-
ten. And didn't I hear the captain S
voice just now as | came in?''
Faith and ye did, sir said the cap
tain, appearing in the doorway. Il took
ye for hated Hessian. How are ye?'
and he shook "Jake's' hand cordially.
Now Jake" had been deputy sheriff
for many years in those parts. The
Truesdales had never liked him very
we'll. but the sight Of an old neighbor
and one who had long since declared him.
self Staunch Whip was n nlaa Surn IN