Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-03-14
mr Nv MARCH, Rinh. 80,

DEATH, guess Attention. Forward,
march-ha-ha-hai"
Down the road from the direction
OF bennington came a strange figure.
IL was hat of a young man of % or
2%, and his dress Has a mixture of
continental and British uniform. On
his shoulder rested a stick. instead
o. n musket, and his face bore that
acuou expression always seen with
an idiot. He was lop-shouldered. and
his gate-was a shamble: but ne had
watched the drill of the patriots and
remembered many of the commands.
It was about noon of an August
day. Below him, as he halted to make
ready for a charge. was the red mill
wherein Elijah Baines had ground
orn and wheat and buckwheat for
the public for the last decade. The
creek which turned the big water
wheel was called after the miller. and
after the water had been used il went
leaping II fOaming ccross the high
way, and seldom rose deeper than the
knees OF the horses which stopped to
Stake their thirst. In the rear of the
mill was the miller's house, and while
he ground the grists and took only
the toll of an honest man. his daughter
Bessie, who was motherless, minded
the house and sometimes worked be-
side him.
On this summer day the big wheel
was ct rest. and the waters fretted
and splashed and gurgled as they
found Il way over the moss-grown
buckets. The miller had been one of
the minutemen called out to harass
and annoy Gen. Burgoyne as he
sought to get into Fort Edward, and
in One of the many skirmishes had
been shot through the leg and
brought back home for nursing. Al.
along the New York and Vermont
line the patriots were mp in arms and
waiting. The Green mountain boys
were drilling at Bennington. and the
supplies stored there for the army
being raised. 1t was known that
Burgoyne was making ready to
dispatch a strong force to seize the
supplies and lay waste the town and
the country about. and the farmers
grists came to the Red mill no more
..Hip-hurrah," cried the idiot, as
he came dashing down IN the mill and
turned a corner. Fire at viii!
Charge the enemy with the bayonet!
He-he-he, How scared you look, Bes-
SIZE"
His shouts had brought the girl to
the door. She smiled as she saw the
young mans queer dress
II knew it was you. William" she
quietly said. "What are they doing
in Remington"
What are they doing? Why, they
are doing Right face. Left face!
Halt. Load your muskets! Charge
your bayonets and drive the British"
I'm 4 general now. BESSIE Don't you
want to marry a geEeral?'
She watched him with Pitying smile
as he marched up n down before
her. and threw out his chest and held
up his chin in an effort to look impOT-
tant. ~ had known him for years,
and had always spoken kindly; and in
return his ATTACHMENT for her was
like that of a dog to its master.
No. Won won't marry me-" he said
as he came to a halt and tried to bring
his heels together. Il know who you
ere going to marry-te-he-he, I've
seen him kiss you and you kissed back.
It's Capt. Luke Observation-Disclosures"
You mustn't talk that way" said
the bIushinS girl in tones of reproof.
sT've got a sweet-cake in the oven,
and when it's done I'll give you a big
piece. Run away, now, and fight the
British. Hank, What's that"
Prom over the hills and meadows
and tree-tops to the north came the
notes of flies and h beat of drums,
aud the red cheeks of the girl grew
pale as she listened. She realized in
a moment what the sounds meant.
Burgoyne had sent out his 1000 men
on the march to Bennington. At
Salem the entire command should
have gone on by the Ieft-hand road.
Instead of that, and to deceive Col.
Stark. waiting on that road behind
defenses, all but 200 men had swung
into the Red mill road, and would find
it clear of patriots from Salem to Ben
nington.
"Are the British coming?" asked
William in a whisper, IS he crowded
closer to the girl.
at must be them!" she answered,
as she caught her breath. Climb up
the ladder, William, and tell me what
you can see"
There was a rough ladder leaning
AGAINST the north wall of the mill. and
the idiot was soon at the top and look
ing northwards.
"I see red-coats and fags-red-
coats and fagsI" he called to the girl.
"There's DEMONSTRATIONS of 'em!
They are just coming over Stark's
hill. Don't be afraid, Thoughtful run
up the road and kill 'em all-te-he-
he!"
Father, Burgoyne's men are com
ingI" exclaimed the daughter, as b
ran into the house. 1--WE can hear the
drums and flies, and William says
there are many soldiers"
at is so! 1t is sol" replied the
miller. as he raised himself up on his
elbow to listen. "God defend Ben
ninpton if the British are coming by
this road! Run away, girl-hide your
self in the woods before they reach US.
IF the troops are Hessians they viii
kill me and burn the mill"
Run away-neveri" shouted Bes-
sic. BE quiet, father-don't try to
get up. We have two muskets and
powder and ball, and they shall kill
me before they lay hands on you! BE
quiet-be quieti"
At the door, she hurried out, the
GIRL found the idiot. He was parad-