The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-04-06

hel I'll scare Bessie Baines most TO
death, guess. Attention.! Forward,
march--ha-ha-hal"
Down the road from She direction
of Bennington came strange figure.
IT was that of young man Of 20 or
%. and his dress was n mixture Of
continental and British uniform. On
his shoulder rested a stick, instead
Of q musket, and his face bore that
vacuous expression always seen with
an idiot.
IL was about noon of an August
day. Below him, as he halted 10 make
ready for charge, was the red mill
wherein Elijah Baines had ground
corn and wheat and buckwheat for the
public for decade. In the rear of the
mill was the miller's house, and while
he ground the grists and took only
thc 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 at rest, and the waters fretted
and splashcd and gurglcd as they
found 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. All
along the New York and Vermont
line the patriots were up in arms and
waiting.
"Iip-hurrah!" cried the idiot, as
he came dashing down on the mill and
turned corner. Fire at will!
Charge the enemy with the bayonet!
Hc-he-he! How scared you look, Bes-
siei"
His shouts had brought the girl to
the door. She smiled as she saw the
young mans queer dress.
al knew 10 was you, Wilhelm" she
quietly said. "What are they doing
IN Bennington?'
''What are they doing? Why, they
are doing hight facel Left faccl
Halt Load your muskets! Charge
your bayonets and drive the British
I'm a general now, Bessie. Don't you
want to marry general?"
She watched him with plying smile
as he marched up and down before
her. and threw out his chest and held
up his chin in an effort TO look impor-
tant. She had known him for years,
and had always spoken kindly; and in
return his ATTACHMENT for her was
like that of dog to It's master.
mo, you won't marry me-" he said
rs he came 20 halt and tried to bring
his heels together. 81 know who you
are going 20 marry-te-he-hel I've
seen him kiss you and you kissed back.
It's Capt. Luke Greenwood-te-he-he."
"You mustn't talk that wayl" said
che blushing girl in tones of reproof.
sI've got sweet-cake in the oven,
and when It's done I'll give you big
piece. Run away, now, and fight the
British. Harki What's thatl"
From over the hills and meadows
and tree-tops to the north came the
notes of flies and the beat of drums,
and the red checks 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 left-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
J 81 clear of patriots from Salem to Ben
nington.
"Arc the British coming?" asked
William in whisper, as he crowded
closer 60 the girl.
ut must be thcm!" she answered,
as she caught her breath. "Climb up
the ladder, william, and tell me what
you can see"
There was n rough ladder leaning
against the north wall of the mill. and
the idiot was soon ut the top and look
ing northwards.
II see red-coats and fags-red-
coats and flagsl" he called to the girl.
Father. Burgoyne's men are COM
inel" exclaimed the daughter, as she
ran into the house. "We can hear the
drums and flies. and William says
there are many soldiers"
at is SOL IL Ia sol" replied the
miller, MS he raised himself up on his
elbow TO listen. God defend Ben
nington II the British are coming by
this road Run away, girl--hide your
self in the woods before they reach us.
III the troops are Hessians they will
kill me and burn the milf"
"Run away--neverl" 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'll BE
quiet--bc quietl"
At the door. she hurried out, the
girl found the idiot. He was parad-
ing up and down with the stick on his
shoulder. The notes OF fife and drum
sounded nearer.
"Ohl Williaml' she said, as she
graspcd his arm and halted him, "try