Hutchinson gazette., 1901-02-14
For the Sake of Honor.

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John Randall stood for q moment
leaning over the pasture bars In the
direction of the hills that rose between
him and the Delaware. II was in the
troublous times Of the War OF Inde-
pendence, and John and his mother
and sister Betty remained on the little
New Jersey farm, The boys and girls
who have studied history know that
New Jersey was marched across more
than any other state. John had seen
the fleeing patriots hurrylng along the
highway more than once, and, too,
he had seen the triumphant redcoats
marching by. II had not been an easy
matter to make the family living dur
ing this time, and John, as the head OF
the family in his fathers absence,
felt the full responsibility of this,
They gave freely from their stores for
the patriots and frequently what re-
mained was taken by the redcoats
without even 80 much as thank
you"
John had kept one precious treasure
through 1t all, his horse Beauty, II
ever any horse deserved the name Of
Beauty 1t was Johns. Her black
coat was as carefully cared for as if
she had belonged to king, She low
cd her master, and followed him about
as a petted dog would. You may
wonder how she escaped being cap
tured by the redcoats, Well, there was
little hollow down In the woodland
where John concealed her at tho flrst
alarm, The soldiers were always In a
hurry, and took anything they saw;
but so far they had never searched
nor asked questions.
Mother" said John one day, III the
soldiers ever ask II have horse. 1t
would be all right to say no, would II
not? couldn't let Beauty go, She Ia
used to being petted so, and the SOL
dlers would be cruel to her, I'm
afraid"
MY son" said Mrs. Randall, ~
know that many good people call 1t
right and lawful to tell u falsehood to
those thievlng soldiers, but, John,
your father would scorn to tell a lie to
save his life and think he would like
to know that his son loved truth above
all else. However, use your own
judgment, my son, 1t would, indeed,
be n sore trial to lose Beauty, and l
pray the good God not to put you to
the test"
John thought for a moment and
then said, III they ask me will tell
the truth, because Of my father and
because It is right. But, nevertheless,
| shall hide Beauty so that they shall
not find her unless they search long
and we'll"
On this morning, as he stood look
ing toward the hills, he caught sight
Of q CLEAN of red passing through one
of the deflles. He ran to the house as
fast as he could,
"The redcoats, motherl" he shouted,
Then he turned to the pasture bars ad-
Joining the yard and called, Come,
Beauty! Come Beauty" Beauty came
out of clump of bushes and raced
across the pasture. She came up to
her master with arched neck and
dainty, prancing steps, expecting a
frollc, no doubt.
mo time to play to-day, my Beau
ty," said John, scramblng on her
back. Nov away with you to the
hollow"
Beauty had never known the touch OF
a whip, and she scampered away down
the lane at Johns command.
When the soldiers rode up they went
straight to the barn. There were no
horses there. They had been taken
away long before. One Of them came
70 the door where John was standing
boy, is there a horse any place
about2"
Johns heart was as heavy as lead at
this question. He heard Betty give q
sob in the kitchen back OF him, for
Betty loved Beauty as well as John
did.
Eyes, sir" said John, bravely, at
last.
"oh, there is, Is there?" said the
soldier, surveying him with an incrod-
ulous air. Perhaps you will tell US
where 1t Is, or even get 1t for u.s."
mo, sir, will not said John.
Mrs. Randall held her breath for
fear at the boldness Of the answer,
but the soldier turned away, laughing,
as II it were a huge joke.
Major" he said, turning to the
officer, will you send a
counIa NJ men 10 search tho DlaCe and