The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1902-01-24

Ny mother kept her fears 70 herseit
and did her best 10 make ne feel that
Il would come out aIl right. but those
hours were the most anxious / ever
spent So through the day we watch
ed and waited for news
The first news that came 10 Is from
The fight az Lexington and the other
doings OF that day arrived about s
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
sne-
Ny father would not let ne 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.
Mary exclaimed my mother. Il new
er saw your father look so excited"
| FASTENED down the path 10 meet
him.
BAD news. my child; bad news be
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 IL began TO look as IL there
would be no wedding. for IL 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. I sprang up and ran
TO him. He sank into the nearest
chair. and his gun fell TO the floor with
thud. Arthur was only boy OF 10,
you must remember, and the day had
been terrible one.
When he had recovered a little. my
father spoke. What news do you
bring. my SOM" be asked.
Now, had felt from the first that
he had brought bad news, and by the
way he hesitated and glanced from IA
Their 10 me and still did not speak
felt sure of it. So put my worst fears
into words.
Arthur" | said. lis ii Henry?"
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
~ as | was crossing a field. and we
took shelter together and awaited the
coming Of the troops. We had just got
settled when Henry caught sight of
fianking 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 a 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
a sudden turn In the road and sent
some shots in our direction. At the
risk Of being shot at | stood up and
looked across the road He must have
been hit by the thanking party. for he
lay Just by the wall"
Are you sure ii was he?" asked IA
Their
Yes; ! knew him by the green on
bis powderhorn." replied my brother.
You staid by and looked after hlmT
asked father.
II tried to, sir. but the troops came
down on US, and we were obliged TO
move on. went back to the place as
soon as ! could, but | must have mis-
taken the spot for I could not find !
him"
Meanwhile sat in my chair. feeling
as If | had just awakened from bad |
dream. did not fully realize what |
had happened. for ii seemed impossi- |
BILE
Here are some people. Mary" said /
mother. You would better so up to |
four room and lie down"
| did as was told. There on the |
bed lay my wedding gown. could not /
bear TO look at 1t, and. picking 1t up. |
placed II In the large chest in which |
ny linen was packed and pulled down
he lid: then threw myself on the bed. |
md tears came to my relief. So | lay
here thinking over the events of the
lay. my wedding day that was to have
been. How different from what I had /
Suddenly heard the sound OF
iorse's feet coming up the road at fu-
'ious pace. ! sat up and listened.
Somebody Is riding on an important
'rrand." ! said TO myself Nearer and
learer came the sound. and the rider.
whoever he was, drew rein at our door.
Then there were a murmur of voices
md an opening and shutting OF doors
Ind then my mothers voice calling TO
ne: MARY, Mary; child. come down.
Henry is here. He's come"
Scarcely believing that heard Alright.
got up and ran down stairs and into
he kitchen. and there before me. his
ace pale as death. with a blood STAIN
d bandase bound about his forehead.
TODD your grandfather
Mary" he cried holding out his
Iands TO me. Il am in time! The clock
las not struck yetT'
Then Parson Elder. who had come
yer TO hear the news from Arthur
anne forward and said. Shall per
o-r,, tho ea-arr,onv onrr-'