Gilpin observer., 1903-07-23
CHAPTER XVI.
For Freedoms sake.

It was this thundery atmosphere Of
coming conflict. or hopes and doubts,
of sundering ties and fearful looking
forward, that Richard and Katherine
Hyde came. from the idyllic peace and
beauty of their Norfolk house.
It was an exquisite April morning
when they sailed up New York bay
once more. Joris took his daughter in
his arms, murmuring Min Katrijntje.
min Katrijntje.. Ach, min kind,
min kind!"
He gave Hyde both hands; he
called him "mijn zoon;" he stopped,
and put the little lads arms around
his neck.
Lysbet had always admired Hyde.
and she was very proud and happy to
have him in her home and to have
him call her mother" The little
Joris took possession of her heart in
moment.
In few hours things had fallen
and Bran and Hyde sat talking of the
formation Of regiment. Little Joris
leaned on his grandfather's shoulder.
listening. Lysbet and Katherine were
unpacking trunks full Of fineries and
pretty things.
About four o'clock. as Katherine e
and Hyde were dressing, Joanna and
Batavius and all their family arrived.
Hyde met his brother-in-law with a
gentlemanly cordially, and Batavius
was soon smoking amicably with him.
as they dis p-ssed the proposed mill
tary organization. Very soon Hyde
asked Batavius, IF he were willing
to join it?"
when such a family a man has"
he answered. waving his hand COM
placently toward the six children, 'he
must have some prudence and consid-
GRAFTON. 1t is a fixed principle with
me not to meddle with the business of
other people"
IF you go not yourself to the fight,
Batavius," said Joris. plenty of young
men are there. longing to go, who
have no arms and no clothes; send in
your place one of them"
1T Is my fixed principle not to
meddle in the affairs of other people,
and my principles are sacred to me-"
Have you read the speeches of
Adams and Hancock and Quincy?
Have you heard what Col. Washington
Said in the Assembly,"
"Oh, these men are dlscontented!
Something which they have not got,
they want. They are troublesome and
conceited. They expect the century
will be called after them. Now. l..
who punctually fulfil my obligations
as father and citizen, l am con-
tented, never make complaints.
never want more liberty. You may
read in the Holy Scriptures that no
good comes of rebellion"
Bran rose, and with a long-drawn
whistle, left the room. Joris said
~ternly: Enough you have spoken.
Batavius. None are so blind as those
>who will not see"
well, then, father, / can see what
IS in the way of mine own business;
and it is a fixed principle with me not
to meddle with the business of other
people"
And he marshaled the six children
and their two nurses in front of him,
and trotted OF with Joanna upon his
arm. fully persuaded that he had done
himself great credit. and acted with
uncommon wisdom.
The next morning was the Sabbath.
and 1t broke in a perfect splendor of
sunshine. They all walked to church
together, and Hyde thought how beau
tiful the pleasant city was that Sab
bath morning.
Katherine and Hyde and Bran were
together; Joris and Lysbet were slow
ly following them. Suddenly the
peaceful atmosphere was troubled by
the startling clamor of trumpet. A
second blast was accompanied by the
rapid beat of a horses hoofs, and the
rider came down Broadway like one
on a message of life and death, and
made no pause until he had very near
ly reached Maiden Lane.
At that point a tall, muscular man
seized the horse by the bride and
asked, what news?"
Great news! great news! There
has been battle, massacre at Lex
ington, a running fight from Concord
TO Boston! Stay me not!" But, as he
shook the bride free. he threw a
handful, containing the official ac-
count of the affair at Lexington. to
the inquirer.
Who then thought Of church. though
the church bells were ringing? The
crowd gathered round the man with
the handful. and in ominous silence
listened to the tidings OF the massacre
at Lexington. the destruction of stores
at Concord the quick gathering OF the
militia from the hills and dales around
Reading and Roxbury. the retreat OF
the British under their harassing fire.
until. worn out and disorganized. they
had found a refuge in Boston.
Joris was white and stern In his
emotion; Bran stood by the reader,