Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-09-21
FREE-N.EoUAL.
Story Of Cow that Belonged to a
Little Girl Long Ago.


Debbie lived ling. long ago. when
the colonists were taking a arm stand
for freedom. Ever since the child
was born the war of independence
had been raging, and when only a wee
maiden, her stout little heart beat
furiously when she heard the story
OF the famous Boston Tea Party"
The following year, when England
shut up the harbor of Boston, her eyes
flashed fire. and she then resolved
TO stand close TO her country and her
people. Her brother John had been
shot dead at the battle OF Bunker Hill.
and Debbie wept hot tears In her
coarse homespun apron; but she dried
them IN sort OF strange delight when
brother Tom buckled on his sword
and followed George Washington 10
the war.
Tom wrote home a glowing account
or the fight they were making: Its
our shirts, and its liberty or death
We have engraved in our hearts,
After reading the letter, Debbie's IA
Their grimly smiled, and turning TO
his two younger boys. he said: Just
wait and hold yourselves In readiness.
Wen have the war at our own doors
before It is all over"
Debbie lonsed 20 be q boy, so that
she might fight the "Britshers' on
her own account, but was only IL
years OF age. and she had much 10 do
IN the household. 50 had little time Tor
patriotic dreaming.
When Debbie had been eight years
old, two very important events hap
pened. One was the signing OF the
Declaration OF independence. and the
other was the birth Of calf in her
fathers barn.
The calf she named Free EQUAL"
and the animal grew up 20 deserve
'ts name. Free-'n Equal was Debbie's
only playmate. 90 there we're no other
children within six miles OF her
home. Debbie confded all her secrets
10 this favorite. and even consulted
II about many important undertake
ings
Soon after Tom died. during that
awful winter at Valley Forge. and
then Debb!e sobbed her grief in Free
'n-EQuars sympathetic ear Her IA
Their and her remaining brothers went
10 join the army. The cows low
"Iaco-o" plainly said TO the girl: I'm
very sad over your misfortunes." and
then the girl shook her head proudly.
brushed away her tears and ex-
claimed: III take care OF motheri"
The Britishers soon surrounded the
Smith home. and Debbie and her
mother lived a poor, lonely and des-
perate life in their midst. One day.
when the child returned home with a
bundle OF sticks on her back for the
days cooking, her mother met her at
the door and said: "Debbie. they
( have driven on Free 'n-EQual"
They" gasped the girl "Who?"
The British soldiers. They tied q
rope around her horns and drove her
into camp"
Debbie uttered cry and darted
| from the house, and ran-the yellow
sunbonnet back on her shoulders and
her brown curls covered with dust
ran miles, until she reached Lord
! CORVALLIS headquarters. Without
waiting for permission, she passed
sentinels and all and walked into the
| room where CORVALLIS and some OF
his men sat eating and drinking.
I'm Debbie Smith, and / came to
! get ee-'n-Equali"
who may that person be-" in
| CURED the general
'My COW. They carried her of"
who are you, and where do you
lve?"
I'm Debbie Smith. 1 live three
miles irom here. and"
Your father?"
Hes in Gen. Gates army, Mr.
CORVALLIS"
"Oh, he is a rebel. is he?"
Eyes. SIR" answered Debbie, proud
ly. And so are my brothers"
Rank rebels. and yet you come
here for your COW Is she rebel,
too?"
eff she had less horn and two less
legs, have no doubt she'd be a red
hot one"
Lord CORVALLIS laughed loud and
long Then he said: Come here. nv
little maid. / myself will see that
you get your COW back safe. And.
perhaps" he added, unfastening a
pair OF silver knee buckles which be
wore, perhaps you will accept these
\ from one who wishes no harm to these
! rebels" Then he arose, and holding
high his glass. he said: Here's to
the health of as fair little rebel as
We shall meet. and God bless her!"
She dropped a courtesy. clasped her
| gift TO her heart and ran home, glad
to have her Free'n-Equal all her own
a5siss.