Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-04-16
CHAPTER I

Jug MS way through one or the numeF-
GUS little valleys of Westchester The
easterly wind. with its chilling dampness
and increasing violence, gave unerring no
tice of Tue approach of a storm and the
experienced sye of the traveller was turn
ed in quest of some convenient shelter.
The county of Westchester, after the
British had obtained possession OF the
island Of New York, became common
ground, in which both parties continued
TO act for the remainder of the war of
the revolution. A large proportion Of
its inhabitants affected a neutrality they
did not feel The lower towns were more
particularly under the dominion Of the
crown. while the upper were bold in as
sorting -heir right to govern themselves.
Great numbers, however. wore masks
and many an individual has gone down
TO the tomb stigmatized as a foe to the
rights of his countrymen. while, in Sc
eret, he has been the useful agent of the
leaders of the revolution and, on the
other hand, could the hidden repositories
of divers flaming patriots have been open
ed, royal projections would have been
discovered concealed under piles of Brit
ish gold.
Tired with the exercise of day Of I'M
usual fatigue, and anxious to obtain a
speedy shelter from the increasing vio-
lence of the storm, the traveller determin-
ed to make an application for admission
at the next dwelling that offered. and,
riding through pair of neglected bars, he
knocked loudly at the outer door of
building, of a very humble exterior. A
female of middle age answered the sum
mons His request was listened to with
evident unwillingness, and eagerly in
terrupted by the reply:
II can't say like to give lodgings to
a stranger in these ticklish times. There's
nobody but the old gentleman at home;
but half a mile further up the road is a
house where you can get entertainment
for nothing. Harvey is away wish
he'd take advice and leave off wandering.
But Harvey Birch will have his own way,
and die vagabond after all !"
Is this then, the dwelling of Harvey
Bircb!" inquired the horseman in an in
voluntary manner.
Why, one can hardly say it is his
dwelling" replied the other; he is never
in it, or so seldom, that l hardly re-
member his face. Turn in the first gate
on your left," and she closed the door
abruptly.
Sufficient light yet remained to enable
the traveller to distinguish the improve.
ments which had been made in the general
appearance of the grounds around the
building to which he was now approach.
ing. The bouse was of stone, with a
small wing at each extremity A piazza,
with
the place an air altogether superior to
the common farm houses of the country.
After leading his horse behind an angle
OF the wall, the traveller threw his valise
over his arm, and knocked loudly. An
aged black soon appeared; and acceded
to the request for accommodations. The
traveller was shown into an extremely
neat parior, where fire had been light
ed. After giving the valise into the
keeping of his civil attendant. and polite
ly repeating his request to the old gem
deman who arose to receive him. and pay
ing his compliments to the three ladies
who were seated at work with their nee
dies the stranger commenced laying aside
some of his outer garments.
The host was by several years the
senior of the traveller, and by his manner
showed he had seen much of life, and the
best of society. The ladies we're. maid
en- OF forty, and two much younger Mr..
wharton, for so was the owner of this
retired estate called, resumed his seat by
the IRE. For moment he paused. as if
debating with his politeness, but at length
threw an inquiring glance on the stranger
as he inquired
TO whom have l the honor of speak-
ing?"
MIR. Harper"
The young ladies had taken their seats
beside work stand, while their aunt
Miss Jeanette Peyton. withdrew to super
intend the preparations necessary to en-
terrain their unexpected visitor A short
silence prevailed. There was an evident
desire the part of the host to enter into |
conversation but from apprehension |
Of tTeadlng on dangerous ground he Sqy.
eral times hesitated before he could ven
ture to make any remark At length he |
said:
II wish from the bottom of nv heart
this unnatural struggle was over. thar we /
might again meet our friends and rela.
tives in peace and love"
ut is much to be desired" said Har- /
per, emphatically.
Il hear Of no movement of conse-
quence since the arrival of our new al |
lies" said Mr.. Wharton.
None have yet reached the public. l
believe"
They appear active in the Soutb
Gates and CORVALLIS seem willing to
bring the war to an issue there"
rI,g hrn,
deeper shade of melancholy crossed his
features; bis eye kindled with a tran
sient beam of fire, that spoke a latent
source of deep feeling. The admiring
gaze of the younger of the sisters had
barely time TO read its expression before
it passed away, leaving in its room ac-
quire@ composure. The elder sister made
one or two movements in her chair be-
fore she ventured to say. in tone which
partook in no small measure of triumph
General Gates has been less fortunate
with the Earl than with General Bur
goyne."
But General Gates is an Englishman.
Sarah" cried the younger lady, with
Quickness; then. coloring TO the eyes at
her own holiness.
The traveller had turned his face from
one sister TO the other. and an almost 4
imperceptible movement of the muscles of
the mouth betrayed new emotion as he
playfully inquired of the younger:
May venture TO ask what inference
you would draw from that factg''
"ODly-only- sister and my
self sometimes differ in our opinions of
the proweSS OF the British Sarah thinks
they are never beaten. while l do not put
SO much faith in their invincibility."
The traveller listened TO her with that
pleased indulgence with which virtuous
age loves to contemplate the ardor of
youthful innicence; but making no reply.
he turned 70 the fire. and continued for
some time gazing on its embers in silepca
AT the first sounds of the imnat;ant
summons OF some new applicant. Mr. /,
Wharton had risen from mis- seat in evil
dent nneasiness. He scarcely had time 10
bid the black TO show this second coner