Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-05-12
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Al year or two before the opening;
or the Revolution, the Mertons came
down into the Mohawk Valley from
the heart of New England, and set
ting there, cleared a little place. in
the great forest and began life in the
new home.
Rebecca Merton soon became the
real head OF the family for the huss-I husI
bard and father sustained e disabling
injury in the clearing and in time be-
came nearly helpless.
The wife, q young woman with
three small children to look aftec,
5 came OF Puritan stock and could look
1; along the line OF her ancestors to the
/ landing OF the Pilgrims. Indeed, she
had in her possession the identical
Nrlfe which her great-grandfather had
brought over from the Old World in
L the May1ower. and with which, on
/ more than one occasion, % had hunt
iSed and fought with Miles Standish.
NJ NJ At the particular period Of which
we write. the Indians were not very
troublesome, put now and then they
came sneaking about the white settle
lment, hut did little more than pilfer.
However, the war cloud which had
hung over the colonies grew darker,
S,and with every new report came
!, thoughts of war.
Perry Merton's injury increased in
several Ways until at last he was uNr
able to leave his bed. He could not
y assist at all in the management Of
/: the little farm. and his wife and chill
fdren were compelled to take his place.
:. Toward the close Of an autumn day
one of the Merton children. who had
been to mill on the only horse owned
by the little family, returned with the
report that a Bear had been seen at
the old PennyIot bridge, about mile
and a kalf from the house.
We shall DE Visited tonight I, said
Perry Merton, oking at his wife.
The animal sti aid our pens, and
unless taey are guard we will be
the losers. r +; KS & s.
Mrs. Merton went direct to the
family heirloom. which rested on q
set of polished antlers; above The
door. and begltn to inspect it. She
had handled the rife before and coulG
cenTe5hit q very small target at a
hundred yards,
Contrary to- expectation the bear
did not make his appearance, and at
last the family, tired Of watching for
his bearship. retired. The rife, how
ever, was; not returned to the antiers,
but was placed within easy reach of
the bed, and Mrs. Merton's hand
rested close to the polished stock.
Midnight had passed when the hus-
band, lying awake on account OF the
pain, heard a peculiar sound outside
the cabin, and in another moment had
awakened his wife.
z s Accustomed to prompt action, Mrs
Merton arose, and. rife in hand, went
to the window and looked out. Il
was dark beyond the door; SO dark
indeed .s.lat one could not see ones
hand when. placed close to the face
{ and in vain did the pioneer woman
look for the meaning Of the noise.
Suddenly great noise was heard
! toward the pens, ard in an instan
the door was opened.
sThe bear has come at last, criet
i the woman, glancing at her husband
i and then she dressed herself.
.You cannot shoot in the dark,
was the reply. . Benny will light yol
IL, the pens. - n
The fire on the ,old-fashione'
hearth still burned with little bril-
q lialcy. and in a few moments th
eldest child a boy of ten, and as cou1
,' ageons as mis- mother, held above hi
]; head fagot which he had take
from the heap.
4Be careful" admonished tn
crippled father. @Don't fire till 20
see the eyes, Becky, and then sen
. the bullet right between them
!, Carrying the rifle, and followed b
s.. her.son, who held the torch above h!
Z head, allowing its light to preced
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